Syriac Orthodox Church of Saint Mary of the Holy Belt damaged by gunfire

HMOTH, Syria — In the early hours of Sunday morning, unknown assailants opened fire on one of Syria’s most venerated Christian landmarks, the Church of Saint Mary of the Holy Belt (Um al-Zennar), located in the Al-Hamidiyah neighborhood of Hmoth (Homs). The incident, which occurred at approximately 2:25 AM, resulted in visible damage to the large Holy Cross mounted on the church’s façade.

Surveillance footage shows a man opening fire at the Church of Saint Mary in Homs—one of the oldest churches in the world still in use for worship. A shameful attack on history, faith, and a symbol of resilience. #Homs #Syria pic.twitter.com/u9j0G7ZExl

— Greco-Levantines World Wide (@GrecoLevantines) June 8, 2025

According to surveillance footage circulated online and reviewed by local media, a single armed individual is seen approaching the front of the church and discharging multiple rounds before fleeing the scene. No injuries were reported, and no group has claimed responsibility for the attack as of this writing.

The Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese of Hmoth, Hemto (Hama), and Tartus condemned the act in a statement released later that morning, calling it “a shameful and criminal assault” that “violates the sanctity of places of worship and threatens civil peace and coexistence.” The Archdiocese further emphasized that the attack did not reflect the values of the local population and urged the authorities to launch an immediate investigation.

In a disgraceful act of violence, unknown assailants opened fire at the Holy Cross on the historic Syriac Orthodox Saint Mary Church of the Holy Belt in Homs. This is not just an attack on a building; it is an attack on faith, identity, and centuries of peaceful coexistence.… pic.twitter.com/UiuAybP6Ql

— Gabriel ☦︎ ܓܒܪܐܝܠ (@gabrieltrayono) June 8, 2025

“We raise our voice against all forms of violence and aggression on holy sites,” the statement read. “This incident is a blatant attempt to sow discord and shake the pillars of our shared life in Syria.”

The Church of Saint Mary of the Holy Belt, which dates back to the first century AD, is considered one of the oldest continuously operating churches in the world. It holds particular significance for the Syriac Orthodox community as the traditional site housing a relic believed to be part of the Virgin Mary’s belt.

Local officials and religious leaders have appealed for calm in the wake of the attack. No official response has yet been issued by Syria’s Ministry of Interior or local security services, though residents of the predominantly Christian neighborhood expressed concern over increasing security incidents in the post-conflict period.

In its statement, the Archdiocese called on the government to “identify and prosecute the perpetrators and take the necessary measures to prevent similar acts from recurring.” It also urged members of the community to remain calm and committed to the values of peace and unity.

“This act of hatred will not deter us from our message of love and reconciliation,” the statement concluded.

The incident marks a disturbing development in the fragile security landscape of post-war Syria, where historic religious sites have increasingly become symbolic targets in a climate of political uncertainty and social tension. The Church of Saint Mary survived multiple waves of conflict over the past decade, including the siege of Hmoth and sporadic sectarian violence, and has long stood as a symbol of the city’s diverse religious heritage.

Authorities continue to review security camera footage and investigate leads, though no arrests have been announced. Community leaders have called for increased protection of heritage sites across Syria, warning that the preservation of cultural coexistence is as critical as physical reconstruction.