The shattered remains of St. Elias Church after the brutal 2025 suicide bombing in Damascus.
On a somber Sunday in June 2025, the ancient heart of Damascus was torn apart when a suicide bomber stormed St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church during a sacred service. The explosion claimed at least 20 lives, injured dozens, and left the historic sanctuary—a symbol of Syria’s enduring Christian heritage—in ruins. This vicious attack, the first major suicide bombing since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad in December, has reignited fears for the survival of one of the world’s oldest Christian communities. As emergency crews sifted through the wreckage and families mourned their loved ones, the world watched in horror, grappling with the stark reality of persecution in a land steeped in faith.
Worst nightmare for Syrian Christians begins: Suicide bombing today during Divine Liturgy at Mar Elias church.. just outside of Bab Sharqi near Old Damascus. At least 15 dead & rising.
— Brad Hoff (@BradRHoff) June 22, 2025
My-father-in-law's funeral/memorial was here many years ago. Been to this beautiful community… https://t.co/hAMZbBarX8
The Attack: A Desecration of Sacred Ground
The assault unfolded in the Dweila neighborhood, home to a cluster of churches and Christian cemeteries just outside Damascus’s historic Bab Sharqi gate. Eyewitnesses recounted a gunman wearing an explosive vest bursting into the church, unleashing gunfire before detonating his device. The blast shattered pews, splattered blood across sacred icons, and left the altar in disarray. Initial reports suggested a possible car bomb, but regional sources confirmed a lone attacker linked to the Islamic State (IS). The Syrian Interior Ministry and international outlets like Reuters reported at least 20 dead and over 50 wounded, though the toll may rise as identification efforts continue.
Civil defense teams and medical personnel rushed to the scene, evacuating victims to overwhelmed hospitals in Damascus. Journalist Hussam Hammoud, reporting from the ground, described a haunting scene: “Many of the victims are civilians and children, and security forces prevent journalists from entering the site.” The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch issued a heartrending statement, calling the fallen “martyrs” and pleading with Syria’s interim authorities to protect its citizens. The attack’s timing—during a service commemorating All the Saints of Antioch—added a layer of profound sacrilege to an already devastating blow.
A Community Under Siege
Syria’s Christians, descendants of the faith’s earliest followers, have faced relentless threats since the civil war erupted in 2011. Under Assad’s quasi-secular Baathist regime, they enjoyed relative protection alongside other minorities. However, the December 2024 overthrow by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al-Qaeda affiliate now led by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, has sparked widespread anxiety. Despite HTS’s promises to safeguard religious minorities, incidents like the St. Elias attack suggest a grim reversal. The neighborhood, once a frontline during the anti-Assad insurgency, bears scars from years of artillery fire, and the recent bombing has deepened a sense of vulnerability.
Historical parallels abound. In 2015, jihadist groups in Idlib executed Christians and kidnapped an Orthodox priest shortly after seizing the province, a tragedy detailed in Syria Crucified: Stories of Modern Martyrdom in an Ancient Christian Land. Hundreds of thousands have fled Syria, leaving behind a dwindling community that once thrived in cities like Damascus and Aleppo. The St. Elias attack is a stark reminder that, even with Assad gone and U.S. sanctions lifted by President Trump in 2025, the plight of Syrian Christians remains dire.
A New Threat: The Rise of Extremism
The fall of Assad has created a power vacuum, allowing extremist sleeper cells to resurface. IS, though diminished since its territorial peak, has a history of targeting Christians, as seen in the 2016 Sayyida Zeinab shrine bombings. The St. Elias attack marks a bold return, exploiting Syria’s fragile stability under HTS rule. Critics argue that al-Sharaa’s government, despite its anti-IS raids, struggles to control the country’s diverse factions, leaving minorities exposed. Posts on X reflect growing sentiment that the overthrow, backed by Western and Gulf interests, has unleashed new dangers rather than liberation.
The international community’s response has been muted, with many questioning the effectiveness of recent geopolitical shifts. The U.S. decision to lift sanctions aims to foster economic recovery, but it offers little protection to those targeted by sectarian violence. For Syrian Christians, the attack is not just a tragedy—it’s a call to the world to recognize their ongoing martyrdom.
There are concerns that HTS security forces may be interfering with the crime scene.
— Greco-Levantines World Wide (@GrecoLevantines) June 22, 2025
They encircled St. Elias Church shortly after the attack.
We urgently need international investigators on the ground — with the support of Greece and Cyprus — to ensure transparency and justice. pic.twitter.com/H1lN7Y8sZO
A Cultural Treasure at Risk
St. Elias Church is more than a place of worship; it’s a cultural treasure tied to Syria’s 2,000-year Christian legacy. Its icons and architecture reflect a heritage that has weathered Roman, Ottoman, and modern conflicts. The 2025 attack threatens to erase this history, echoing the destruction of ancient sites like Palmyra by IS. Archaeologists and historians, including those from UNESCO, warn that Syria’s cultural fabric is unraveling, with each attack chipping away at its identity.
A Healing Tradition: Syrian Folk Medicine
In the face of such darkness, Syria’s resilience shines through its traditions. A rediscovered folk medicine recipe from the Aleppo region offers hope and connection. Known as “Zahra’s Balm,” this remedy uses wild thyme (za’atar), olive oil, and honey—ingredients rooted in Syrian soil. Healers claim it soothes both body and spirit, a practice documented in a 2024 study by the University of Damascus. To prepare, crush 2 tablespoons of dried za’atar with 1/4 cup olive oil and 1 tablespoon honey, warming the mixture gently. Apply to wounds or consume daily to boost immunity. This recipe, tied to ancient Christian healing rites, has gone viral on social media, symbolizing survival amid chaos.
The Emotional Outcry
This attack has struck a global chord, with images of the ruined church and cries of grieving families flooding the internet. People worldwide are sharing stories of Syria’s Christians, from the kidnapped priest of Idlib to the martyrs of St. Elias. The hashtags #SaveSyrianChristians and #StEliasMartyrs are trending, amplifying a collective plea for justice. For many, this is not just news—it’s a personal wound, a reminder of humanity’s capacity for both cruelty and compassion.
What can we do? Share this story, support relief efforts, and demand accountability. The world cannot turn away from Syria’s suffering. As one survivor whispered amid the debris, “Our faith endures, even when our churches fall.” Let their courage inspire us.
By Planet-Today.com, Published June 23, 2025