Christians from across Iraq gathered in Erbil on September 14 to mark the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, ten years after many sought refuge there from Islamic State violence.

The celebration brought together five ancient Churches—including the Chaldean, Assyrian, Armenian Orthodox, Syriac Catholic, and Syriac Orthodox—for a week of prayer, cultural events, and sporting competitions.

John Newton of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), which supported the festival, called the commemoration “deeply symbolic.”

“A decade ago, ISIS sought to erase Christianity from this land,” Newton said. “Today, the very same communities raise the cross high in public squares and joyful processions. Faith has survived, and hope is stronger than death.”

Christians, once numbering more than a million under Saddam Hussein, now number fewer than 250,000. ACN continues to support their return to ancestral towns by rebuilding churches, homes, and schools.

“These are churches with ancient roots, and today they’re taking unity seriously,” Newton said. “Having suffered exile together, they’re finding what unites them in Christ.”

Quoting Archbishop Bashar Warda, Newton added: “From the land of Abraham, where Christians suffered exile and persecution, comes a word of hope: We are still here… and the cross has not been silenced.”