Mar Elias Church Marks 40 Days Since Deadly Bombing With Solemn Memorial

DARAMSUQ (DAMASCUS) — Forty days after a deadly terrorist bombing tore through Mar Elias Greek (Rûm) Orthodox Church in the Douileh neighborhood of Syria’s capital, Daramsuq (Damascus), the faithful gathered once again on Friday — this time in mourning. 

The terrorist attack, which claimed the lives of 29 worshippers and injured more than 60 others, left behind shattered glass, scorched walls, and profound grief. On Friday, those wounds were honored in a solemn memorial liturgy held at the very site of the attack. 

Presiding over the service was Metropolitan Mor Nicolas Baalbaki, bishop of Hama and its dependencies in the Greek (Rûm) Orthodox Church. He was joined by Bishop Mor Romanos al-Hannat, Patriarchal Vicar, as well as a number of auxiliary bishops and clergy, all under the blessing of Patriarch Mor John X Yazigi, Greek (Rûm) Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch. 

The liturgy brought together families of the victims, local parishioners, and a large crowd of believers who gathered to pray for the souls of the departed, healing for the wounded, and comfort for those left behind. 

In a striking gesture of cross-sectarian solidarity, Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif — the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Israel and President of its High Religious Council — donated $10,000 toward the rebuilding of the church, which suffered extensive interior damage in the bombing. 

Bishop Mor Romanos al-Hannat publicly expressed gratitude on behalf of the Greek (Rûm) Orthodox Church. In an official statement, he thanked Sheikh Tarif for his “gracious initiative,” asking God to bless him with health and goodness in return. 

The act of generosity, cutting across communal and national lines, served as a poignant reminder: in the face of violence and sorrow, unity and compassion endure.