Damascus: A horrific suicide bombing orchestrated by Islamic State (ISIS) militants has claimed the lives of at least 27 Christian worshippers and injured 63 others during a Sunday service at a historic church in Damascus. The St. Elias Greek Orthodox Church, located in the predominantly Christian neighborhood of Al-Duwayla, turned into a scene of devastation as worshippers gathered for prayer.

Authorities from the Syrian Ministry of Health confirmed that the death toll, initially reported as 20, has risen as several critically injured victims succumbed to their wounds. With over 300 people present in the church at the time of the attack, officials fear the casualty count could still increase.

According to eyewitness testimonies, two ISIS operatives stormed the church during the afternoon liturgy. The first attacker fired indiscriminately into the crowd before detonating his explosive vest. The second gunman reportedly hurled a grenade after opening fire on the panicked congregation. Harrowing video footage released shortly after the blast captured scenes of destruction, with shattered pews, blood-stained floors, and bodies strewn across the church interior.

Global and ecclesiastical outrage followed swiftly. Theophilos III, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, denounced the attack as a "vile assault on the sanctity of human life and religious freedom," declaring it not only an attack on Syria's Christians but a "grievous insult to all humanity." Similarly, Syrian Catholic Patriarch Ignatius Joseph III Younan described the massacre as a "cowardly act orchestrated by the forces of darkness", condemning it as a direct attack on peace and coexistence.

The international community, including the European Union, Gulf states, and the United States, has roundly condemned the atrocity, urging for unity against terrorism and renewed efforts to protect religious minorities in conflict zones. The tragedy serves as a painful reminder of the enduring threat posed by extremist groups targeting vulnerable communities amid Syria’s long-standing civil unrest.