Ancient Christian Communities Celebrate Palm Sunday in Iraq

On Sunday, Christian communities across Iraq marked Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week and a commemoration of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. The day is observed by some of the world’s oldest Christian groups, including the Chaldean Catholic Church, Assyrian Church of the East and the Syriac Orthodox Church, whose roots in the region date back to the 1st century CE.

Iraq’s Christian population, once estimated to be over one million before 2003, has declined to around 150,000 to 300,000 due to years of conflict and displacement. Palm Sunday is still observed in areas such as Baghdad, Erbil and Mosul.

Celebrations include church services and processions, with worshippers carrying palm or olive branches. Children often take part by holding decorated branches and hymns are sung in Syriac.

Celebrations have been more subdued this year, however, due to regional conflict and rising insecurity, with tensions involving Iranian-backed militias heightening fears in Christian areas. In a statement, Bishop Mar Benedictus Younan, Catholic Archbishop of Mosul, urged restraint, calling for worship to be observed “in the spirit of faith, prayer, and fraternal solidarity,” and asking communities to avoid large celebrations for safety and in solidarity with those affected by war.