Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Aphrem II celebrates Feast of Mor Matta in Nineveh Plains in Iraq

NINEVEH PLAINS, Iraq — In the presence of Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian people of Nineveh Plains in Iraq celebrated the feast of Mor Mattai (Saint Matthew the Hermit).

On Sunday, the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch presided over the Divine Liturgy at Mor Mattai Monastery in Nineveh Plains. The Patriarch was assisted by Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of the Diocese of Mor Matti’s Monastery and its Environs Timotheus Mousa Shamani, Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Mosul, Kerkeslokh (Kirkuk), and Kurdistan Daoud Matti Sharaf, Patriarchal-Vicariate of Zahle & Beqa’ in Lebanon Mor Justinos Paulos Yousef Safar, Patriarchal Secretary and Media Office Director Mor Joseph Bali, a number of priests, and a large crowd of Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian people.

A day before, the evening prayer was held in the Patriarch’s presence. Then, fire was lit in the monastery courtyard and the Scouts of the Mor Mattai Monastery Archdiocese performed.