Find Your WayCome Home
Whether you have been away for a few months or many years, there is a place waiting for you.
Maybe you were baptized as a child, grew up hearing the liturgy in Syriac, and celebrated the great feasts with your family, but somewhere along the way church slipped out of your life. Perhaps it was a move to a new country, a demanding job, a disappointment, or simply the slow drift of busy years. If something in your heart is calling you back, pay attention to it. It may be God Himself inviting you home.
Consider this page your personal invitation. Your brothers and sisters in Christ have missed you. Our churches are not complete without you, and no matter why you left, you are welcome to return.
Simple steps to come home
- PrayStart where you are. Speak to God honestly, even if it has been a long time. The Lord's Prayer, prayed by Assyrian Christians for centuries in their own tongue, is a beautiful place to begin.
- Find a church near youLook for an Assyrian or Chaldean parish, or another parish of your tradition, in your city. See our Find a Church page for guidance.
- Talk with a priestReach out to your local priest. Share your questions, your story, and your hopes. Priests welcome these conversations, and you will not be judged for having been away.
- Return to the Holy QurbanaCome back to the Divine Liturgy. Ask your priest how to prepare to receive the sacraments again, including confession where your church practices it.
- Reconnect with communityJoin a youth group, Bible study, choir, language class, or volunteer ministry. Faith grows best among family and friends.
Find the peace only God can give
The longing you feel can be fulfilled in Christ and in the community of His Church. Many have walked this road before you: they came back to prayer, to the liturgy, and to the people who love them, and found a renewed relationship with the God who never stopped loving them.
What if I was hurt by people in the church?
The Church is made up of imperfect people, and sometimes they let us down. That pain is real. But Christ never disappoints, and He remains present in His Church. Consider bringing your concerns to a priest or a trusted elder, and allow the Lord to bring healing. Do not let the failings of some keep you from the faith that sustained our people through every trial.
What if I don't speak Assyrian or Syriac well?
You are not alone. Many in the diaspora grew up speaking English, Arabic, Swedish, or another language at home. Many parishes offer prayers or homilies in more than one language, and some offer classes in Assyrian. Come as you are; you can learn along the way.