Islamic State destroys ancient monastery, desecrates saint’s tomb
August 24, 2015
The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant has destroyed the fifth-century Monastery of St. Elian near Al-Qaryatayn, Syria, and desecrated the relics of the saint.
Father Jacques Mouraud, the Syriac Catholic monastery’s prior, was kidnapped in May and is feared dead.
Stating that the Islamic State’s forces “no conscience or morality,” Chaldean Catholic Bishop Antoine Audo of Aleppo told Vatican Radio that “as usual for us Christians, it is a message of violence and intolerance, a message to spread fear everywhere.”
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Further information:
- ISIS dig up and desecrate saint's bones after bulldozing 1,600-year-old Christian church (Daily Express)
- Islamic State in Syria demolishes ancient Mar Elian monastery (BBC)
- Syrian bishop reacts to monastery destruction (Vatican Radio)
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