Pilgrimage to mountain villages signifies strengthened ties with homeland

A group of more than one hundred Assyrians from France embarked on a journey across southeastern Türkiye's mountainous Sirnak and adjacent regions, reconnecting with their ancestral villages and historic landmarks. The pilgrimage, which began in late September, is scheduled to continue until Thursday, October 2, with visits also to monasteries, churches, and villages in the nearby Turabdin Region.

The Sirnak province and its surroundings have been off limits for decades due to the terror inflicted on the area by the Kurdish PKK. A handful of Assyrians have been able to return to their villages and an increasing number have been able to visit in recent years as the fighting has subsided.

The group, led by archbishop Anar, visited several Assyrian villages where historic churches and cemeteries remain central landmarks. The archbishop played a pivotal role in the journey, acting as a bridge between the Assyrian community in France - where he served as a priest for many years - and the local communities in the visited areas.

In Gaznakh, the group joined local residents for a day that combined prayers and community celebration. The core group from France, already substantial, was joined by additional visitors and local participants, nearly doubling the number of attendees during some visits.

One of the most notable events of the journey took place in the village of Ischy, where Mass was celebrated in the Church of Mar Yawsep Hazzaya for the first time in more than 40 years.

The program also included a visit to the village of Baznayé, where prayers were held. In contrast, when the group reached the village of Meer, planned festivities were called off. Sobriety prevailed in memory of Hurmuz and Şimuni Diril, an Assyrian couple who disappeared on January 11, 2020. Şimuni’s body was found on March 21 of the same year, while Hurmuz remains missing. Beyond the spiritual aspects, the journey also featured official encounters. The mayor of Beytüşşebap, Kamil Durmuş, personally welcomed the group and later hosted them for dinner, while the district governor, Mehmet Furkan Taşkıran, received them in an official visit.

“We were not only welcomed, but also felt treated almost like VIPs"

Speaking about the broader context, Shmuel Beth David of Ninway TV who is part of the visiting group noted the contrast with earlier decades. He described how the group was escorted by Turkish military at certain points, with roads secured in advance to ensure their safety. According to him: “The group was not only welcomed, but also felt treated almost like VIPs. Assyrians no longer have the fear that once existed, they feel protected,” he said.

"One third of the group is openly talking about reclaiming their lands"

At the same time, Shmuel pointed to a degree of hesitation within the group when it comes to actually returning to the semi-abandoned villages: “There is still skepticism about the idea of returning fully,” he explained. “Living here again with our families and children is something difficult to imagine. But discussions are happening. Some talk about coming back for the summer, rebuilding houses, especially rebuilding churches. I would say roughly one third of the group is openly talking about reclaiming their lands and restoring homes so that they can spend part of the year here. It’s a beginning”, he added.

For the diaspora participants, the pilgrimage was more than a cultural visit. By praying in churches, gathering in villages, and meeting local residents, they were able to strengthen ties to their ancestral homeland. Such encounters underline the continuing presence of Assyrians in the region and contribute to a broader movement encouraging members of the diaspora to maintain, and in some cases re-establish, a presence in their historic lands.

The is the latest such group visit to this area of the traditional Assyrian homeland, signifying the beginning of a similar positive development that has been ongoing in the Turabdin Region.