Archbishop of America on Jordan Church shooting: “If one member suffers, all suffer together”

Archbishop Elpidophoros of America wrote on Friday to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem’s representative in Amman, offering the prayers of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America after gunmen killed at least seven people at a funeral in a Greek Orthodox church in southern Jordan.

The letter was addressed to Archbishop Christophoros of Kyriakoupolis, who has served since 2018 as Patriarchal Commissioner in Amman and pastor of the city’s Orthodox community.

Archbishop Elpidophoros called the shooting at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in the village of Hamoud a “shameful terrorist attack,” stating that no words could describe the shock felt by Orthodox Christians “and all people of faith and goodwill around the world.”

Speaking for the hierarchs, clergy, and faithful of the Archdiocese, Archbishop Elpidophoros extended condolences to Archbishop Christophoros and his flock, praying for the repose of the dead and the recovery of the wounded.

“In a spirit of compassion and solidarity, we commit to continue to pray and work for peace in the world – a peace grounded in dialogue, mutual understanding, and coexistence,” he wrote.

In a message to Archbishop Elpidophoros,…