Kottayam, Kerala | October 26, 2026
His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan, has expressed profound sorrow and strongly condemned the attack on Saint George Greek Orthodox Church in Karak, Jordan, extending heartfelt condolences and prayers to His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem, the clergy, and the faithful of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
In a letter addressed to Patriarch Theophilos III, His Holiness conveyed the solidarity of the Holy Episcopal Synod, clergy, monastics, and faithful of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church with the Christian community in Jordan during this time of grief and suffering.
His Holiness expressed particular sorrow that the violence occurred while the faithful had gathered for a funeral service, turning a sacred moment of prayer and mourning into one of tragedy.
Condemning the attack, the Catholicos emphasized that violence against places of worship is an affront to the sanctity of human life, religious freedom, and the principles of peaceful coexistence. His Holiness affirmed that acts of hatred and violence have no justification in the name of religion and called for the protection of all religious communities and their places of worship.
The Catholicos also expressed concern for the continued suffering and insecurity experienced by Christian communities throughout the Middle East, emphasizing that their ancient and enduring presence represents a precious inheritance of the universal Church and a living witness to the Christian faith.
Recalling the words of the Apostle Paul, “If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it” (1 Corinthians 12:26), His Holiness reaffirmed the prayerful solidarity of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church with the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the faithful of Jordan.
His Holiness offered prayers for the eternal repose of those who lost their lives, the healing of the injured, and divine consolation for the bereaved families. The Catholicos further prayed that Almighty God would strengthen Patriarch Theophilos III and the faithful entrusted to his pastoral care, and guide all efforts toward justice, reconciliation, and lasting peace.
The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church joins Christians throughout the world in praying for peace in the Middle East, the protection of innocent lives, and the preservation of the Christian presence in the Holy Land and throughout the region.