Priests hold the first mass at the Mart Shmoni Church since it
was recaptured from Islamic State. Reuters
By Carey Lodge
Christian Today
After more than two years of ISIS control, priests today held mass at the Mart Shmoni Church in Bashiqa, east of Mosul, for the first time since it was liberated.
Photographs showed priests inspecting the church, which had been ransacked by militants. Icons could be seen hanging off the walls, chairs broken and trash littered the floor.
Bashiqa was retaken from ISIS as part of the offensive to capture Mosul – ISIS' last stronghold in Iraq – that began on October 17.
Mosul and its surrounding towns and villages, many of which were occupied primarily by Christians, were overrun by ISIS in 2014.
Though many of these towns have now been liberated, it is still considered too dangerous for civilians to return. However, church leaders have begun to return to their churches.
Persecution Unveiled has been called by God to prick the consciences of this nation and all free people to speak up and act on behalf of those who have no voice. Follow us on Pinterest, and Google; like us on Facebook, and visit our website using this link.
Christian Today
After more than two years of ISIS control, priests today held mass at the Mart Shmoni Church in Bashiqa, east of Mosul, for the first time since it was liberated.
Photographs showed priests inspecting the church, which had been ransacked by militants. Icons could be seen hanging off the walls, chairs broken and trash littered the floor.
Bashiqa was retaken from ISIS as part of the offensive to capture Mosul – ISIS' last stronghold in Iraq – that began on October 17.
Mosul and its surrounding towns and villages, many of which were occupied primarily by Christians, were overrun by ISIS in 2014.
Though many of these towns have now been liberated, it is still considered too dangerous for civilians to return. However, church leaders have begun to return to their churches.
On 30 October, dozens of Iraqi Christians celebrated mass at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Qaraqosh, which was once home to Iraq's largest Christian population.
"Today Qaraqosh is free of Daesh (Islamic State)," Syriac Catholic Archbishop of Mosul Butrus Moshe – who was born in the town – told worshippers.Story of recaptured Catholic Church continues
Persecution Unveiled has been called by God to prick the consciences of this nation and all free people to speak up and act on behalf of those who have no voice. Follow us on Pinterest, and Google; like us on Facebook, and visit our website using this link.
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