Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II visits Erbil to strengthen Church ties in Kurdistan Region of Iraq

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq — As part of his ongoing efforts to oversee Church affairs and connect with the faithful, Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II arrived in Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI).

The Patriarch was warmly welcomed by Bishop Mor Timotheus Musa al-Shamani, head of the Mor Matta Monastery, alongside Bishop Nicodemus Daoud Sharaf, who oversees the dioceses of Mosul, Kerkeslokh (Kirkuk), and the KRI. Key regional figures were also present, including Omid Khoshnao, Governor of Erbil, Niyaz Saleh Barzani, Head of Foreign and Diplomatic Relations for the Regional Presidency, and Lillian Ishaq Boutros, Director-General of the Office of the Chief of Staff for the Presidency. Khaled Jamal Albert, Director-General of Christian Affairs at the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs, also attended the welcoming ceremony.

A large crowd of monks, deacons, priests, and local residents gathered to greet the Patriarch at the airport, reflecting the deep ties between the Church and its community. Bishop Mor Augeen al-Khoury Nemat, the Patriarchal Secretary, accompanied the Patriarch.

The Patriarch’s visit underscores the Church’s commitment to maintaining strong spiritual and cultural bonds with the Syriac Orthodox community in the KRI and across Beth Nahrin (Mesopotamia).