The leaders of the Assyrian churches of Antiochene tradition this week gathered in the Iraqi capital Baghdad. The patriarchs, who attended the ordination ceremony of Mar Paulos III Nona as the new Patriarch of the Chaldean Church, held meetings on the sidelines of the ceremony. Mar Paulos III Nona formally received the patriarchal staff during a grand liturgy held on Friday, 29 May, at St. Joseph Cathedral in Baghdad.

The ceremony was attended by patriarchs of the Syriac churches of Antiochene heritage, and included Patriarch Mar Ignatius Aphrem II Kerim of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch; Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, Syriac Maronite Patriarch of Antioch; Patriarch Mar Ignatius Joseph III Younan of the Syriac Catholic Church of Antioch; Patriarch Mar Youssef Absi of the Melkite Greek (Rûm) Catholic Church of Antioch; Catholicos-Patriarch Mar Awa III of the Assyrian Church of the East; Patriarch Mar Gewargis III Younan of the Ancient Church of the East. Numerous metropolitans representing various regions affiliated with these churches also attended.

The church leaders held numerous bilateral meetings and discussions. Many of these meetings focused on the challenges and needs facing the Assyrian people in their ancestral lands, particularly in Iraq, Turkey, Syria, and Lebanon.

During the ordination ceremony, the newly installed Patriarch of the Chaldean Church stated in his address that he would "strive to preserve the liturgical traditions, the Assyrian language, customs, and the philosophy of the East, and seek to develop a bond of brotherhood with the Assyrian Church of the East and the Ancient Church of the East that goes beyond relations based solely on shared faith."

As is well known, efforts have been made for years to promote joint decision-making mechanisms and cooperation among the Assyrian churches of Antiochene heritage. The words of Mar Paulos III Nona's were therefore received with great enthusiasm by all those present in the cathedral and were welcomed with great excitement by the Assyrian people worldwide, who hope for greater unity and cooperation.

Tuma Çelik is an Assyrian and former member of the Turkish Parliament.