Two Historic Churches Open Again Following Their Destruction by ISIS

Historic Churches Reopen in Mosul After Restoration

Two significant churches in Mosul, Iraq, have reopened following years of restoration work after their destruction by the Islamic State nearly a decade ago.

On Wednesday, local residents, clergy, and international officials gathered to celebrate the reopening of the Chaldean Catholic Church in al-Tahira, often referred to as the “Holy Land of the Immaculate,” and the 7th-century Syriac Orthodox Church of St. Thomas.

The old city of Mosul, where both of these churches stand, was under IS control from 2014 until 2017. During that period, al-Tahira suffered extensive bomb damage, while St. Thomas’ Church was converted into a prison.

Restoration efforts for both churches began in 2022, spearheaded by the Arif Foundation, an international organization dedicated to heritage preservation, in partnership with the Iraqi National Commission for Archaeological Heritage. The day-to-day restoration was managed by the Paris-based Catholic charity Louvre d’Orrien, under the guidance of France’s National Heritage Institute.

After the ceremony, Chaldean Bishop of Mosul, Archbishop Najeeb Michael Moussa, remarked, “These churches are not just stones; they are memories of faith, history, and community.” He emphasized that the restoration illustrates how “faith can be damaged, but it never disappears,” and noted that each toll of the bell resonates not only with believers but also with the future.

Patriarch Louis Rafael Sako, the head of the Chaldean Church in Iraq, led the reopening of Al Tahira. Present at the event were Syrian Orthodox Patriarch Mor Ignatius Afrem II, Iraqi Minister of Culture Ahmed al-Badrani, Nineveh Governor Abdul Qadir al-Dakhil, French Ambassador Patrick Durrell, along with representatives from UNESCO and the Orient.

Sako stated, “It’s not just about restoring the stone; it’s about restoring trust—a message of peace and hope for the people of Nineveh, Mosul, and all of Iraq.” He reflected on the 13 Chaldean churches and three monasteries that once thrived in Mosul, most of which are now abandoned. He emphasized that Mosul “was a Christian stronghold long before the arrival of Muslims at the end of the 7th century.”

He urged the audience to foster “mutual trust and human, fraternal, and national relations,” cautioning that “extremism and sectarianism will never build a nation or peace.” Additionally, he asserted that society should be rebuilt “based on the values of brotherhood, respect, and acceptance of others.”