In Syria, leaflets calling for murder of Christians appear on church doors

Leaflets calling for violence against Christians in Syria. Photo: t.me/vostochnysyndrome

SAFITA — In the city of Safita (Syria), leaflets with explicit calls for violence were found on the doors of Christian churches, urging the killing of Christians, the enslavement of women, and the looting of believers’ homes.

The incident took place only a few days after the deadly terrorist attack at the Mar Elias Church in Damascus, in which dozens of Orthodox Christians were killed and injured.

The authors of the leaflets are believed to belong to extremist groups operating in Syria. The leaflets contain direct threats and calls for radical actions against Christians.

One of the leaflets reads: “Whoever is a true Muslim, let him raise the sword of the Umayyads and cut off the heads of the misguided and the cross-worshippers. Spare none of them – neither old nor young, neither boys nor nursing infants – so that Sham (Syria) may once again become Umayyad.”

Another reads: “O sons of Muslims! Do not stop destroying the houses of Christians, killing their children, raping their women. They are the enemies of your religion and your rule. Accelerate jihad – today, without postponing it until tomorrow. May Allah cleanse Sham and its people.”

Earlier, the UOJ's Ukrainian branch (SPZh) reported that Islamists in Syria had threatened Christians with violence. Among the inscriptions left on the walls of the church was the phrase: "Your turn will come."

Read also

St. Nicholas Cathedral in Ukraine Destroyed in Airstrike

Russian bombardment levels the historic Orthodox monastic compound in Ukraine’s Sumy region.

Fr. Dimitrios Gagastathis is Numbered Among the Saints

The Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Constantinople has canonized the man affectionately known as Papa Dimitri.

Israeli Settlers Continue Assault on Palestinian Christian Community

The attacks prompted an urgent appeal from local faith leaders, asking for investigation and support.

Met. Constantine of Denver Announces Relief Efforts for Texas Flooding

Faithful are encouraged to make donations to the Metropolis of Denver, with a notation in the Memo Line to Hill Country Relief, by August 1, 2025.

In Syria, leaflets calling for murder of Christians appear on church doors

The incident occurred just days after the bloody terrorist attack at the Mar Elias Church in Damascus, which claimed the lives of 25 Syrian Christians, with many more still in the hospital.

WCC Raises Alarm Over Government Crackdown on Armenian Apostolic Church

The WCC says that it "stands in solidarity with the Armenian Apostolic Church, whose historic witness and enduring role have long contributed to the spiritual life and resilience of the Armenian nation and the global Christian fellowship," it said in a statement.