Chaldean Archdiocese of Erbil Celebrates Golden and Silver Jubilees of Married Couples
On January 24, the Chaldean Mercy Association held a special celebration honoring couples marking their 25th and 50th wedding anniversaries. The festive event began with a Mass led by His Grace Archbishop Bashar Matti Warda along with Fr. Savio Handula, the association’s chaplain. The Mass was attended by 54 couples, who gathered in St. Joseph Cathedral to celebrate their enduring commitment to one another and to the sacred sacrament of marriage.
During the Mass, His Grace offered a heartfelt blessing to the couples, thanking God for the gift of marriage and the grace bestowed upon them over the years. In his homily, His Grace reflected on the significance of marriage as a sacred journey, marked by both blessings and challenges. He emphasized the role of Christ, who is present in every marriage, guiding couples through the highs and lows of life. His Grace drew inspiration from the wedding at Cana, where Jesus turned water into wine, symbolizing the transformation of struggles into joy through faith and trust in God.
He encouraged the couples to continue to embrace Christ in their lives, recalling the words of the Gospel: “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in them will bear much fruit” (John 15:5).
His Grace also reminded the couples that Christian marriage is not only a commitment to one another but also a lifelong covenant with God. He called on them to open their hearts and homes to Christ, inviting Him to fill their lives with light, peace, and joy. He concluded by offering a prayer for continued blessings upon the couples, asking God to strengthen their love and unity, and to help them be witnesses to the love and faithfulness of God in the world.
After the liturgy, a fellowship gathering was held in the church hall. The celebration was a beautiful reminder of the enduring strength and grace of Christian marriage and the importance of maintaining faith and commitment in every step of life’s journey. The Chaldean Archdiocese of Erbil extends warmest congratulations to all couples celebrating their silver and golden jubilees, and prays for many more years of peace, love, and blessings in their lives.
