In Sweden… St. Jacob of Nisibis Church concludes its summer school with emphasis on education and identity

SÖDERTÄLJE, Sweden — St. Jacob of Nisibis Church in Södertälje city concluded its annual summer school program with an official ceremony broadcast live on the church’s social media page. The event witnessed a remarkable turnout from parish families and members, led by Mor Yuhanon Lahdo, Archbishop of the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese of Sweden and Scandinavia, alongside Father Malke Qashisho, the church priest.

The school, which has become an annual tradition since its inception in 2018, held its seventh edition this year with the participation of over 200 children who received instruction from around 50 teachers and supervisors across six educational levels. 

According to the program organizers, the curriculum focused on promoting the Syriac language, teaching church prayers, as well as lessons in the reading the Holy Bible, the lives of saints, and hymns of the Syriac Orthodox Church. The school also aimed to enhance the children’s cognitive skills and strengthen their connection to their cultural and religious identity within the context of diaspora communities.

Several church committees participated in the closing ceremony, including the Women’s Committee, the Scouts, and the Youth Committee. The students presented artistic and cultural performances, including hymns and theatrical sketches, reflecting the knowledge and skills they had acquired during the summer school.

In his closing remarks, Archbishop Lahdo emphasized the centrality of education in preserving the Syriac  identity, stating: “Our Syriac people cannot maintain their existence and continuity without education. It is the only means to keep our language and culture alive, especially in countries of migration.”

The summer school has become a cornerstone in the lives of Syriac Orthodox Church members in Sweden, blending educational and cultural elements in a dedicated effort to preserve the features of identity amid the challenges of integration and diaspora.