The Archdiocese of Erbil Celebrates the Feast of St. Stephen, Patron of Deacons.

On January 31, the priests and deacons of the Chaldean Archdiocese of Erbil gathered for a celebratory Mass led by His Grace Archbishop Bashar Matti Warda at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Ankawa, to honor the Feast of St. Stephen, the First Martyr, and Patron of Deacons.

The Mass began with a procession of deacons, chanting verses from Psalm 150: “Praise God in His sanctuary.” During the celebration, three readings were proclaimed, and prayers were offered by a select group of deacons from the Archdiocese’ parishes.

In his homily, His Grace congratulated the deacons on their feast day, highlighting the significance of their service in beautifying the liturgies of the Church. He also praised the efforts of parish priests in teaching children, youth, and young adults the language and hymns of the liturgy, encouraging them to actively participate in the Church’s celebrations.

His Grace reflected on the powerful witness of St. Stephen, who, as the first martyr, prayed for his persecutors and exemplified true love and unity with God. He also addressed the concept of intercession, emphasizing that while Christ is our only mediator, the prayers of saints, like St. Stephen, unite the Church in a shared mission to help one another and bring others closer to God.

In closing, His Grace called the faithful to embody the love and service exemplified by St. Stephen, asking for his intercession to strengthen their faith, love for God, and commitment to the service to which they are all called. Martyrs like St. Stephen have special veneration within the Chaldean Church typically in the form of a House of Martyrs located within each church. The House of Martyrs is a shrine for the veneration of relics. In the tradition of the Chaldeans, it is also the place where a bride and groom pray during their marriage Mass and a newly elected bishop the night before he is ordained.