St. George's Church

A video based on a presentation made by Iraqi lay-pastor Faiz.

St George's Church, Baghdad is situated on Haifa Street in the "Red Zone" of Baghdad. Its vibrant congregation of over 3,700 Iraqi Christians are overseen by Canon Andrew White and lay pastor Faiz. The FRRME is the only supporter of the church outside of Iraq. We channel support from around the world into this strong and vital, but extremely vulnerable Church.

The security situation in Iraq continues to affect church life, and several armed guards keep watch over the building, safeguarding church members during services.  A bus collects most members and brings them to the church, hoping to avoid kidnap. However, in spite of preventative efforts, the reality of violence remains.

One Sunday, a  would-be suicide bomber managed to get into the church building, but, mercifully, they were removed by security before they could detonate their explosives.  More recently  a bomb exploded outside the church,  shattering church windows and injuring many of the congregation. In spite of the risks, thousands of people take their chances each week and come to church.

Canon Andrew writes in one of his updates from Baghdad:

It is wonderful to be back in Baghdad as usual. Each time I arrive I think the problems can not get any worse but each time they do. I wish I could speak of the enormity of the present difficulties but I can not. Yesterday was a very bad day, but today has been a Church day and it simply gets more wonderful every week. The people are amazing and full of love. It is indescribable to speak of the depth of the love of these people, they are simply wonderful.