Damascus: A heart-wrenching farewell was offered in the Syrian capital as thousands gathered to mourn the Christian faithful who were brutally killed in a suicide bombing by Islamic State terrorists at St. Elias Christian Church. The attack, which occurred during Sunday Mass, left nearly thirty worshippers dead and more than sixty injured, plunging the Christian community into grief and horror.
The funeral rites were solemnly held at the Holy Cross Church in the Qassa district on Monday, drawing an immense crowd of mourners. The service was led by Greek Orthodox Patriarch John Yazigi, with the presence of prominent Eastern Church leaders, including Melkite Catholic Patriarch Yusuf Absi and Syrian Catholic Patriarch Ignatius Yusuf III Younan. Scores of bishops, priests, and religious representatives stood in prayer and solidarity with the bereaved families.
In a deeply moving sermon, Patriarch Yazigi condemned the attack as not merely an act of terror but an affront to the sanctity of faith and humanity. “This is not an ordinary funeral,” he declared. “Today we pray a resurrection prayer, the same we offer at Easter—because this is a day of hope beyond death.” He noted with sorrow that this was the first such atrocity against Christians in Damascus since the massacres of 1860. He strongly denounced attempts to incite sectarian conflict and expressed disappointment at the absence of senior government officials at the funeral, except for Minister Hind Kabawat, the only Christian official who visited the site.
Following the official service, the coffins were taken in procession to St. Elias Church—the site of the bombing for a special prayer of remembrance. The burial then took place in the adjoining cemetery, as grief-stricken families and fellow believers laid their loved ones to rest with heavy hearts and unwavering faith.
Adding to the spiritual support, the Vatican released a message from Pope Leo XIV through its press office. The Holy Father expressed profound sorrow and solidarity with the victims and their families, offering prayers for the souls of the departed, healing for the injured, and divine strength for those left behind. “In this time of darkness, may Christ, the light of the world, shine upon the suffering,” the Pope's message read.
The funeral ceremonies were followed by a memorial Mass, where the community prayed fervently for peace and healing. Vigils were also held by Christian organizations and civil society groups, expressing both mourning and resolve. In powerful moments of witness, many mourners lifted crosses and proclaimed, “Christians do not fear death for after death comes the resurrection!”
However, the collective sorrow was accompanied by widespread anger and disappointment. Many Christians in Syria voiced outrage over the government's muted response to the attack. The lack of a national day of mourning, absence of flag-lowering, and the refusal to refer to the victims as “martyrs” in official media have been condemned as deeply insensitive by community leaders.
In the face of tragedy, the Christian community in Damascus stood firm mourning their dead with dignity, praying for peace, and affirming a faith that does not falter in the shadow of persecution.