Hope in Iraq: Assyrian and Chaldean Churches Celebrate First Communion of 1,500 Children

Eleven years have passed since the Islamic State (ISIS) seized control of Mosul and the Nineveh cities, and with each passing anniversary, the same question lingers: how many Iraqi Christians remain?

Despite ongoing regional tensions and new challenges, churches in Iraq continue to be filled with worshippers. Recently, Christians celebrated joyfully as 1,000 children received their First Communion. In Baghdad, the Chaldean parishes marked the sacrament for 50 children, while 32 others were welcomed into the Church in the Syrian Catholic parish.

A particularly significant event took place in the Syrian Catholic Church of Our Lady of Liberation, where 11 children received First Communion. This church, which in 2010 was the site of a massacre that claimed dozens of lives and injured hundreds, stands as a testament to the resilience of the faithful.

In Qaraqosh (Baghdedah), churches under the Syrian Catholic Archdiocese of Mosul and their affiliated parishes celebrated the First Communion of 461 children across three separate ceremonies. An additional 30 children received the sacrament in nearby areas of Bashiqa and Bartella, with Archbishop Benedictes Younan Hanno presiding over the liturgies. In his homilies, Hanno expressed admiration for the determination of the faithful to remain in their ancestral homeland and their courage to return after displacement. He also emphasized their commitment to preserving their faith and passing it on to their children, who have been raised in stable, united, and devoted families.

In Basra, Christian families have dwindled to fewer than 350 across all denominations, including Chaldean, Armenian, Syriac, Presbyterian, and Latin communities. Despite harsh living conditions and environmental challenges, these families remain steadfast in their homeland. This year, the Chaldean and Syrian Catholic dioceses postponed First Communion celebrations, hoping to gather a sufficient number of children for next year.

In Karemlesh, part of the Archdiocese Caldea of Mosul, 26 children are preparing to receive the Eucharist. The continued presence of these communities reflects a deep-rooted faith and an enduring hope for the future.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Spanish)