Assyrian Church News Official News Site of the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East

On Wednesday 30th October 2024 a special luncheon was hosted in honour of His Holiness Catholicos-Patriarch Mar Awa III at the Archbishopric of His Eminence Mar Meelis Zaia AM, Sydney. With great pleasure the Archdiocese hosted the many heads of churches in Sydney. This included: – His Eminence Archbishop Robert Rabbat of the Melkite Catholic Church of Australia and New Zealand – His Eminence Archishop Mar Amel Nona of the Chaldean Catholic Church of Australia and New Zealand – His Eminence Archbishop Mor Malatius Malki Malki of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Australia & New Zealand – His Eminence Archbishop Georges Casmoussa of the Syriac Catholic Church in Sydney – His Excellency Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay of the Maronite Eparchy of Australia, New Zealand and Oceania – Reverend Fr Nekatros Nemme representing His Eminence Archbishop Basilios Kodseie of the Antiochian Orthodox Church Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines – Reverend Monsignor Basil Sousanian of the Armenian Catholic Church in Sydney – Rev Anastasios Bozikis (President) & Mr David Rose (Secretary) of the NSW Ecumenical Council – Ms Elizabeth Stone, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in Australia The luncheon also hosted government officials that included the Premier …

In the afternoon of Monday, October 28, 2024, His Holiness Mar Awa III, Catholicos-Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East was formally welcomed as an official guest of the Australian War Memorial at the national capital, Canberra. The Catholicos-Patriarch and his accompanying delegation were received by War Memorial Director, Mr Matt Anderson PSM and commenced the visit with a rare opportunity curated by Mr Nick Fletcher, Head of Military Heraldry and Technology at the Memorial, viewing the service medals of the renowned Australian military leader, Lieutenant General Sir Stanley George Savige, KBE, CB, DSO, MC. The late Lieutenant General Sir Stanley George Savige, one of Australia’s most decorated military leaders of both World War I and II shares a remarkable and little known connection to the Assyrian Nation, having commanded an operation which saved more than 50,000 Assyrians from certain death during the Assyrian Genocide of WWI. Following this viewing and exchange on the century old connection of the Assyrian people to Australia, the delegation received a guided personal tour of the exhibits and His Holiness paid his respects to all service men and women at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider. Concluding the visit, His Holiness participated in …

In a historic meeting underscoring the growing ties between Australia and the Assyrian community, His Holiness Mar Awa III, the Catholicos Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, was welcomed in Canberra by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The meeting took place at Parliament House, where both leaders discussed pressing issues affecting Assyrian Christians globally, as well as the role of Australia in supporting religious practice and providing the platform for places of worship to thrive. Prime Minister Albanese expressed Australia’s solidarity with the Assyrian people, particularly in the face of ongoing struggles and displacement faced by Assyrian Christians in the Middle East. Australia is home to a vibrant Assyrian community, many of whom have fled persecution in countries such as Iraq and Syria. The Prime Minister acknowledged their contributions to Australia’s multicultural society and emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting religious minorities. His Holiness Mar Awa III, who has been a vocal advocate for the rights of Assyrians worldwide, commended Australia’s efforts in supporting refugees and promoting religious tolerance. He highlighted the importance of protecting ancient Assyrian heritage sites and fostering conditions that allow Assyrians to remain in their homelands, while also expressing gratitude for the sanctuary Australia …

The Assyrian Church of the East Youth Association (ACEYA) in Sydney hosted the 6th Archdiocesan Youth Conference, commencing on Wednesday 17th July and concluding on the 21st July 2024. The Conference welcomed youth members of Melbourne, Perth and Auckland, New Zealand. The five-day youth conference themed “Unlocking His Mercies” comprised of spiritually enriching sermons and seminars, alongside social activities strengthening pure Christian fellowship among the youth. The youth were sent on a five-day hunt to pickup the spiritual pieces of the spiritual key to unlock our Lord’s mercies. Ultimately meaning to unlock the Lord’s heart and enter it – making the realisation they themselves are the heart of the Lord. We are inspired to make this realisation through King David who became known as the heart of the Lord. The program was richly filled with sermons by His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia and His Grace Mar Benyamin Elya. Along with seminars presented by the parish priests of Sydney, including reverend priests from Melbourne and Auckland, Reverend Father Morris Daoud and Reverend Father Toma K Toma. Further to the prelates and clergy’s sermons and seminars, we welcomed Mr Steve Mortada who gave his personal testimony upon entering the True Faith. The …

The participation of the Assyrian Church of the East in Russia in the inaugural Festival of Sacred Music of the Peoples of the Christian East   On June 2,2024, the inaugural Festival of Sacred Music of the Peoples of the Christian East, “Blessed be the Lord Forever,” took place at the Tapan Museum of Church Art with the joint effort of Orthodoxy Cognate Page. The event aimed to celebrate the rich musical heritage of Eastern Christian traditions and foster understanding between Orthodox and Eastern Christian Churches. The festival was a collaborative effort between the Russian and New Nakhichevan Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, and the All-Church Postgraduate and the Saint Cyril and Methodius Postgraduate and Doctoral Studies Institute. Representatives from the Assyrian Church of the East, Coptic Church, Ethiopian Church, and Malankara Church of India also participated. The 2025 festival will be held at the Moscow Assyrian Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and coincide with significant anniversaries: the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council and the 80th anniversary of Victory in World War II.      

Fr. Aprem Alkhas meets with the Head of the Don Metropolitanate, His Eminence +Mercury, Metropolitan of Rostov and Novocherkassk   On June 3, 2024, the Head of the Don Metropolitanate, His Eminence +Mercury, Metropolitan of Rostov and Novocherkassk, met with the priest of the Assyrian Church of the East, Fr. Aprem Alkhas, the rector of the parish of St. John the Baptist. The meeting was attended by the head of the Diocesan Information Department, Archpriest Daniel Azizov. Fr. Aprem acquainted the Head of the Metropolis with the life and activities of the young church community. Metropolitan Mercury, in turn, stressed the importance of the participation of the Assyrian Church of the East in the life of the multinational Rostov region, calling for strengthening cooperation in various areas of activity. With the blessing of Metropolitan Mercury of Rostov and Novocherkassk, the parish community of the Assyrian Church of the East performed a number of divine services on the territory of the Old Protection Church of Rostov-on-Don. In addition, the Rostov diocese regularly provides support, including advice, in the development of the Assyrian church community.