Ecumenical festival in Iraq unites Chaldean, Assyrian, Syriac Catholic and Syriac Orthodox churches in celebration of faith and resilience

Christians in northern Iraq have come together in a powerful display of faith and resilience, marking the Festival of the Cross from Sept. 9-13 in Erbil. The event, which included candlelight processions, prayers, concerts, sports and cultural activities, celebrated the Sept. 14 feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Participants from the Chaldean, Assyrian, Syriac Catholic and Syriac Orthodox churches joined in the multi-day celebration, symbolizing unity and endurance amid past persecution.

Chaldean Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil, who collaborated with leaders from other churches to plan the festival, shared that the timing of the event was deeply symbolic. A decade ago, the Islamic State group, or Daesh, sought to erase Christianity from the region. Today, the same communities raise the cross in public squares, churches and joyful processions, demonstrating that faith has survived and hope is stronger than death.

The Islamist extremist group controlled parts of the Nineveh Plains in northern Iraq from 2014 until 2017. Over 120,000 Christians fled their homes in August 2014 and sought refuge in Erbil, Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region. Pontifical charity Aid to the Church in Need supported Christian refugees during this time and helped rebuild communities after the defeat of Daesh, enabling many to return to their homes.

The festival began on Sept. 9 with a 1.3-mile candlelight procession in the Erbil suburb of Ankawa, from the Chaldean Shrine of St. Elijah to the Assyrian Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. A meal followed prayers and a homily by Mar Awa III, patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East. The event featured a packed program of prayers, music, cultural events, sporting activities and competitions leading up to the vigil of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on Sept. 13.

The five-day festival is now set to be an annual event in the churches’ calendars, following ecumenical celebrations in 2024. The 2025 festival aims to build upon the previous year’s success by expanding its scope, deepening its content and involving more youth and families from across the different churches. Archbishop Warda highlighted the role of the Joint Youth Committee, composed of 20 volunteers from all four churches, who played a lead role in organizing the event.

The festival stands as a testament to the enduring faith of Christians in northern Iraq, reflecting their commitment to community, tradition and spiritual renewal. It also underscores the importance of interfaith cooperation and the shared mission of preserving religious heritage in the face of historical challenges.

Source: Read the original report