Celebration of the Silver and Golden Jubilees of Married Couples
The Chaldean Al-Rahma Association held its annual celebration of the Golden and Silver Wedding Jubilees on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at St. Joseph Chaldean Cathedral. Sixty-seven couples from various parishes of the Chaldean Archdiocese of Erbil took part in this spiritual occasion, renewing their gratitude to God for many years of shared life marked by fidelity, sacrifice, and hope.
The Divine Liturgy was presided over by His Excellency Mar Bashar Warda, Archbishop of Erbil, and concelebrated by Fr. Shwan Hanna, the spiritual advisor of the association, in the presence of Fr. Louis Qaqoos and Fr. Zia Shaba, along with the families of the honored couples, members of the association, and a gathering of the faithful.
In his homily, His Excellency reflected on the Gospel of the Wedding at Cana, emphasizing that Christian marriage is not a fleeting emotional moment, but a long journey into which God enters not when everything is perfect, but when joy grows weary and needs renewal. He affirmed that the Lord transforms the “water” of daily life patience, forgiveness, endurance, and fidelity into “good wine” that matures over time. He noted that the Silver and Golden Jubilees are celebrations of grace and living testimonies to God’s faithfulness, for He never withdraws from the wedding of humanity.
At the conclusion of the Mass, the families received an image of the Holy Family as a commemorative gift, symbolizing the meaning of a Christian home built on God’s presence and mutual trust. The celebration then continued in the church hall, where everyone shared sweets in a simple, fraternal atmosphere that reflected the beauty of a quiet joy born from a long journey lived through challenges in a spirit of faith.
This celebration reaffirms the mission of the Chaldean Al-Rahma Association in accompanying families and honoring marriage as a vocation and a journey of hope, reminding all that love when lived faithfully and in God’s presence can endure, bear fruit, and remain a sign of light at the heart of the Church and society.
