Deadly attack on historic Mar Elias Church during Mass leaves 20 confirmed killed, dozens injured

DARAMSUQ — A suicide bombing on Sunday shattered the quiet sanctity of the Greek (Rûm) Orthodox Church of Mar Elias, one of the oldest and most revered Christian landmarks in the Douileh neighborhood of Daramsuq (Damascus). The blast, which occurred during an afternoon Mass, claimed the lives of at least 20 worshippers and left dozens wounded — many of them women and children.

Eyewitnesses described the horrifying moment a gunman, armed and wearing an explosive vest, stormed the church, opened fire, and then detonated the device. The explosion rocked the stone walls of the historic church, sending screams and dust into the air and leaving pews and icons shattered and strewn around the floor.

Emergency response teams rushed to the scene within minutes. Victims were transported to Al-Muwasat University Hospital, Al-faransi Hospital, and Al-Mujtahid Hospital, where medical staff worked tirelessly to save lives and console grieving relatives. Both hospitals were placed on high alert, mobilizing resources to handle the sudden influx of critical cases.

Mourning and Reactions

The attack has cast a pall of sorrow over Syria, particularly among its beleaguered Christian communities, who have long endured the tremors of war and extremism. The Church of Mar Elias, named for the prophet Elijah, stands not only as a religious edifice but also as a symbol of Syria’s once-vibrant pluralism. Church bells will across the country will ring between 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM in commemoration of the victims of the attack.

In the aftermath, expressions of solidarity and outrage poured in from across the political spectrum.

The Syrian Interior Ministry issued a statement blaming the attack on a sleeper cell affiliated with Islamic State (ISIS), confirming that investigations were underway and vowing to bring those responsible to justice.

أقدم انتحاري يتبع لتنظيم داعش الإرهابي على الدخول إلى كنيسة القديس مار إلياس في حي الدويلعة بالعاصمة دمشق، حيث أطلق النار، ثم فجّر نفسه بواسطة سترة ناسفة.

— وزارة الداخلية السورية (@syrianmoi) June 22, 2025

The Democratic Autonomous Administration of the Region of North and East Syria (DAARNES) also condemned the bombing in unambiguous terms, calling it a “dark and despicable act of cowardice,” and expressing heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families. “This attack targeted not only a place of worship, but the very soul of Syria’s diverse and ancient civilization,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, United Nations Special Envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen labeled the bombing “a heinous crime,” underscoring that attacks on civilians in places of worship constitute grave violations of international law. He reiterated the urgent need for a political solution to the conflict that continues to breed cycles of radicalization.

.@GeirOPedersen condemns in the strongest possible terms the terrorist attack at St. Elias Church in Douileia, Damascus, which killed and injured civilians who were attending mass. He expresses his outrage at this heinous crime. https://t.co/uY7wwbRNr7

— UN Special Envoy for Syria (@UNEnvoySyria) June 22, 2025

Syriac and Christian Organizations Call for Unity

The Levantine National Council condemned the attack, denouncing it as a grave violation of human dignity and an assault on sanctuaries, attributing responsibility to terrorist groups and their political, regional, and international supporters.

They called on the international community to break its silence, warning that inaction amounts to complicity in ongoing violence against Syrian Christians and other national groups. The Council’s statement emphasized the need for unity and resistance, reaffirming their commitment to building a free, inclusive Syria that respects diversity and religious sanctities.

The Levantine National Council is a new initiative from various Syrian Christians aiming to reshape Syria’s future. The Council seeks to represent Syrian Christians in political and civil life, defend their rights, and contribute to “building a state of citizenship based on the neutrality of the state toward all ethnicities, cultures, and religions.”

Video from outside Greek (Rûm) Orthodox Church of Mar Elias following suicide attack | #Breaking #Daramsuq #Damascus #Syria #Christian #Greek #Rûm #Orthodox #MarElias pic.twitter.com/3H9qIjLjoD

— SyriacPress (@SyriacPress) June 22, 2025

The European Syriac Union (ESU) issued a statement expressing its strongest condemnation over the terrorist attack. It states that the barbaric act is not only a direct attack on a religious community but a vile attack against the shared conscience of humanity.

“These recurring attacks are not random — they are part of a deliberate campaign to intimidate and uproot the Christian community in Syria, seeking to erase their ancient presence and identity,” read the statement. “This is a continuation of the pattern we witnessed in Iraq, in the Nineveh Plain and in other regions.”

The ESU called on all Christian communities in Syria, particularly the Syriacs, to rise above ethnic and denominational divisions and stand together in defense of their lives, rights, and sacred heritage. “Only through a unified and organized stance can we effectively confront the forces of darkness and intolerance,” it said.

No Claim, but Echoes of Fear

As of publication, no group has officially claimed responsibility for the bombing. However, the method and target bear hallmarks of previous attacks attributed to ISIS and affiliated militant networks seeking to stoke sectarian tensions.

Though Daramsuq has experienced relative stability in recent years, the attack has reignited fears of renewed sectarian violence, particularly among religious groups who have often borne the brunt of extremist campaigns.

Mar Elias Church, despite its battered frame and the bloodied altar now cordoned off by security tape, remains a place of hope and endurance. For many Syrians, the bombing did not just target a building, but a fragile dream of coexistence still held by millions.

“Our pain is deep,” said Father Yuhanna Daoud, a local priest from a neighboring parish who arrived on the scene minutes after the blast. “But our faith in love and peace is deeper still.”