Suicide bomber kills more than 20, death toll rises
A suicide bomber targeted Christians at prayer in St. Elias Church in the town of Dweilaa, near Damascus, the capital of Syria, on June 22.
We stand in Christian solidarity with the Christian Orthodox community affected by this bombing, which killed at least 20 people and injured more than 60. We convey deep condolences, and support the statements made by the Canadian Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches in response.
Statement by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East Damascus, June 22, 2025 (excerpt):
On this day when our Antiochian Church commemorates All the Saints of Antioch, the treacherous hand of evil struck this evening, claiming our lives, along with the lives of our loved ones who fell today as martyrs during the evening Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Prophet Elias in Dweilaa, Damascus.
Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa in a statement on the bombing of St. Elias Church in Damascus:
We extend our deepest condolences and sincere sympathies to the families of those who perished in the criminal bombing, which has affected the entire Syrian people. We also wish a speedy recovery to the wounded. This heinous crime targeting innocent civilians in their place of worship reminds us of the importance of unity and solidarity—between government and people—in confronting anything that threatens our security and national stability. Today, we stand together as one, rejecting all forms of injustice and criminality.
May we continue to work unceasingly for peace with justice, and a just peace.