Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon

The annual ‘Walkathon’ of the Assyrian Church of the East Youth Association – Sydney (ACEYA – S) was held on Sunday 22 September 2013 with the participation of over four hundred faithful participants. The annual event seeks to generate funds for the support of both a local Australian charitable organisation, the Assyrian Church of the East Relief Organisation (ACERO) and the general work of ACEYA – S. The event was held under the theme: ‘For we walk by faith, not by sight’ (2 Corinthians 5:7). Therefore, the walk communicated to faithful the Christian message that life’s journey is one of faith and that this faith will triumph the obstacles or adversities faced in life, whether sickness or other trials. The attendees gathered eagerly in front of St Hurmizd Cathedral following the Eucharistic Liturgy registering their names and receiving their packs which included a t-shirt, hat and bag. The event was this year graced by the presence of His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia AM, Metropolitan of Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon who welcomed the hundreds of attendees, spoke about the importance of the causes being supported and bestowed his episcopal blessings on all participants. Shortly afterwards balloons were released into the …

There was fun, laughter, faith and fellowship at this year’s annual youth association retreat!

Between 5 - 9 July 2013, the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) held its 8th National Forum in Melbourne, Victoria under the theme ‘Mission Shaped Ecumenism: What is the Call of God for the Church?’ The 5-day Forum was held at the Catholic Education Leadership Centre, located in East Melbourne.

A delegation of the Assyrian Church of the East, led by His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia AM, Metropolitan of Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon has welcomed to Australia His Beatitude Mar Louis Raphael I Sako, Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church.

The Assyrian Church of the East in Sydney has recently established the Assyrian Church of the East Children’s Association (ACECA) with the motto of Children of God. The Children’s Association was officially established by Rev’d Narsai Youkhanis along with the ACECA committee in February and the teaching term commenced in March with the blessings of His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia AM, Metropolitan of Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon. Registrations for the ministry were available throughout February for children aged between three and thirteen. The curriculum comprises of a practical and hands on bible study, daily prayers, church hymns and Assyrian language for the different ages. For parents of children under the age of three, ACECA organises an hour long childcare program with the support of staff at the church’s Grace Childcare Centre located at Polding Street, Fairfield. “It is inspiring to see a sea of over 200 Assyrian Christian children gathered every week wearing their ACECA shirts eager to learn, create friendships and grow together, both spiritually and physically”, said one of the parents. Currently there are over 200 children registered with over ten teachers voluntarily committing their time for the hour long ministry on Wednesdays from 6-7pm at the …

On Wednesday the 6th March 2013, Saint Hurmizd Assyrian Primary School celebrated the traditional ‘Pallo’ which is the half-way mark of the great Fast.

The inaugural Hope Christmas Festival has been held on the grounds of Assyrian Australian Social Centre (formerly Nineveh Club) in Edensor Park, Sydney. The event, described as a resounding success by its organisers, the Assyrian Church of the East Youth Association – Sydney, attracted thousands of faithful and locals.

The Assyrian Church of the East Youth Association – Sydney has held its Annual Retreat for 2012 at Youthworks Watersleigh Campsite in Shoalhaven from Friday 30 November until Sunday 2 December.

His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia AM, Metropolitan of Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon has met in Sydney with Dr William Eshaya, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Iraq to the United Nations.

The Assyrian Church of the East, Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon has welcomed the noted Syriac Studies scholar, Dr J.J. van Ginkel, Fellow of the Faculty of Humanities, Leiden Institute for Area Studies at Leiden University (The Netherlands) to Sydney to present a lecture on the history of the Church of the East.

More than 300 Sydney faithful gathered at the front of Greenfield Park’s St Hurmizd Cathedral at midday to commence the 10km walk. Before embarking on the journey each walker released a balloon into the heavens.

Al-Ghorba TV, based in Sydney, Australia, has conducted an interview with His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia AM, Metropolitan of Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon.

His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia AM, Metropolitan of Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon was the guest of honour at the site of the future Ss. Peter and Paul Church in Cecil Park Sydney.

The first annual Youth Conference of the Assyrian Church of the East, Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon has been hailed as a success, after taking place in Sydney, Australia from 5-8 July 2012.

The Assyrian language program at Australia’s multicultural public broadcaster SBS has conducted a video-interview with His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia AM, Metropolitan of Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon.