CULTURE

BAGHDAD — The Government of Iraq announced the recovery of two significant artifacts: the ancient “Reclining Ram” statue from the United States and a rare Assyrian relief from Britain. This achievement marks a milestone in the country’s ongoing efforts to reclaim its cultural heritage. Reclining Ram Returns After Millennia The…

BEIRUT — Syriac Catholic Patriarch Ignatius Joseph III Younan led the official opening prayer for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity at St. Ignatius of Antioch Church in the Museum district of Beirut. The gathering brought together an array of clergy from various Christian denominations in Lebanon. A large…

NIMRUD, Iraq — Ten years after the defeat of the Islamic State (ISIS), archaeologists in Iraq have resumed efforts to restore the artifacts of the ancient city of Nimrud, which was heavily damaged during ISIS’s occupation of Mosul in 2014. Researcher and archaeologist Abdul Ghani Shadi announced the discovery of…

MOSUL, Iraq — The Municipality of Mosul announced the near completion of the largest panoramic mural in Iraq, a project highlighting the rich heritage of Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian civilizations. The monumental artwork will adorn the walls of the Cultural Group Tunnel near Mosul University. Spanning an extraordinary 5,000 square meters, the mural…

NOHADRA, Kurdistan Region of Iraq — Archaeologists from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) and Italy have uncovered two significant archaeological sites in Nohadra (Duhok), Northern Iraq, revealing artifacts estimated to be 8,000 years old. Among the discoveries are ceramic vessels thought to have been used for cleaning wheat, providing…

AL-MAGHTAS, Jordan — The Roman Catholic Baptism of Christ Church, one of the largest churches in the Middle East, was officially inaugurated at the Baptism Site (Al-Maghtas) on the eastern bank of the Jordan River. This sacred location is traditionally believed to be where Jesus was baptized, according to Christian…

VÄSTERÅS, Sweden — A ceremony led by Metropolitan of the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese of Sweden and Scandinavia Archbishop Mor Yuhannon Lahdo, along with Patriarchal Vicar Mor Dioscorus Benjamin Atas, marked the nomination of several deacons and deaconesses for ordination at St. Jacob of Nisibis Church in Södertälje. The event featured…

NOHADRA, Kurdistan Region of Iraq — The Beth Nahrain Organization for Women (BNOW) in Iraq organized a Christmas celebration for children in Shioz, Nohadra (Dohuk), Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). The event was attended by 60 children, along with BNOW members, including BNOW Official in Nohadra Mona Hanna. The celebration…

HASAKAH, North and East Syria — A delegation from the Syriac Union Party (SUP) visited Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Gozarto (Jazira) and Euphrates Mor Maurice Amsih in Hasakah to convey Christmas and New Year’s greetings and discuss the situation of the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people and the broader challenges facing Syria.…

MEDYAD, Turkey — In a heartwarming celebration at the Syriac Orthodox Monastery of Mor Abrohom and Mor Hobel in Medyad (Midyat), Turkey, children from the local community received gifts as part of a special initiative by the International Lions Club, in collaboration with the Syriac Churches Endowment Committee in Medyad.…