Videos Show Damage to Historic Iraqi Assyrian Church 

Videos circulating on social media this week appear to show extensive damage inside Mar Kiryakos Church in the village of Sharanish in Iraq’s Dohuk Governorate, prompting concern among Assyrians and other Christians over the fate of one of the area’s historic churches. 

The video shows disturbed pews, smashed items strewn about the floor, a large vase destroyed at the front of the building, and other signs of vandalism. 

According to research by International Christian Concern (ICC), the footage and accompanying photographs appear to have been posted by a visiting Chaldean priest currently living in Australia. He posted videos of the destruction alongside other images from his recent travels in the region. As of publication, the footage and the circumstances surrounding the destruction have not yet been independently verified by other sources. 

Mar Kiryakos Church, located in the historic Assyrian village of Sharanish near Zakho, is believed to date back several centuries and forms part of the religious and cultural heritage of a community whose roots in northern Mesopotamia stretch back generations. 

The videos quickly drew emotional reactions from Assyrians around the world. Among those responding was the social media account Assyrian Passion, which lamented the devastation. 

“It is heartbreaking to see Mar Kiryakos Church in Sharanish in this condition,” the post read. “A place that held the memories of entire generations — witnessing both their joys and sorrows — now stands in silence amidst a heart-wrenching scene. 

“The church is not merely a structure of stone and walls; it is part of the history, identity, and collective memory of an entire village whose people still carry it with them wherever they may be.” 

The account noted that the cause of the damage remains unclear and urged caution against drawing conclusions without evidence. 

“As of this moment, we do not know the true cause of what transpired, and we do not wish to accuse anyone without evidence,” the post stated. “Yet, seeing this heritage in such a state inevitably stirs deep sorrow and raises many questions.” 

Questions Surround Historic Site 

No official explanation has yet emerged regarding what may have occurred at the church. Likewise, no public statements have been issued by church authorities or local officials addressing the videos. 

The uncertainty surrounding the incident has fueled calls for additional information and for efforts to document and preserve the religious heritage of Iraq’s indigenous Christian communities. 

The Assyrian villages of northern Iraq have endured decades of conflict, displacement, and demographic change. Many churches and monasteries across the region have suffered damage throughout the years, whether from warfare, neglect, or forced displacement. Historic sanctuaries that once served thriving communities are increasingly maintained by smaller populations or diaspora families seeking to preserve their ancestral heritage. 

For Assyrians and Chaldeans, churches such as Mar Kiryakos represent far more than architectural landmarks. They embody centuries of faith, memory, and communal identity in a region that has witnessed repeated waves of upheaval. 

Even as the precise circumstances surrounding the apparent damage remain uncertain, the images have renewed concerns about the vulnerability of Christian heritage sites across the Middle East and the continuing challenges facing communities whose presence in the region predates modern political boundaries by centuries. 

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The post Videos Show Damage to Historic Iraqi Assyrian Church  first appeared on International Christian Concern.