Archbishop Mar Bashar Matti Warda Presides Over Commemoration of the Faithful Departed in Ankawa

His Grace Mar Bashar Matti Warda, Archbishop of the Chaldean Archdiocese of Erbil, presided on Friday morning, February 13, 2026, over the commemoration of the Faithful Departed. He celebrated the Divine Liturgy and conducted the Funeral Rite at the Chapel of Hope in the new cemetery in Ankawa.

Concelebrating were Fr. Savio Handola and Fr. Louis Qaqoz, assisted by the deacons, in the presence of a large gathering of faithful who filled the chapel in an atmosphere marked by prayer, reverence, and Christian hope in the Resurrection and eternal life.

In his homily, His Grace reflected on the biblical account of the creation of man, recalling that humanity was formed from the dust of the earth yet bears within it the breath of life from God—revealing both human fragility and dignity. He explained that although human life is limited in time, it is called to a living relationship with God that transcends death. He emphasized that the body is not a burden but a gift and a responsibility, and that daily life—lived with fidelity, patience, and love—is a journey of salvation lived in grace.

His Grace also spoke about the meaning of praying for the faithful departed, affirming that death is not a dark end but a passage to an encounter, and that love does not cease at the grave. When the Church offers the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the departed, she places their names in the heart of God’s mercy, asking for the fullness of grace and rest in His presence. Thus, realism and hope meet in the Church’s faith: from dust we return, yet we carry the promise of everlasting life.

At the conclusion of the Mass, prayers were offered for the faithful departed, asking God to grant them eternal rest and perpetual light, and to console their families with the hope of the Resurrection. His Grace also announced that the Archdiocese will install a statue of the Risen Jesus in the new cemetery.