Patriarch Theophilos: Terror in Syria is an affront to all humanity

Patriarch Theophilos. Photo: pravmir.ru

His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of Jerusalem, issued an official statement in response to the horrific terrorist attack carried out on June 22 at the Orthodox Church of the Holy Prophet Elijah in the Dweila district of Damascus, Syria.

“With hearts heavy with sorrow and eyes lifted in prayer, we received the grievous news of the heinous attack that desecrated the sacred grounds of the Church of Saint Elias in the Dweila neighborhood of Damascus,” reads the statement of the Patriarch of Jerusalem.

Patriarch Theophilos emphasized that “a deliberate attack on worshippers in the house of the Lord, in a moment of prayer and reverence, is not only an offense against our Christian brothers and sisters in Syria, but an affront to the dignity of all humanity.”

“Our Lord Himself taught, 'Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted' (Matthew 5:4). Today, we mourn with the families of the innocent whose lives were so cruelly taken, and we place our trust in the divine mercy that transcends human hatred,” the Head of the Jerusalem Church noted.

He recalled the words of the Apostle Paul: “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair” (2 Cor. 4:8), underscoring that no evil can extinguish the light of faith in the hearts of the faithful.

His Beatitude Theophilos III also addressed words of special support to Patriarch John X of Antioch: “We stand in unshakable solidarity with our beloved brother in Christ, His Beatitude Patriarch John X Yazigi. May the Lord grant him strength and discernment as he shepherds his flock through this dark hour.”

The Patriarchate of Jerusalem reaffirmed its unconditional spiritual support for the Church of Antioch and called upon all people of goodwill to reject violence and heed the Gospel call to mercy, forgiveness, and respect for human dignity.

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:21), Patriarch Theophilos reminded.

In conclusion, he expressed hope that the souls of the departed may find rest in the eternal light of Christ’s Resurrection.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that 15 people were killed in a terrorist attack on an Orthodox church in Syria.

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