CWN - The growing power of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), which now controls much of Iraq and Syria, has roused new fears for Christians in the region.

Two Chaldean Catholic nuns were abducted by Islamic militants in Mosul, Iraq, on June 28, along with three children from an orphanage they administered. Church authorities said that they had heard reports that the kidnap victims were in good conditions, but remained “extremely worried” about their situation.

In Aleppo, Syria, ISIL militants crucified nine people in the town square, AsiaNews reports. The victims were political opponents of ISIL, but the method of execution was particularly chilling to Christians.

Chaldean Catholic Patriarch Louis Raphael I Sako said that he had appealed to Muslim leaders “to issue fatwas against sectarian violence” as the Islamic world enters the season of Ramadan. Having visited villages in the area threatened by ISIL, the Chaldean prelate reported that Muslims as well as Christians were leaving their homes to escape the violence. He said that the situation is now confused and “we don’t know where all this is going to lead.”

Joachim and Anna Rejoice

Today the bonds of childlessness are loosed, * for God has heard Joachim and Anna * and He promises manifestly that they, against all hope, would give birth to the Maiden of God * from whom the Uncircumscribed One Himself would be born, becoming man, * and he commanded the Angels to cry out to her: * “Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with you!” (Troparion - Tone 4)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Today the whole world celebrates * the conception of Anne which was brought about by God, * for she gave birth to the one who, beyond understanding, * gave birth to the Word. (Kontakion - Tone 4)

Saint Nicholas of Myra

The truth of your deeds has revealed you to your flock, * as a rule of faith, an image of meekness, and a teacher of abstinence. * Therefore, you attained the heights through humility, * and riches through poverty. * O Father and Hierarch Nicholas, * pray to Christ God that our souls may be saved. (Troparion, Tone 4)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

In Myra, You were shown to be a servant of the sacred things, O Holy Nicholas, * for, fulfilling the Gospel of Christ, you, O Venerable, laid down your life for your people, * and saved the innocent from death. * Therefore, you were sanctified as a great initiate of the grace of God. (Kontakion, Tone 3)