Iraqi Christians Remember Church Siege Victims, 40 Days Later

iraqi-christians.jpg
In this file photo, Iraqi Christians pray during a mass at Our Lady of Salvation church in Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday Nov. 28, 2010. Iraq has arrested at least 12 suspected al-Qaida insurgents believed to be behind a deadly Baghdad church siege a month ago. AP Images / Karim Kadim

Iraqi Christians gathered in Our Lady of Salvation church Friday morning to remember the dozens of worshippers who died there 40 days ago.

The morning mass followed an evening of prayers which drew the participation of more than 100 people. Worshippers sat on plastic chairs which were set up in place of destroyed pews.

Father Amir Jaje, the superior of the Dominican Order in Baghdad, told Agence France-Presse that many of the participants were present during the Oct. 31 attacks or were related to the victims and they "all needed some moral support."

"Despite the terror and the violence that happened here, they came here once again and expressed their love for those who died," he said.

On Oct. 31, armed militants, some wearing suicide vests, stormed the Catholic church in Baghdad during a Sunday afternoon mass. At least 80 worshippers were taken hostage. Hours later, Iraqi special forces raided the church at which point the explosives went off.

The attack left 58 people, mostly congregants, dead and 75 people wounded. Considered the deadliest attack against the Iraqi Christian community since Islamic extremists began targeting them in 2003, the siege has left the city's Christians shaken.

"We stay at home. We are afraid to go out, afraid to move," Maha al-Khoury told CNN during Thursday night's prayer.

The Islamic State of Iraq, an umbrella group for Sunni Islamic insurgent groups that include al-Qaida, claimed responsibility for the attack at the Catholic church. Since then, Christians have been targeted in their homes and businesses.

The most recent killings took place on Sunday when an elderly couple was gunned down in their home.

Since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003, the Christian population has shrunk from 1.2 million to 600,000, by some estimates. The Oct. 31 attack has prompted more Christians to leave or consider leaving the violence-ridden country.

Many say the violence is only getting worse and that little is being done to prevent it.

"At first, they (insurgents) evicted Christians from their homes, then they began killing them," Father Simon told AFP. "Now, they are killing Christians, not one at a time, but now they are trying to kill Christians in groups ... Our leaders, they say we can live here, that this is our country too, but they do nothing."

Carl Moeller, president of Open Doors USA, a persecution watchdog, went as far as to call what's happening in Iraq "religion-cide."

"Baghdad right now is just gripped by terrorism against the Christian community and there is no other way to put it," he said earlier. "Extremists are concentrating their efforts to eliminate Christianity from that country."

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.