Families mourn victims of a massacre in a Damascus church, blame Syrian government

(OSV News) -- The first funeral services for the victims of a jihadi suicide bombing inside a Damascus church were held as Syrian Christians have been left deeply traumatized by the horrific massacre during Sunday's Divine Liturgy on June 22. At least 25 people were killed and dozens more injured in a shooting spree and bombing inside the packed church.

The service held at the Orthodox Church of the Holy Cross on June 24 was presided over by Patriarch John X, primate of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All The East, one of Syria's most senior Christian clergymen. He prayed for the souls of nine of the parishioners martyred at St. Elias Greek Orthodox Church in the Dweil'a district of Damascus, at least three of whom gave their lives trying to intercept the jihadist bomber.

The patriarch's words reflected both comfort for those Syrians grieving the loss of loved ones, but also addressed fears the terrorist attack has arisen in the hearts and minds of an uncertain future. "What happened is a massacre," Patriarch John X said.

"I address every Syrian, Muslim or Christian, in this country, because what happened was not an isolated incident, nor an individual act, nor is it an attack on a person or a family," he said.

"It is an attack on every Syrian and on all of Syria. It is an attack on the Christian entity in particular. Therefore, I address everyone, asking the Lord God to comfort hearts, strengthen us, and make us steadfast in our faith, in our Church, and in our country," Patriarch John X stated.

The Orthodox church leader was firm in his condemnation of Syria's government of President Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was once the head of al-Qaida's branch in Syria. for the lack of security afforded to the country's various religious and ethnic populations since taking control in December 2024.

"I inform you that the crime that took place is the first of its kind since the events of 1860," he said of the church massacre. "We do not accept that it would happen during the revolution and during your honorable era. This is condemned and unacceptable," Patriarch John X said, upbraiding al-Sharaa. "We appeal to you for a government that takes responsibility and feels the pain of its people."

While he said that Syrian Christians are committed to engaging in peaceful coexistence and national unity, the patriarch expressed regret to the Syrian leadership, saying that they did not see "a single government or state official," immediately following the attack, other than Hind Kabawat, at the crime scene. "We regret this. We are a fundamental component of this country. And we are here to stay."

Kabawat is a Syrian and Canadian politician and researcher, who is currently serving as Minister of Social and Labour Affairs in the Syrian transitional government since 2025.

In contrast with the lack of state officials, other than Kabawat, the patriarch said, heads of state and church from around the world contacted the Orthodox leader to "express their solidarity with us and their condemnation of this horrific massacre."

Pope Leo XIV released a telegram on June 24 saying he was "deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and destruction caused by the attack on the Greek Orthodox Church of Mar Elias."

He expressed his deep condolences for those who lost loved ones and his wholehearted solidarity with everyone impacted by the tragedy, in a message signed by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

In remembrance of those who lost their lives, the pope commended "the souls of the deceased to the loving mercy of our heavenly Father" and extended his prayers "for those who mourn their loss, for the recovery of the injured, and invokes the almighty's gifts of consolation, healing and peace among the nation."

Meanwhile, Chaldean Catholic Patriarch of Baghdad, Cardinal Louis Sako, expressed his condolences and prayerful support for the families of the victims and the wounded "of the sister Church."

Christians in Syria are the spiritual descendants of St. Paul -- who converted on the road to Damascus -- and other earlier followers of Jesus Christ.

The jihadist group Saraya Ansar al-Sunn first claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack, according to Asia News, a news agency promoted by the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions.

Although not allied with Islamic State group, the Saraya group shares similar ideology and considers Christians and other religions legitimate targets. Jihadists have gone into Christian neighborhoods in Damascus with loudspeakers preaching conversion to Islam in recent months.

But on June 24, The Associated Press reported that the sleeper cell behind the massacre of Christians belonged to the Islamic State group, which had plans to target a Shiite shrine in a similar attack, Syria's Interior Ministry spokesperson said.

A 15-year-old boy, Joulian Nakoula told Lebanon's L'Orient-Le Jour daily that he was shot three times and lost consciousness. "It was a horrible scene, I had blood on my hands. I thought it was over," he said.

His father, Hanna, sitting at the boy's bedside in a Damascus hospital said he wants to leave Syria. "There was no one to protect the church and our children."