ICC Note:  Christians in Assyria celebrated Easter in Diyana, a city known for the coexistence of Muslims and Christians. Many Christians were excited to be able to celebrate and remember the sacrifices and resurrection of Jesus.

4/2/2018 Iraq (AINA) – Assyrian Christians in Diyana, a city in the Soran region, observed Easter with a midnight mass at St. George’s Church. Soran is known as the “place of coexistence,” as Christians and Muslims have been living together in harmony for years without conflict.

“This event is very important because it’s Easter, the resurrection of Jesus, so we all gathered here for the service,” Rita Romeo, 27, a member of the church choir and an English teacher at a local Assyrian school in Diyana, told Rudaw English. She said a bonfire would be lit after the service along with an activity known as “egg tapping” — a traditional Easter game.

Romeo wished a happy Easter to those inside and outside of Iraq. “I hope that peace will spread inside Iraq, especially Kurdistan.”

Father Yatron, who has officiated over religious ceremonies at three different churches in the region for more than 15 years, led the midnight mass at St. George’s Church, joined by male and female choirs singing various hymns in the Syriac language.

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