Ankawa Hosts Joyful Ecumenical Palm Sunday Procession to Mark Beginning of Holy Week

The Ecumenical Palm Sunday Procession took place in Ankawa on Saturday, April 12, 2025, under the theme “Hosanna in the Highest, Blessed is He Who Comes in the Name of the Lord.” The event was organized by the Catechetical Committee of the Chaldean Archdiocese of Erbil.

The procession began at the Assyrian Church of the East Patriarchal Cathedral of Mar Yohana (St. John the Baptist) and made its way toward the Shrine of Mar Elia (St. Elijah). The gathering was graced by the presence of Archbishop Bashar Matti Warda, His Holiness Patriarch Mar Awa III of the Assyrian Church of the East, Archbishop Mar Nicodemus Dawood Sharaf of the Syriac Orthodox Church, and Archbishop Nathaniel Nizar Agam of the Syriac Catholic Church, along with numerous priests, religious, and a large crowd of faithful, led by catechism students.

The Scout of the Syriac Orthodox Dioceses accompanied the procession with Palm Sunday melodies, while the Syriac Catholic catechism students sang hymns and spiritual chants. The catechism students of the Chaldean Archdiocese of Erbil led the crowd in joyful songs celebrating the One who comes in the name of the Lord during the prayer gathering at the shrine.

The faithful gathered at the Shrine of Mar Elia in an atmosphere of joy and prayer, expressing gratitude to God for the blessing of celebrating together.

Blessed Palm Sunday to all!