The Romanian Orthodox Church will present a set of liturgical vessels and sacred items to the Church of St. Elijah in the Douaila district of Damascus, which is currently undergoing restoration after suffering a deadly terrorist attack this summer, basilica.ro reported. The donation, offered with the blessing of Romanian Patriarch Daniel, is timed to coincide with the upcoming celebration of Christmas.

The gift will include a reliquary, a candleholder, a full Eucharistic set, a vessel for warming water, a censer, a blessing cross, a liturgical candle, and a baptismal set.

Patriarch Daniel had earlier expressed condolences to Patriarch John X of Antioch, condemning the attack as “contradicting the sacred gift of life.” He called for prayers for the victims and the wounded, as well as for strength and support for the Orthodox community in Syria.

The Church of St. Elijah was damaged on June 22, 2025, when a suicide attacker opened fire on worshippers and detonated an explosive device. The attack killed 25 people and injured more than 50. Syrian authorities attributed responsibility to ISIS, a group banned in Russia.

Despite the tragedy, the parish continued holding services in a temporary location. According to the press office of the Antiochian Patriarchate, Patriarch John X visited the restoration site again on November 18, urging builders to complete the work as soon as possible. “The church must return to life even more beautiful than before,” he emphasized.

Photo: Antiochian Patriarchate