Open Doors Canada joins national ministry partners in inviting individuals and churches to unite in prayer on November 1, 2026.
MILTON, ON – October 1, 2026 – In June 2025, a suicide bomber armed with a rifle and explosives stormed a Sunday evening service at Mar Elias Church in Damascus, Syria. The violent attack claimed 22 lives, including seven close relatives of church member Elias, and left dozens injured, turning a sacred place of refuge into a scene of devastation.
Elias, his wife Hanane, and their five children survived the bombing, though Elias suffered a severe arterial injury to his leg and their daughter sustained critical injuries. Recalling the horror of searching for her family amid the destruction and chaos, Hanane remembered praying, “Lord, please let me find one more child… I’ll be content to find just one more.”
Following six months of intensive trauma support and physical rehabilitation facilitated by Open Doors’ local partners, Elias and his family made the brave decision to return to their congregation.
“We go to church, but fear still exists. Yet, even if we are afraid, we will still go,” shared Elias. “No matter how they scare us, I will keep coming. Never forget us.”
Their story of enduring faith anchors Open Doors Canada’s 2026 resource campaign for the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP), observed across Canada on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
IDOP is an annual global movement observed in over 130 countries, championed in Canada by a collaborative alliance of partner ministries. Together, they invite Canadian individuals, home groups, and congregations to unite in prayer for the more than 380 million Christians worldwide who face severe hostility, violence, and discrimination for their faith.
Grounded in 2 Timothy 3:10-12, this year’s campaign centers on a direct question frequently asked by persecuted believers in high-risk regions like Syria (#6 on the World Watch List): “Do You Know Our Suffering?”
“When our persecuted brothers and sisters endure devastating attacks, their primary plea is, ‘Do not forget us,’” said Rev. Gary Stagg, Executive Director of Open Doors Canada. “IDOP gives every Canadian the opportunity to listen to these stories, share in their suffering, and lift them up in prayer before our Heavenly Father so they know they are not alone.”
To equip Canadian believers, small groups, and churches to take part in this movement, Open Doors Canada, along with their IDOP Canada partners, has released a free 2026 IDOP Toolkit, including:
- Featured video: sharing first-hand accounts from Elias, Hanane, and the survivors of the Mar Elias Church attack.
- Prayer guides
- Promotional tools
- Children and youth curriculum
The public is invited to join Open Doors Canada for the National IDOP Online Event taking place on November 1, 2026, at 7:00 PM EST, featuring live prayer and updates from global ministry partners.
To access the Toolkit or register for the online event, visit www.opendoorscanada.org/idop.
Interviews with Rev. Gary Stagg, Executive Director, high-resolution photos, and downloadable video assets are available upon request. Contact Paola Theaker (paola@grafmartin.com)
About Open Doors Canada
Open Doors Canada is affiliated with Open Doors International, a global ministry that has supported and strengthened persecuted Christians in over 70 countries for 70 years. Open Doors provides practical support to persecuted Christians, such as food, medicines, trauma care, legal assistance, safe houses, and schools, as well as spiritual support through Christian literature, training, and resources. For more information, visit www.opendoorscanada.org.
