Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako, patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, presided over a Divine Liturgy in the Chaldean rite at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on Sunday, May 25, marking the World Day of Eastern Christians. The annual observance, held on the sixth Sunday of Easter, is organized by the French association L’Œuvre d’Orient and serves as a day of prayer, encounter, and unity between Eastern and Latin Christian traditions.
This year’s celebration drew clergy and faithful from diverse backgrounds, reflecting the universal character of the Church. A key highlight of the liturgy was the blessing of eight newly painted icons representing early saints of Eastern Christianity. The icons, created by French and Middle Eastern artists, were anointed with chrism during the service and are set to be installed in the newly dedicated St. George Chapel within the cathedral. The chapel has been designated as a spiritual space for Eastern Christians.
In his address, Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris emphasized the sacred significance of icons in the Eastern tradition, calling them “true windows into eternity” and “a faithful witness to the faith of the entire Church.” He expressed hope that the chapel would become a place of prayer and pilgrimage for Eastern Christians, underscoring the archdiocese’s commitment to honoring their heritage as part of the cathedral’s restoration efforts.
Cardinal Sako praised the restoration of Notre-Dame and spoke of the deep roots of Christianity in the East. “The East formed the roots of Christianity, while the West, through its missionaries, became its beating heart,” he said. The dedication of the chapel, he added, is a powerful symbol of the Church’s unity and universality. He also thanked the French Church for its support during the persecution of Christians under ISIS.
Among the featured icons is one of St. Ignatius of Antioch, commissioned by L’Œuvre d’Orient and created by Syrian artist Neemat Badwi. Speaking to ACI MENA, Badwi explained that the collection includes depictions of saints from various ancient Christian centers: Andrew of Constantinople, James of Jerusalem, Mark of Alexandria, Gregory the Illuminator of Armenia, Thomas of India, Addai and Mari of Seleucia-Ctesiphon (modern-day Iraq), Frumentius of Ethiopia, and Ignatius of Antioch.
Badwi noted that the icon of St. Ignatius was not modeled after an existing image but was instead an original composition, requiring nearly three months to complete. He delivered the icons personally in Paris, traveling from Aleppo with his brother, fellow artist Bashir Badwi. Their visit coincided with the Louvre’s “In Flesh and Gold” conference at the Michelangelo Gallery, which explored the art and restoration of sacred icons.
The event underscored the enduring vitality of Eastern Christian traditions and their place within the broader fabric of global Catholicism.
