09/09/2026
Under the auspices and spiritual leadership of His Eminence Mor Dionysius John Kawak, Patriarchal Vicar of the Archdiocese of the Eastern United States, the Ladies Auxiliary of the Mor Aphrem Center organized a blessed pilgrimage to the homeland of our Syriac forefathers from August 25 through September 8, 2026.
The journey brought the pilgrims to sacred churches, ancient monasteries, historic cities, and magnificent natural landmarks throughout Türkiye and Georgia.
The pilgrimage began in the Black Sea region with visits to Trabzon, the historic Sümela Monastery, the Zigana Mountains, Uzungöl, Rize, the Fırtına Valley, and the beautiful Ayder Plateau. The group also crossed into Georgia for a day visit to Batumi, where they toured several historic churches and cultural landmarks.
The journey then continued through the mountains of Eastern Anatolia to the historic city of Erzurum.
From there, the group traveled to Diyarbakir, where they visited the ancient Syriac Orthodox Church of the Virgin Mary Meryem Ana one of the oldest continuously active Syriac Orthodox churches in the region.
They also toured the historic city walls, the Tigris River and its ancient bridge, along with other significant cultural and religious sites.
From Diyarbakir, the pilgrims continued to Midyat and the sacred region of Tur Abdin, the historic spiritual homeland of the Syriac people. They visited several ancient churches, monasteries, and villages, including Mor Abrohom Monastery, Mor Hadshabo Church in the village of ‘Ayn Wardo, the Monastery of Mor Yakub the Recluse, and the historic Church of the Virgin Mary in Hah.
At the ancient Mor Gabriel Monastery, the group was warmly received by His Eminence Mor Timotheos Samuel Aktaş, Archbishop of Tur Abdin and Abbot of Mor Gabriel Monastery. The pilgrims offered their prayers in this holy place, which has remained a living center of Syriac Orthodox faith, spirituality, and monastic life for more than sixteen centuries.
The pilgrimage then proceeded to Mardin, where on Sunday, September 6, 2026, during the pilgrimage, the group visited the historic Deyrulzafaran Monastery and paid a brotherly visit to His Eminence Mor Philoxenus Saliba Özmen, Archbishop of Mardin, Diyarbakir, and Environs and celebrated the Holy Liturgy there by His Eminence Mor Dionysius John Kawak. They also visited several historic Syriac churches in Mardin, including the Church of the Forty Martyrs, Mor Michael Church, and Mor Ishmune Church.
The group later visited Nisibis, where they prayed at the Church of Mor Jacob of Nisibis. This sacred place recalls the spiritual and theological heritage of the renowned School of Nisibis and the legacy of Mor Jacob and his celebrated disciple, Mor Ephrem the Syriac. The pilgrims also explored the ancient city of Dara, whose remarkable ruins bear witness to the rich history of the region.
This pilgrimage was far more than a journey through cities and monuments. It was a spiritual return to the land where generations of our Syriac forefathers lived, prayed, served, suffered, and faithfully preserved the apostolic faith.
The pilgrims walked in places sanctified by the prayers, sacrifices, teachings, and witness of countless saints, monks, martyrs, and faithful believers who placed their trust in the power of God.
