On Monday, December 17, His Excellency Prof. Dr. George Said-Zammit, a distinguished member of the Meritorious Order of the Holy Spirit, held an official meeting with His Eminence, Metropolitan Ghattas Hazim, the ruling Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Baghdad, Kuwait, and their Dependencies. Acting as the personal representative of the Grand Knight and the Order of Saint George the Great Martyr, Dr. Said-Zammit conveyed the Order’s unwavering commitment to supporting the Orthodox faithful and their communities in Iraq and the Gulf States.
The discussions centered on the profound challenges facing Orthodox and broader Christian youth in Iraq, particularly university students striving to build a future amid adversity. These young men and women, heirs to a spiritual and cultural heritage stretching back millennia, face formidable obstacles—from economic instability to the scars left by decades of war and social hardship. At the heart of the dialogue was a bold and transformative proposal: the establishment of a sustainable fund by the Order of Saint George to advance educational opportunities for Iraq’s Christian youth. This visionary initiative aims to empower these young people to preserve their identity, revitalize their communities, and emerge as leaders of hope and resilience in their ancestral land.
In addition to this crucial initiative, the meeting explored avenues for broader collaboration between the Order and the Orthodox Church in Iraq. The Order remains steadfast in its dedication to supporting Orthodox Christians across the region. This engagement reflects a shared commitment to addressing urgent needs, rebuilding fractured communities, and safeguarding the enduring vitality of Iraq’s spiritual and cultural heritage.
Iraq, often referred to as the Cradle of Civilization, holds a legacy of unparalleled historical significance. From the ancient cities of Sumer and Babylon to the scholarly libraries of Assyria, Iraq’s soil bears witness to humanity’s earliest advancements in law, literature, and science. Christianity, deeply rooted in Iraq since the 1st century AD, has been an inseparable thread in this rich tapestry. From the ancient monasteries of the Nineveh Plains to the vibrant Christian communities of Baghdad, Iraqi Christians have contributed profoundly to every aspect of the nation’s identity—art, medicine, philosophy, and governance.
Throughout history, Iraqi Christians have been guardians of faith and culture, exemplifying coexistence among diverse peoples. Their liturgies serve as a living connection to the earliest days of Christianity. More than mere custodians of the past, Iraqi Christians have been architects of their nation’s present, embodying resilience, creativity, and faith even in the face of adversity.
The plight of Iraq’s Christians is a tragic chapter in the nation’s modern history. The fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003 and the subsequent chaos of the U.S. occupation unleashed a period of profound societal and political upheaval. For Iraq’s Christian communities, this era marked the beginning of unprecedented hardship. Entire neighborhoods were uprooted, churches desecrated, and centuries-old traditions jeopardized. The rise of ISIS inflicted further devastation, erasing entire Christian populations in Mosul and the Nineveh Plains and forcing families to seek refuge in neighboring countries or the West. The Christian population in Iraq, estimated at 1.5 million before 2003, has dwindled to a mere 250,000 today. Despite this, the Christian community’s resilience and determination to remain in their homeland remain steadfast.
Amid these trials, Iraqi Christianity stands as a beacon of faith, resilience, and cultural richness. As Iraq embarks on the arduous path of rebuilding, preserving its Christian heritage is essential to maintaining the nation’s cultural and historical identity. The efforts spearheaded by the Order of Saint George, in partnership with the Church, signify a powerful testament to solidarity, hope, and a shared vision for a brighter future for all Iraqi Christians.
