Michael Yon visits St. John's Church, Baghdad, Iraq
I've read Michael Yon's latest dispatch from Iraq about a dozen times, and will likely read it a dozen more. The photographs are amazing, the story warm, and the local Baghdadis make me wish I were there with them.
A Bishop came to St John’s Church in Baghdad today, 15 November, where a crowd of locals welcomed him home. They were joined at the service by soldiers from the 2-12 infantry battalion, many of whom had fought hard to secure these neighborhood streets. Members of the hard-fighting Iraqi Army 3rd Division were also here for this special day.
Most Reverend Shlemon Warduni, Auxiliary Bishop of the St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Diocese for Chaldeans and Assyrians in Iraq officiated standing directly beneath the dome under the Chaldean cross. Speaking in both Arabic and English, Bishop Warduni thanked those American soldiers sitting in the pews for their sacrifices. Again and again, throughout the service, he thanked the Americans.
And thank you, Michael Yon dude.
It was a brilliant and timely piece.
I sent the link to my son's friend at UC Berkeley (an aspiring political journo) who emailed us about there being absolutely no good news coming out of Iraq.
What makes the picture and the people so moving to me is the background of this cross raising event. St. John's Chaldean Catholic Church was car bombed along with two other churches all within minutes of each other exactely one year ago on November 8, 2006. The congregation took down the cross and bells and put them in storage. They cleaned up the interior of the church, and at an Easter liturgy this year they welcomed a Shiite notable, who spoke movingly of the unity of Iraqis. I am touched by the generosity of spirit of these Muslims. The cross and bells are hated by reactionary Muslims. What a magnificent rebuke is this event of neighborliness. This is an icon of tolerance and mutual acceptance and,yes,love.
I am neither a Christian nor a Muslim, but this makes me happy for both. "One foot in front of the other"... that is what it takes. How wonderful it is that those feet are usually walking alongside a strong young American idealist. I am so proud of my country and its young warriors for peace.
Agreed, this is truly miraculous and worth doting over for a long time to come....and Michael Yon is in top form in bringing it to forward...
No! NOOOOOOO!
Iran will save us! They just HAVE to!
I saw this and I though it was wonderful.
