Chaldean Convention

The 2024 International Chaldean Convention.

Church of the Martyrs Assembles in Grand Rapids

By Hayley Gappy

Excitement buzzed as the inaugural International Chaldean Convention kicked off, marking a significant milestone for Chaldeans worldwide to come together in faith, community, culture, and traditions. This historic gathering brought together over 700 Chaldeans from various regions including Michigan, Arizona, California, Chicago, Canada, and Australia, and more.

Hosted by the Chaldean Diocese of Saint Thomas the Apostle, U.S.A., the convention took place from June 28-30, 2024, at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Over two years of planning and collaboration accumulated in a successful weekend. The three-day event featured powerful talks, breakout sessions, and Masses, all aimed at strengthening faith and fellowship among Chaldeans worldwide. The impactful conversations reinforced the community’s unity and resilience.

The concept for the first-ever Chaldean Convention emerged after Father Matthew Zetouna (Michigan), serving in various regions worldwide, recognized the need for unity among geographically dispersed communities that were acting independently. After much prayer, he felt a need to bring these communities together and proposed the idea to Bishop Francis Kalabat (Michigan). This shared vision among the planning team aimed to help define the future role of the Chaldean people and their church, ultimately leading to the formation of the first International Chaldean Convention.

The hope was that attendees would leave the convention with a deeper understanding of who they are and where they came from. Father Matthew wanted participants to appreciate and embody their cultural roots, grow closer to their church, learn their language, and connect more deeply with their faith and traditions. He emphasized that the martyrs who died for their faith serve as a meaningful connection for the community, highlighting the importance of teaching their history not just as points of historical fact, but as essential parts of their identity.

The Blood of the Martyrs is the Seed of the Church

The overarching theme of the convention centered around honoring the martyrs and their persecution. Their sacrifices and unwavering faith were highlighted as the foundation of the Chaldean Catholic Church, known as the Church of the Martyrs. Attendees were reminded of the martyrs’ enduring legacy, the importance of preserving their memory, and their perseverance. “The Blood of the Martyrs is the Seed of the Church” encapsulated the spirit of the convention, highlighting the enduring faith and resilience of Chaldeans in the face of adversity.

The stories of these persecuted Christians were brought to life through various forums. They aimed to honor the legacy left behind by the martyrs while emphasizing the importance of justice and recognition for those who have suffered for their faith. In addition, these talks focused on the modern challenges and how to approach them with our faith as our guide.

Throughout the convention, the names of revered Chaldean martyrs were mentioned and honored. These martyrs included: Mar Toma; Mar Addai; Mar Mari; Mart Shmoni and her seven sons; Mar Qiryqos and his mother Mart Juliet; Mart Sultana Mahdokht; Mar Matti; Mar Behnam; Mart Sarah and the Forty Martyrs; Mar Toma Audo; Mar Addai Scher; Mar Yacoub Augen Manna; Sister Cecilia Moshe Hanna; Mar Paulos Faraj Rahho; and Father Raghed Hanna and his subdeacons Basam Daoud, Waheed Isho, and Ghassan Bidawid.

Talks

The weekend’s events consisted of a mix of main conferences, breakout sessions, Masses, and guided adorations. The main speakers were Father Matthew Zetouna, Father Mahir Murad (Australia), Father Simon Esshaki (California), and Father Perrin Atisha (Michigan), all well-known priests in various areas of the worldwide Chaldean community.

Father Matthew Zetouna opened the convention weekend with his talk, “Something Worth Saving: Reflection on the Persecuted Chaldean Church.” He highlighted the importance of the convention as a whole and the historical facts surrounding the persecution and oppression faced by the Chaldean community, primarily in their homeland.

Throughout his talk, he emphasized the importance of preserving the faith and cultural heritage of the Chaldean Church despite the challenges they face. When he discussed the call he felt to initiate the planning for the convention, he stated, “Our Church has never looked like this. We’ve never been as across the entire globe as we are right now.”

Fr. Matthew went on to explain why it is so important to come together as one community in Christ. “I had a violent rumbling in my heart,” he shared with an attentive audience. “What I felt in my heart was a strong shaking of the bones, of our martyrs who have come before us.”

Fr. Matthew shared the response he received to his prayers prior to giving this talk, how the martyrs cried out to him, “Justice! Give us justice. People don’t know us. They don’t know how they’ve come to be in this Church. They don’t know where they come from!” Inspired by the martyrs’ resilience and strength, Fr. Matthew urged the attendees to remain united and committed to their faith while honoring the sacrifices that were made.

In his talk, “Responding to WOKE Culture,” Father Mahir Murad addressed the challenges posed by modern societal trends that test our faith. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong faith identity amidst a rapidly changing world. Fr. Mahir provided a unique perspective on navigating and responding to these changes while staying true to the faith and traditions of the Chaldean community. His speech encouraged an ongoing commitment to preserving and protecting the Chaldean community’s religious and cultural traditions.

Father Simon Esshaki’s speech on “Spiritual Warfare” addressed the constant battle between good and evil that all Catholics face. He emphasized the importance of prayer, the sacraments, and maintaining a strong relationship with God to avoid such spiritual attacks. Fr. Simon highlighted the necessity of staying grounded in faith to overcome the temptations and challenges of the modern world. His message served as a call to action and spiritual tenacity for the Chaldean community.

Father Perrin Atisha concluded the main conferences with an influential talk entitled “The Power of the Eucharistic Jesus,” emphasizing the central role of the Eucharist in the Catholic faith. He discussed how the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist provides strength, guidance, and a deep connection to God.

Fr. Perrin shared a personal story about how his aunt’s devotion and love for the Eucharist provided her with healing and comfort in her last days while she was losing her battle to cancer. He encouraged attendees to deepen their own devotion to the Eucharist, highlighting its transformative power in their lives.

The main conference talks throughout the weekend highlighted the importance of faith, resilience, and preserving the Chaldean community’s rich culture. Each talk played a role in inviting the attendees to make a renewed commitment to their faith. In addition to these talks, Masses were celebrated daily by Father Douglas Al-Bazi (New Zealand), Father Daniel Shaba (California), and Bishop Francis Kalabat.

While all the Masses and homilies were inspiring, Father Douglas Al-Bazi’s homily especially stood out. It recounted his experience being kidnapped and tortured for nine days by ISIS. His testimony highlighted the intense persecution that is still being faced by Christians in Iraq to this day.

Despite the evil he endured and the many attempts to undermine his beliefs, Fr. Douglas’ faith remained unshaken. “Our God is a God of love,” he stated simply, before going on to share a conversation he had with one of the assailants who came to him in a state of confession, feeling deep regret. When the attacker asked if Fr. Douglas would try to seek revenge if they were to meet again, the priest replied, “To be honest, if we meet again, I’m going to invite you for Chai.”

Even through the agony and suffering he endured, he did not hesitate to forgive those who committed unspeakable acts against him. God teaches us to forgive, and Fr. Douglas kept that doctrine close to heart. His story serves as a powerful testament to the Catholic Church’s resilience and strength, and his homily highlighted the importance of standing strong in our faith and offered a first-hand example of the persecution of the Christians who came before us.

Breakouts & Adorations

The convention also included breakout sessions led by faithful figures in the community, covering topics such as faith, growth, perseverance, resilience, and cultural preservation. These sessions emphasized devotion to faith and showcased the Chaldean community’s strength and commitment to preserving their heritage.

On the first day, attendees chose between two sessions. The first session, “Hope in Suffering,” was led by Alivia and Auday Arrabo, who shared their personal journey of continual faith during difficult times. Bashar Kirma led the second session, “Doubting Thomas,” where he discussed his path from atheism to faith. The following day featured a men’s conference led by Father John Jaddou and Zaid Zayto, and a women’s conference led by Sister Immaculata and Sister Bernadette.

To close out each evening, the convention featured powerful guided Eucharistic Adorations, allowing attendees to feel deeply the power of prayer and the impact of the Eucharist in their lives. The sessions were led by the Sons of the Covenant Chaldean Monks on the first evening, and by Fr. Perrin Atisha and Fr. Patrick Setto on the following day.

During Adoration, attendees also had the opportunity to give Confession. These moments reinforced the significance of the Eucharist in their spiritual journey and provided a chance to reflect on the day’s events and talks. A chapel was available for Eucharistic Adoration throughout the weekend, providing a continuous space for prayer and reflection.

Building Connections Worldwide

On Friday evening, the convention hosted a social hour to build connections and strengthen relationships between attendees from different parts of the world. This allowed participants to meet fellow Chaldeans, form new friendships, and potentially establish professional connections for the future.

Attendees also explored cultural exhibits displaying Chaldean art and history, deepening their appreciation of our traditions. Highlights of the evening included traditional music and dancing, games of “kon kan” and backgammon, and food and drinks.

The ability to meet and converse with guests from around the world throughout the weekend provided a unique opportunity. Attendees enjoyed learning about other communities and developing connections with people they otherwise would not have met.

Being able to compare the similarities and differences of practicing the same faith and traditions while residing in different places was intriguing. These conversations helped attendees realize that, despite their different locations, they shared the same cultural history and love for God. This opportunity for fellowship highlighted the strong connections within the global Chaldean community and opened attendees’ eyes to the endless possibilities these bonds can bring in supporting each other.

When asked why they traveled so far for the convention, most attendees mentioned a desire to grow in their faith, community, and culture; however, the experience exceeded their expectations, offering an unforgettable opportunity for the widely separated Chaldean community to unite for the first time. The joy and participation of every person, combined with their common goal of preserving rich cultural and religious traditions, made the event meaningful for all who attended.

What’s Next?

Moving forward from this historic convention, the Chaldean Catholic Church is filled with a renewed sense of faith and community. The stories of perseverance, resilience, and unwavering faith shared throughout the weekend have left an unforgettable mark on our hearts. We are reminded that our strength lies in our spiritual and cultural journey.

Planning is in progress for the next convention. Check chaldeanconvention.com for updates.