Christmas in Nineveh (Mosul)
With its rich history and cultural diversity, Mosul is the second largest city in Iraq. Known as Nineveh in antiquity, this city, with roots tracing back to the 25th century BC, was a significant part of the Assyrian and Babylonian empires. Even after the early Muslim conquests in the mid-7th century, its Assyrian heritage remained deeply rooted. Nineveh surpassed other monarchical city states of Mesopotamia in size and importance. During the reign of King Sennacherib, it was the largest city in the world. It was a spiritual, cultural and intellectual hub where the first known library in the world was housed, The Library of Ashurbanipal. Mosul's location on the Tigris has always been highly strategic for commercial activities. The Old Assyrian Empire lasted 275 years, which was attributed to the strength of its trading power. The location has held great military strength, and recent archaeological research has determined that it is most likely the true location of the Hanging Gardens, traditionally associated with Babylon.
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Mosul is not only significant for its historical heritage but is also a hub of modern development where our indigenous community has thrived economically. Before the War in Iraq and the rise of ISIS, Mosul had a thriving Christian community of around 50,000, contributing to the city's rich cultural mosaic. Unfortunately, today, that number has dwindled to just about 70 Christian families.
Yet, the spirit of Mosul remains resilient. The Christian community recently celebrated the Divine Liturgy in Dera dMar Mikhael (Monastery of Saint Michael) for the first time in over two decades. Today, while most of the Christian population has abandoned the city, many students from the Nineveh Plains attend Mosul University, one of the most prominent educational institutions in the region.
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Despite the city's liberation from ISIS in 2017, challenges persist. The haunting ruins of many churches and monasteries serve as somber reminders of the city's recent past. Like a beacon of light, Pope Francis arrived in 2021 and courageously conducted mass in one of ISIS's former strongholds.
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At Nineveh Rising, we look at our historical capital with relentless hope. Alongside the Shraga Volunteer Team and Etuti Institute, we have taken steps to bring a touch of Christmas cheer to the city. Thanks to generous donations from our Annual Bet Nahrain Art Show, we were able to distribute care packages filled with food and household essentials to every Christian family in Mosul.
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As we continue our efforts, the legendary spirit of Nineveh rises once again.
