The Football Tournament Kicks Off as Part of the 2026 Ecumenical Feast of the Holy Cross Festival

As part of the activities held to mark the Feast of the Holy Cross, the football tournament officially kicked off on the evening of Sunday, September 6, 2026, with the participation of teams representing several churches. The tournament began in a fraternal atmosphere characterized by love, fellowship, and unity.

The opening match brought together the Chaldean Diocese of Erbil and the Armenian Orthodox Church. The match ended with a 2–0 victory for the Chaldean Diocese of Erbil.

In the second match, held on the same day, the Assyrian Church of the East faced the Greek Orthodox Church. The match concluded with a 4–2 victory for the Assyrian Church of the East.

The tournament is organized as part of the annual Ecumenical Feast of the Holy Cross Festival in Erbil, providing an opportunity for fraternal encounter and strengthening bonds of love and cooperation among the participating churches. It also seeks to foster a spirit of fellowship, unity, and shared Christian witness.

We pray that the Lord may bless all the teams, participants, and organizers of this tournament, and that these gatherings may serve to deepen the spirit of brotherhood under the Holy Cross—the sign of love, hope, and unity.