His Beatitude Mar Paul III Nona Celebrates the Mass of the Fourth Sunday of the Apostles

As part of his pastoral visit to the Chaldean Archdiocese of Erbil, His Beatitude Patriarch Mar Paul III Nona presided over the Holy Mass of the Fourth Sunday of the Apostles on the evening of Sunday, 14 June 2026, at St. Joseph Chaldean Cathedral in Ankawa. Concelebrating with His Beatitude were Their Excellencies Archbishop Bashar Matti Warda, Archbishop of the Chaldean Archdiocese of Erbil, Bishop Felix Shabi, and Bishop Azad Sabri, together with a number of priests, deacons, religious sisters, and a large gathering of the faithful.

In his homily, His Beatitude reflected on the meaning of the “name” in Sacred Scripture, emphasizing that it is far more than a mere designation, as it expresses a person’s identity, vocation, and life mission. Referring to the Gospel of the day, which recounts the calling of the disciples by the Lord Jesus, he noted that the Gospel first states that Christ “named them Apostles” before listing their individual names, highlighting that mission and identity precede the name and give it its true meaning.

His Beatitude stressed that a person’s name should reflect the truth of who they are and the mission they are called to fulfill, and that this identity must be manifested in their words, actions, and daily conduct. He also underscored the importance of preserving ecclesial, national, and cultural identity through fidelity to the inherited faith and by safeguarding the heritage, language, liturgical traditions, and customs that have shaped the memory and distinctive character of the believing community throughout the generations.

Patriarch Nona explained that preserving heritage and tradition does not stem from fanaticism or isolation, but rather from a profound awareness of one’s roots and belonging, and from faithfulness to the spiritual legacy entrusted to the Church through the centuries. He added that Christians are called to live their faith confidently and openly in the present, without losing their identity or embracing every novelty simply because it is new, but instead discerning what truly helps them grow in their relationship with God and in service to others.

At the conclusion of the celebration, the faithful offered prayers for the Chaldean Church and her mission, asking the Lord to strengthen the ministry of His Beatitude Patriarch Mar Paul III Nona in guiding the Church and fostering her unity and evangelical witness in Iraq and throughout the diaspora.