Assyrians: Ancient Roots, Living Faith, and Enduring Traditions

Across the sunlit hills of Tur Abdin, the fertile plains of Nineveh, and the ancient valleys of Mesopotamia, a remarkable continuity still endures. The Assyrians — heirs to one of the world’s earliest civilizations — have carried their culture, language, and traditions through millennia of change. Their story is not simply one of the past, of kings and empires long gone, but of living communities that still light candles in stone churches, sing in the ancient Syriac tongue, and gather joyfully to celebrate the turning of the seasons. To travel through Assyrian lands is to experience a culture where history breathes and faith remains a gentle rhythm of daily life.

The roots of the Assyrian people stretch back more than four thousand years, to the cradle of civilization between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. During the height of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, in the 9th to 7th centuries BCE, rulers such as Tiglath-Pileser III, Sargon II, and Ashurbanipal built magnificent cities like Nineveh and Nimrud. Their palaces were adorned with sculpted reliefs depicting royal hunts, processions, and battles, and their libraries collected the world’s first great archives of literature and knowledge. Though the empires of Mesopotamia eventually yielded to new powers, the Assyrians preserved a sense of identity that transcended time — through their language, artistry, and devotion.

Christianity became the spiritual foundation of Assyrian life. From the earliest centuries of the faith, Assyrian communities embraced it wholeheartedly, developing a rich ecclesiastical tradition that reached across Asia. The Church of the East, the Chaldean Catholic Church, and the Syriac Orthodox Church became pillars of education and culture. Monasteries served not only as places of worship but as centers of scholarship, where monks copied manuscripts, composed hymns, and preserved the Syriac language — a form of Aramaic still used in liturgy today.

Among the highlights of our Mesopotamian tour of Turkey is the magnificent Mor Gabriel Monastery near Midyat

The golden-stoned Deyrulzafaran Monastery near Mardin and the Mor Gabriel Monastery near Midyat remain among the most beautiful spiritual sites in the region. Walking through their cool stone corridors, one can hear ancient prayers echo beneath vaulted ceilings and sense a living connection to centuries of devotion. These monasteries, surrounded by olive groves and vineyards, are more than historic monuments — they are vibrant symbols of continuity and faith.

Tur Abdin, whose name means “Mountain of the Servants of God,” is the cultural heartland of the Assyrians in southeastern Turkey. Its landscape unfolds in terraces of vines and fig trees, dotted with graceful bell towers rising above stone villages. Life here follows the natural rhythm of the seasons. In the morning, the air fills with the sound of church bells and the aroma of freshly baked bread. Families tend their gardens, herd their flocks, and gather in courtyards shaded by grapevines to share coffee and conversation. Each home tells a story: carved wooden doors bear crosses and floral motifs, while hand-embroidered fabrics record family traditions passed down through generations.

One of the most evocative villages in Tur Abdin is Haberli, a small settlement nestled among rolling hills not far from Midyat. Its simple stone houses, built from warm limestone, seem to glow in the afternoon sun. At the heart of the village stands the Church of St. George, where services are still held in Syriac. The bells mark the hours, echoing softly across the valley. During the summer months, families return from abroad to spend time in their ancestral homes, restoring walls, tending orchards, and celebrating traditional festivals. The highlight of the year is Kha b-Nissan, the Assyrian New Year, when the village fills with color and song. People wear embroidered costumes, children carry flowers and greenery, and musicians play the rhythmic tunes of ancient dances. Haberli feels timeless — a place where heritage is not displayed, but lived.

Throughout the region, Assyrian craftsmanship reflects a deep sense of harmony between beauty and meaning. Wood carving, metalwork, and intricate jewelry are among the traditional arts still practiced today. Embroidery often features stylized crosses, stars, and vines — motifs that connect faith, nature, and family. In every object lies a story, linking the present generation to those who came before.

Rabban Hormizd Monastery near Alqosh is one of the highlights of our Iraqi Kurdistan tour

Across the border in Iraq, the historic Nineveh Plains preserve another heart of Assyrian culture. Towns such as Al-Qosh, Bartella, Tel Keppe, and Karamlesh remain places where the Syriac language and traditions thrive. The Monastery of Rabban Hormizd near Al-Qosh, carved into a cliff, is an extraordinary example of early Christian architecture. Its quiet halls and ancient manuscripts invite reflection on the spiritual depth of this community. Today, as families restore homes and churches, they continue age-old customs of hospitality, education, and communal life, showing how cultural memory can thrive even in changing times.

Farther north, in the Caucasus, the Assyrian story took on new dimensions. During the 19th and 20th centuries, Assyrians migrated to regions of Georgia and Armenia, where they established new villages while maintaining their language and faith. In Georgia, the monastery of the Thirteen Assyrian Fathers near Mtskheta stands as a symbol of the long spiritual connection between the Georgian and Syriac traditions. Services are still conducted in both languages, offering visitors a glimpse into a remarkable blend of cultures.

Music and art are essential threads in the Assyrian cultural fabric. Traditional songs carry the rhythms of the past — sometimes joyful, sometimes haunting — and are often accompanied by hand drums and string instruments. Through music, stories are remembered and emotions shared. The influence of Assyrian melodies extends far beyond their own communities. Even the legendary singer Fairuz, known as the “voice of the Arab world,” had an Assyrian father, a reminder of how deeply Assyrian culture has shaped the broader Middle Eastern artistic landscape.

Daily life in Assyrian homes blends simplicity with warmth. Many traditional houses are built around a central courtyard, where herbs, pomegranates, and flowers grow. The rooftops, flat and open, serve as places for drying fruit, stargazing, and evening gatherings. Hospitality is a cornerstone of the culture — visitors are greeted with strong coffee scented with cardamom, plates of sweet pastries made with dates and honey, and generous smiles. Meals bring families together and often last for hours, filled with conversation, laughter, and song. Cuisine draws inspiration from Mesopotamian and Middle Eastern flavors: stuffed vegetables, lentil soups, grilled meats, and fresh herbs that mirror the abundance of the land.

Festivals mark the seasons with joy and community spirit. The most beloved is Kha b-Nissan, celebrated every spring. The holiday welcomes the new year and the renewal of nature. Villages and cities alike come alive with processions, dancing, and music. Young people wear colorful traditional clothes, women weave garlands of flowers, and tables are laden with festive dishes. More than a celebration, Kha b-Nissan expresses gratitude — for life, for continuity, and for the simple beauty of belonging.

Assyrian culture has also found new homes far beyond Mesopotamia. Across Europe, the Americas, and Australia, vibrant diaspora communities have built churches, schools, and cultural associations. They teach Neo-Aramaic to their children, organize folk dance groups, and celebrate traditional festivals with pride. These communities embody the same resilience that has sustained the Assyrians for centuries, showing that identity can travel, adapt, and flourish anywhere in the world.

What makes the Assyrian story so captivating is its quiet strength. It is a story not only of ancient empires but of people who have continued to nurture language, art, and faith despite the passage of time. In the courtyards of Tur Abdin, the vineyards of Al-Qosh, and the prayer halls of Georgian monasteries, the same gentle rhythm endures — the belief that memory is a form of life. The Assyrians remind us that heritage is not something preserved behind glass but lived in daily gestures, in songs sung by children, in the aroma of freshly baked bread, and in the ringing of bells at dusk.

For travelers, visiting Assyrian communities is more than sightseeing — it is an encounter with a living civilization. In Mardin or Midyat, one can wander through narrow stone streets, hear ancient prayers echo from chapels, and meet artisans whose families have lived there for generations. In Haberli, guests are welcomed with warmth and curiosity; they may share a meal, join a dance, or simply sit in the shade, listening to the language of Christ spoken as naturally as it was two thousand years ago.

To journey through these lands is to discover not a relic of the past but a living heritage that continues to evolve while remaining true to its essence. The Assyrians show that culture survives not through monuments alone but through people — through their hospitality, craftsmanship, and faith in continuity. Their presence across Mesopotamia and beyond stands as a quiet, graceful testament to endurance and to the timeless beauty of the human spirit.