Patriarch Noona Visits Church of the East of Ashura in Einkawa

The Patriarch Mar Paul III, also known as Patriarch Noona, visited his brother, His Holiness the Patriarch of the Church of the East, Mar Owa, on Thursday, 1 October 2026. The visit occurred at the headquarters of the Patriarchate of the Church of the East in Erbil. This meeting highlighted the ongoing relationship between the Assyrian Church of the East and the Chaldean Catholic Church, two sister churches with shared historical and ritual traditions.

During the visit, Patriarch Noona expressed gratitude to His Holiness Mar Owa for attending his inauguration ceremony in Baghdad last May. He emphasized the significance of cooperation between the two churches, pointing to their shared history and practices as a foundation for unity. His Holiness Mar Owa welcomed this collaboration and expressed his commitment to working together in a spirit of brotherhood to advance the interests of both churches.

The two leaders discussed potential areas of joint effort, including the study and translation of common texts such as the Pashtatta. They envisioned using these texts to foster mutual understanding and strengthen ties between the churches. The conversation also touched on the broader challenges faced by Christians in the Middle East, particularly in the context of the region’s political and social landscape.

At the conclusion of the visit, His Holiness Mar Owa guided Patriarch Noona through the Patriarchal complex. They visited the Cathedral of the Tobian Messengers and the new Patriarchal Church Institute, which was set to open soon. This tour underscored the importance of institutional development and the role of the Patriarchate in supporting the church’s mission and community.

The visit was attended by several prominent figures, including the Archbishop of Ibarshey Arbil Al-Kaldani, the Archbishop of Aberczeh Arbael, and the Archbishop of the Monk, Samer Suricho. Other participants included the President-General of the Horsimian Antunian Monk, Father Karem Qasha, the Director of the Patriarchal Office, and Father David Stephen, the Secretary of the Patriarch’s Daughter. On the other side, representatives from the Kurdistan Regional Government, including Mr. Emile Estevan and Mr. Khaled Jamal Albert, were also present.

The meeting reflected a commitment to collaboration and mutual support among church leaders, as well as engagement with local governmental bodies to address the needs of the Christian community. The visit served as a reminder of the shared responsibility to uphold the faith and serve the faithful in a time of uncertainty and challenge.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Arabic)