Streaming the Sacred

A still photo from the kids program “Kids Bible with Fr. Simon.”

Chaldean faith in the digital age

By Michael Antoon

When people think of Catholic media, they usually don’t picture young Chaldean priests eating tacos while discussing the latest Church news, kids rating snacks during Bible study, or candid conversations about faith, culture, and daily life. Yet, this is exactly what Qurbana Media brings to the table. Founded by a small yet dedicated team within the Chaldean Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle for the Western United States, Qurbana Media is quickly becoming a trusted name—not only among Chaldeans but also within the broader Catholic digital media world.

I had the opportunity to speak with Andrew Hermiz, the Executive Director of Qurbana Media, to learn more about the vision behind this growing digital ministry. What began as an idea among a few Chaldean priests has now become a platform offering something rare: Catholic content that feels real—and genuinely Chaldean.

Fr. Simon Esshaki, who serves as pastor of St. Michael Chaldean Church in El Cajon, California, has a vibrant social media ministry. He said, “Qurbana Media is a collaborative effort by priests of our eparchy to spread the message of the Gospel and the beauty of the Chaldean Church to all our members, as well as to anybody else in the world who wants to learn more about our church and spirituality.”

Currently, Qurbana Media produces three main shows. The most popular is Feeding Fathers, an informal discussion series where Chaldean priests sit down to talk about faith and current events, ending the episode by breaking bread together. The show captures the charisma and brotherhood of the priests, giving viewers a rare chance to see their spiritual leaders in a more personal light.

The main priests who currently participate in Feeding Fathers include Chorbishop Andrew Younan, Abbot Ankido Sipo, Fr. Simon Esshaki, Fr. Daniel Shaba, Fr. Tristan Farida, and Fr. Chris Somo. The show has also featured other priests from the eparchy, as well as guest priests from Michigan, including Fr. Perrin Atisha and Fr. Patrick Setto. Special episodes have included appearances by the Chaldean Sisters and monks.

Another show is Kids Bible Study hosted by Fr. Simon Esshaki, where children from the eparchy engage in Scripture reading and discussion while trying different snacks. The show mixes teaching with humor and casual dialogue, making it especially approachable for younger viewers.

The newest addition is Martyr Mentality, hosted by Fr. Ankido Sipo, which explores deeper theological topics and features guest conversations. Each show is designed with a specific audience in mind but remains rooted in the mission of spreading the Gospel through a Chaldean lens.

Andrew shared that the production process is fast-paced and very intentional. A typical Feeding Fathers episode is recorded on a Tuesday and released by Thursday. Episodes are often unscripted, with the priests walking into the studio and recording casual conversations that still carry depth and purpose. The team records at St. John Chaldean Church in California, where they’ve set up a dedicated studio space for filming and editing.

With a small team of three, Qurbana Media operates with an impressive level of efficiency. With Andrew overseeing production, they’re able to film, edit, and release a weekly episode of Feeding Fathers alongside their other projects.

Of course, running a Catholic media outlet comes with challenges. One of the biggest, Andrew noted, is time—especially since the priests involved are dedicated full-time to their parishes. Balancing ministry and media is no small task.

Another challenge is growth: how to expand the audience while staying true to Chaldean Catholic roots. As Andrew put it, “We want to broaden our reach without losing who we are.” That growth is already underway. Qurbana Media is available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Instagram, with a steadily growing audience.

For those interested in Chaldean spirituality, culture, and history, Qurbana Media is a one-stop outlet. The shows capture something rare in Catholic media—a glimpse into our own people, our humor, our liturgies, and our way of living the faith. Viewers often comment on how refreshing it is to see Chaldean clergy speak so openly and connect so authentically.

Qurbana Media also produced a lecture series by Chorbishop Andrew Younan based on his book Narsai: Selected Sermons—a study on the theology and homilies (memre) of Mar Narsai, one of the great thinkers and saints of the Church of the East. The book is available on Amazon, and the lecture series is featured on Qurbana Media’s YouTube channel.

Looking to the future, Qurbana Media hopes to launch a monthly donor model, expand into new formats, and become a lasting Catholic media presence alongside respected platforms like Word on Fire and Catholic Answers.

Community support will be key. Andrew emphasized how vital it is for Chaldeans and Catholics alike to support the mission—through prayer, sharing content, leaving reviews, and eventually participating in fundraising efforts. “It doesn’t take much to make a big impact,” he said. “Just hit share.”

Ultimately, Qurbana Media isn’t just about producing content—it’s about connection. It gives Chaldeans in the diaspora a spiritual lifeline, a way to feel seen and grounded in our faith and culture. And it introduces the beauty of Chaldean Catholicism to the wider Church.

“Our hope,” Andrew said, “is that Qurbana Media becomes something our community can be proud of—a place where Chaldean voices, faith, and stories are shared, preserved, and celebrated for generations to come.”