The Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London has praised the resilience of Christians in Syria after an attack on a church in Damascus left 22 people dead.
At least 63 others were injured when a man—believed to be affiliated with the terror group Islamic State—opened fire on worshippers during a service at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Prophet Elias on Sunday evening.
Approximately 350 people were inside the church, located in the capital’s historic Christian quarter, when the attacker opened fire and then detonated an explosive vest.
The Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London, Anba Angaelos, told Premier: “It’s terrible news and a shocking attack. We haven’t seen one of these attacks in the Middle East for at least some months, which has been a welcome period of calm for us.
“Whether it’s a church or any other place of worship, these are places where people are at their most vulnerable—where they’re reflecting. It’s deplorable. Attacks on places of worship, and churches in particular, are simply inexcusable.”
The incident marks the first attack of its kind since Bashar al-Assad was ousted as president in December.
Archbishop Angaelos noted that the Christian community had only just begun to “settle and calm down under the new establishment,” although the number of Syrian Christians has continued to decline amid uncertainty following the regime change. “People are leaving the country, and so this pressure comes upon an ever-shrinking minority that will continue to bear the brunt of attacks like this,” he said.
He added that while many Christians are concerned for their communities at this time, hope remains.
“The wonderful thing about our communities in the Middle East is they stay resilient and they stay prayerful,” he said. “While we feel this sense of frustration and fear for them, they continue to live their lives. Of course, they’re anxious and of course they’re concerned about their families and communities, but they continue to be faithful—wonderful stewards and ambassadors of Christ in their own settings.
“The Church is here. The Church is alive. The Church is strong. The Church is persecuted, marginalized, and attacked—but it continues to witness.”
Syrian authorities have stated that religious minorities will be protected under the new government.