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IRAQ TODAY<br />
New Church<br />
in Baqofa<br />
BY HANAN QIA<br />
This past March 14 was a significant day for the<br />
Christian community of Baqofa, Iraq in the<br />
Nineveh Plain. Bishop Mar Thabit led the consecration<br />
ceremony of the newly built Virgin Mary<br />
Church, an effort that has taken five years. Speaking<br />
exclusively to Chaldean News, Bishop Mar Thabit<br />
expressed his gratitude towards the generous contributions<br />
from various Catholic organizations and<br />
compassionate locals, which made the construction<br />
of the church possible.<br />
The ceremony was attended by numerous locals<br />
from the towns and villages of Alqosh diocese, including<br />
the Chaldean residents of Baqofa. The new<br />
church, a modern and spacious place of worship,<br />
symbolizes a new chapter for the community. The village<br />
has also an old church, St. George (Mar Gorgis),<br />
which has been under restoration for many years.<br />
The consecration ceremony was a moment of joy<br />
and celebration for the residents of Baqofa, who eagerly<br />
embraced the new church as a symbol of hope<br />
and faith for generations to come. As the sun set on<br />
this historic day, the Virgin Mary Church stood tall,<br />
ready to welcome all who seek solace and communion<br />
with the divine.<br />
From top of page: 1. The new Virgin Mary Church in Baqofa 2. The clergy — bishop,<br />
priests, and deacons — in the consecration Mass of the new church. 3. Young girls in<br />
traditional Chaldean attire presenting the chalice and the Holy Host to the bishop.<br />
18 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>APRIL</strong> <strong>2024</strong>
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