Prayers and candlelight vigils across Syria in mourning for martyrs of Mar Elias Church

DARAMSUQ — Several Syrian cities witnessed collective prayers in mourning for the souls of the martyrs of the terrorist attack that targeted the Greek (Rûm) Orthodox Church of Mar Elias in the Douileh neighborhood of Daramsuq (Damascus), with the participation of patriarchs, clergymen, and citizens from diverse backgrounds.

The Church of Mar Elias held a collective prayer for the souls of the martyrs of the suicide attack that targeted the church on Sunday evening.

The prayer was led by Patriarchs John X Yazigi, Joseph Absi, and Ignatius Aphrem II, alongside a number of bishops and priests, with wide participation from believers. All raised their prayers for the martyrs, the wounded, and for the establishment of peace.

Minister of Social Affairs Hind Kabawat also attended the church to take part in the prayers and offer condolences to the families of the martyrs.

At Our Lady Monastery in the city of Saidnaya, candles were lit to the sound of somber music in memory of the martyrs. Mourning bells rang in the churches of Kafroun in Hmoth (Homs) in honor of the victims of the terrorist attack.

In Latakia, a solidarity vigil was held in front of the Church of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel, where candles were lit in memory of the martyrs of Mar Elias Church.

A candlelight vigil and prayer also took place in front of Al-Tawhid Mosque in the Sulaymaniyah neighborhood of Holeb (Aleppo), in solidarity with the victims of the attack — a scene that reflected a unified national sentiment.