Bishop Sean’s pastoral visit to St George Baghdad came to a joyous close on Sunday evening with a service of Holy Eucharist, where he preached on the parable of new wine and new wineskins—and shared with the people of St George’s the warm greetings of their Diocesan family. (Piece continues below photos.)
His week-long visit to Iraq included much-valued opportunities for interfaith dialogue and for worship; for official visits and for fellowship—supported throughout by St George Baghdad parish priest the Reverend Faiz Jerjes and Sinan Kakarash.
In Baghdad, Bishop Sean was honoured to be welcomed by His Eminence Ayatollah al-Faqih Sayyid Hussein Ismail al-Sadr (main photo) for interfaith discussion and a meal at his home in Khadamiya—site of the third-holiest Shi’a shrine in Iraq.
Iraq provides unique opportunities for interfaith encounter and dialogue, and Bishop Sean was pleased to also meet with Sheikh Sattar Jabbar Helo al-Zuhairi, patriarch in Iraq and worldwide leader of the Sabean-Mandaeans. Mandaeans follow the teachings of their prophet John the Baptist.
Bishop Sean’s visit to Iraq began in Erbil, to plan how a new church could be planted there, and to in faith pray for God to provide land for the church.
While in Erbil, Bishop Sean had the pleasure of meeting Niyaz Barzani—senior adviser on foreign affairs and diplomacy to KRG President Nechirvan Barzani. On behalf of the President, Mr Barzani, a member of the Kurdish royal family, graciously welcomed Bishop Sean on his first visit to Kurdistan, sharing an orientation of the Christian church and its history there.
Bishop Sean also had the pleasure of meeting His Grace Mar Afram Athneil, Archbishop of the Assyrian Church of the East, at the Assyrian Patriarchy in Erbil—sending greetings to His Holiness Patriarch Mar Awa, who was travelling.
Bishop Sean and the UK Consul-General in Erbil, Andrew Bizley, were later honoured to meet the Chaldean Archbishop of Erbil, the Most Reverend Bashar Matti Warda.
In Baghdad Bishop Sean received a warm welcome from the people of St George’s.
The church compound is home to St George’s School of the Redeemer (Al-Fadi), where Bishop Sean met school principal Ayser Albert. He also visited Al-Fadi Kindergarten, meeting principal Ban Atheer and logistics manager Fadi Sami. This was a valuable opportunity for Bishop Sean to spend time with staff, learning more about the school curriculum and operational challenges.
Worship at St George’s Church was a source of special joy on this pastoral visit. St George Baghdad Mothers’ Union welcomed Bishop Sean at a special service, where he shared his vision of MU branches of the Diocese working closely together across parishes.
And a service for peace offered an opportunity to pray for Iraq and the region, and for Bishop Sean to engage in dialogue with the congregation about being people of peace. The service was followed by the generous provision of a wonderful meal, enjoyed in an atmosphere of warmth and fellowship.
While in Baghdad, Bishop Sean also had the pleasure of being with HE Irfan Siddiq, the British Ambassador to Iraq, at a function to celebrate the birthday of King Charles III at the British Embassy in Baghdad—joined by Fr Faiz and Sinan Kakarash.
