North Iraq -- In a gesture reaffirming Christian unity, ecumenical cooperation, and the fraternal bonds between Churches, Chaldean Patriarch Mar Paul III Nona visited the historic Syriac Orthodox Mor Mattai Monastery on Mount Maqloub in Nineveh Governorate, Iraq.

Patriarch Nona was accompanied by Chaldean Archbishop of Arba'ilo (Erbil) Mar Bashar Matti Warda. They were received by Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Mor Mattai Monastery Mor Timotheus Mousa al-Shamani, along with Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Mosul, Kerkheslokh (Kirkuk), and the Kurdistan Region Mor Nicodemus Daoud Matti Sharaf, as well as other bishops, priests, and monks.

Archbishop al-Shamani expressed his gratitude to Patriarch Nona for visiting the historic site, which forms an integral part of Iraq's Christian heritage.

He underscored the deep-rooted historical ties between the Chaldean and Syriac Orthodox Churches in Iraq, emphasizing the importance of their longstanding relationship.

The Patriarch, in turn, thanked the archbishops and accompanying clergy for their warm reception and hospitality and stressed the importance of cooperation among Churches for the benefit of the faithful.

He also praised the rich heritage preserved at the monastery and the centuries of Christian history embodied in the site. The monastery, one of the oldest in the history of Christendom, stretches from the fourth century AD to the present day, serving as a lasting testament to the enduring Christian presence and profound Christian heritage of Iraq.