Hundreds of Iraqi Christians participated in a Christmas Eve Mass at the Grand Al-Tahira Church (Church of the Immaculate Conception) in the town of Qaraqosh, east of Mosul. The service fostered a profound spiritual atmosphere, embodying themes of faith and hope following years of displacement and turmoil.
The ceremonies commenced with the lighting of the "Christmas Flame" in the church courtyard, a traditional ritual attended by clergy and believers of all ages before they moved inside to conduct the Mass. The celebrations featured hymns and prayers, while the church was adorned with a Nativity grotto and a Christmas tree—a scene reflecting the Christian community's steadfast commitment to its religious traditions.
In his address, His Excellency Archbishop Boutros Moshe, Syriac Catholic Archbishop of Mosul and its dependencies, explained that lighting the flame evokes the story of the shepherds who "kept fires burning and watched over their flocks" before angels announced the birth of Jesus Christ. He added that this symbol "means that today, like those shepherds, we remain vigilant and prepared to receive the Lord Jesus."
Attendees expressed feelings of safety and joy at celebrating in Qaraqosh, which is considered one of the largest Christian communities in the Nineveh Plains. This year's celebrations coincide with ongoing efforts by Iraqi Christians to rebuild their social and religious lives in their historical areas. These efforts follow years of forced displacement inflicted by the terrorist organization Daesh, with the community reaffirming its commitment to hope, peaceful coexistence, and a shared future.