The Patriarchate of Jerusalem has condemned a deadly terrorist attack on St George’s Greek Orthodox Church in Jordan, expressing condolences to the victims’ families and reaffirming the Christian community’s determination to remain in its ancestral homeland.
The attack struck the Greek Orthodox church in Hmoud, in the Al-Karak region of Jordan, claiming civilian lives and prompting a strong response from the Church’s leadership.
In a statement issued on October 23, Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem, members of the Holy and Sacred Synod, and Metropolitan Christophoros of Jordan expressed their profound grief over the loss of life.
They extended their condolences to the bereaved families, the Jordanian people and the country’s Hashemite leadership, describing the incident as a tragedy that had deeply affected the community.
The Patriarchate unequivocally condemned the attack and expressed confidence that Jordanian security services would bring those responsible to justice.
Patriarchate Vows Christians Will Remain in Their Homeland
Despite the tragedy, the Patriarchate stressed that the attack would not weaken Jordan’s national unity or undermine the Christian community’s commitment to its historic homeland.
Instead, it said the violence should strengthen the bonds between Christians and Muslims and reinforce unity under Jordan’s Hashemite leadership.
“If the intent behind this message is to uproot us from our Holy Land and displace us, it will only serve to strengthen our attachment to it and deepen our roots within it,” the statement said.
The Patriarchate reaffirmed that Christians were an integral part of Jordan’s history and future, declaring that they would remain in the country despite the challenges they faced.
“We are the children of this land, its very roots, and partners in its history, its present, and its future,” the statement continued.
The Church also expressed confidence that Jordanian society would withstand extremist ideologies, describing the attack as incompatible with the moderate form of Islam practised in the country.
Call for Prayer and Unity
The statement concluded with a call for the faithful to remain steadfast in their faith and pray during the difficult period.
It opened with the words of Christ from the Gospel of John 11:25–26: “I am the resurrection and the life.”
“May God protect Jordan and the Jordanian people,” Patriarch Theophilos III said.
The Patriarchate’s message emphasised solidarity with the victims, the importance of interfaith unity and the determination of Jordan’s Christian community to preserve its longstanding presence in the region.
Source: Patriarchate of Jerusalem, via Orthodox Times.
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