Historical Photos

Scouts and St Jacob of Nisibis in Qamishli

Members of the Syriac Orthodox scouts of Qamishli in front of the first church in Qamishli built in 1925 by the Aramean immigrants to the Syrian Gozarto

Gathered in a Circle: Aramean Life in Bote

Arameans gathered together in the village of Bote, Tur Abdin, in the early 1970s. As they sit and converse, a woman works with a spindle, continuing a traditional practice passed down through generations. The photograph offers a glimpse into the everyday life, customs, and communal bonds that shaped the Aramean villages of Tur Abdin

Botoyo Family

An Aramean family in the village of Bote, Tur Abdin, in the early 1970s

Malfono Isa and Bote

Malfono Isa Garis, now serving as Archdeacon of Tur Abdin, stands in the fields surrounding his native village of Bote in the 1970s

Truck and men in Kafro ‘Elayto

Young men and children of Kafro ‘Elayto gathered beside a truck outside the village, sometime in the 1970s–1980s. A glimpse of everyday life in Kafro, of the people, friendships, and memories that shaped the village before emigration transformed its community.

Kafro ‘Elayto's Team of 1977

A 1977 photograph of the football team of Kafro ‘Elayto, an Aramean-majority team representing the village and its community. Top row, left to right: Musa Çiçek, Musa Nihal, Yusuf Sercan, Yusuf Ercan, Hasni Haristan, Ilyas Çuklu. Bottom row, left to right: Abdo Katalanc, Numan Tolu, Hasni Katalanc, Denho Aktürk, Yause Çağrı, Barsaumo Taiyak. A snapshot of the young men who carried the spirit of the Upper Kafro onto the football field and the end of the 1970s

Children of the High Kafro

Children of Kafro ‘Elayto, the “High Village,” gathered together in the 1980s to share rice and a traditional meal, most probably a white bean stew called ''Fasuliye'', sitting together on the floor as was customary

Kefre Spor 1999

Kefre Spor finished third in the 1999–2000 Kaymakamlık Cup. The team was made up of Arameans and Kurds, with the majority being Kurdish, as most of the Aramean families from the village of Kafro ‘Elayto had already emigrated by then. Despite this, Kefre Spor brought together the community through sport and proudly represented the village on the field.

Priest, Teacher, and Students of Beth Kustan

A photograph taken in 1976 of Aramean church school students alongside Priest Yusuf Demir and Melphono Murat Can.

Aramean Villagers of Beth Kustan Gathered

A group of Aramean villagers of all ages gathered together in front of historic stone ruins in the village of Beth Kustan.

Aramean Men, Teens, and Boys of Beth Kustan

Aramean men, teenagers, and boys of Beth Kustan alongside the village priest, Abuna Gabriel Aktaş.

Deacon With His Aramean Students

Gospel Deacon Gabriel Aktaş (now the village priest) and his Aramean students. Gabriel Aktaş was first a Gospel Deacon and currently serves as the village priest. He began his journey as a student in the church school in 1976 alongside P. Yusuf Demir and Melphono Murat Can. He later served as a teacher at the school across two separate terms, first from 1978 to 1980, and then for a second time from 1985 to 1991.

Teacher With Aramean Students of Beth Kustan

Malfono Şabo Aktaş and his students, representing the Aramean school of Mor Eliyo in Beth Kustan. The picture was taken in 1984.

Children with Teacher, Beth Qustan

Aramean children in the church yard near the village school of Beth Qustan, 1998, gathered with their teacher (malfono), reflecting the close bond between faith, education, and community life in Tur Abdin.

Qusnoye men and boys at the well

Qusnoye men and boys gathered at the village well during the hot season, sharing water and moments of daily life under the sun.

Men of Beth Qustan, 1960s

Four Aramean men in the village of Beth Qustan, Tur Abdin, during the 1960s; brotherhood and village life

Be Barsaumo Wedding in Badibe

A glimpse into a cherished moment from 1974–1977: the wedding of Sabri and Aznif Elma dBe Barsaumo in the village of Beth Debe (Badibe). Villagers gathered together in joy and celebration, sharing laughter, music, and tradition. The sound of the kemence filled the air as people came together in happiness, preserving a timeless expression of Aramean culture, unity, and love.

Patriarchal and clergymen of Tur Abdin, 1965

In 1965, Patriarch Ignatius Yaʿqub III visited the greater Tur Abdin. At the Saffron Monastery, he is seen with prominent archpriests of the region: standing with him are Khuroyo Samuel Ezber, Khuroyo Malke Afram Arboyo of Qamishli, and Khuroyo Numan Aydin of Midyat; seated are Khuroyo Aho Badiboyo of Sederi and Khuroyo Malke Badiboyo.

Festive Gatherings in Beth Debe

Festive gatherings in Beth Debe, Tur Izlo, Tur Abdin, 1970s. Aramean men share a communal feast, while another image shows a large group of men and boys gathered in the village, reflecting community and tradition.

Liturgy at Beth Debe, 1970s

Liturgy at the Mother of God Syriac Orthodox Church, attended by the Aramean community of Beth Debe, Tur Izlo region, 1970s. The scene shows a priest and deacons leading the service, with men gathered at the front and women standing at the back.

Deacons of the Syriac Orthodox Church in São Paulo

Patriarchal Bull for the Mor Yuhanon Church, São Paulo (1958)

A patriarchal document issued in 1958 marking the laying of the foundation stone and the inauguration of Mor Yuhanon (Saint John the Baptist) Church in São Paulo, Brazil. It records the ceremony, acknowledges clergy and benefactors, and offers blessings for the growth of the Syriac Orthodox community. The letter reads: "PATRIARCHAL BULL Laying of the Foundation Stone On April 21 of the year 1958, a Monday, at 3:00 PM, we laid the foundation stone of the Church of Saint John the Baptist in São Paulo, on the land donated by the late João Gabriel, who was generous and zealous for our Church. With the participation of Dom (Mor) Athanasius Yeshou Samuel, Archbishop of the United States and Canada. Present at this solemnity was Mr. Ignatius Ferzeli, Orthodox Metropolitan of São Paulo, with his clergy, and other priests of ours and other Eastern Churches, and a massive presence of our spiritual children from the capital of São Paulo. The solemnity of this launch was beautiful and solemn, enriched by sacred hymns and chants in Aramaic, and accompanied by beautiful music in Portuguese, offered by the Government of São Paulo. May God grant well-deserved rest, in the dwellings of light, to the most kind soul of the late João Gabriel, protecting and blessing his widow and children, giving them the desired material and spiritual prosperity. May God realize the dream of our faithful to see the aforementioned Holy Church built. We exhort and encourage our spiritual children, whether the president of the Parish Council of the Church of Saint John the Baptist or its members, to strive for the building of the referred church and in everything necessary for its growth. May God help you, in order to practice everything that pleases His Holy Name. As a pledge of our gratitude, we leave our blessing in this Patriarchal Bull. São Paulo-SP, April 21, 1958 Inauguration of the Church On August 10, 1958, a Sunday morning, we inaugurated and consecrated the aforementioned Church in a beautiful spiritual solemnity. The building of the Church was done in record time for me and for the majority; it was a miracle from God. This is proof of the zeal, affection, and dedication of the president and other members of the Parish Council and other faithful. May God help you to always perform good deeds. Amen! São Paulo-SP, August 10, 1958"

Buildinging of the Mor Yuhanon Church in São Paulo

Early Aramean Community of Brazil