Patriarch John X Addresses Syrian President in Wake of Terrorist Attack
In his eulogy to the faithful during the funeral service for the new martyrs of Damascus, His Beatitude called for more effort and action from the recently installed Syrian government.
DAMASCUS — A funeral service for the new martyrs of Damascus was held on June 24, 2025, with His Beatitude Patriarch John X of Antioch and All the East spending a notable portion of his eulogy to the faithful specifically addressing the Syrian government.
On June 23, 2025, Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who came to power following the overthrowing of former President Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, said that Syrian security agencies will work night and day “to capture all those who participated in and planned this heinous crime.”
Calling the suicide bombing a “despicable crime,” al-Sharaa said that the act shook the conscience of the entire nation. With ISIS considered responsible for the attack, as the group has lingering sleeper cells due to security gaps in war-torn Syria, citizens of the country remain skeptical of their new leadership, which is tied to the jihadist group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and evolved from the former al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria.
“We cannot accept such a thing to occur during this period of ‘revolution’ and during your honorable tenure,” Patriarch John X said, addressing the president in regards to the terrorist attack. “This is unacceptable and must be condemned.”
His Beatitude said that the Christians of Syria will rise above such events, not allowing the crime to spark a national or sectarian conflict. He reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to national unity and standing together with all Syrians as one family.
Saying that political and religious leaders from around the world had expressed solidarity and denounced the massacre, the patriarch pointed out what he felt was a lack of co-suffering from the Syrian government.
“We regret, Mr. President, that not a single official from the government – aside from Mrs. Hind Kabawat (Minister of Social and Labour Affairs) – was present at the site of the crime after it occurred. This saddens us. We are an essential component of this country. And we are not going anywhere.”
Patriarch John called to remembrance his own brother, Metropolitan Paul Yazigi of Aleppo, and Archbishop Yohanna Ibrahim of the Syriac Orthodox Church, who were abducted by militants in 2013 and whose whereabouts are still unknown. He also mentioned the nuns of the Greek Orthodox Convent of Mar Takla in Maaloula who were kidnapped, and later freed, that same year.
Despite these occurrences, the Christians of Syria still remain, the patriarch said. And after the most recent attack, they will remain.
“We do not need a government distracted with issuing decisions we need not name from this holy royal pulpit,” he said. “We call for a government that shoulders its responsibilities and feels the pain of its people. Mr. President, the people are hungry. If no one has told you this, I will: the people are hungry. Government officials, people are knocking on the doors of our churches asking for the price of a loaf of bread!”
His Beatitude acknowledged that the president called on June 23 to extend his condolences, but said that, while the Church is grateful for the phone call, it is not enough.
“The crime that occurred is far greater – it demands more than a call. We hope that the government will fulfill the promises of the revolution: democracy, freedom, equality, and the rule of law. This is what we hope for, what we want, and what we strive toward. Let me be clear: We were told the government would declare a national day of mourning. Mr. President, please make this day not just a day of mourning – make it a day of mourning for the government. We Christians do not want anyone to weep over us. These martyrs – contrary to what some officials have said—are not ‘casualties’ or ‘the deceased.’ They are martyrs. And I dare to say, beloved, that they are martyrs of faith and country.”
Patriarch John emphasized that the Church had congratulated the president when he took power, and did all that was required as genuine citizens of Syria.
“We have said – and I say again: We extended our hand to build a new Syria – and sadly, we are still waiting for a hand to reach back.”
His Beatitude said that the Church will continue to pray for the martyrs, the wounded, and their families, while also praying for the whole world and for the Syria to come – the Syria every Syrian dreams of.
Finally, Patriarch John described the courage of the martyrs, some of them who he knew personally, who saw a criminal enter the church armed and carrying explosives.
“They grabbed him, pulled him back, and threw themselves on him. They accepted becoming torn to pieces – and they did – to protect those in the church. That is our people. That is our heroism. They became scattered limbs to shield the 250 people who were, as I’m told, inside the church. Before these heroic Christian people, I declare: We are not afraid. We will carry on. And before the greatness of this moment, I will say this: They would have done the same – even if those around them had been inside a mosque.”
