CULTURE

BETH ZALIN, North and East Syria — The Community Council overseeing the Syriac private schools in the Gozarto (Jazira) Canton has officially designated Akitu, or Kha Nison (1 April), as an official holiday in its affiliated schools. The schools are under the jurisdiction of the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese of Gozarto…

DOHA — Amid ongoing developments in the Middle East, including Syria and Lebanon, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani hosted Greek (Rûm) Orthodox Patriarch Mor John X Yazigi at Lusail Palace in Doha. The Patriarch’s delegation included Metropolitan Athanasios Fahd of Latakia and Archimandrite Parthenios Allati. The meeting…

BETH ZALIN, North and East Syria — In the presence of prominent officials from the Democratic Autonomous Administration of the Region of North and East Syria (DAARNES), the Syriac Union Party (SUP), the Syriac Women’s Union (Huyodo d’Neshe d’Bethnahrin, HNB), and a gathering of local residents, DAARNES representatives delivered an…

ALQOSH, Iraq — Highlighting the vital role of language in preserving identity, the Director-General of Syriac Education, Salah Khidhir, in collaboration with the Minister of Education, Ibrahim al-Juburi, launched an exhibition showcasing Syriac calligraphy and painting. Held under the slogan Our Language Strengthens Our Existence, the event took place on…

BEIRUT — In a historic ceremony on Sunday, Mor Baselios Joseph was ordained as the new Maphrian (Catholicos) of the Syriac Orthodox Church in India. He succeeds the late Mor Baselios Thomas I, who passed away in October at the age of 95. The ordination took place at the Church…

BETH ZALIN, North and East Syria — On Tuesday, the Olaf Taw Association for the Syriac Language paid a congratulatory visit to the newly formed Syriac Orthodox Community Council in Beth Zalin (Qamishli), North and East Syria, marking the start of its new term. During the meeting, representatives from the…

ANKAWA, Kurdistan Region of Iraq — A panel discussion on the role of digitization in safeguarding cultural identity was held at the Syriac Heritage Museum, under the General Directorate of Syriac Culture and Arts. Titled Digitizing Heritage and Keeping Pace with the Age of Technology, the event gathered scholars and…

NIMRUD, Iraq — The Iraqi government unveiled an ambitious plan to restore the ancient city of Nimrud, a historic site that dates back to the Assyrian Empire (1250–610 BCE). Heritage Minister Ahmed Fakak al-Badrani announced the discovery of 35,000 archaeological artifacts, which are set to undergo advanced restoration. Nimrud, once…

On 25 March, the Western and Eastern Syriac Churches celebrate the feast of Suboro, a deeply significant occasion that commemorates the Annunciation — the moment the Virgin Mary received the good news that she would bear Jesus Christ. This celebration is rich in symbolism, tradition, and cultural resonance, marked by…

ISTANBUL — On Saturday, a joint delegation, including Tuma Özdemir, representing the European Syriac Union (ESU), along with representatives of Alevi institutions and organizations in Turkey, visited Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew at the Patriarchate Headquarters in the Fener district of Istanbul. This visit marks the first of its kind.…