Serbian Patriarch Porfirije expressed deep sorrow and heartfelt condolences to Patriarch John of Antioch and all the faithful of the ancient Patriarchate following the tragic terrorist attack on the Church of St. Elia in Damascus.
In his message, Patriarch Porfirije stated: “Your Beatitude, dear brother and concelebrant in Christ, with profound pain and grief we received the news of the horrific terrorist attack on the Church of St. Elia in the ancient and glorious city of Damascus, the seat of your sacred Patriarchate, where as many as twenty innocent people lost their lives.
On behalf of the fullness of the Serbian Orthodox Church and personally, we offer our sincere condolences to you and the families of the victims in yet another ruthless attempt by the powers of this world to dominate using the fallen human nature as an instrument of evil and destruction. This inhuman crime, committed during the holy service in the house of God — a house of prayer and peace — shakes the entire Body of Christ, for if one member suffers, all suffer with it (1 Corinthians 12:26).
At the same time, in the darkness of the world’s evil and madness, our faith strengthens us, knowing that the innocent victims are not lost but received into the eternal joy of God’s Kingdom as witnesses of faith, as martyrs of Christ.
In this overwhelming flood of sorrow, we pray for the repose of the souls of the innocent children of God, while our prayerful eyes remain fixed on the faces of the grieving families. May Christ console and strengthen their sorrowful hearts, illuminate the souls of the departed with the light of His eternal Kingdom, and grant them eternal rest.”
Source: Patriarchate of Serbia
