Assyrian Church News Official News Site of the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East
His Holiness Mar Dinkha IV, Catholicos Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, has been honored with worldwide celebrations commemorating the 35th anniversary of his consecration as the head of the Church.
In London, United Kingdom, His Beatitude Dr. Mar Aprem, Metropolitan of Malabar and All India and the United Arab Emirates was guest of honor at a special function, held at Ealing’s Assyrian House. The program included hymns and speeches in honour of the important occasion.
St. George Church in Kirkuk, Iraq also celebrated the special event. Rev. Yosip Gewargis, parish priest of St. George Church gave a brief summary of the life of His Holiness and the hard work and accomplishments that have been made in the Church since his Patriarchal leadership.
St. George Parish in Damascus, Syria began the commemoration of the 35th consecration anniversary with the offering of the Holy Eucharist by parish priest Rev. Toma Asitivo and numerous deacons. .
His Holiness has placed great importance on unity with other sister churches that we live alongside in these Western and Eastern countries, said Rev. Toma.
A formal celebration was held on 18 October, during which Rev. Toma and all priests and deacons met to raise prayers and thanksgiving to the Lord for all His great works towards the faithful. In attendance were all administrative boards and committees, including the Assyrian Church of the East Relief Organization (ACERO) and parishioners.
In Sydney, Australia parishioners of St. Hurmizd Cathedral gathered in Edessa Reception Hall to attend a special breakfast ceremony following the offering of the Eucharistic Liturgy.
During the ceremony, Chor-Bishop Rev. Ashoor Lazar, parish priest of St. Hurmizd Cathedral gave a brief overview of the recent Australian visit of H.H.Mar Dinkha IV.
H.H. Mar Dinkha IV was born in the Assyrian village of Darbandokeh located in the sub-district of Harir, Northern Iraq in 1935.
The Catholicos Patriarch was ordained as a Deacon in 1949 and a Priest in 1957. He was consecrated as Bishop of Tehran and Iran on 11 February 1962 in Tehran at the hands of His Holiness the late Mar Eshai Shimun XXIII, Catholicos Patriarch.
His Holiness was consecrated to the Apostolic See of Seleucia-Ctesiphon as Catholicos Patriarch of the Church of the East on 17 October 1976 in St. Barnabas Church, Ealing, London.
