Sacristan struck down with cross
On June 30, a man attacked the sacristan of the Catholic St. Nikolaus parish in Rodgau, using a crucifix as a weapon. The attacker, who is born in Syria and holds Lebanese and German citizenship, initially confronted the church worker after being approached about loud music coming from his parked car. He kicked the sacristy door, punched the sacristan, and then tore a 1.6-meter crucifix from the wall, striking the victim so forcefully that it broke. According to reports, he then tried to use the broken pieces of the figure of Jesus as a stabbing weapon and shouted to a passerby, “Help me kill him.”
Eyewitnesses quickly called for help near the church, and two men managed to separate the attacker from his victim. When one of them blocked the Syrian man's attempt to flee by car, the suspect continued to behave erratically—reportedly striking parked vehicles, partially undressing, and shouting that he enjoyed hurting children. He also allegedly called out to Allah. Police eventually arrested him, and he is now being held in a secure psychiatric facility. Authorities have not ruled out that he could be declared criminally insane.
The attack also left a lasting impression on the sacristan, who told the Offenbach-Post that he now views security measures during Christian processions differently, which he had previously considered excessive. The parish has declined further comment for the time being.
This was not the only incidnet of its kind in the region. On the same day, someone overturned an altar with candles and Christian icons in Hanau. Police sees a possible connection between the attack on the church assistant in Rodgau and the incident in Hanau.
Sources: Offenbach-Post, Nius
Image: Pixabay