Ishtartv.com - Patriarchate of the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East

29 September 2025

On the afternoon of Monday, September 29, 2025, His Holiness Mar Awa III, Catholicos-Patriarch, was received in audience by His Excellency Mr. Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region, at the Presidential Palace in Erbil. His Holiness was accompanied by Their Eminences and Graces, the Metropolitans and Bishops of the Church: Mar Aprim Athneil, Mar Awgin Quriaqos, Mar Narsai Benjamen, Mar Paulus Benjamen, Mar Abris Youkhanan, Mar Benjamen Elia, Mar Awrahm Youkhanis, and Mar Elia Isaac.

During the audience, the interlocutors discussed the situation of the Assyrian Church of the East and its faithful in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and around the world. They also addressed the status of religious communities in general, and issues of freedom, particularly religious freedom, in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.

His Holiness the Patriarch spoke in detail about the Conference marking the 1700th Anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, which was hosted in Erbil by the Assyrian Church of the East over the past three days.

For his part, His Excellency President Barzani expressed his happiness with the activities of the Assyrian Church of the East in Erbil and thanked His Holiness and the Church for their continued efforts to bring the young Assyrians from the diaspora to visit their homeland and reconnect with their heritage.

His Excellency further affirmed that the Kurdistan Region takes pride in its deep-rooted culture of coexistence, acceptance of others, and tolerance among its diverse communities, and that it will always remain a protector of the rights and freedoms of all. Finally, the President reiterated his thanks for the return of the patriarchal see to Erbil, where it regains a focal point for the Assyrian Church worldwide.