His Grace Mar Awraham Youkhanis, Bishop of London and Western Europe, Earns PhD from Macquarie University

Sydney, Australia – In a momentous occasion for the Assyrian Church of the East, Mar Awraham Youkhanis, the Bishop of London and Western Europe, has achieved a significant academic milestone. On Thursday, 21 March 2024, His Grace was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree from Macquarie University, one of Australia’s leading institutions of higher education, located in Sydney.

The ceremony witnessed the participation of distinguished figures from both the religious and academic communities. His Grace’s doctoral thesis, entitled “The Book of Admonitions to Hermits and Monks By ʿAḅed-Mšīḥā Ḥīrtāyā: A Critical Edition of the Syriac Texts and English Translation with Introduction and Critical Notes,” represents a significant contribution to the study of ancient East Syriac texts and the broader field of Eastern Christian studies.

Under the supervision of Dr. Ken Parry, Professor Paul McKechnie, and Professor Rifaat Ebied, His Grace embarked on a scholarly journey that not only illuminates the spiritual and ascetic practices of early Christianity but also offers critical insights into the rich history of Syriac literature and theology.

The graduation ceremony was graced by the presence of His Eminence Mar Meelis Zaia AM, Metropolitan of Australia, New Zealand, and Lebanon, alongside His Grace Mar Benyamin Elya, Bishop of Victoria and New Zealand, and Reverend Father Ramen Youkhanis, St Hurmizd’s Cathedral Parish Priest.

His Grace expressed his heartfelt gratitude towards his family members, supervisors for their guidance and unwavering support throughout his candidature, and to His Eminence Mar Meelis Zaia and His Grace Mar Benyamin Elya, for their presence at the ceremony.