Syriac Orthodox Priest Kamil Ishak passes away in Canada, Syriac Chaldean Catholic Priest Albert Abouna passes away in Iraq

MONTREAL / ERBIL, Iraq — After years serving the Syriac Orthodox Church in Canada, priest of the Saint Jacob of Nisibis Church in Montreal, Father Kamil Ishak, passed away at the age of 63 due to illness. Father Kamil faithfully served the Saint Jacob congregation for more than 15 years. He leaves behind two daughters and a son.

In related news, the Chaldean Church mourns the death of priest and famous writer Father Albert Joseph Abouna who passed away on Saturday at the age of 93 in the Syriac Maryamanna Hospital in Erbil.

Father Albert Joseph Abouna was born in the bordertown of Faysh Khabur, Zakho District, Kurdistan Region of Iraq. He studied at the seminary of Mar John the Beloved and was ordained a priest in 1951. He served the churches of Zakho and Baghdad and taught at various institutions of the Chaldean Church.

He wrote and translated more than 150 books in Sureth and Arabic, leaving behind a rich library of Eastern Syriac ecclesiastical heritage. Many Syriac Chaldean archbishops and priests studied under him, including Patriarch of the Chaldean Church Mor Louis Raphaël I Sako.

The Chaldean Church expressed its gratitude for Father Albert’s dedicated priestly service, remarking that he was serious, committed, and friendly.

Patriarch Sako and the Chaldean Church extended their sincere condolences to his family.

Father Albert Joseph Abouna was buried in his hometown of Faysh Khabur at the Mar Gorgis Church.