Graduates Praised as Future Leaders

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

At the 17th Annual Graduation Ceremony of High School, College and University students in Chicago, Illinois, the banner titled “Today’s Students… the Future’s Leaders” was held high.

The ceremony, on 26 June, was blessed with the presence of His Holiness Mar Dinkha IV, Catholicos Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, along with many priests, deacons and faithful present in support of education for the next generation.

Parishes all over Illinois gathered at the Hanging Gardens, Chicago, to celebrate another year of successful studies by the youth of the church, where medallions and awards were given to 152 graduating high school, college and university students.

The ceremony was opened with the national anthem of the United States of America, presented by Ramena Zakaria, followed by the anthem of the Assyrian Nation and Church, performed by St George Cathedral Choir.

His Holiness Mar Dinkha then opened with a prayer before the commencement of the evening’s program.

Speeches and poems were offered by various guests, and the ceremonial cake was cut by the blessed hands of His Holiness on behalf of all the graduates.

Following this, the awards and medallions were than given to each graduating student, starting from the high school graduates to the university graduates with various levels.

In total, the graduates included: 80 high school students, 58 university students with bachelors, 11 university students with masters and three university students with doctorates.

In his keynote address. His Holiness applaud the graduates in reaching a great level of education, and encouraged the graduates to complete even higher levels of studies.

His Holiness stressed the importance of staying under the protection and guidance of our almighty Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, for it is through Him that we reach our potential; not through our own strength.

His Holiness thanked the parents of the graduates in raising such faithful and educated offsprings, before concluding the ceremony with a prayer and photo session with graduating students and their families.

University and College students of the Assyrian Church of the East in Baghdad have been honored as the future of the Assyrian nation, during a graduating ceremony attended by His Beatitude Mar Gewargis Sliwa, Metropolitan of Iraq, Iran and Russia.

The students were especially applauded for continuing their studies throughout the rough circumstances of their homeland.

His Beatitude Mar Gewargis, along with other priests and deacons of the surrounding parishes, congratulated the students on their achievement.

The students praised for their efforts to increase their knowledge and achieve higher levels in education.

His Beatitude further thanked parents and families for supporting their children in continuing their education despite any hardship encountered.

St Hurmizd Parish in San Diego, California has celebrated the graduation of its parish youth from various schools in the area.

Held on the third Sunday of the Apostles according to the Church’s calendar, the celebration commenced with the offering of the Holy Eucharist by Reverend Youkhana Ajabu, parish priest of St Hurmizd Parish.

The graduation ceremony included students from middle, junior high, high school and university levels.

Rev. Youkhana, along with Dr. Walid Asitivan, awarded each student with a certificate and medallion on behalf of the His Holiness Mar Dinkha IV, congratulating them on their achievement.

Delivering a speech to students, Rev. Youkhana encouraged their progress in obtaining higher levels of education, stating they will be a strong foundation for our Church and nation.

Thanks and applause were offered to parents and families of the students for continually supporting their children to become young and educated role models for the generations to come.