Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon

The 17th of October annually marks the Assyrian Church of the East’s worldwide commemoration of His Holiness Mar Dinkha IV, Catholicos Patriarch’s consecration to the exulted Holy See of Seleucia-Ctesiphon. On this occasion the faithful of the church, in whichever country they reside, take time to reflect upon and consider the diligence and dedication with which His Holiness has executed his role as Catholicos Patriarch for some 32 years at the helm of the most apostolic Church of the East. Taking this opportunity to commemorate the Catholicos Patriarch, the St. George Parish of the Assyrian Church of the East in Melbourne held a function on the 19th of October 2008 which was attended by some 400 faithful who gathered together for a beautiful evening of fellowship. The evening was adorned by the heavenly voices of the Church choir and St. George Assyrian Language School students who recited a number of hymns and other songs in tribute to His Holiness’ immense and selfless service to the Holy Church over the course of many decades. Speeches were delivered by Parish Priest Rev. Gewargis Toma and Assistant Parish Priest, Rev. Hurmizd Dawood Gewargis who both paid homage to His Holiness’ enduring love and …

A successful seminar on the humanitarian crisis in Iraq was held on Thursday 28th of August 2008 at Sydney University’s Footbridge Theatre. Organised as a joint initiative between the NSW Ecumenical Council and Sydney University’s Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, the seminar brought together three experts who have seen first-hand the situation affecting the Iraqi people. The speakers were His Grace Bishop Mar Meelis Zaia AM of the Assyrian Church of the East, Ms. Donna Mulhearm who has worked with Human Shield in Iraq and the director of the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, Associate Professor Jake Lynch. Focusing on the impact of the coalition-led intervention and its devastating consequences, the seminar also emphasised the actions that Australia and other governments need to take in order to address the humanitarian crisis they have inadvertently help to create. Current UN estimates report that over 4 million people have been directly affected, with 2 million internally displaced in Iraq and a further 2 million living as refugees in the surrounding countries such as Syria and Jordan. His Grace Mar Meelis presented on the situation of the Christian Assyrians of Iraq and the efforts of the Assyrian Church of the East …

The Youth Association of the Assyrian Church of the East in Sydney organised a gathering of the faithful to which an invitation was extended to His Grace Mar Meelis Zaia AM, Bishop of the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand to present an important historical lecture concerning the Patriarchal Seat and Succession within the history of the Assyrian Church of the East on Sunday the 13th of July 2008 at Edessa Hall to more than 500 faithful amongst whom were other clergy of the Church in Sydney. His Grace employed this important academic occasion to communicate to members of the Church in Sydney the most ancient history of the church and how its history has sustained and continued the adherence to sacred doctrines, rites, rituals and practices. His Grace Bishop Mar Meelis Zaia AM commenced the evening’s lecture by offering a short history of the Church and the extensive role it has played within Christendom.  His Grace also explored and emphasised the hardships that the Assyrian and other peoples have faced during the long 2000 year history of the Church of the East and the blood that has been shed by Martyrs for the Holy Church. Within the lecture His Grace urged …