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.
Read also
Moldova lacks capacity to maintain 800 temples it intends to seize from Church
According to the Minister of Culture, authorities plan to seize 800 churches from the Moldovan Church, but they lack the capability to manage them.
Court returns seized church to UOC community in Ivankiv
The appellate court declared invalid the re-registration of the UOC community of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos in the town of Ivankiv.
2,800-year-old seal with biblical symbols found in Israel
Israeli archaeologists have found a stone seal from the era of Judean kings with an inscription in ancient Hebrew.
Pope warns clergy against writing AI-based sermons
The head of the Roman Catholic Church warned priests about the risks of using digital technologies in ministry.
UOC parishes abroad hold memorial services on war anniversary
Clergy and faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church abroad prayed on the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the war in Ukraine.
Persecuted UOC parish in Tovtry performs reading of Great Penitential Canon
Another Bukovynian community, deprived of its church, continues Great Lent services in an adapted facility.