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Hans Hollerweger: 95 years of dedication to the Christian Orient!
Prof. Hans Hollerweger, expert on oriental Christianity, celebrates his 95th birthday in Linz on February 13th.
Hans Hollerweger: 95 years of dedication to the Christian Orient!
The 95th birthday of Prof. Hans Hollerweger, one of the most important experts on oriental Christianity, will be celebrated in Linz on February 13th. Hollerweger, who founded the “Initiative Christian Orient” (ICO) around 35 years ago, is known not only for his expertise in liturgy, but also for his tireless commitment to the beleaguered Christians in the Middle East. A preliminary celebration took place on Friday in the ICO's new premises in the Linz seminary, which was attended by Bishop Manfred Scheuer and ICO chairman Slawomir Dadas, among others. How Kathpress reported, Hollerweger emphasized the responsibility of Christians in the West not to abandon their brothers and sisters in the Orient.
A life for help in the Orient
Prof. Hollerweger, who was born in St. Georgen im Attergau in 1930, made a name for himself particularly in the Turabdin region in southeastern Turkey, where he helped with village development for around two decades. He was instrumental in documenting the challenges faced by Christian communities during conflicts between Kurdish fighters and the Turkish military. This pioneering work attracted national and international attention. Hollerweger, who was awarded the title of “Chorepiskopos of the Chaldean Church of Kirkuk” by the Chaldean Catholic Patriarch Louis Raphael I Sako in 2006, remains active even in old age. He is currently working on a book about Christians in Iraq, as he mentioned in an interview.
His connections to the Christian communities in Syria, Lebanon and Kurdish northern Iraq show that his commitment extends beyond national borders. His efforts include a variety of support projects, including bringing olive woodwork from Bethlehem to Austria to fund Caritas Jerusalem aid projects. Lastly, how the Diocese of Linz announced, there are numerous publications and projects that were created under Hollerweger's leadership and continue to help ensure the well-being of Christian communities under pressure.