Militants desecrate Orthodox Church of Holy Sophia in Syria's Hama Province

Church of Holy Sophia in Suqaylabiyah, Syria. Photo: x.com/HadiNasrallah

On December 11, 2024, militants operating under the banner of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham Group desecrated the Greek Orthodox Church of Holy Sophia in the town of Suqaylabiyah, located in the rural area of Syria’s Hama province.

A video recording shows the church vandalized, with its interior and property destroyed.

It is worth noting that the same church was attacked by militants using drones during its ceremonial opening a year ago.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Syrian militants had looted an Orthodox church in Damascus.

At the same time, Syria’s new government has pledged to protect the rights of religious minorities.

Read also

Church сonsecrated after restoration in Zaporizhzhia Eparchy of UOC

Metropolitan Luke of Zaporizhzhia and Melitopol performed the rite of great consecration and celebrated the first Liturgy in the renovated church.

Sand for construction of Yermak’s residence brought from cemetery, MP says

MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak said that sand illegally removed from a cemetery in Ukrainka was used in the construction of the elite Dynasty cooperative in Kozyn.

Italian court recognizes family with three parents as legal

In Bari, the appellate court ordered authorities to register an adoption according to which a child is listed as having two "fathers" and one mother.

Archaeologists discover biblical Bethsaida on shore of Sea of Galilee

Researchers have discovered a first-century residential house beneath the apse of a Byzantine church and a mosaic inscription mentioning the Apostle Peter.

Israeli soldiers receive jail terms for mocking statue of the Virgin Mary

Those involved in the act of sacrilege in the village of Debel will spend several weeks behind bars for desecrating a statue of the Mother of God.

Serbian Church officially receives back land of 15th-century monastery

An agreement was signed in Belgrade transferring the territory of the ancient Vojlovica Monastery to the Banat Eparchy.