It has been nearly two years since a cross has graced the top of Saint George’s church in the Iraqi town of Bashiqa. The cross was destroyed by jihadists of the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL) after they captured the town in 2014. Now local residents and Kurdish militants have restored the cross in a symbolic turn of events in the fight against ISIS.
The symbol of Christianity was once erected once more atop the church in a solemn ceremony on Saturday. The entire scene was made possible after Bashiqa and its twin village Bahzani were recaptured earlier this month by Pershmerga fighters.
Returning priests were tasked with cleaning up the mess left behind by fleeing ISIS fighters prior to the ceremony according to Reverend Afram al-Khoury Benyamen who led observers in prayer.
The area is predominantly settled by Yezidi and Shaba residents numbering approximately 140,000 prior to 2014.
SOURCE: RT
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