A Cross That Unites and a Light That Brings Us Together: The Launch of the Ecumenical Feast of the Holy Cross in Ankawa

In a spirit of faith and joyful fellowship, the Shrine of St. Elijah in Ankawa witnessed, on the evening of Friday, 11 September 2026, the opening of the celebrations of the Ecumenical Feast of the Holy Cross. The event was attended by His Holiness Mar Awa III, Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East; His Excellency Archbishop Bashar Warda, Archbishop of the Chaldean Archdiocese of Erbil; His Excellency Archbishop Nicodemus Dawood Matti Sharaf, Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Mosul, Kirkuk and the Kurdistan Region; His Excellency Archbishop Nizar Nathaniel, Syriac Catholic Archbishop of the Diocese of Qayyarah; His Excellency Bishop Hazim Gattas, Greek Orthodox Bishop of Rome; Fr. Arton Khalatian, pastor of the Armenian Church of the Holy Cross; together with priests, religious sisters, and a large gathering of faithful.

The evening began with an address by His Excellency Archbishop Bashar Warda, Archbishop of the Chaldean Archdiocese of Erbil, who reflected on the meaning of the Cross in the life of the faithful, describing it as a sign of hope and salvation and a bridge that leads the children of the Churches toward encounter and unity in Christ.

The program also included a visual presentation recounting the story of the discovery of the Holy Cross and highlighting its enduring place in the memory and faith of the Church. Participants then entered into moments of prayer and reflection through liturgical hymns performed by the choirs of the participating Churches. The shrine resounded with praise of Christ, carrying a message of faith and hope to the hearts of all present.

In a deeply symbolic moment, the Cross flame was lit as a sign of light and hope, reminding all that the light of Christ continues to shine amid the darkness of the world. The Cross, which has united believers in one Baptism, also calls them to journey together toward deeper communion and full unity in Christ.

The celebrations concluded in an atmosphere of joy and love, with the opening of traditional food stalls, which added a beautiful cultural dimension to the gathering and brought together families and members of the various Churches in a scene reflecting the spirit of fellowship and brotherhood.

Thus began the Ecumenical Feast of the Holy Cross in Ankawa: a Cross that leads to hope, a light that calls to unity, and hearts united in one faith and “one Baptism.”