Archbishop Mar Meelis Zaia Announces Ordination of Priests

The Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon is pleased to announce that on Sunday the 6th day of September 2020, His Eminence Mar Meelis Zaia AM will ordain Reverend Deacons Riyadh Dinkha and Ramen Youkhanis to the ranking of Priesthood for the Holy Church. The ordination will take place at St Hurmizd’s Cathedral at 8:00am. As we are facing the current pandemic, the ordination will be streamed live (further details to be provided closer to date).

 

Reverend Deacon Riyadh Dinkha’s Biography

Rev Dn Riyadh was born in Baghdad, Iraq on the 14^th day of September 1979 to parents the Late Shlemon Dinkha and Ms Mariam Qashow. He migrated to New Zealand in 2000, and settled in Australia with his family in 2013. Rev Dn Riyadh spent his childhood immersed in church services in Iraq and continued to do so after taking on rank in the Holy Church. Throughout his time living in Sydney, he has served as one of the Deacons to the Cathedral with commitment and diligence to all of its services, in addition to leading adult bible studies for parishioners. Rev Dn Riyadh is a registered architect and builder. After the ordination, Dn Riyadh will be based at St Mary’s Church, Smithfield.

Ordinations

• Ordained a Subdeacon by His Holiness Mar Gewargis III Sliwa (then Metropolitan) on the Palm Sunday, 31^st day of March 1996 at St George’s Church, Dora, Iraq.
• Ordained a Deacon by His Holiness Mar Gewargis III Sliwa (then Metropolitan) on the 15^th day of December 1996 at St George’s Church, Dora, Iraq.

Studies

• Graduated Nebuchadnezzar High School (Baghdad, Iraq) in 1997.
• Graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Auckland (New Zealand) in 2004.
• Graduated with a Masters of Engineering Studies (Construction Management) from the University of Auckland (New Zealand) in 2012.
• Graduated with a Masters of Theological Studies from the Australian Catholic University in 2020.

 

Deacon Ramen Youkhanis’ Biography

Rev Dn Ramen was born in Basra, Iraq on the 20^th day of December 1989 to parents Dr David and Mrs Moren Youkhanis. The family migrated to Australia in 1995 and settled in Sydney. Rev Dn Ramen’s childhood was spent within the church programs and ministries. After taking on ranking in the Holy Church, he got involved with the youth and children’s ministries, ACERO Australia responsibilities and general Archdiocese commitments as the Secretary to the Archbishop. Dn Ramen registered with the Australian Counselling Association and took on the role of College Counsellor at St Narsai Assyrian Christian College since 2014. After the ordination, Dn Ramen will be based at St Hurmizd’s Cathedral, Greenfield Park.

Ordinations

• Ordained a Lector by His Eminence Mar Meelis Zaia AM on the Commemoration of Mar Yosip Khnanisho, 8^th day of July 2007 at St Hurmizd’s Cathedral, Sydney, Australia.
• Ordained a Subdeacon & Deacon by His Eminence Mar Meelis Zaia AM on the Hallowing of the Church, 1^st day of November 2009 at St Hurmizd’s Cathedral, Sydney, Australia.

Studies

• Graduated Higher School Certificate (HSC) from St Johns Park High School in 2007.
• Graduated with a Bachelor of Medical Science from the University of Technology Sydney in 2011.
• Graduated with a Masters of Psychological Studies from the University of Western Sydney in 2014.
• Graduated with a Postgraduate Certificate in Educational Studies from the Australian Catholic University in 2015.
• Graduated with a Masters of Theological Studies from the Australian Catholic University in 2020.