Assyrian Church News Official News Site of the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East
From 16-20 October 2025, His Holiness Mar Awa III, Catholicos-Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East made a historic visit to Hong Kong, China at the invitation of the Anglican Province of Hong Kong in connection with the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the Jingjiao (Church of the East) Stele in Xi’an and the inauguration of the new Hong Kong Institute of Jingjiao Studies.
His Holiness was accompanied by a delegation including His Grace Mar Paulus Benjamin, Bishop of the Eastern United States, His Grace Mar Benyamin Elya, Bishop of Victoria and New Zealand and Secretary of the Holy Synod, Deacon Allen Youssefi of Mar Yosip Church, San Jose, California, former mayor Joseph Haweil of Mar Abdisho Cathedral, Melbourne and Dr David Tam, His Holiness’ Resident Representative in Hong Kong.
Across the rich 5-day programme, His Holiness participated in a range of scholarly ecumenical engagements and symposia organised on the occasion of his visit. First among these on Friday 17 October was a keynote addresses at the Nicea 1700 Roundtable Forum at the Divinity School of Chung Chi College, Chinese University of Hong Kong followed by an ecumenical prayer service, and a keynote lecture on the Reception of the Nicene Creed in the Assyrian Church of the East, also at the Chinese University of Hong Kong on Friday 17 October.
On Saturday 18 October, in connection with the inauguration of the Hong Kong Institute of Jingjiao Studies (HKIJS), His Holiness and his delegation participated in a half-day forum on the history Church of the East in China where a number of important papers were presented by leading scholars including Dr Glen L. Thompson, Dr David Wilmshurst, Dr Alexis Belmont, Mr Yuan Tianyi and HKIJS Director, Dr Tam, all advancing the historical understanding of the Church of the East’s missionary enterprise in China and its relevance in a contemporary context. In the afternoon of the same day, His Holiness also presented a lecture at the Ming Hua Theological College of the Anglican Province of Hong Kong with the participation of many clergy, academics and laity from across Hong Kong and China.
On Sunday 19 October, being the Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity in the Anglican Communion, His Holiness preached the homily at the morning Sung Eucharist celebrated by The Most Rev’d Andrew Chan, Archbishop and Primate of the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui at St John’s Cathedral, Anglican Diocese of Hong Kong Island where he and his delegation were received by The Very Rev’d Kwok-keung Chan, Dean of the Cathedral. Later in the day, a colloquium attended by senior scholars from Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland, including from prominent Beijing universities, was hosted at the Institute of Sino-Christian Studies and Lutheran Theological Seminary (Tao Fong Shan) at Sha Tin, New Territories. A number of presentations were given on a significant body of scholarly research already being undertaken by Chinese historians, theologians, linguists and experts in other disciplines on the history, theology, liturgical and linguistic patrimony and the Assyrian Church of the East.
It is noteworthy that the visit was underscored by numerous ecumenical interactions and that the large programme of engagements drew attendance of people of various traditions and faiths. Of particular note, His Holiness and delegation were received by The Most Rev’d Andrew Chan, Archbishop and Primate of the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui, His Eminence Stephen Cardinal Chow S.J., Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong and their respective clergy and lay leadership in a fraternal spirit of welcome and dialogue. During his visit, the Catholicos-Patriarch also met with the Hong Kong Christian Council who provided an overview of their important ecumenical work.
Prior to departing Hong Kong, His Holiness was received at The University of Hong Kong for a viewing of the so-called “Nestorian crosses”, the world largest collection of bronze crosses cast in north-west China (Inner Mongolia) during the Yuan dynasty (1272–1368). The stunning collection comprises 700 pieces.
Building on His Holiness’ two earlier visits to China, this visit was received with much enthusiasm and interest and contributed immensely to expanding the understanding of the ancient faith of the Assyrian Church of the East in China.
This important visit marked another important milestone in this history since the erection of the Jingjiao Stele in 781 which documented the 150-year presence of the Assyrian Church of the East’s missionary enterprise in China at that point, commencing with the arrival of Mar Alopen in 635.
While marking the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the Stele in 1625, this visit and commemoration also gave heart to the fervent prayer of many in Hong Kong and China that the faith of the Assyrian Church of the East may soon once again be propagated in this ancient land and civilisation.
