Christian communities celebrate Palm Sunday with prayers and joy across Beth Nahrin

BETH NAHRIN — Amid hymns and joyful celebrations, Christian communities around the world observed the Feast of the Palms, marked by prayers, rituals, and blessings.

The Feast of the Palms, which occurs a week before Easter, commemorates Christ’s entry into Jerusalem and is among the most significant Christian holidays. This year, the celebration was especially notable as it was unified among Churches observing both the Eastern and Western calendars.

In the heart of Beth Nahrin (Mesopotamia), Palm Sunday carries profound significance, a testament to faith and resilience.

In Iraq, Christians celebrated in Baghdad, Nineveh, Nohdra (Duhok), and Erbil, after the two peoples, where the churches buzzed worshipers of all ages, and the children participated in the raft carrying candles in a spiritual atmosphere.

Celebrating early Oshana (Palm Sunday) with the children of our church in Baghdad, 🇮🇶 Iraq. Happy Palm Sunday to everyone. #syriacorthodoxchurch #palmsunday🌿 #Iraq pic.twitter.com/jXU4ps58c5

— Mor Aphrem II (@MorAphremII) April 12, 2025

In the Nineveh Plains town of Baghdede (Qaraqosh / Hamdaniyah), Iraq, thousands gathered this Palm Sunday, dressed in traditional attire and carrying palm and olive branches, symbols of peace and victory. The streets resonated with chants and hymns as Father Rony Salim led the faithful in a spirited procession, embodying hope and renewal.

The Great Palm Sunday Procession in Baghdede/Qaraqosh in Nineveh Plains among #Syriac Christians. pic.twitter.com/w40xLXrBGt

— DAVID ܕܘܝܕ (@dvdvrgl) April 13, 2025

These celebrations stand in stark contrast to the persecution Christians face in the region, where their public presence has been repeatedly targeted for erasure. Yet, their unwavering faith shines brightly, turning moments of worship into powerful acts of defiance and devotion.

Despite the dwindling Christian population of Iraq — reduced from 1.4 million two decades ago to approximately 250,000 following the 2003 US invasion and the subsequent rise of the Islamic State (ISIS) — the remaining faithful defiantly uphold their traditions.

Palm Sunday in Iraq, where only a small percentage of Christians remain. According to Vatican News, two decades ago, the Christian population was 1.4 million in the country. After the rise of the Islamic State, the population reduced to about 250,000. Many were murdered as they… pic.twitter.com/XRAs31tHL7

— Sachin Jose (@Sachinettiyil) April 12, 2025

In North and East Syria, churches in cities such as Beth Zalin (Qamishli), Dayrik (Derik / Malikiyah), Hasaka, and Tel Tamr held vibrant ceremonies. Deacons carrying palm fronds and olive branches, symbols of Christ’s reception in Jerusalem, led processions through the churches. Children dressed in white carried decorated candles, while women offered traditional ululations, and the faithful exchanged greetings of peace. Church leaders delivered sermons, urging congregations to pray for peace in Syria and the world.

In the historic villages of Tur Abdin, in what is now southeastern Turkey, prayers were held with a strong turnout from families who returned to the region to mark the occasion. These celebrations highlighted their enduring connection to their spiritual and cultural roots.

In Lebanon, Churches held ceremonies in an atmosphere of familial joy, adorned with flowers and decorations, while neighboring streets resounded with hymns sung by children and deacons.

In the streets of Lebanon’s many Christian towns and neighborhoods, the processions of worshippers from different Churches met on the streets, an event that only happens when the Western and Eastern calendars align.

🇱🇧 From today’s Orthodox and Maronite Christian procession in Lebanon.

The crowd was preparing to meet Melkite Catholics coming from their church.

This happens once every 4 years.

☦️🌴Blessed Palm Sunday. pic.twitter.com/dBDVuy6aId

— Levantine Orthodox ☦ (@LevantineOrtho1) April 13, 2025

This year, Palm Sunday also coincides with the 50th anniversary of the outbreak of the Lebanese Civil War. In his Sunday sermon, Syriac Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rai reflected on the devastating conflict that “tore apart our lives, our childhoods, and our youth, and distorted our relationships with one another.”

“Lebanon has turned the page on the civil war, and today, it is turning the page on defiance of legitimacy and the fight against it,” Rai stated. “However, turning pages is not enough. It is vital to examine the events that led us to this state and to learn from them, for those who fail to understand their mistakes are doomed to repeat them. There is no more time for repetition; Lebanon requires a future worthy of its history,” he emphasized.

Rai underscored the importance of revisiting past events, seeking reconciliation, and engaging in honest dialogue to move beyond the lingering scars of the civil war. “This is the process of purifying the memory, just as other nations have done to overcome similar stages in their histories,” he concluded.