Assyrian Church News Official News Site of the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East
Patriarchal Diocese of Eastern USA
Diocese Eastern USA
The Holy Feast of the Nativity of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ has been celebrated across the world by dioceses and parishes of the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East.
The growth and properity of the Church was highlighted by noticibly large gatherings of faithful during Christmas eve and Christmas day masses, including English-speaking services in Sydney, Australia; Chicago, Eastern USA; and for the first time Turlock, Western USA.
Parishes all over the Diocese of Eastern USA offered the Holy Eucharist though out Illinois, New York etc with thousands of faithful gathering in celebrating the birth of Our Lord God Jesus Christ.
His Holiness Mar Dinkha IV, Catholicos Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, offered the Holy Eucharist during morning mass on the 25th of December at the patriarchal headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, Diocese of the Eastern United States.
“The earth indeed is in dire need for peace. In the same manner the earth longs for water to bring forth life, so mankind desires peace from the Lord of peace in order for him to obtain hope of living peacefully on earth,” said His Holiness.
Archdiocese of Iraq, Iran and Russia
Diocese of Baghdad
Iraq’s parishners of the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East have shown their faith by congregating to celebrate the feast of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
His Beatitude Mar Gewargis Sliwa, Metropolitan of Iraq, Iran and Russia offered the Holy Eucharist at Mar Odisho Church, Baghdad. Also, Reverend Shmoel offered the Holy Eucharist at St Qardagh’s Church in Baghdad.
[nggallery id=129]Diocese of Northern Iraq, Ankawa
[nggallery id=120]Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon
Sydney
His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia, Metropolitan of Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon offered the Holy Eucharist during Christmas eve gathering at St Hurmizd Cathedral, Sydney. And morning Holy Eucharist was offered by Reverend Chor-bishop Ashur Lazar St Hurmizd’s Cathedral Parish priest.
Drawing crowds of more than 5000 faithful for mid night Holy Offering and 2000 for morning Holy Offering, the prayer vigil (shaharta) and Holy Eucharist celebrated the Holy feast of the Nativity of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Sydney’s English-speaking service, Ss. Peter & Paul Parish, attracted a record number of more than 600 faithful for its Christmas eve mass held at the Assyrian Australian Social Centre.
The service commenced with a prayer vigil in the English language followed by the offering of the Holy Eucharist by Reverend John Kushaba, Ss. Peter & Paul Parish priest.
[nggallery id=131]Beirut
The feast of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has been celebrated in Beirut.
Faithful members of the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East attended Holy Mass offered by Archdeacon Emmanuel Betyou. The holy Eucharist was also offered in other parishes such as St Pithyon Church in Zahleh and others.
[nggallery id=121]Archdiocese of India and the UAE
Diocese of UAE
Parishioners of the Church of the East living in the U.A.E gathered together in celebrating the birth of out Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ. Priests, deacons, choir members and faithful attend the Holy Offering of the Holy Eucharist at St Mary’s Parish.
Children’s choir sung hymns and carols in remembering this Holy night, after which the service of the Holy Eucharist was offered by Reverends and deacons.
A surprise visit by santa was also witnessed reminding the children of the purpose of santa, showing the love that Christ showed us through His birth, death and resurrection.
[nggallery id=135]Diocese of Syria
Parishioners of The Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East gathered in Jaramana, Syria where H.G Mar Aprem Nathniel Offered the Holy Eucharist to a large number of faithfuls.
Villages along the khaboor river also celebrated the Nativity of Our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ where a priest and deacons worked their way through the night from one village to the next Offering the Body and Blood of Christ.
St George’s Parish in Damascus, Syria celebrated Christmas eve mass with a prayer vigil followed by the offering of the Holy Eucharist.
The Holy Mass was led by parish priest Reverend Thomas Asitevo.
[nggallery id=127]Diocese of Europe
Stockholm
Sweden’s faithful have braved the harsh winter weather to attend celebrations of the feast of the birth of our Lord and Savoir Jesus Christ.
The Holy Eucharist was offered by Reverend Nilous Paul, parish priest of St Thomas’ Parish in Stockholm.
[nggallery id=126]Gothenberg
The Holy Eucharist was offered by Reverend Emmanuel, parish priest of Gothenberg.
[nggallery id=122]Jonkoping
The Holy Eucharist was offered by Reverend Daniel George, parish priest of St Mary’s Church.
[nggallery id=141]London
The St. Mary’s parish of London, England gathered to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ with a midnight mass service on the blessed evening of Christmas Eve.
The service commenced with a vigil in late evening which was followed by Holy mass at midnight.
Parishioners contended with the freezing weather conditions currently sweeping over Europe, as they arrived to partake in the holy mysteries and find warmth through the perfect word of God.
The Holy Eucharist (Qurbana Qadeesha) was offered by parish priest Rev. Tony Malham, with hundreds of parishioners packing the Ealing-based church. The adjoining church hall was also utilised to accommodate the large congregation.
For the first time the traditional Christmas greetings delivered by His Holiness Mar Dinkha IV, Catholicos Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, was presented via a pre-recorded visual display, allowing the congregation to watch the church father offering his Christmas blessings.
Following Holy Mass, parishioners gathered in the church courtyard to congratulate one another and rejoice in the true meaning of Christmas – the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.[nggallery id=123]
Germany
The Holy Eucharist was offered by Reverend Daniel George, parish priest of Germany.
[nggallery id=134]France
The Holy Eucharist was offered by Reverend Akhiqar Warda at St Yosip Khnanisho’s Parish in Marcelia.
[nggallery id=139]Diocese of Western USA
San Diego
[nggallery id=125]Diocese of Western California
The Holy Eucharist was offered by Reverend Genard Lazar at Mar Addai Church in the English language.
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