Written by: Open Doors
Article source: www.opendoors.org.za
The cross: You sing about it in church, you might wear it as jewellery around your neck or share quotes about it online.
What does the cross mean to you?
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In Iraq this is a question they ponder every year in a feast they call ‘the day of the cross’. For centuries Christians here and elsewhere in the Middle East have celebrated their Christianity by putting illuminated crosses on top of their houses.
We knocked on the door of a church and several houses in the Christian city of Qaraqosh to ask why the cross is so important for them.
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The restoration of the largest church in Qaraqosh, Al-Tahira church, was finished recently.
We meet father Ammar, a catholic priest, in Al-Tahira church in Qaraqosh. He shows a picture of a cross knocked off the church by IS and then shows us the restored cross. “When IS took all of the crosses off the churches in 2014 we were reminded once more how important this symbol is for us. The church that we are in now was a shooting gallery for IS. The cross on the dome was restored soon after our return in 2017, but we have just recently finished the reconstruction of the church.”
He continues and shares about the celebration:
“We have been celebrating ‘the day of the cross’ for centuries and it is very important for us. The cross reminds us of the victory of Jesus over death and pain. Yes, we face many troubles, but we believe one day we will get rid of this pain and be with Jesus.”
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One of the crosses of Al Tahira church that was taken down by fighters of IS, then restored after the liberation of Qaraqosh.
Essam’s Family
For the family of 55-year-old Essam, placing the cross on top of their home is a joyful family activity. His son and wife help him to attach the cross on the roof, while his father is observing the proceedings from the street below.
“My hope is that the cross of our lord will bring peace to our land, so that we can stay to share the word of Jesus.”He put the plug of the lighting into the socket, the lights still work!
Essam and his family erecting a cross on the roof of their home in Iraq.
Salah’s Family
Not far from Essam, Salah and his son are also busy placing their cross on the roof. He made the wooden cross decorated with lights by himself.
From his rooftop Salah is looking out over the neighbourhood. Some houses have a cross, others don’t. He sighs: “After ISIS many friends and family left the country, their houses are empty. It makes me sad to see that.”
Then he looks at his cross again and says: “Still the cross for me is a sign of victory, victory over oppression.”
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Salah and his son looking towards their illuminated rooftop cross.
Steven’s Family
In the house of Steven and his wife Hiba, their children are lighting candles, an additional sign of hope to the cross already shining brightly from the top of their house.
“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God: 1 Corinthians 1:18” Steven recites from the Bible.
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Steven, Hiba and their four children outside their home in Qaraqosh.
Steven wants to give a message to people who read this story:
“As Iraqi Christians we have to stay here and prove how strong Christ is. We need the Christians around the world to stand with us and support us. We are the indigenous people of this land.”
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When the sun sets, dozens of crosses light up the Qaraqosh skyline. Together they form a symphony of light, a choir of reminders that even in times of persecution and during a worldwide pandemic, one thing is sure. The cross wins, always!
A quote from Steven perfectly encapsulates the significance and power of the feast they call ‘the day of the cross’ …
“For me the cross is a symbol for the power of God, because it is the symbol of the resurrection of Jesus.”
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Date published: 09/12/2020
Feature image: Crosses in Qaraqosh, Iraq
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