Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon

The Assyrian Church of the East has revisited Brisbane, Queensland to bring back the word of God to the city’s faithful.

Sydney’s newly ordained priest, Reverend Ninos Elya, plans to undertake missionary work for parishioners in Queensland, following his elevation to priesthood by the hands of His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia AM, Metropolitan of Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon.

Construction of the future Ss. Peter and Paul Parish in Sydney could begin as early as April, announced His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia AM, Metropolitan of Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon, during the Parish’s annual commemoration of its patron saints.

His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia AM, Metropolitan of Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon, has met with a handful of university students looking to expand their knowledge of nationality and identity.

His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia AM, Metropolitan of Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon welcomed a delegation from the Assyrian Democratic Movement (ADM) to the Sydney Archbishopric.

The Melbourne congregations of the Assyrian Church of the East have seen the momentous ordination of two young faithful to the Holy Diaconate on Sunday 22 January 2012.

The 2012 Youth Conference Sub-Committee of the Assyrian Church of the East’s Youth Association in Sydney has successfully held a Youth Conference Carnival Fundraiser.

Global parishes of the Assyrian Church of the East have celebrated the Holy Feast of the Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, with Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services drawing thousands of faithful.

The Barwar Association has visited His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia AM, Metropolitan of Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon, on the occasion of the Holy Nativity of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Reverend Archdeacon Emmanuel Youkhana, parish priest from Germany and representative of His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia AM in Lebanon has attended the consecration of Professor Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria.

His Holiness MarDinkha IV Catholicos Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East Christmas message 2011.

The Youth Association of Beirut, Lebanon has organized a Christmas Concert as part of their activities for the church's local community.

St. Hurmizd Parish in Sydney held their annual Carols by Candlelight and Christmas drama, much to the joy of a large congregation. The events, on 18 December, were organised in two segments; the first segment included the performance of church hymns and songs and the second segment followed on with a presentation of the nativity of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The night was attended by Reverend Chor-Bishop Ashoor Lazar, St. Hurmizd Cathedral parish priest, along with Reverend Moshe Barkho and many deacons. The hymns performed at Carols by Candlelight was organised and composed by Shoora (Alexander) Michalian, conductor of St. Hurmizd Cathedral choir, and performed by the church choir. [nggallery id=334]

Graduation ceremonies have been held in recognition of Mar Narsai Assyrian College (MNAC) and St. Hurmizd Assyrian Primary School (SHAPS) students who will be continuing to the next level of their education in 2012.

His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia AM Metropolitan of the Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon has met with Emanuel Shekwana, former director of Syriac Studies in Iraq’s Ministry of Education.