Attack targets "Um Al-Zennar" Cathedral in Homs

On Sunday, unknown armed individuals opened fire at the historic "Um Al-Zennar" Cathedral, affiliated with the Syriac Orthodox denomination, located in the Bustan Al-Diwan neighborhood in Homs. The attack resulted in damage to the cross mounted on the front façade of the church, but no human injuries were reported, according to the Syrian Observatory.

The attack sparked panic among the neighborhood residents and the Christian community in the city. Local sources expressed concern that the incident could be a prelude to a series of potential assaults on other places of worship.

The Archdiocese of Homs, Hama, and Tartus for the Syriac Orthodox condemned the attack in an official statement, calling it “a violation of the sanctity of places of worship and an assault on civil peace and coexistence.” The statement called on the relevant authorities to conduct an urgent investigation, hold the perpetrators accountable, and take measures to protect sacred sites.

The "Um Al-Zennar" Cathedral is considered one of the oldest churches in the Middle East and holds significant religious importance due to the widespread belief that it houses the belt (Zennar) of the Virgin Mary, making it a prominent pilgrimage site for Christians in Syria and the region.

A-H 

ANHA