Greek Orthodox Patriarch tells 'Post' 'minority group of radicals' conducted Jordan attack

Theophilos III shared that he met with Jordanian King Abdulla II and other members of the royal family who “all offered their heartfelt condolences and commitments of support.”

The terror attack on the Church of Saint George in Hammoud, in Jordan’s Al-Karak province, last week “was a heinous and cowardly act of violence perpetrated by a minority group of radicals who seek to intimidate and divide the community,” Theophilos III, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, told The Jerusalem Post in a statement on Tuesday, when asked about anti-Christian radicalization in the region.

Theophilos III, whose Greek Orthodox Patriarchate has a longstanding presence in Jordan, told the Post that the attack, which sought to divide Jordan’s Christian community, had instead “strengthened the bonds of all Jordanians,” who came together to mourn the nine churchgoers killed on Friday.

“We gathered two days after the attack to remember the martyrs who lost their lives, weep with all who are mourning, visit the injured, and pray for a more peaceful future,” he said. “This violence has only drawn our community closer together, deepened our roots in this land.”

Around 40 people were wounded on Friday when gunmen opened fire on a funeral procession at the church.

Theophilos III shared that he met with Jordanian King Abdulla II and other members of the royal family who “all offered their heartfelt condolences and commitments of support.”

“I return to Jerusalem certain of two things, by the grace of the Divine: we as Christians stand firm and remain steadfast in our faith - Christians in this land will never falter, and that the Jordanian society as a whole is united against radicalism of all forms,” he continued, adding that the “heinous” attack “runs entirely contrary to the moderate Islam practiced in Jordan.”

 “We hold an absolute conviction that Jordanian society will remain united, vigilant and strong against any extremist ideologies that target the peaceful,” he continued. “For many within my community, Jordan is home, and I applaud His Majesty King Abdullah II, Custodian of the Muslim and Christian Holy Sites in the Holy Land, and the entire Royal Family, for the leadership they have shown in response to this evil attack. This response and their commitments of protection to the Christian community - not only in word but also in deed - is a model to be replicated across the region, where too many Christians live in intimidation and fear.”

Theophilos III’s remarks come as Jordan navigates its dual role as a close US ally and a Muslim-majority country with a significant Christian minority.

Viral video highlights tension between religions in Jordan

An interaction between a Christian woman and Jordan’s minister of religious endowments has gone viral online after the woman said some Jordanians had told her that mourning Christians was haram, or forbidden under Islamic law. In response, the minister described anyone unwilling to mourn alongside the Christian community as an extremist and said Christians were an integral part of Jordanian society.

Though Jordan is considered to offer a high level of religious freedom, the Christian non-denominational Christian charity organization Open Doors US reported that Christians often experience discrimination in employment, government monitoring, and restrictions on public preaching.

The American charity reported that the war in Gaza has fueled Islamic conservatism and that Muslims were pressured to create distance from the Muslim community.