Sydney Youth Conference Unlocks His Mercy

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 youth delved deep into their faith according to the teachings of the Assyrian Church of the East and at the same time strongly connected with their Assyrian roots through folkloric dance and entertainment.

To sum up the Conference in words is simply not enough. The experiences, lessons and friendships formed during these 5 days are truly once in a lifetime and will live within our Youth for the rest of their lives. We are blessed to belong to our blessed Church and to create unbreakable bonds with each other, functioning as one Youth body under one Church.

It was announced by His Grace Mar Benyamin that the next Archdiocesan Youth Conference will take place in July 2025 in the city of Auckland, New Zealand.

ACEYA Sydney would like to immensely thank the following:
⁃ Miss Sandy Rashed of Floranectar Florist for the wonderful floral arrangements
⁃ Mr George Esho, Mr Andrew Mamo and Mr Georgis Ishak for their photography service
⁃ Eden Venues
⁃ Mr Michael Yadkarian catering
– Miss Merna Hermiz of Scents of Mesopotamia
– St Hurmizd’s Cathedral Committee for their hospitality
– Miss Ninevah Dawood of Candid Snaps