By Syriac Press
Febraury 14, 2026
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| Photo by Ecumenical News FB page |
The Ancient Church of the East formally inaugurated its new patriarchal headquarters in Iraq’s capital on Saturday, 14 February 2026, in a ceremony that blended ecclesiastical tradition with state participation and underscored the enduring presence of one of the country’s most historical Christian communities.
The inauguration was led by Patriarch Mar Gewargis III Younan and attended by Member of Parliament Evan Jabro and Dr. Rami Joseph Aghajan, president of the Diwan of Christian, Yazidi and Mandaean Endowments.
The government office oversaw the construction and full furnishing of the new headquarters, officials said, as part of its mandate to support Iraq’s recognized religious communities.
The government office oversaw the construction and full furnishing of the new headquarters, officials said, as part of its mandate to support Iraq’s recognized religious communities.
The event drew senior clergy from various Christian denominations, priests, and representatives of Iraq’s presidency, parliament and cabinet, as well as diplomats and cultural figures. The gathering reflected both the ecclesiastical significance of the occasion and its broader national symbolism.
In remarks delivered during the ceremony, Dr. Aghajan said the Diwan’s support for the project stemmed from its national responsibility to care for all religious communities without discrimination. He described the new patriarchate as an expression of the state’s commitment to equality, justice and peaceful coexistence among Iraq’s diverse components.
