Children dead and church damaged in rocket attacks and bombings in Syria

Islamic State bomb damage to Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church in Aleppo Facebook

A leading evangelical Christian church in Aleppo, Syria, has become the latest casualty of the terror advance of Islamic State.

The Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church in Aleppo suffered a heavy rocket attack yesterday, just hours after the end of the morning service. Fortunately the service was over so there were no deaths or injuries but the church will need extensive repairs before it can be used again. 

The Rev Haroutioun Selimian, head of the Armenian evangelical community of Syria, was among those who visited the church to assess the damage.

Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church suffers Islamic State bomb damage Facebook

The attack was reported by the Lebanese weekly Kantsasar.

In another attack, at least 40 people died including eight children in attacks by warplanes in the city of Raqqa, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported yesterday. It is unknown whether the planes were Russian or from the Syrian government's own forces. 

related articles
Russian air strikes 'kill more civilians than ISIS fighters'

Russian air strikes 'kill more civilians than ISIS fighters'

Should we bomb ISIS in Syria? Christian responses to Cameron
Should we bomb ISIS in Syria? Christian responses to Cameron

Should we bomb ISIS in Syria? Christian responses to Cameron

The Theology of Bombing ISIS in Syria
The Theology of Bombing ISIS in Syria

The Theology of Bombing ISIS in Syria

Convert or we\'ll behead you, ISIS told abducted priest
Convert or we'll behead you, ISIS told abducted priest

Convert or we'll behead you, ISIS told abducted priest

Dozens killed and 400 kidnapped by ISIS in Syrian city

Dozens killed and 400 kidnapped by ISIS in Syrian city

News
The Church needs to watch Channel 4's John Smyth documentary
The Church needs to watch Channel 4's John Smyth documentary

There is much more to reflect on in these two hours, presented in a very different way from previous communications, and a year later.

Myanmar junta orders an early Christmas
Myanmar junta orders an early Christmas

Locals are reportedly unhappy with the decree but know that failure to comply could lead to arrest.

BBC chooses Bradford Cathedral for Christmas Day broadcast
BBC chooses Bradford Cathedral for Christmas Day broadcast

The BBC has chosen Bradford Cathedral as the location for its live Christmas Day service in 2025, coinciding with its status as UK City of Culture and placing the historic cathedral firmly in the Christmas morning spotlight.

Presbyterian Church in Ireland under investigation amid safeguarding concerns
Presbyterian Church in Ireland under investigation amid safeguarding concerns

The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland has launched an inquiry into the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.