The Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church has asked his people to undertake a pre-Christmas fast for the needs of Christian refugees in Iraq.

Patriarch Raphael Louis Sako suggested fasting from December 22 through Christmas Eve, and avoiding “worldly celebration” on Christmas and New Year’s days, in solidarity with “displaced brothers and sisters, who are going through indescribable suffering.” He encouraged prayer, fasting, and acts of charity for the refugees during the remainder of Advent.

“We fast for the liberation of Mosul and the villages of the Nineveh plains, so that peace and security will return to these areas, and everyone will be able to return to his or her home, job and school,” the Patriarch said.

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