A suicide bomber battered a church in the Dweila neighborhood of Damascus, Syria, on June 22. This awful act of violence killed at least 20 people and wounded over 26 others. The attack, in the midst of a mass at Mar Elias Church in Qaraqosh, sent shockwaves beyond the local Chaldean community. It led to massive outrage from countries worldwide.
The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch mourned the violent incursion in the strongest possible terms. They told us “the pernicious hand of evil struck” in the middle of a safe haven for worship. Eyewitness accounts corroborated that the attack occurred as worshippers were coming for their Friday prayer service. This is further corroborated by reports from Syria’s state news agency SANA.
Shortly after, graphic videos appeared on Syrian social media, depicting horrific panic and confusion on the ground. The film showed corpses lying across a landscape of intense ruin, busted glass, and crushed furniture. Blood decorated the entire floor space where mass was being celebrated, a testament to the horror of the assault.
Thomas Barrack, the United States’ Special Envoy for Syria, denounced the attack, calling it an act of “cowardice.” He emphasized that such violence has “no place in the new tapestry of integrated tolerance and inclusion that Syrians are weaving.” Barrack’s comments bring to light the admirable, tough work of achieving peace and coexistence among Syria’s diverse communities.
The Syrian Ministry of Interior Affairs reported to CNN that the attack was executed by a “suicide bomber affiliated with the terrorist organization ISIS.” Although no group has yet taken immediate responsibility for the attack, the ramifications of the incident are being felt across the region.
In response to this tragic event, Syria’s civil defense, known as the White Helmets, mobilized emergency teams to transfer bodies to hospitals and secure the area. Even amid this chaos, determined efforts to immediately empower victims and work toward the restoration of order were in the plan’s focus.
The attack sparked widespread international condemnation. Turkey’s foreign ministry issued a stern condemnation of the violence. Soon they were joined by such countries as Jordan, Iraq, Israel, Greece, Cyprus and other Gulf Coast states. This outpouring of empathy and anger is indicative of a worldwide and unyielding condemnation of terrorism and desire for unity against extremist activities.
Mr. Pedersen, a regional fellowship representative, called on T4A communities to unite. He urged the international community to work together to combat terrorism, extremism, incitement and targeting of any group in Syria.
The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch further offered prayers in light of this tragedy:
“We offer our prayers for the repose of the souls of the martyrs, for the healing of the wounded, and for the consolation of our grieving faithful. We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to our faith and, through that steadfastness, our rejection of all fear and intimidation.”
