31/03/2023

Catholicos-Patriarch of Assyrian Church of the East Mar Awa III Royel meets with Iraqi President to discuss the situation of Christians and exiled Patriarchal Chair’s return

BAGHDAD — On Thursday, the Catholicos-Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, Mar Awa III Royel, met with Iraqi President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid at the Presidential Palace in Baghdad. The meeting was attended by Archbishop of Baghdad Mar Elia Isaac and Archbishop of Diana and Kerkeslokh (Kirkuk) Abris Youkhanna.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the challenges facing Christians and other minorities in Iraq in light of the country’s current difficulties. The Patriarch also spoke about the return of the exiled Patriarchal Chair of the Assyrian Church of the East, which has been out of the country for almost 82 years.

During the meeting, the Patriarch stressed the importance of encouraging members of the Assyrian Church of the East in the diaspora to visit their homeland and maintain their connection with the land of their ancestors. This is one of the most important tasks of the Patriarchate of the Assyrian Church of the East, he stated.