Consecration of the Altar and the Church of the Virgin Mary in the Village of Armota

On a day filled with grace and hope, the village of Armota witnessed a distinguished ecclesiastical celebration on the morning of Saturday, 20 December 2025. His Grace Bishop Mar Bashar Matti Warda, Archbishop of the Chaldean Archdiocese of Erbil, presided over the rite of the consecration of the altar and the Church of the Virgin Mary, in an atmosphere marked by profound spirituality and fraternal communion.

Participating in this solemn liturgical celebration were His Grace Bishop Samer Sourisho, along with a number of esteemed priests: Fr. Zia, pastor of the parishes of Koysanjak and Armota; Fr. Anis, Fr. Shwan, Fr. Savio, Fr. San, Fr. Rebin, and Fr. Dinkha the monk. A large gathering of the faithful and parishioners also took part, filling the church with prayer and joy.

The rite of consecration and the celebration of the Holy Qurbana were conducted in a reverent and prayerful atmosphere, accompanied by heartfelt prayers for the people of Armota village and the Koysanjak district. His Grace expressed his hope that this church would remain a house of prayer, a refuge of hope, and a living sign of steadfast faith, continually renewed in the lives of the faithful.

The full supervision of the consecration rite was entrusted to Fr. Savio Handola, who had previously prepared and trained the deacons with spiritual and liturgical care. This preparation enriched the celebration through the beauty and precision of the rite, as well as the active participation of the archdiocesan deacons, which added a profound ecclesial character to the occasion.

At the conclusion of the Holy Mass, His Grace the Bishop addressed words of gratitude and appreciation to the people of Armota and to Fr. Zia, the parish priest, commending their dedication, zeal, and faithful service to the Church, as well as their efforts in ensuring the success of this blessed event. The celebration concluded with the sharing of a fraternal agape meal, prepared by the families of the village, in an atmosphere of fellowship that reflected the spirit of Christian communion and love.

This blessed event reaffirms the Church’s role in strengthening spiritual steadfastness and in consolidating the authentic Christian presence in the region, so that the Church of the Virgin Mary in Armota may remain a living sign of hope and a spiritual home that gathers its faithful around the altar in faith, prayer, and love.