Patriarch of Antioch holds funeral service for victims of terrorist attack

Patriarch John X of Antioch and All the East, together with many bishops of the Church, held the funeral service for the victims of the terrorist attack at the Mar Elias Church in the Syrian village of Dweila. As a result of the explosion, 22 people were killed and more than 50 were injured.

In his homily at the burial in the Church of the Holy Cross in Damascus on June 24, 2025, the Patriarch emphasized this was not an isolated incident but “an assault on every Syrian, on all of Syria. It is, in particular, an attack on the Christian presence”, calling it “a massacre” and “the first of its kind since the events of 1860”.

 He spoke about the heroism of young parishioners – Gregorios, Bashar, and Peter – who tried to stop the terrorist who stormed into the church with weapons and explosives during the Sunday service. “They were torn to pieces so they might save, as I was told, nearly 250 people inside the church,” the Patriarch said.

In his address to the President of Syria, the Patriarch expressed regret over the absence of government officials at the scene of the tragedy and urged the authorities to take full responsibility for ensuring the safety of all citizens.

“The people are hungry. If others are not telling you this, I am telling you,” said the Patriarch, criticizing the government’s work.

Despite the tragedy, the religious leader emphasized the Christians’ commitment to national unity: “We Christians stand above these events. We will not allow this atrocious crime to sow sectarian or religious discord.”

The Patriarch concluded his speech with the words: “We are not afraid, and we continue our journey,” reaffirming the Christian community’s determination to remain in Syria.

After the funeral service, the faithful carried the coffins of their deceased brothers and sisters by hand.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that terrorists attacked an Orthodox church in Syria.