Syriac Catholic Patriarch Mor Ignatius Youssef III Younan inaugurates kindergarten and prays for peace during visit to Nineveh Plains

BAGHDEDE, Iraq — During his visit to Baghdede in Nineveh Plains in northern Iraq, Syriac Catholic Patriarch Mor Ignatius Youssef III Younan inaugurated the kindergarten of Mor Aphrem the Syriac, run by the Archdiocese of Mosul and its Environs.

The inauguration began with a ribbon cutting ceremony, followed by the Patriarch touring the kindergarten, inspecting the different sections, and blessing them with holy water. The Patriarch also listened to the children singing the Lord’s Prayer in Syriac and other hymns. Additionally, he blessed the kindergarten staff, children, and their families, praying that the kindergarten would be a source of grace, goodness, and benefit for the children.

Later, Patriarch Younan visited the Monastery of Mor Quriakos in Baghdede, inspecting the monastery and praying for peace in Iraq, the Middle East, and the whole world. He asked God to bless the service of the priests in the Archdiocese of Mosul and its Environs, as well as the faithful.

The Patriarch also attended an evening of spiritual hymns to mark Holy Week. The evening was presented by the “Sun of Faith” choir at St. John the Baptist Church in Baghdede. The choir performed spiritual hymns inspired by the Lent and Passion Week

Patriarch Younan delivered a speech in which he commended and thanked the choir, while also pointing out that Passion Week is also a week of hope and joy because of the resurrection of Jesus.