(AFP) -- Syriac, an ancient dialect of Aramaic, has traditionally been the language spoken by Christians in Iraq and neighbouring Syria, mostly in homes but also in some schools and during church services. However, Syriac-speaking communities in the two countries have declined over the years, owing to decades of conflict driving many to seek homes in safer countries.
In his new book "Assyria: The Rise and Fall of the World's First Empire" (Basic Books), Yale professor Eckart Frahm offers a comprehensive history of the ancient civilization (circa 2025 BC to 609 BC) that would become a model for the world's later empires.
Although the number of Christians in Iraq continues to be low, there are signs of rebirth of the Church in areas that were severely impacted by the Islamic State group's rule there almost a decade ago. On a recent visit to the United States, Archbishop Bashar Matti Warda outlined ways in which the Church is overcoming the struggles brought about by the ISIS reign of terror.
Tehran -- The Catholicos-Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, Mar Awa III, praised Iran for fighting against the Daesh (ISIL or ISIS) terrorists in Iraq and Syria in defense of humanity and faith.
Eleven different European countries, together with the European Union, released a statement on Sunday evening affirming their support for Iraq's Patriarch Louis Raphaël Sako. The Patriarch -- who heads the country's Chaldean Church, and was made a Cardinal by Pope Francis in 2018 -- is facing criticism over comments concerning political representation for Iraq's ancient Christian minority.
(BBC) -- The deliberate cultural vandalism committed by Islamic State (IS) militants shocked and appalled the world after they took over Mosul in Iraq in 2014. Now, the restoration of the recaptured city's iconic museum, heavily damaged by arson, bombing and looting, has become emblematic of its rebirth.