Iraqi Christians told to cancel Palm Sunday and Easter celebrations

The Palm Sunday celebrations in Northern Iraq are likely to be big celebrations to commemorate Jesus entering Jerusalem.

Celebrants wave palm branches, carry olive leaves and wave small flags declaring “Blessed is He who is available in the name of the Lord, Hallelujah.”

It’s an all-age event with everyone from babies singing with big smiles, to elderly believers walking slowly along the route as they pray. Often you will note hundreds of Christians on the streets, following the cross.

It’s a day when women and girls dress up of their traditional, glittery and colourful clothes. Many of the boys and men also wear their traditional clothes.

That is how Palm Sunday should look and sound within the country’s predominantly Christian towns. However, as hostilities proceed across the region, the events, often a high point of the Christian calendar, have all been cancelled.

The war within the region has put paid to all this. Iraq is one among Iran’s neighbours and there are several Iranian backed militias present within the country.

The militias have launched attacks toward the autonomous Kurdistan Region where many Christians live. Meanwhile within the Nineveh plain areas with the most important Christian population, some Iranian backed militias are being targeted. This brings fear, confusion and instability to Christian communities in each regions.

Because of the war, all recognised church denominations have announced that there must be no celebrations. The decision comes as “pastoral responsibility”, says Bishop Mar Benedictus Younan Syriac Catholic Archbishop of Mosul.

He asks that church leaders “call upon the congregations to live the feast within the spirit of religion, prayer, and fraternal solidarity, and to refrain from excessive manifestations of joy and celebrations as an expression of solidarity with the suffering and people affected by the scourges of war first, and to preserve everyone’s safety second.”

Palm Sunday celebrations can be allowed, but only throughout the church buildings. There is the same ruling for the Easter Masses and celebrations one week later.

“This yr I feel sad, discouraged and disenchanted because we are able to’t rejoice as we used to” a Christian lady shares. As many other Christians she’s a witness of the pain of this war and all risks involved.   

Iraqi Christians are asking Christians around the globe to recollect them in prayer. Please pray:

– For the hard days of war to pass quickly.

– Pray for peace to prevail within the region and the language of dialogue to take control slightly than the weapons.

– Pray for the Iraqi congregations to actually live the time of resurrection with hope, forgiveness and the courage to actually witness for Jesus Christ.