CULTURE

VAKIFLI-HATAY, TURKEY – Vakıfli is the last completely Armenian village in Hatay, in Turkey even. It is located in the south of the province, in the Samandağ region. The village of 150, and the region as a whole, suffered great tangible and immaterial losses during the earthquake that struck southeastern…

BAGHDAD — German journalist and theologian Matthias Kopp, spokesperson for the German Bishops’ Conference (DBK) and Consultor for the Dicastery for Communication, has published a book titled The Christian Heritage in Iraq. The book, released by Herder and currently available in German, explores the history of Christianity in Iraq with…

DARAMSUQ — On Wednesday morning, Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II welcomed Geir Pedersen, the UN Special Envoy for Syria, and his delegation to the Patriarchal Residence in Daramsuq (Damascus). The meeting, attended by prominent Church leaders and Christian community representatives, focused on the current situation in Syria and…

MARBURG, Germany — The Hatay Academic Symphony Orchestra performed a benefit concert in Marburg, Germany, donating all proceeds to assist victims of the devastating February 2023 earthquake in Antioch (Antakya), Turkey. Held at an Evangelical Church in Marburg and photographed by Abgar Ay, the concert conveyed a powerful message of…

HMOTH, Syria — The Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops of Syria convened in Hmoth (Homs) with Prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches in the Vatican Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti. The meeting highlighted the importance of a unified Christian message during Syria’s transitional phase. Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti met with…

DARAMSUQ — On Saturday evening, Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II hosted Roman Catholic Prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti and his accompanying delegation. The meeting underscored the principle of equality in citizenship to guarantee the rights of all components of Syrian society. Held…

KOTTAYAM, India — The Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate announced the election of Jacobite Syrian Christian Bishop Mor Gregorios Joseph as the new Maphrian of India, following the passing of the late Maphrian Mor Baselios Thomas I on 31 October 2024. The election was finalized during a session of the Holy Synod…

THE HAGUE — In a heartfelt gesture, the family of Şemun Hanne Haydo commemorated the 150th anniversary of their great-grandfather’s birthday by honoring Syriac Orthodox Archbishop Mor Philoxenus Yusuf Çetin, Patriarchal Vicar of Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. Şemun and his brother Melke Hanne Haydo were well known for defending Christian…

LOS ANGELES — In a touching ceremony held on 22 January in Los Angeles, Syriac veteran Gawriye Bekdaş received recognition from the South Korean and Turkish consulates in Los Angeles, California, USA, for his bravery and sacrifices during the Korean War (1950–1953). A member of the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) community and…

DAYTON, Ohio, USA / BAGHDAD — The University of Dayton’s Department of History hosted an online lecture by Kaldo Ramzi Oghanna, Director General of Syriac Culture and Arts in Iraq, focusing on efforts to preserve the cultural heritage of the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian people. During his presentation, Oghanna emphasized the importance of…