“N” for Nazarene

We are all Iraqi Christians! For the first time in 2000 years there is not a single Christian left in Mosul. The Iraqi Christians had to choose, following the ultimatum, between death and exile. Before they were presented with the choice between forcible conversion, exile or death, the Islamic extremist marked all the houses of the Christians with the symbol ن, often surrounded by a circle.

The symbol (ن) is a 14th letter of the Arabic alphabet and represents the letter “N” in our alphabet. It is the first letter of the word “Nazarene,” which the Muslims have used since the seventh century to identify Christians. This letter of the Arabic alphabet has been painted on the front of houses belonging to Christians, while on the front of Shi’ite Muslim homes the letter “R” has been painted, meaning Rwafidh (“those who reject”).

Today there are no Christians left in the second-largest city of Iraq! Their hasty flight has left thousands of refugees with nothing. They have lost everything!

A prayer for the Christians of Iraq

Lord,

the plight of our country
is deep and the suffering of the Christians
is heavy and frightening us,
therefore we ask you Lord
to assign our lives,
grant us patience and courage
to continue to witness our Christian values
with trust and hope.
Lord, peace is base of any life;
give us peace and stability
to live with each other without fear, anxiety,
with dignity and joy, glory to you forever.

Amen

Written by Msgr. Louis Raphael I Sako
[Chaldean Catholic Patriarch]