Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Mor Aphrem II visits monuments of Mosul and Nineveh in Iraq

NINEVEH PLAINS, Iraq — As a part of his visit to Iraq, Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Mor Aphrem II toured the monuments, churches, and monasteries of the Nineveh Plains and Mosul, including the village of Bahzani.

The Patriarch attended an evening recital by the choir of St. George Church in Bahzani, accompanied by Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of the Diocese of Mor Matti’s Monastery and its Environs Timotheus Mousa Shamani, Patriarchal-Vicariate of Zahle & Beqa’ in Lebanon Mor Justinos Paulos Yousef Safar, and Patriarchal Secretary and Media Office Director Mor Joseph Bali.

Patriarch Mor Aphre II expressed his admiration for the choir’s professional level and the quality of the spiritual hymns they sang, wishing them continued success.

In Baghdede (Qaraqosh), the Patriarch toured the ancient Church of Mart Shmuni, Church of Saint Sergius and Bacchus, and the Monastery of Saint John of Dailam.

He also visited the ancient Church of Saint Thomas the Apostle in Mosul, inspecting the ancient church destroyed by the Islamic State (ISIS), in addition to visiting the ruins of Nimrud city and Saint Behnam Monastery in Mosul.