Patriarch John X of Antioch Named Among Potential ISIS Targets

Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem has stated that Patriarch John X of Antioch is among the potential targets of the terrorist organization Islamic State (ISIS). He received this information during a phone conversation with Greek Foreign Minister Georgios Gerapetritis. The report was published by the Greek outlet ΕΡΤNews.

According to Patriarch Theophilos, he contacted the Greek Consul General to request communication with the Foreign Minister. The minister called him from Brussels, and during their conversation, they discussed the situation of Christians in Syria and the broader Middle East.

The Patriarch noted that the minister shared intelligence data, including a document allegedly originating from ISIS. The document refers to Christians in a derogatory manner and lists five Christian churches as potential targets.

Later, according to Patriarch Theophilos, it became known that Patriarch John X of Antioch was specifically mentioned among those targets.

It is worth noting that following a terrorist attack by ISIS militants on the Orthodox Church of St. Elijah in Damascus, the Syrian Christian community has begun organizing self-defense efforts in their local areas. Residents of the Valley of Christians — a region with a concentrated Orthodox population — have shown particular initiative.