Syriac–Assyrian Patriarchate of the East stresses importance of celebrating Akitu

ANKAWA, Iraq — With the advent of the Babylonian Syriac–Assyrian New Year, Akitu, the Syriac–Assyrian Patriarchate of the East issued a statement congratulating the the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people on New Year 6772.

The statement declared that this national festival provides a valuable opportunity to reflect on Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) history, which dates back more than 6,700 years. This long history indicates the ancient existence of the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people.

The statement added, “While we possess this enriched historical heritage, we as a nation living in the contemporary world, think of how necessary it is to preserve, without any change, this inheritance that we have inherited from our ancestors in the past several centuries.”

“Today, we do not have any kingdom or country that brings us together, so we must be more careful to preserve our mother tongue and teach it to our children since their childhood,” read the statement.

The statement said that the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people were among the first peoples who embraced Christianity after Christ’s ascension to heaven.

The statement extended congratulations on the New Year 6772 and asked God to have mercy on all Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people and prevent divisions among them.