Marian calls from Iraq
The land of Abraham, the cradle of the Chaldea Church, a witness of faith and martyrdom
Iraq houses one of the oldest Christian communities in the world, with ~ 250,000 Catholics (0.6%), mainly Chaldeans, Syrians and Armenians. It is the land of Abraham (Ur). Christianity came in the first century with Thomas the Apostle, and the Caldea Church (in communion with Rome) is the largest. The country has 17 Eastern Catholic dioceses. Our Lady of Baghdad, Our Lady of Llanura (Qaraqosh) and Our Lady of Salvation (Ankawa) stand out. Christians have suffered massive persecution: the population fell from 1.5M (2003) to ~ 250,000.
- Anecdotes and Marian traditions of Iraq
The Baghdad attack (2010). On October 31, 2010, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Relief was attacked by Al-Qaeda during Sunday Mass. The terrorists shouted "who is Christian?" while they were shooting. 58 people died. The community did not surrender: the cathedral was rebuilt.
El rescate de la Virgen de la Llanura (Qaraqosh, 2014). When ISIS invaded the Nineveh plain, the Christians fled. An old man dishung the image of the Virgin of Llanura and hid it under boards in her house. For two years the image remained hidden as ISIS profaned the churches. In 2016, Qaraqosh was released; the old man returned the image in a procession between tears.
The Rosary of Hope (Ankawa, 2014-2016). During the occupation of ISIS, thousands of displaced persons from Mosul and Qaraqosh took refuge in Ankawa. Every night they met in front of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception with candles to pray the Rosary in Aramaic and Arabic, calling for the liberation of their peoples. They called it the "rosary of hope."
Pilgrimage to Ur of the Chaldeans. In Ur, the cradle of Abraham, the Chaldean Christians pilgrim the zigurat every year to pray the Rosary where God called the patriarch. There they invoke Mary, New Eve, calling for the peace of Iraq. Pope Francis visited Ur in 2021 to pray with religious leaders.
Pope Francis in Iraq (2021). In March 2021, the Pope visited Baghdad, Ur, Erbil, Mosul and Qaraqosh. In the Church of the Immaculate Conception of Ankawa he consecrated Iraq to the Virgin Mary. It was a message of hope for a decimated but not defeated community.
The Chaldea Virgin of Baghdad. The Caldea Cathedral of Santa Maria in Baghdad (Our Lady of the Dolores) houses an image of Mary with Chaldean features: brown face, almond eyes and mesopotamic dress. Canonically crowned, every year he processes in the Christian neighborhood. The faithful call her "Mariam" and come to her in difficulty.
Baghdad and surrounding areas
The capital is home to the main Catholic Churches of the country, with a rich Marian heritage dating back to the first centuries of Christianity in Mesopotamia.
Our Lady of Baghdad (Caldea Cathedral)
The Caldea Cathedral of Santa Maria in Baghdad, known as Our Lady of the Dolores, is the home of the Caldean Patriarchate. It has a venerated image of the Virgin with Chaldean features. It is the spiritual heart of the Chaldea community in the capital. His September 15 party brings together thousands of faithful.
"Our Lady of Baghdad, pray for us.
Our Lady of Perpetual Relief (Latin Cathedral)
Built in 1967, it is the seat of the Latin archbishop of Baghdad. Symbol of Christian resistance following the 2010 attack (58 martyrs). The cathedral was rebuilt and the Virgin of Perpetual Relief is invoked as a protector of the persecuted Christians.
🙏 Our Lady of Perpetual Help, pray for us.
Our Lady of the Dolores (Baghdad)
Invocation much loved by Chaldeans and Syrians, who have known suffering and persecution. Several churches in Baghdad bear this title, recalling that Mary, at the foot of the Cross, understands the pain of her people.
🙏 Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.
Nineveh (Qaraqosh and Mosul)
The Nineveh plain, to the east of Mosul, is the historical heart of Chaldean and Syrian Christianity. Qaraqosh is the largest Christian city in Iraq, occupied by ISIS between 2014 and 2016.
Our Lady of the Rain (Qaraqosh)
The Church of Our Lady of Llanura is the most beloved sanctuary in Nineveh. His image was rescued from ISIS by an old man who hid it in his house. After the liberation, he returned in procession in tears. The temple has been restored with international help.
"Our Lady of the Rain, pray for us."
Our Lady of the Rosary (Mosul)
Mosul was a key Christian center until 2014. The Chaldea community had great devotion to Our Lady of the Rosary, prayed in Aramaic and Arabic. During the occupation, many churches were destroyed but the Rosary remained alive among the displaced in Erbil.
"Our Lady of the Rosary of Mosul, pray for us.
Erbil y Ankawa
Ankawa, the Christian neighborhood of Erbil, was a refuge for tens of thousands of displaced persons during the ISIS persecution. The Marian presence is very strong.
Our Lady of Salvation (Ankawa)
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Salvation hosted thousands of displaced families from Mosul and Qaraqosh. His image presided over the night prayers. Today is a pilgrimage for the Christians of the Iraqi Kurdistan who give thanks for having survived.
"Our Lady of Salvation, pray for us.
Immaculate Conception of Ankawa
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception was the center of Christian life during persecution. On March 7, 2021, Pope Francis visited and consecrated Iraq to the Virgin. It is a symbol of the resilience of Iraqi Christianity.
"The Immaculate Conception of Ankawa, pray for us.
Our Lady of the Dolores (Ankawa)
The Chaldea Church of Our Lady of the Dolores in Ankawa welcomed displaced persons during the crisis. The image of the Virgin Dolorosa, with her heart crossed, is especially venerated by mothers who lost children in war.
"Our Lady of the Ankawa Dolores, pray for us.
Ur de los Caldeos
Ur, in southern Iraq, is Abraham's cradle. The Caldea tradition keeps Marian devotion alive in this land blessed by God's call.
Santa María de Ur (Caldea)
The Chaldean Christians pilgrim every year to the Zigurat of Ur to pray the Rosary, joining the call to Abraham with the intercession of Mary. Pope Francis visited Ur in 2021. The community celebrates Mass next to the archaeological site by entrusting the Virgin to the future of Christians on the earth where the history of salvation began.
"St. Mary of Ur, pray for us."
Other Marian Advocations in Iraq
The Virgin is venerated in parishes and monasteries spread throughout the territory, especially in the Iraqi Kurdistan and the Nineveh plain.
Santa Maria Reina (Dohuk)
Dohuk welcomed thousands of Christian displaced persons. The Caldea parish of Santa Maria Reina was a center of reception and prayer. The advocation proclaims the royalty of Mary as the Mother of God.
"St. Mary Queen, pray for us."
Our Lady of Relief (Suleimaniya)
In Suleimaniya, the Caldea community is coming to Our Lady of Relief. The parish was a reference for Christians who remained after the exodus of 2014. It expresses confidence in Mary's maternal help.
🙏 Our Lady of Perpetual Help, pray for us.
Immaculate Conception (Syrian Cathedral, Mosul)
The Syrian-Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Mosul was seriously damaged by ISIS. Before the war it was one of the most beautiful temples in the city. The Syrian-Catholic community, very small, hopes to restore it.
"Immaculate Conception of Mosul, pray for us."
Iraq in figures
Links about Marian devotion in Iraq
Sources: Caldeo Patriarchate of Baghdad, CNEWA, Fides Agency, Aid to the Church in Need, Vatican News (visit of Pope Francis 2021).
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