Faith
Faith Under Fire: Syrian Christians Targeted
Faith Facts
- A bombing at Mar Elias Church in Damascus claimed more than 20 lives and left over 50 injured during a worship service.
- Syria’s government halted a planned series of Islamic State attacks against churches and civilians on New Year’s Eve, reinforcing security at houses of worship.
- International efforts continue to disrupt Islamic State plots, with recent arrests made in Germany and Turkey targeting Islamist extremists.
The recent bombing of Mar Elias Church marks the gravest tragedy for Syria’s Christians in decades, underscoring the dangers facing believers in their ancestral homeland. Following this attack, Syrian authorities heightened security to shield churches and gatherings from further threats.
“We took heightened security measures as part of a preemptive response, including strengthening protection around churches, deploying fixed and mobile patrols, and setting up checkpoints across the city,” the ministry said.
Efforts to prevent further violence have included arrests and raids across Syria, as well as cooperation with Western allies. These incidents serve as reminders to stand vigilant and pray for the persecuted, advocating for religious freedom rooted in biblical values of justice and protection for all believers.
Let us unite in prayer, trusting God’s sovereignty over our brothers and sisters under threat, and support measures that defend religious liberty across the world.