Faith over fear: Why a Syrian family chose to stay after a church bombing
Lives were ripped apart when a suicide bomber attacked their church. A year on, Elias and his family remain in Syria, choosing faith over fear despite unimaginable loss.
Gunshot. Chaos. And then a blast ripped through Saint Elias Church in Damascus, Syria.
The attack, on Sunday, 22 June last year, lasted just 30 seconds. But Elias, 56, and his wife Hanan, 39, will never forget it. Seven of their family members were among the 22 Christians killed by a suicide bomber.
“It was a massacre,” says Elias.
Around 300 people were in church when a gunman burst in. Elias’ brothers ran to tackle him. When the bomb went off, his brother and the bomber were killed instantly – and the church was plunged into chaos and fear.
“You cannot imagine the scene,” says Elias. “The church turned red.”
A shard of metal hit Elias in the thigh, and he was bleeding badly. Meanwhile, his wife, Hanan, desperately searched for their children. “I started shouting for them, saying to myself, ‘Lord, please let me find one more child.’”
Elias, Hanan and their children survived – but they live with the trauma every day.
Strengthen what remains
Conflict and persecution have driven thousands of Christians from Syria in recent years. In 2011, there were around 1.8 million believers. Now, the church numbers just 300,000 people.
The bomb attack struck at the very heart of a dwindling community. But even amid fear, faith is alive. Recently, 22 children were baptised at Saint Elias, the same number of Christians who lost their lives in June 2025.
“We go to church, but fear exists. Yet even if we are afraid, we will still go,” says Hanan. Leaving Syria may be an option in future. But for now, the family remain: “If it is God’s will, we will stay.”
Recently, they returned to their church for the first time since the bombing. Elias walks with a limp, and metal pins protrude from his leg. When a car horn sounds outside, the children panic and run away. Even small sounds trigger their trauma.
Will you support faith that defies fear?
Please pray
- Ask God to strengthen the faith of Elias, Hanan and their five children.
- Lift up Open Doors’ local partner in Syria, giving thanks for their service to the Church.
- Pray for faithful remnants of believers everywhere, that they will know they’re not alone.
Please give
- Every R430 could provide persecution survival training to a believer to help them persevere.
- Every R500 could provide trauma care to a Christian who’s faced extreme persecution.
- Every R900 could give essential support to a Christian family in a time of crisis.
Strengthen what remains
For once-off gifts, any excess funds for this appeal will be used to support persecuted Christians where the need is greatest. Monthly gifts will go to where most needed.
Strengthen what remains
For once-off gifts, any excess funds for this appeal will be used to support persecuted Christians where the need is greatest. Monthly gifts will go to where most needed.
