BY ICC FELLOW LISA NAVARRETTE On Sunday, June 22, 2025, Christians gathered for worship inside Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Damascus. Families sat together, prayers were spoken, and the familiar rhythms of worship continued in a city with a healthy Christian population for nearly two thousand years. Then a man entered the church carrying explosives. According to International Christian Concern, the attacker opened fire before detonating an explosive vest inside the sanctuary. At least 22 worshippers were killed and dozens more were wounded.