Diocese

The 2018 Australian Assyrian of the Year award was presented to His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia AM, Metropolitan of Australia, New Zealand, and Lebanon, in recognition of his selfless devotion and tireless efforts toward the conservation of the Assyrian faith, language, and cultural heritage; and for being a driving force behind the establishment of the first Assyrian Christian college in the Western world. History of His Eminence accomplishments: In 2002 the first stage of St Hurmizd Assyrian Primary School was officially opened. Starting off with only 80 students, today the school accommodates for +700 Kinder to Year 6 students. In 2006 St Narsai Assyrian Christian College was officially established as it welcomed the Year 6 students from St Hurmizd into the high school stage of education. It was with great pleasure that two out of the four stages of the College’s campus in Horsley Park was officially opened in January of 2018, which accommodates for approximately 700 students. Expected capacity once completion is 1200 students. In 2011 Grace Child Care and Early Learning Centre was officially opened. Due to high demand, another preschool was opening at SHAPS in 2012 which was named St Hurmizd Early Learning Centre. His Eminence not …

“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 …

“…Upon this rock I will build my church…” -Matthew 16:18 On the Second Sunday of the the Great Fast, after the celebration of the Holy Qurbana, His Grace Mar Aprim Khamis, Bishop of the Western United States, Rev. Archdeacon Frederick Hermiz, Rev. Koshaba Sholimun, and the Rev. Deacons along with the faithful of Mar Yosip Khannisho Parish laid the foundation stone of their church in Gilbert, Arizona. The clergy commenced the service with a procession of chanting antiphons (oniyathe) unto the construction site.  His Grace Mar Aprim Khamis then placed a picture of the blessed Mar Yosip Khannisho into a brick to be the cornerstone of the Church and delivered a brief history of the parish acknowledging the help of the loyal members of the Assyrian Church of the East and Assyrian nation throughout the years. The church is expected to be completed in 6-7 months by the grace of God and the donations of faithful members of the Church worldwide.  If you are interested in donating a personalized brick, which will be placed in the entrance hallway of the new church, please visit www.projectmaryosip.com and for other various donation visit, GoFundMe.com/ProjectMarYosip. Mail can be sent to: PO Box 735 Gilbert, AZ …

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 Sunday 21 January, the new campus of St Narsai Assyrian Christian College, a year 7-12 co-educational Christian independent college of the Assyrian Church of the East was officially opened in a historic ceremony at Horsley Park, New South Wales, Australia.

The Assyrian Church of the East Children’s Association (ACECA) in Sydney held its inaugural Vacation Bible School (VBS) in from Monday 8th to Thursday 11th January 2018. The “Camp Out” themed event catered for 120 children that often attend the Association’s regular weekly Wednesday night ministry. The VBS included two full days of fun and interactive learning; bible explorations, wilderness games, projects with a purpose, bible adventures and arts and crafts. Lanterns that taught them ‘Jesus is the Light’, caravan banks that taught charity through ACERO and GUTSY bears that taught love were just a few projects and activities the children worked on. The third day was the children’s fun day out, where parents were invited to share in the celebrations. A picnic was held at Plough and Harrow (Abbotsbury) where children were booked in to experience the Treetops Adventure Park, trekking as high as the trees and swinging to and from their posts; what campers can really do in those forests. The VBS concluded with a closing campfire ceremony on Thursday presided over by His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia AM, Metropolitan, Reverend Chor-Bishop Narsai Youkhanis and Revered Father Shamuel Shamuel. Children sang and performed, and showcased everything they had …

FOR THE IMMEDIATE ATTENTION OF ALL OF THE FAITHFUL OF THE ASSYRIAN CHURCH OF THE EAST, DIOCESE OF CALIFORNIA:

Voice of the East – Vol. 64 – September & October 2017 – No’s 09 & 10

On September 13, 2017, The Feast of the Holy Cross, His Grace Mar Awa Royel, Bishop of California elevated Rev. Deacon John Piro to the ecclesiastical rank of presbyter at Mar Zaia Cathedral in Modesto, California.  Rev. Fr. John will serve as an assistant priest at Mar Addai Parish in Turlock, California.  Following the ordination, His Grace Mar Youhannan Yousip, Auxiliary Bishop of India, celebrated the Holy Mysteries and there was a fellowship meal in the Church Hall. Video of Rev. Fr. John’s Ordination Biography of Rev. Qashisha John Badal Piro Reverend Qashisha John Badal Piro was born on February 7, 1973 in the city of Turlock, CA. to his father Reverend Cor-Bishop Badal S. Piro, and Bereshwa Piro.  He is the youngest of 7 children.  He began his ecclesiastical education in the Assyrian Church of the East in both Syriac language and liturgical service at the hands of his father beginning at the age of five years.  This was instrumental in building a strong foundation in the Apostolic faith of the Church of the East, which is evident to this day. At the age of 12 years, he was ordained a hypodyakhna (subdeacon) for Mar Addai Parish and served …

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)

On Sunday 16th July 2017 by the grace of Almighty God, the Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon under the leadership of His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia AM was blessed with the consecration of His Grace Mar Benyamin Elya as the first Bishop of the newly-created Diocese of Victoria and New Zealand.   Visiting from the Patriarchate of the Assyrian Church of the East in Iraq, His Holiness Mar Gewargis III Sliwa, Catholicos-Patriarch was assisted in the consecration which commenced at 8am on Sunday 16th July at St Abdisho’s Cathedral, with the following prelates present alongside His Holiness;   – His Beatitude Mar Aprem (Metropolitan of Malabar and All India)– His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia AM (Metropolitan of Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon) – His Grace Mar Emmanuel Yosip (Bishop of Canada)– His Grace Mar Awa Royel (Bishop of California, USA)– His Grace Mar Narsai Benyamin (Bishop of Iran)– His Grace Mar Paulus Benyamin (Bishop of Eastern USA)– His Grace Mar Abris Youkhanan (Bishop of Erbil)   After the Consecration the new Bishop of Victoria and New Zealand celebrated the Holy Qurbana. More than 1500 faithful were in attendance for both services.     The church services were attended by the following …

مباشر …. مراسيم الرسامة الأسقفية للاركذياقون نينوس ايليا، اسقفاً على فكتوريا ونيوزلندا، بوضع اليمين المباركة لقداسة البطريرك مار كيوركيس الثالث صليوا وأصحاب الغبطة والنيافة. Live broadcast of the Consecration of The Rev’d Fr Ninos Elya, Bishop-Elect Diocese of Victoria and New Zealand by His Holiness Mar Gewargis III Sliwa, Catholicos-Patriarch Of the Assyrian Church of the East. St Abdisho’s Church Coolaroo, Victoria, Australia

On Friday 23rd June 2017 at St John the Baptist Church in Ankawa, Erbil, Deacon Martin Nabil Nikola was ordained to the rank of priesthood at the blessed hands of His Holiness Mar Gewargis III Sliwa, Catholicos-Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East. In attendance was His Grace Mar Abris Youkhanan, Bishop of Erbil and Patriarchal Vicar, Archbishop Mar Grigorios Sliwa Shimon of the Syrian Orthodox Church along with numerous reverend priests, deacons and nuns from many sister churches. Biography: Reverend Martin was born in Baghdad in 1990 and completed his primary and secondary education in the city of his birth. From there he moved to Erbil to study philosophy and theology at Babel College, successfully graduating in 2014. He was ordained a deacon by His Holiness Mar Gewargis III in St Odisho Church, Baghdad on 18th December 2010. Revered Martin is married and will serve the Assyrian Church of the East at St John the Baptist Patriarchal Cathedral in Ankawa, Erbil.

“…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 …