Over 450 boys and girls received their first holy Communion during liturgies held over the past month in various churches of the town of Qaraqosh, Iraq. / Credit: Syriac Catholic Archdiocese of Mosul, Iraq
ACI MENA, Jun 18, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).
AmidrenewedtensionsintheMiddleEast,theSyriacCatholicArcheparchyofMosulanditssurroundingareashascontinueditstraditionofcelebratingfirstholyCommunionforchildreninQaraqosh(Baghdeda),Iraq.Over450boysandgirlsreceivedthesacramentduringliturgiesheldoverthepastmonthinvariouschurchesofthetown.
Inhishomiliesduringthecelebrations,ArchbishopBenedictusHannopraisedthesteadfastfaithofthelocalChristiancommunity,emphasizingtheirdeterminationtoreturntotheirancestralhomelanddespitethesufferingtheyenduredduetoforceddisplacement.
“WhenweseethisradiantgroupreceivingthebodyofChristinfaith,weknowourfamiliesremainfirmintheircommitment,andourChurchcontinuestogrowandflourish,”hesaid.
HannoalsohighlightedthevitalroleofCatholicfamiliesinnurturingthefaithoftheirchildren:“Whenthefatherandmotherareunitedinfai
