The extremist opened fire in the sanctuary of the Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Damascus before detonating an explosive belt, killing at least 25 people and wounding more than 60.

This attack marks the first suicide bombing targeting a church in Syria since rebel groups ousted former president Bashar al-Assad in December, ending more than a decade of civil war.

Nuna with Triumphant Mercy Lebanon says, “It was a big tragedy for all of them. This is a church I know, a convent where my husband and I used to stay when we visited Syria, so I know the community there very well.”

The Islamic State claimed several attempted attacks on churches following Assad’s fall, but this was the first to succeed, one security source told Reuters. In the aftermath, Syrian police closed all churches in the region due to fears of further violence.

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“There have been threats that this would happen again in other regions of Syria,” Nuna says.

“They have been writing on the walls of a church, ‘Your time is coming soon.’ So, these are real threats from ISIS.”

Though diplomats applaud Syria’s political transition, minority advocates warn that persecution is on the rise.

“During the older (Assad) regime, the Christians were protected because the regime [leader] was a minority, so he needed all the other minorities to be with him,” Nuna says.

“Now, the government is more Islamist; this is a new threat for Christians.”

Despite the fear and uncertainty, many believers in Syria are drawing strength from their faith and church history. Nuna urges prayer for courage and perseverance: “We want that same boldness. The first Christians were going to lions, and they still went on their mission.”

As violence escalates, you can stand in prayerful solidarity with Syrian Christians facing renewed threats. Ask the Lord to empower believers as He did the first Church.

Header image depicts the Syrian flag.