One Year After the Mar Elias Church Attack

‘God gives us the faith to keep moving forward’

In just an instant on June 22, 2025, a sacred place of peace became a scene of unfathomable grief. A brutal terrorist attack claimed the lives of 22 faithful people and left over 150 injured at Mar Elias Church in Damascus, the capital of Syria.

The attack happened on a quiet Sunday afternoon; the congregation was gathered in deep prayer. In the middle of a service, an attacker stormed the churchyard, opening fire on innocent people before entering the sanctuary and exploding a bomb, killing himself and others.

Yet, amid the ashes, stories of unextinguishable faith have begun to emerge.

Elias, a survivor of the attack, lost his two brothers, his sister, and four cousins on that devastating day. He also sustained severe leg injuries that left him with a lifelong disability. Despite his physical and emotional agony, he found a supernatural strength in the Word of God. We spoke to him and his family the day they came back to the church. Recently, one year later, we caught up with him and others on this painful yet important milestone.

Watch Elias’ powerful story:

“Every night I open the Bible, and every day I find a word that brings me comfort,” Elias shares one year later. “It is a big loss, and we will carry the memories of our family with us every single day. But God gives us the faith to keep moving forward.”

Jenny, a young woman who lost her father in the bombing, echoes this heavy but hopeful sentiment. She has found solace through her faith and the community surrounding her.

“I miss my dad every single day,” Jenny says softly. “I am not fully healed after losing him, but I am trying. With faith, I know I will overcome this.”

Even the youngest hearts are trying to process the tragedy. Ten-year-old Elie is just beginning to understand the weight of what happened. With the innocent clarity of a child, he says: “Jesus performed a miracle in His own way. He saved us because He is with us. I am not afraid, because I know He is by my side.”

Though Elie holds onto his faith, the trauma is deep, and he is still not ready to step back inside the church building. He is not alone. For so many in the community, the psychological wounds remain open. While some have bravely returned to the pews, some have stopped attending, waiting for their hearts and minds to heal.

This is why Open Doors partners in Syria have formed a counseling team in Damascus to help families like Elias’, walking alongside a group of 20 women and six children, guiding them through dedicated therapy sessions. It is a sacred journey of healing, helping them process their trauma, rebuild their lives and stand firm in their faith.