Ishtar TV.com – Baghdad

Photo source: Syriac Catholic Patriarchate

His Beatitude Mar Ignatius Youssef III Younan, Syriac Catholic Patriarch of Antioch, presided over a solemn Pontifical Divine Liturgy on the evening of Saturday, October 31, 2026, marking the 16th anniversary of the massacre at Our Lady of Salvation Cathedral, known as the “Mother of Martyrs,” in the Karrada district of Baghdad.

The Mass was attended by church leaders, representatives of religious communities, officials and a large congregation of faithful, including relatives of those killed in the attack.

In his homily, Patriarch Younan said: “You are therefore sons and daughters of martyrs and confessors of the Lord. No matter how small our numbers may be, we remain proud of our martyrs and confessors, and we will always remain proud of the Lord Jesus, who called you to be witnesses to His Gospel, the Gospel of love and peace.”

Broad Church and Official Participation

The Patriarch was assisted during the Mass by Archbishop Mar Ephrem Yousif Abba, Archbishop of Baghdad and Secretary of the Holy Synod, and Monsignor Habib Murad, Judicial Vicar and Director of Public Relations and Media at the Patriarchate.

Among those attending were Archbishop Miroslaw Wachowski, Apostolic Nuncio to Iraq; Bishop Narsis Zabayarian, Bishop of the Armenian Catholics in Iraq; and Father Mina al-Urshalimi, head of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Iraq, alongside priests, monks, nuns and representatives of various churches in Baghdad.

The ceremony was also attended by Dr. Rami Aghajan, Head of the Iraqi Diwan of Christian and Other Religions Endowments, and Sheikh Sattar Jabbar Hilo, head of the Mandaean community in Iraq and worldwide, as well as other public figures.

A large number of faithful, including relatives of the victims, gathered to pray, remember the martyrs and seek their intercession. They also prayed for the progress of the beatification cause currently being followed by the Holy See in the Vatican.

Patriarch Younan: Persecution Cannot Separate Us from Christ’s Love

In his homily, Patriarch Younan expressed his gratitude to Archbishop Mar Ephrem Yousif Abba, the Apostolic Nuncio and all those who took part in the liturgy. He emphasized that returning each year to pray alongside the faithful renews the Church’s faith and hope, despite the suffering and persecution its members have endured.

Reflecting on the Syriac Christian missionary heritage, the Patriarch recalled that previous generations carried the Christian message to India and China. He described the faithful today as sons and daughters of martyrs and confessors, called to continue bearing witness to the Gospel of love and peace.

Referring to Saint Paul's Letter to the Romans, Patriarch Younan emphasized that nothing can separate believers from the love of Christ. He noted that persecution and suffering have accompanied Christians throughout history, recalling how early Christians remained faithful to their beliefs despite pressure and persecution, even at the cost of their lives.

He also reflected on the Beatitudes in the Gospel of Matthew, explaining that being “poor in spirit” means entrusting oneself to God with humility, and that following Christ requires carrying one's cross and remaining steadfast in faith.

The Patriarch stressed that Christians should not fear persecution or suffering and reaffirmed their right to enjoy the same rights as all other citizens of Iraq. He called on the country's leaders to remain faithful to their homeland and treat all citizens with genuine equality.

He also highlighted the importance of rebuilding and strengthening their countries, both in the Middle East and in the diaspora, while continuing to bear witness to Christ wherever the faithful may live.

Archbishop Abba Calls for Love, Reconciliation and Church Unity

Archbishop Mar Ephrem Yousif Abba delivered a welcoming address entitled “Come in Peace, O Good Shepherd and Wise Steward,” in which he welcomed the Patriarch and expressed gratitude for his continued presence with the faithful of the Archdiocese of Baghdad on the anniversary of the Our Lady of Salvation Cathedral massacre.

He praised the Patriarch's commitment to standing beside the suffering members of his Church, offering them paternal support, encouragement and care.

Archbishop Abba emphasized that the Patriarch is the father and head of the Church, whose leadership should be rooted in fatherhood and love. He called for disagreements within the Church to be resolved through love, humility and reconciliation.

He also appealed to the members of the Holy Synod to open their hearts and minds to love and work towards strengthening the unity, dignity and mission of the Church. He referred to the upcoming Synod meeting, scheduled to take place from November 17 to 20 at the Patriarchal headquarters of Sharfeh Monastery in Lebanon.

Archbishop Abba also addressed the challenges facing Christians in the Middle East, particularly in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and the Holy Land. He stressed the importance of safeguarding their right to live with human dignity, religious freedom, justice and peace, rather than being treated as second-class citizens.

He further praised the Patriarch's efforts to care for the Church's faithful in the diaspora, including those who were forced to leave the lands of their ancestors because of difficult circumstances.

Names of the Martyrs Read During the Commemoration

At the conclusion of the Mass, Monsignor Nabil Yako read aloud the names of all those killed in the Our Lady of Salvation Cathedral massacre. The congregation then recited the Lord's Prayer and the Hail Mary for the repose of their souls and prayed for their beatification.

Following the liturgy, the Patriarch proceeded in a solemn procession to the graves of the priests and martyrs in the cathedral courtyard, where he presided over the Tashmesht service for the martyrs, praying for the repose of their souls and seeking their intercession.

The ceremony concluded with the Patriarch blessing the large congregation gathered in the cathedral courtyard, as the community commemorated the martyrs and renewed its commitment to faith, love and peace.