For the first time in 4 years Iraqi Christian celebrated the Feast of Mar Behnam and Mart Sarah.

Photo: This is Christian Iraq (Facebook)

According to a report in the Facebook community of St Behnam Monastery (Syriac: ܕܝܪܐ ܕܡܪܝ ܒܗܢܡ ܘܡܪܬ ܣܪܐ‎, Arabic: دير مار بهنام),  for the first time in 4 years Iraqi Christian celebrated the Feast of Mar Behnam and Mart Sarah.
Hubdreds of believers from Nineveh Plain region visited the Monastery of Mar Behanm which was occupied and partially destroyed by the Islamic State (ISIS) the last years.

 Photo: This is Christian Iraq (Facebook)

The monastery was built in the 4th century. The monastery is known for its carvings and features, including very intricate inscriptions in Syriac, in Armenian and in Uygur language from the 13th century .

 Photo: This is Christian Iraq (Facebook)

The monastery, located on the Ba'werah neighbourhood on a hill north of Mosul on the other side of the Tigris river, was founded by the Assyrian Church of the East in the 10th century but rebuilt as a seminary by the Chaldean Catholic Church in 1846.

Photo: This is Christian Iraq (Facebook)

ISIS  fighters stormed the monastery in July 2014 and expelled its resident monks. On March 19, 2015, Islamic State  militants have  blown up parts of the ancient monastery of Mar Behnam near the predominantly Christian town of Qaraqosh (Bakhdida).

 Photo: This is Christian Iraq (Facebook)

After more than 2 years of occupation, the monastery and its surrounding area was liberated by Iraqi Security Forces on November 20, 2016.

 Photo: This is Christian Iraq (Facebook)

Traditionally Christians from Mosul, Nineveh Plains and whole Iraq head in the 10 of December to the Monastery of Mar Behnam northern Iraq to celebrate the feast.

Mar Behnam was an Assyrian prince who lived in the 4th century AD and was martyred along with his Sister Sarah and 40 of his companions by his father Sinharib King of Athur for believing in Jesus.

Photo: This is Christian Iraq (Facebook)

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