West Europe

On Sunday 23 May 2021, His Grace Mar Awraham Youkhanis Bishop of the Diocese of Western Europe elevated two deacons to the ranking of priesthood to serve in Western Europe, Reverend Father Ninos Babisha and Reverend Father Shimshon Temmo. After necessary visa paperwork and applications are completed, Reverend Father Ninos Babisha will commence theological studies in Vienna, Austria, and will be responsible for our communities living within Austria. Reverend Father Shimshon Temmo will commence his theological studies and service in Athens, Greece, caring for our communities living in Egaleo and Thessaloniki, along with his wife Mrs Mirna Temmo. His Grace extends his gratitude and thanks to His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia AM Metropolitan for his support. Australia’s border closures caused many issues for the plans of the Diocese of Western Europe. His Grace Mar Awraham desired to ordain the new priests in their respective parishes in Europe. Nonetheless, His Grace was able to travel to Sydney, Australia to fulfil the ordinations in order to prepare for the arrival of the new priests into Vienna and Athens. May the Lord bless Fr Babisha and Fr Temmo as they commence their service in Europe, and embark on a God-fearing and holy priesthood, …

On Monday 15th June, His Grace Mar Awraham Youkhanis participated in a virtual discussion on a project entitled ‘Rewriting Global Orthodoxy: The Oriental Churches in Europe, 1970-2020’ The meeting was hosted by the Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies Radboud University of Nijmegen in The Netherlands. The project started in October 2019, by the Faculty, in cooperation with the Institute of Eastern Christian Studies, with a grant from the European Research Council of the European Commission. It explores the religious publications of the Coptic, Syriac Orthodox, Armenian, Ethiopian and Eritrean churches in Europe, in comparison with those of the Church of the East and other churches whose members over the past fifty years have moved to various European countries. It studies these Churches who have in various ways established dioceses, churches and parishes, and have started to build up church life and the education of the young and the old, via a variety of publications – published in Europe or in other places of the world. His Grace was joined by scholars and other Church leaders during the virtual session. His Grace is grateful to the Faculty for the invitation to participate in the discussion and looks forward to contributing …

For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life, John 3:16 His Grace Mar Awraham Youkhanis along with Rev. Fr Tony Malham have today met with youths aged between 14-40 at St Mary’s Cathedral in London. With nearly 200 youths in attendance, His Grace opened the meet with Our Lords Prayer. His Grace proceeded with a sermon which centered around Gods abundant love for mankind, the importance of love and forgiveness and how each one of us has the love of God in our hearts and we should always keep that in our minds in our treatment of eachother. Following this inspirational sermon, registration forms were handed out for each person to become an official youth member and receive updates about all future youth events. In the coming months committees will be formed to fulfil a variety of tasks and implement programmes for all ages. Programmes will include Bible Studies, A school for anyone who wishes to study to be a Deacon, Assyrian language studies, Social Events, fundraisers and a monthly youth magazine. We encourage ALL youth who want to serve and want to …