Baghdad

On 10 September 2014 His Beatitude Mar Gewargis Sliwa, Metropolitan of Iraq and Russia called on His Excellency Dr Fuad Massum, the newly appointed President of the Republic of Iraq. Opening the meeting, the President discussed the situation affecting displaced peoples in the Nineveh Governorate and other areas controlled by ISIS describing what has occurred in the areas a disaster. His Excellency stressed that his entire efforts are being directed to protect Christians, Yazidis, Sabaeans and other minority groups and to facilitate their return to their homes. His Beatitude thanked the President for his role in aiding the suffering Christian community during the present difficult circumstances. During the colloquium, His Beatitude conveyed to His Excellency the felicitations and best wishes of His Holiness Mar Dinkha IV, Catholicos-Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East on the occasion of His Excellency’s ascension to the high presidential office. Also presented to His Excellency during the meeting was a personal message of congratulations from His Holiness the Catholicos-Patriarch.

His Holiness Mar Dinkha IV, Catholicos Patriarch of the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East, has sent an epistle imploring all members of the church and the Assyrian nation to hold a 3 day fast (Rogation) beginning Monday the 1st of September. The purpose of this rogation is to beseech the mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ upon our Assyrian nation and all who are being persecuted in the Middle East, in particular Northern Iraq. May God accept our rogation just as He accepted the rogation of our forefathers the Ninevites.

On the occasion of the Commemoration of Mar Awgin the Blessed and the first week of the Hallowing of the Church, His Beatitude Mar Gewargis Sliwa, Metropolitan of Iraq, Jordan and Russia has ordained Shimshon Warda Yaqo to the holy diaconate in the Church of Mar Odisho, Baghdad on 8 November 2013. The service took place prior to the consecration of the Holy Qurbana. The newly-ordained deacon is to serve the Mission congregation of the Assyrian Church of the East in Damascus, Syria. The Metropolitan was assisted in the service by Baghdad parish priests, Rev’d Fr Yosip Gewargis, Rev’d Fr Awgin Hurmizd and Rev’d Fr Shmoel Sh. Athneil. A large number of church deacons also participated in the presence of the church choir and faithful. During his sermon, the Metropolitan discussed the theme of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and ascension to the cross for the salvation of humankind. He went on to note that Mar Awgin, on whose commemoration day the service was held, is a model emulating the abandonment of early pleasure for the abundance found in Jesus Christ. Following the service, the newly ordained deacon was congratulated by all the clergy and faithful present who prayed that Almighty God …

The Holy Feast of the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has been celebrated across the world in dioceses and parishes of the Assyrian Church of the East.

Dr. William Ishaya Warda, newly appointed Adviser in the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Iraq to the United Nations in New York has called upon His Beatitude Mar Gewargis Sliwa, Metropolitan of Iraq, Russia and Jordan.

Faithful from across Baghdad’s parishes have attended a lecture on the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Christ, presented by Loay Kamail.

Faithful have gathered at St Zaia Church, Baghdad, to partake in the funeral service of Reverend Oraham Dinkha, the beloved parish priest who endured Baghdad’s rough times throughout the last decade.

Graduating student parishioners of the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East have been received graduate medallions on behalf of His Holiness Mar DInkha IV, Catholicos Patriarch, during ceremonies around the world.

Various parishes throughout Baghdad have gathered together for the offering of the Holy Eucharist in a show of unity and dedication to the Lord Jesus Christ, despite the constant fear of terrorist threat.

The Education Committee of the Assyrian Church of the East's Baghdad parishes has been instrumental in organizing a lecture titled “Law and the Church”, presented by Rev. Dr. Salem Saka.

Leaders of various denominations and nationalists in Iraq have come together to celebrate the occasion of the birth of Christ and pray for a good start to the new year.

His Beatitude Mar Gewargis Sliwa, Metropolitan of Iraq, Iran and Russia has laid his hand on Martin Nabil Nicola and raised him to the ranking of Deacon in the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East.

The murder of innocent Christian clergy and lay faithful, who were in the midst of prayer and worship at their local parish, is an affront to civilized humanity

His Holiness Mar Dinkha IV writes a letter to His Beatitude Mar Ignatius Joseph III Younan, offering condolences for the sorrowful events of late.