News: Scientific Symposium at the Catholic University of Erbil Examines the Eastern Church Heritage and Its Contributions to Civilisation

Proceedings of the scientific symposium entitled “The Heritage of the Eastern Church – Transmission and Inspiration” in Ankawa. Photo credit: Ankawa Radio 97.7 FM – Published with the radio station’s prior permission for Ishtartv.com.

The symposium, organised by the Babel College of Philosophy and Theology in cooperation with the University of Fribourg in Switzerland, discussed Syriac translations and the influence of Christian heritage on Islamic society. Its second day addressed the Council of Nicaea and Christian archaeological sites in Kurdistan.

Ishtartv.com – Ankawa

The hall of the Catholic University in Erbil hosted, on Thursday, 5 November 2026, the proceedings of a scientific symposium entitled “The Heritage of the Eastern Church – Transmission and Inspiration.” The event was organised by Babel College of Philosophy and Theology, affiliated with the Chaldean Patriarchate, in cooperation with the Faculty of Theology at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland. The symposium continued for two days, with the participation of several bishops, priests, representatives of religious orders, as well as academics, researchers and individuals interested in ecclesiastical heritage and history.

Ankawa Radio 97.7 FM reported, in a post published on its official page, that the symposium opened with welcoming remarks highlighting the importance of reviving the heritage of the Eastern Church, preserving its historical and intellectual memory, and shedding light on its cultural and theological contributions. The heritage was described as an authentic human and cultural legacy that extends beyond religious memory, serving as a bridge for intellectual and cultural communication among different peoples and civilisations.

Syriac Translations and Their Role in Transmitting Knowledge

The first day's programme included a series of academic lectures and research sessions addressing various intellectual and historical themes, including the influence of Christian heritage on Islamic society and the role of Syriac translations in enriching human culture, preserving knowledge and transmitting intellectual and cultural achievements throughout the centuries.

The research sessions highlighted the importance of the intellectual heritage of Eastern Christianity in the history of the region, as well as the contributions made by institutions, scholars and translators to the advancement of knowledge and interaction among civilisations.

The Council of Nicaea and Christian Archaeological Sites in Kurdistan

The second day's programme, held on Friday, 6 November, addressed a number of academic and research topics, including the Council of Nicaea, convened in 325 AD, and the relationship between religious experience and politics. Discussions also covered archaeological missions in Iraqi Kurdistan, Christian archaeological sites and the challenges facing their preservation.

The research themes also included cultural diversity and its importance in safeguarding the region's civilisational identity, as part of broader efforts to document historical sites and antiquities that reflect the Christian presence throughout history and its contributions to the civilisation of Kurdistan.

Eastern Heritage: A Civilisational Legacy Worth Drawing Inspiration From

The symposium was held as part of broader academic efforts to revisit the heritage of the Eastern Church, not merely as chapters of the past, but as an intellectual and civilisational legacy worthy of study, documentation and inspiration, strengthening the presence of Syriac and Eastern culture in contemporary academic discourse.

Such academic gatherings also help open wider avenues for dialogue among religions and cultures, promote joint research between academic and ecclesiastical institutions, and highlight the historical significance of Erbil and Kurdistan as regions rich in diversity and cultural interaction.