Syriac Orthodox Church annual youth meeting in Ankawa concludes, emphasizes spiritual values

ANKAWA, Iraq — On Sunday, the fourth annual Sons of Peace Youth Meeting, hosted by the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese of Mosul, Kerkeslokh (Kirkuk), and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), concluded in Ankawa. The event, which was centered around two consecutive days of enriching spiritual lectures, saw the participation of over 850 young men and women, alongside a substantial clergy representation from diverse Churches. Also among the distinguished guests was Attila Toth, the Consul General of Hungary in the KRI.

The inaugural day of the festival commenced with hymns from the Syriac Orthodox Mother of Light Choir, including a poignant performance of the Lord’s Prayer. Syriac Orthodox Archbishop Mor Nicodemus Daoud Matta Sharaf delivered an insightful speech, delving into the spiritual significance encapsulated in the festival’s theme, Consecrate Your Hearts. He expressed gratitude for the meticulous preparations undertaken to orchestrate the event.

A documentary was presented, chronicling the noteworthy activities of the Sons of Peace Youth Meeting since its inception 13 years ago. The first day featured five spiritually enriching lectures and a musical performance by the Syriac Scouts. The day concluded with a representative scene portraying the vibrant youth of Kerkslokh.

On the second day, Bishop Mar Andrew delivered a compelling lecture titled My Son, Give Me Your Heart. The program also included a presentation by the Love and Joy group, a representative scene featuring the youth of Baghdede (Qaraqosh / Hamdaniya), and a My Family Wins competition. The final day witnessed a Divine Mass at the Mother of Light Church in Ankawa, imparting blessings on this remarkable achievement while reinforcing spiritual values rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ. The festival’s conclusion took place at the Galaxy Hall in Ankawa, hosting an artful ceremony.