Dera village in Tur Abdin hosts Mor Youhanon Sobo Feast, celebrating ancestral heritage
ŞIRNAK, Turkey — The Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) villages of Mount Qardo in Turkey’s Şırnak Province, remain largely depopulated following waves of emigration from the historic Tur Abdin region, with the exception of Dera village, which still maintains a significant population.
The village recently celebrated the Feast of Mor Youhanon Sobo with a Divine Liturgy led by Father Shamoun Ojar. Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people from nearby cities and as far as Germany, France, and Belgium attended the event.
Following the Mass and prayers, large crowds gathered in the village square, where a tent was set up for the occasion. The celebration drew approximately 250 people from various ethnic communities in the region.
Father Ojar expressed hope for more such events to take place on the land of their ancestors, emphasizing the community’s readiness to host future gatherings.
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