Iraqi Christians have held the first Sunday mass at the Grand Immaculate Church since it was recaptured from Islamic State. Two Iraqi priests (pictured) conducted the service inside the church in the city of Qaraqosh while Iraqi forces battled for Mosul 20 miles away.
The church is Iraq’s largest, and used to summon more than 3,000 people every week. The Catholic ceremony was conducted in Aramaic and was the first of its kind in two years.