Eastern USA

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Assyrian Church of the East Youth Association of the United States of America met from Friday, January 14 to Sunday, January 16, 2022, at the Cathedral Church of Saint George the Martyr in Chicago, Illinois. The NEC is a joint ministry between the three episcopal sees of the United States commissioned by their respective hierarchs to be a governing body of the Youth Association in the United States.  The committee oversees the planning of the annual national youth conference and works towards the advancement of youth ministry within the country in various capacities. The NEC consists of four executives and three representatives from each United States diocese, the membership of the committee is as follows: Very Rev. Fr. and Chorbishop Gewargis-Bet Rasho of Tarzana, CA – President; Rev. Fr. Genard Lazar of Turlock, CA – Vice President; Rev. Dcn. Andrew Aziz of Gilbert, AZ – Secretary; Mr. Wilson Yonan of Chicago, IL – Treasurer; Rev. Dcn. Allen Youssefi of San Jose, CA – California Diocesan Representative; Rev. Dcn. Elbron Odisho of Glenview, IL – Eastern USA Diocesan Representative; Rev. Dcn. Peter Azzo of Chicago, IL – Eastern USA Diocesan Representative; Rev. Dcn. Zaya …

The bishops of the Assyrian Church of the East in the United States meet recently ahead of the 33rd annual National Youth Conference. Attending the meeting were: His Grace Mar Aprim Khamis, Bishop of the Diocese of the Western USA; His Grace Mar Awa Royel, Bishop of the Diocese of California and Secretary of the Holy Synod; and His Grace Mar Paulus Benjamin, Bishop of the Diocese of the Eastern USA. ​The three bishops held their meeting on Wednesday, July 30th, at the premises of the St. Mary’s Assyrian Church of the East in Los Angeles, California. The bishops discussed many topics effecting the life of the Church in the United States. Some of the matters discussed were: 1) the National Executive Committee of the Assyrian Church of the East Youth Association (ACEYA); 2) the Constitution of the ACEYA; 3) the importance of transmitting the faith of the holy Church to our youth, particularly the promotion and use of the Assyrian language among our younger generation; 4) currents events in the life of the Church in the States; 5) matters relating to the clergy (priests and deacons) serving the parishes of the US. ​Some of the more notable outcomes of …

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity -Psalm 133:1 The 32nd National Youth Conference of the Assyrian Church of the East Youth Association of America (ACEYA) took place in the Diocese of California, hosted by the Central Valley Parishes of Mar Zaia Cathedral, Mar Gewargis Parish, and Mar Addai Parish, from 10 July to 15 July 2019. This youth conference had over 400 attendees from the three dioceses in the United States of America.  In particular, this youth conference was blessed with the presence of His Holiness Mar Gewargis III Sliwa, Catholicos-Patriarch.  It is noteworthy to mention that His Grace Mar Awa Royel, Bishop of California and Secretary of the Holy Synod; His Grace Mar Yosip Sargis, Bishop Emeritus; His Grace Mar Aprim Khamis, Bishop of Western USA and His Grace Mar Paulus Benjamin, Bishop of the Eastern USA were also present along with many priests and deacons. This year’s youth conference’s theme was “Keys to the Kingdom” (c.f. Matthew 13:11) which expounded upon the sacraments of the Holy Church.  This youth conference’s lectures included: -Rev’d Chorbishop Gewargis Toma of Glenview, Illinois on the Holy Mysteries of Priesthood and Absolution; -Rev’d Chorbishop Gewargis Bet-Rasho and Rev’d …

“There is no greater love than this: that a person would lay down his life for the sake of his friends” -The Gospel of John 15:13 The Diocese of the Eastern United States commemorated the 100th martyrdom anniversary of Mar Benyamin Shimun XXI with the opening of a new monument dedicated in his honor as he sacrificed his own life for the sake of the Holy Church and the Assyrian nation.  Upon arrival to Montrose Cemetery, His Grace Mar Paulus Benjamin, Diocesan Bishop of the Eastern United States of the Assyrian Church of the East began the a prayer service alongside His Grace Mar Gewargis Yonan, Bishop of Chicago of the Ancient Church of the East, and Reverend members of the clergy.  After the prayer service, His Grace Mar Paulus Benjamin extended his sincere gratitude to Dr. Norman Solhkhah and Dr. Edison Ishaya for their efforts in honoring the martyred Catholicos-Patriarch, Mar Beyamin Shimun XXI.  The monument was then officially unrevealed to the public by His Grace Mar Paulus Benjamin, His Grace Mar Gewargis Yonan and Dr. Norman Solhkah. A luncheon followed the opening of the momentum at Crystal Palace Banquets in Mount Prospect, Illinois.  His Grace Bishop Mar Paulus …

His Grace Mar Awa Royel, Bishop of California and the Secretary of the Holy Synod, along with His Grace Mar Paulus Benjamin, Bishop of the Eastern United States, attended the 66th annual National Prayer Breakfast in the nation’s capital on February 8, 2018.  Initiated in 1953, the National Prayer Breakfast allows for government officials and religious leaders to converse and establish professional relationships while bringing glory to the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  The gathering was attended by the President of the United States, Mr. Donald J. Trump, along with approximately 3,500 other attendees including members of congress, various state officials, and religious leaders from all four corners of the earth.

On Thursday September 14th, 2017 His Grace Mar Paulus Benjamin, Diocesan Bishop and Dn. Dadway Daniel attended a meeting that was organized by Dr. Odisho Khoshaba at Hilton Hotel, Northbrook IL. The purpose of this meeting was to clarify the actual political spectrum presented by Mr. DAS Joseph Pennington Deputy Assistant Secretary for Iraq Bureau of near Eastern Affairs accompanied by Mr. David Staples. Luncheon was followed after the meeting. The meeting was in attendance of: Chaldean Syriac Assyrian Popular Council, Assyrian American Federation Capni Organization Abna Nahrain Party Assyrian Universal Alliance (AUA) Assyrian Democratic Movement (ZOWA) Bet Nahrain Party Ninveh Plain Defense Fund On behalf of His Grace Mar Paulus Benjaminthe diocese would like to extend his thanks to Dr. Odisho Khoshaba for organizing the meeting. Source: (ACOE Easter Dioces Facebook Page)

“…Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty...” -Acts of the Apostles 6:3 It is with great joy that His Grace Mar Paulus Benjamin, Bishop of the Eastern United States, accepted the request of Very Rev. Fr. Cor-Bishop Dr. Gewargis Toma, parish priest of Saint Andrews Church in Glenview, Illinois to ordain one deacon and two sub-deacons for the growing parish! On the sixth week of the Great Fast, His Grace Mar Paulus Benjamin placed his blessed right hand upon two new Sub-Deacons; namely, Sargis Giliana and Tawer Matloub.  The newly ordained Sub-Deacons are great examples for the youth as they were both born and raised in the diaspora, but have spent countless hours studying the Aramaic language and the Apostolic traditions of our Holy Church. Lord willing, on April 23, 2017, during the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, His Grace Mar Paulus Benjamin will also elevate Afram Liwi Zakaria and raise him to the Holy Order of Diaconate for Saint Andrews Church.  We request the prayers of all the Church faithful, across the world, for the ones who have been called to …

FASTING AND GREAT LENT The institution of fasting: Fasting is as old as the human race is. From the Old Testament we learn that God instituted fasting in Paradise. It is written: “The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” (Gen. 2:15-17) The above mentioned verse makes it clear that fasting existed before the Adam and Eve committed sin by breaking the commandment of God, and fasting was not established as a treatment for their sin. The fasting in Paradise consisted of abstaining of the fruit of the tree, the tree of knowledge of good and evil. God by commanding Adam and Eve not to eat of the particular fruit wanted to teach them the discipline of self-control and spiritual growth. Fasting was practiced both in the Old and New Testament and throughout the history of the Church. What is the similarity between …

The Suffering, Death, Burial and Resurrection Of Jesus Christ It is recorded in The Scripture that the High-priests, The Scribes, the Pharisees, the learned theologians of that time in history were possessed of a particular hatred for our Lord Jesus Christ.  Jesus was not accepted by the above mentioned figures for the following reasons: 1. The majority of regular people followed Him and His teachings, accepted His miracles, etc. It is written: “And when the chief priests and the scribes heard it, they kept looking for a way to kill him; for they were afraid of him, because the whole crowd was spellbound by his teaching.” (Mark 11:18) Again it is written: “They wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowds, because they regarded him as a prophet.” (Matthew 21:46) Again it is written: “Every day he was teaching in the temple. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people kept looking for a way to kill him; but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were spellbound by what they heard.” (Luke 19:47-48) 2. He was straight forward with His teachings, and revealed their teachings as false.  It is written: “Again …

  Rev. Fr. Cor-Bishop Dr. Gewargis Toma Parish Priest of Saint Andrews Church Glenview, Illinois, U.S.A.  

Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The second Qnuma (person) of the most Holy Trinity, God the word, is called the Son of God. This same Son of God, God the Word, became man, and was called Jesus.  It is written in the Holy Bible that He was conceived and born of the Virgin Mary and He was called Jesus.  The Prophets of the Old Testament and the Evangelists of the New Testament, who had expected the coming of Him to save humankind called Him Christ. It is written: “She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21) Again it is written: “And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.” (St Luke 1:31) Saint Matthew in the book of the generation of Jesus says: “And Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah…” (Matthew 1:16) Pilate the Roman Governor calls Jesus the Messiah which means Christ the anointed one. It is written: “So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them, ‘Whom do you want …

“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.” (Psalm 116:15)              Martyrdom-Introduction Martyrdom in the Old Testament: Cain and Abel: The history of sacrifice and martyrdom began in the Garden of Eden with Cain killing his brother Abel simply because God was pleased with Cain’s sacrifice and rejected his. Joseph, the son of Jacob: was sold into slavery by his brothers because his father showed more compassion and love to him than to the rest of his brothers plus he told them his dream that he was to be exalted above his brothers. Martyrdom of Shmoni and her seven sons: “Early in the morning the faithful Shmoni offered prayer to God saying: God do my Judgement. From the cruel Antiochus: For he is slaughtering my sons like lambs: and he is threatening me as a lion.” (Khudra volume III page 328 Commemoration of Shmoni and her seven sons) Daniel and his two friends were cast into Furness of fire were saved by the Lord. Martyrdom in Christianity and the New Testament: Martyrdom has been an important part of our Christian Church history from the moment of its birth.  It first started with the persecution of our …