Monks from Erbil, Iraq are using digital technology to preserve ancient manuscripts that are being threatened by recent ISIS attacks in the country. Father Najeeb Michaeel has been working in conjunction with Father Columba Stewart of the Hill Museum & Manuscript Library in Minnesota on a digitizing project wherein ancient Christian manuscripts are being photographed and made available worldwide for scholars and civilians alike to read. The library is hidden in a secret location and it houses a huge collection of books gathered by Father Michaeel from all over Iraq.

Father Columba is one such scholar. He studies ancient manuscripts dating back to Jesus' time. He noted that these manuscripts are written in two dialects: western Syriac and eastern Syriac. He added that the manuscripts are invaluable in studying the way prayers change when translated into a different dialect.

In an NPR report, Father Michaeel described how since 2008 he and other monks had been smuggling parts of their library to safety. With ISIS looming closer than ever last year, he made the decision to transport the majority of the collection to a safe house using a large truck. "We passed three checkpoints without any problem, and I think the Virgin Mary [had] a hand to protect us," he said.

He further noted that he knew of other monks who have lost entire libraries to the attacks, and that monasteries and churches are possibly being used as prisons by the extremists. He referred to the books as his children, and as a father or mother's instinct dictates, he had to do whatever he could to save them.

Monks have reportedly conceded in private that all Christians will eventually be driven out of Iraq, and as such are working very hard to preserve what remains of the ancient Christian documents.