MECC Statement on the Explosion at St. Elias Church in Syria

[On Sunday, June 22, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) issued the following statement regarding the explosion at St. Elias Church in Dweilaa, near Damascus, Syria:]

The Presidents of the Middle East Council of Churches strongly condemn the terrorist attack and explosion that occurred this evening, Sunday, June 22, after 6:00 PM at St. Elias Church in the town of Dweilaa, near the Syrian capital, Damascus.

This attack took place on the Feast of All Antiochian Saints, adding a new group of holy martyrs to the saints of the Church of Antioch, those who fell today during the Divine Liturgy, in which hundreds of believers and clergy of various ranks were participating.

Once again, the hand of treachery and terrorism reaches out to the innocent who gathered for prayer and supplication, seeking the Creator for humanity and for Syria. This has led to a large number of martyrs, living martyrs, and wounded, who have watered the ground of the church with their pure blood.

The MECC’s Presidents affirm that this terrorist targeting has affected all the Syrian people of all affiliations, as it has targeted social stability, freedom of worship, and their deeply rooted social unity.

In the face of this horror, the Presidents of the Middle East Council of Churches call on the Syrian authorities to take immediate and decisive action to hold those involved accountable and to implement measures that ensure the safety of Christian communities and all religious groups, as well as their freedom to practice their worship, allowing them to live in dignity in a state where all citizens are equal.

We pray that the Lord grants His world peace, and inspires the families of the victims with patience, reminding them that we are children of the Resurrection and that the Savior commanded us to love our enemies, bless those who curse us, and pray for those who mistreat us.