Source: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America Report and photos from the Patriarchate of Antioch Photo album Damascus, September 21, 2025 His Beatitude Patriarch John X, accompanied by Bishop Arsenius (Dahdal), inspected the progress of the rehabilitation work at the Church of Prophet Elias the Zealot in Dweilaa, Damascus, Syria following the brutal terrorist bombing on June 22 that gave the Orthodox Church 22 new martyrs. His Beatitude commended the efforts made thus far. He also gave his directives for the house of worship to be restored to its former glory. Earlier this month, the church baptized 22 babies in the…
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Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Article by Ben Malian On July 26th, the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate (AEP) issued a statement expressing their solidarity with the Greek Orthodox Christian community of Damascus, commending them for the resiliency of their faith in the aftermath of a terror attack that interrupted worship at the Church of the Prophet Elias on the morning of Sunday, June 22nd, killing at least twenty-two parishioners and injuring another sixty-three. “Inside the church, visible signs of the atrocity that took place on June 22 can still be seen,” the statement from the AEP reads. The statement, penned…
Source: Assembly of Orthodox Canonical Bishops of the USA Approved by the Executive Committee on June 23, 2025 Mourning the loss of at least 25 lives and lamenting the suffering of more than 60 wounded faithful Orthodox Christians violated during the Divine Liturgy at Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Dweil’a on June 22, 2025, we, the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America, condemn the terrorist attack on the innocent parishioners as a cowardly display of extremism. As many leaders of various religions have expressed over the past half century, we promulgate the sentiment that…
Source: Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Dear Brother Archons and Friends of the Ecumenical Patriarchate: An unspeakable atrocity took place on Sunday, June 22, 2025 in Dweila, a village on the outskirts of Damascus, Syria. A suicide bomber entered the Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church during the Divine Liturgy and detonated his explosive vest, murdering twenty-two people and injuring another 63. According to Noureddine Al-Baba, a spokesman for the Syrian Interior Ministry, the attacker was linked the Islamic State terrorist group, which several years ago controlled large swaths of Syria. In a phone conversation with His Beatitude Patriarch John X of Antioch…
Source: Orthodox Times On December 29, 2024, the Patriarchs and Heads of Christian Churches in Syria released a historic joint statement from Damascus, addressing the nation and the international community during a period of significant transition for Syria. “At this historic moment, as Syria undergoes a new transition, we address the public with a message of love and hope,” the leaders declared, emphasizing their responsibility to advocate for peace and unity during the Holy Nativity season. The statement highlighted the role of Christians in fostering national reconciliation, advocating for economic relief, contributing to constitutional reform, and maintaining hope for Syria’s…
Source: Peter Anderson, Seattle USA At the Liturgy at the Church of the Holy Cross in Damascus on December 15, Patriarch John X of Antioch delivered an inspiring and eloquent homily describing his vision for the future of Syria. The complete text in English can be read at https://www.antiochpatriarchate.org/en/page/Sermon%20of%20Patriarch%20John%20X%20Sunday%20Liturgy%2015-12-2024/2782/. Although one should read the entire homily, the following is an excerpt: We stand on the threshold of a new phase, perceiving the dawn of a homeland we all love and cherish. We are on the brink of renewal, which we desire to be radiant with hope and crowned with light. Here…
Source: Orthodox History by SAMUEL NOBLE The following is a translation from Asad Rustum’s History, vol. 3 pp. 357-362. It is not only interesting in terms of the description of the ceremony, but also because the conversion seems to have occurred through the Syriac bishop’s contact with Russian pilgrims. Recalling this moment of hope for Christian unity in Syria– just 112 years […] Read the complete article here
Source: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America Report from the Patriarchate of Antioch (بيان باللغة العربية) On Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at 11:00 a.m., His Beatitude John X, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, arrived at the Beirut Archbishopric. His Eminence Elias Audi, the Metropolitan of Beirut and its Dependencies, received him with the priests of the Archdiocese. After the prayer, a closed meeting took place between His Beatitude the Patriarch and His Eminence Metropolitan Elias, followed by lunch. His Beatitude answered journalists’ questions as follows: “I address you, my beloved ones, from this honorable residence in Beirut,…
Source: International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) IOCC is in touch with partners in Syria (shown here during initial emergency action) and Turkey as we assess needs and identify an appropriate response to the devastating earthquake. (Photo: GOPA-DERD) Upon hearing news of the early-morning earthquake on February 6, 2023, the hearts of IOCC’s staff went out to all those affected. We then got in touch with partners in and around the affected regions. Our local partners in Syria have indicated that basic needs (like food, bedding, and clothing) are most pressing right now. As we assess needs of those displaced by…
Source: Orthodox Christianity Andrei German Introduction by Matfey Shaheen: Would it surprise you to know that Syria, Ukraine, and all Rus’ belong to Western Civilization? If we define Western Civilization as it was classically understood to be: 1.) Greek Philosophy, 2.) Roman Law, and 3.) Christianity, we would see that Russia by that model, is more Western than the contemporary “West”, which from the French revolution onward ideologically rejected Christendom. But where did Rus’ inherit this belonging to Christendom? Kievan Rus’ received Orthodoxy “from the Greeks”, but Syria, at that time was no less Hellenic than Athens. Antioch was a capital of Christian, Greco-Roman Civilization—the homeland…
Source: Orthodox Church in America Dream Centers offer Children, Families Safe Spaces, Support Overcoming Trauma BALTIMORE, MD [IOCC] – International Orthodox Christian Charities [IOCC] is launching a new fundraising campaign, aiming to raise $250,000 for programming that supports children and families who have survived trauma and tragedy in Syria. Children are among the millions affected by the conflict in Syria, including many displaced in their own country. Whether through exposure to violence or the loss of a home, family member, and stable daily life, children are especially susceptible to mental distress and uncertainty about the future. Working with Church partner the Greek…
via VIDEO | Syrian Christian town where Jesus’ language remains in use celebrates Christmas One of the places where Christmas was celebrated on Tuesday is Maaloula, a small town near Damascus, where residents still speak Aramaic, the language used by Jesus Christ. Maaloula is located in a mountainous area near the Syrian capital, where two ancient Christian monasteries also stand. Some of the damage can still be seen at Christian sites, like defaced crosses and icons or damaged frescos, informs Russia Today. But with peace returning to the cradle of Christianity in Syria, people there gathered together with their…