Orthodox Hierarchs Condemn Deadly Church Shooting in Jordan

HAMMOUD, JORDAN — Orthodox hierarchs from Jerusalem, North America, and the Antiochian Orthodox Church have condemned the deadly October 23 shooting at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Hammoud, Jordan, offering condolences to the victims’ families and calling for prayer, peace, and solidarity among Christians and Muslims. Their statements came after gunmen opened fire during a funeral gathering, killing seven people and leaving dozens wounded.

The Patriarchate of Jerusalem, in a statement issued in the name of Patr. Theophilos III, members of the Holy Synod, and Metr. Christophoros of Jordan, condemned the attack and expressed condolences to the bereaved families, the Jordanian people, and the country’s Hashemite leadership. The statement described the shooting as a “vile, cowardly, and bloody act” and expressed confidence that Jordanian security services would bring those responsible to justice.

The Patriarchate also rejected the prospect that violence could drive the country’s Christian community from its ancestral home:

We are the children of this land, its very roots, and partners in its history, its present, and its future.

It further emphasized that the attack would not fracture Jordanian society, arguing that the tragedy should strengthen the bonds between Christians and Muslims. The statement urged the faithful to remain steadfast and pray, concluding with the appeal, “May God protect Jordan and the Jordanian people.”

Metr. Saba of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America also offered condolences to Metr. Christophoros while attending meetings of the Holy Synod of Antioch in Lebanon. In his message, Saba connected the tragedy to the central Christian proclamation of Christ’s victory over death:

We share the cry, "Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen!" Despite the violence inflicted upon us, He alone is victorious.

Metr. Saba asked parishes throughout the North American archdiocese to pray for the wounded and their grieving relatives, as well as to hold Trisagion services for the seven people killed. The archdiocese identified the departed as Asem, Fadi, Ihab, Khalid, Maher, Alaa, and Marwan. The original announcement referred to 40 wounded survivors, while Jordanian authorities’ initial figures reported 34 injured; the discrepancy reflected differing figures released after the attack.

Abp. Elpidophoros of America likewise wrote to Abp. Christophoros of Kyriakoupolis, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem’s representative in Amman, conveying the prayers and condolences of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. He described the shooting as a “shameful terrorist attack” and said the shock extended beyond the Orthodox community to people of faith and goodwill worldwide:

In a spirit of compassion and solidarity, we commit to continue to pray and work for peace in the world – a peace grounded in dialogue, mutual understanding, and coexistence.

He also invoked St. Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians to express the solidarity of Orthodox Christians with those affected: “If one member suffers, all suffer together with it.”

The Very Reverend Protopresbyter George Jweinat, Archiepiscopal Vicar for Palestinian and Jordanian Orthodox Christian communities in America, also condemned the attack in a message to Abp. Elpidophoros. Jweinat denounced “acts of terrorism and violence against innocent people” and thanked the Archbishop for his “continued fatherly care and spiritual leadership.”

The statements followed widespread condemnation of the killings in Jordan and abroad. Jordanian authorities described the shooting as a terrorist attack and continued searching for the perpetrators, and the Jordanian government declared three days of national mourning. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres also condemned the killings, stressing that attacks on civilians and places of worship were unacceptable.

King Abdullah II of Jordan visited survivors of the shooting in Karak following the attack. The King vowed a forceful response, declaring in a post on X, “The terrorist attack against Karak will be met with the harshest retaliation.” Interior Minister Mazen Al Faraya described the perpetrators as a “group of extremists,” while authorities continued searching for the gunmen who fled the scene.

For the Orthodox hierarchs, the tragedy has brought renewed attention to the vulnerability of Christian communities in the Middle East, while their messages have emphasized prayer, shared grief, and the determination to maintain Christian life in the region. The Jerusalem Patriarchate’s statement made that resolve explicit:

We shall remain here as witnesses to the faith, regardless of how great the challenges or how severe the trials may be.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Jordan planned a museum and pilgrims’ village at the site of Jesus’ baptism.