Tur Abdin - The cradle of the Christian soul of Europe

On March 16, 2022, an event of the Dames of the Order of St. George and the Order Academy of took place in the Order’s Residence under the title “Tur Abdin – Cradle of the Christian Soul”, which was attended, among others, by our Grand Master Karl von Habsburg, his daughter Gloria and our Procurator Baron Vinzenz von Stimpfl-Abele.

The General Secretary of the Dames, Baroness Gabriela von Stimpfl-Abele, emphasised in her introduction that Tur Abdin is more than just an interesting cultural topic, also more than just an important chapter of religious history, namely an endangered root of Christianity. A root that needs to be protected. Furthermore, she pointed out that a study trip to this region steeped in history is planned for the end of August, in which a limited number of Dames and Knights of the Order can participate.

In his statement, our Grand Master addressed the identity-forming significance of Tur Abdin and said: “Tur Abdin still carries the origins of the soul of Europe in an impressive way and today’s lecture is an excursion into a living history. The early Christian heritage is truly still active there and I am glad that especially this year, when the soul of Europe is in the spotlight, the Order of St. George is dealing with this fantastic piece of earth and this so important heritage.”

Priv.-Doz. Dr. Aho Shemunkasho then gave highly interesting insights into history and culture, but also the current situation on the “Mountain of the Servants of God”, which is what the name Tur Abdin means in translation. The lecturer is an expert in Syrian history and theology at the Paris Lodron University of Salzburg and himself comes from Tur Abdin.