Solemn farewell for victims of Damascus church bombing amid anger at government silence

 

ACI MENA, Jun 25, 2025 / 04:00 am (CNA).

In scenes marked by deep sorrow and righteous anger, churches across Syria held funeral services for the victims of the suicide bombing that targeted St. Elias Church in the Syrian capital, Damascus, on Sunday. The attack claimed the lives of 25 people and left dozens injured.

The main funeral service for the majority of the victims took place at noon on June 24 at the Church of the Holy Cross in the Qassaa district of Damascus. It was presided over by Greek Orthodox Patriarch John X Yazigi, with Melkite Catholic Patriarch Youssef Absi and Syrian Catholic Patriarch Ignatius Youssef III Younan also in attendance, alongside numerous bishops, priests, and a large crowd from various denominations.

In his homily before the funeral prayers, Yazigi condemned the attack as a “heinous massacre,” stressing that “the prayer we lift today is not an ordinary funeral prayer but the special resurrection prayer we usually offer on Easter — because today is a day of resurrection.”

He added: “This crime is the first of its kind in Damascus since 1860. We will not allow anyone to sow sectarian strife; Syrians are all committed to national unity. It is unfortunate that no government officials, aside from Minister Hind Kabawat [a Christian], came to the site of the attack.”

Following the funeral liturgy, the coffins were taken to St. Elias Church, the site of the bombing, for a special prayer before being buried in the Christian cemetery.

Later in the afternoon, the Vatican Press Office released a statement expressing that Pope Leo XIV was “deeply saddened by the attack.” The Holy Father extended his heartfelt solidarity with all those affected by the tragedy, assuring prayers for the repose of the souls of the deceased, healing for the wounded, and divine consolation and peace for their families.

Christian outrage at official silence

The funeral services coincided with Masses offered for the repose of the victims and the recovery of the injured. Several Christian and civil society groups also organized prayer vigils and demonstrations in Christian neighborhoods, where participants chanted: “Christians do not fear death, for after death comes resurrection.”

However, amid these displays of faith and resilience, Syrian Christians have expressed mounting frustration at the government’s failure to declare a national mourning period, lower the flags, or refer to the victims as “martyrs” in official or media statements. Many view this as a grave injustice, feeling that the blood of Christian victims was not being honored equally.

In a poignant public message, Metropolitan Ephrem Maalouli of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Aleppo and Alexandretta addressed President Ahmed al-Sharaa, saying: “We had hoped to hear from you, Mr. President, words of healing — words that would reach every free Syrian home and comfort every Christian ear. Words that would honor the martyrs, console the bereaved, and tend the wounds of those in hospital beds. Words that show us that the leader of free Syria stands equally with all components of its people.”

Similarly, Bishop Elias Dabbagh, Melkite Greek Catholic bishop of Bosra, Hauran, and Mount Druze, criticized the Syrian minister of information, stating: “We will not accept condolences that do not mention the word ‘martyrs.’ Those who died in this criminal bombing are martyrs — whether people like it or not.”

Several Christian journalists and activists argued that the government and state media’s reluctance to use words like “martyr” or “mercy” stemmed from ideological sensitivities and fear of alienating certain supporters.

In a phone call from Vice President Farouk al-Sharaa to Bishop Romanos al-Hanata offering condolences, the bishop requested the president visit the church to personally comfort the families. Sharaa reportedly responded: “I will come to you as soon as possible.”

To this, Patriarch Yazigi responded: “With love, respect, and appreciation, Your Excellency, we thank you for the phone call — but it is not enough. What happened was too great for words alone.”

This story was first published by ACI MENA, CNA’s Arabic-language news partner, and has been translated for and adapted by CNA.