Assyrian Church News Official News Site of the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East
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 the Last Post Ceremony as an official guest of the Memorial, laying a wreath beside the Pool of Reflection.
His Holiness was accompanied by His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia AM, Metropolitan of Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon and Their Graces Mar Benyamin Elya, Bishop of Victoria & New Zealand, His Grace Mar Elia Isaac, Bishop of Baghdad, Rev’d Fr Ramen Youkhanis, Mr Joseph Haweil and Mr Ninos Aaron.
The delegation was again personally accompanied by The Honourable Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Climate Change and Energy.
