Saint Joseph Chaldean Church

The Chaldean Church of Joseph in Aleppo, also known as the Cathedral of Saint Joseph, is a prominent historical and religious landmark in the city. Founded in the mid-19th century by Chaldean merchant families who came from Mosul and settled outside the city walls, the church was built using limestone, with a Roman arch and oval windows, reflecting the architectural style prevalent at that time.
The church is dedicated to Yusuf al-Najjar and is the seat of the Chaldean Catholic Archdiocese of Aleppo, which was officially established in 1957 by a papal decree from Pope Pius XII. The archdiocese is directly under the Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans and the number of its parishioners is estimated to be around 35,000 people in 2009.
In 2005, the church underwent extensive restoration, including the renewal of the wooden roof. During the war, the church provided shelter for University of Aleppo students arriving from the countryside. In 2021, a concert of Aramaic hymns, titled Hymn of the East, was performed by the church choir, reviving church musical traditions.
Currently, the church hosts Syriac language workshops for children, contributing to the preservation of the Chaldean linguistic and cultural heritage.