Antioch Patriarch inspects reconstruction work at Damascus temple where bloody terrorist attack took place

Patriarch John X of Antioch and All the East inspected the progress of reconstruction work at the Church of the Prophet Elijah in Dweil, Damascus. The church was destroyed in June in a brutal terrorist attack that killed dozens of people. The patriarch praised the ongoing efforts to rebuild the church and gave his recommendations that the temple be restored to its former condition and even better. This was reported by Orthodox Times.

The Church of the Prophet Elijah was targeted after a bloody terrorist attack in June that killed dozens of innocent citizens. During his visit, Patriarch John not only expressed his gratitude for the work done and progress in the reconstruction, but also offered valuable advice to ensure that the shrine is fully restored and can once again welcome the faithful.

Earlier, shortly after the terrorist attack, the Patriarch of Antioch issued a statement condemning the targeted persecution of the Christian community in Syria. Addressing the country’s new government and President Ahmed al-Sharaa, he urged immediate action to protect the Christian population in Syria, holding the leadership responsible for the terrorist attack.

Recall, June 22, 2025, during the Sunday service in the temple in honor of the Holy Prophet of God Elijah in Damascus (Syria), a member of the radical Islamist organization “Islamic State” was committed a bloody terrorist attack that killed 22 people. The terrorist stormed into the temple, opened fire on people, and after shooting blew himself up with an explosive device attached to his body.