His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II reconsecrates St Thomas Syrian Orthodox Cathedral in Mosul

The visit comes following the reconstruction of St Thomas Cathedral. The cathedral – considered one of the oldest churches in Mosul – was reconsecrated on 10 October. A historical tradition holds that this church was the house for one of the Magi who visited Jesus—a Magi who then, following his belief, transformed it into a church.   

The church was desecrated and destructed, used as a prison by Islamic State insurgents until the city’s liberation in 2017. 

On 10 October, H.H. Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, led several Syriac Orthodox Church archbishops, clergy, deacons, and deaconesses into the St Thomas Cathedral to the tone of the Syriac hymn “To Bashlom Ro’yo Shariro” (Come in peace good Shepherd). 

H.H. Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II rang the cathedral’s bell for the first time.

The Governor of Nineveh spoke and assured everyone that the city of Mosul is the home for all, and the Christians should always feel at home in Mosul. 

H.H. Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, conveyed a speech, thanking God the Almighty for the blessings, stating we are cared for by Our Creator, we are His creation He will not leave us and always cares for us. 

In addition to reconsecrating the historical St Thomas Church in Mosul. His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II consecrated two new churches—one a cathedral—in Arbil and Dhouk, in part to accommodate the families who were uprooted from Mosul in June 2014.