TURKEY

Perched on the heights of Tur Abdin in southeastern Turkey, the Mor Gabriel Monastery stands proudly as one of the oldest continuously functioning Christian monasteries in the world. Since its founding in 397 AD, this spiritual beacon has never ceased to fulfill its religious and cultural mission, defying wars, upheavals,…

TUR ABDIN — Syriac Orthodox Christians in Tur Abdin celebrated the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in large numbers on August 14 and 15 in the various towns and villages of Tur Abdin, reports Gazete Sabro.   Archbishop of Tur Abdin Mor Timotheos Samuel Aktaş presided over…

QANDIL, Kurdistan Region Iraq — At a ceremony commemorating the 41st anniversary of “Uprising Day” on 15 August, senior Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) commander Murat Karayılan renewed calls for the release of jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, asserting that any peace process or move toward a democratic society “will remain…

ARKAH, Turkey — The Syriac village of Arkah will officially open its new cultural and community center this weekend, reported Arkah News reports. The building project was largely made possible by the financial support of emigrant villagers, organized in the Arkah Reconstruction and Relief Association. For the festive occasion, the…

ANKARA — In a moment widely regarded as historic, the Turkish Parliament’s newly formed Peace and Democracy Commission held its inaugural session in Ankara this week, opening the door to a potentially transformative process aimed at reshaping the country’s approach to governance, equality, and civic inclusion. While the commission’s roots…

ANKARA — The much-anticipated multiparty parliamentary Commission for Peace and Democratic Society met for the first time today. The Commission is tasked with paving the way for a democratic and inclusive constitution that grants rights to all  cultures, languages, and peoples—Kurds, Alevi, Armenians, Syriacs (Arameans-Assyrians-Chaldeans), Greeks—which are part of Turkey’s…

MIDYAT, TUR ABDIN — The Syriac (Chaldean-Assyrian-Aramean) people of Beth Nahrin spare no effort in revitalizing the spirit of Tur Abdin, one of their vibrant homelands, whether through the restoration of historic churches, the reconstruction of homes left behind by Syriac émigrés to Europe and beyond, opening of food establishments,…

BAKU / DARAMSUQ (DAMASCUS) — In a marked shift in Syrian diplomacy since President Ahmad al-Sharaa assumed office last December, a series of strategic developments is reshaping the country’s international engagements. This surge coincided with a visit by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Defense Minister Marhaf Abu Qasra to…

ANKARA — Turkish political parties have announced their names for the “Peace and Democratic Society Commission,” which will serve as the platform for political dialogue and consensus-building to come to a more democratic and inclusive Turkish state. The commission has 51 seats. The ruling Justice and Development Party (Adalet ve Kalkınma…

MİDEN, Turkey — In a vivid display of Syriac Orthodox tradition, the village of Miden in Tur Abdin witnessed a collective ordination ceremony that brought 28 young men into clerical service at the historic Church of St. Jacob. The liturgy was presided over by Metropolitan Mor Timotheos Samuel Aktas, head…