GRAND OPENING AND BLESSING OF ST ABDISHO’S ASSYRIAN CENTRE

On Sunday 23 May 2021, the Assyrian Church of the East and Assyrian community of Victoria celebrated the historic opening of the newly constructed St Abdisho’s Assyrian Centre in Coolaroo.

The Centre is a Diocesan project to provide an accessible space for members of the community including youth, seniors, women and other groups. The facility will also be the permanent home of the St George Assyrian Language School.

The Grand Opening and Blessing function was led by His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia AM, Metropolitan of Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon and His Grace Mar Benyamin Elya, Bishop of Victoria and New Zealand.

The opening was attended by The Honourable Nazih Elasmar MLC, President of the Victorian Legislative Council, Maria Vamvakinou MP, Federal Member for Calwell representing The Honourable Anthony Albanese MP, Leader of the Opposition, Frank McGuire MP, State Member for Broadmeadows, Cr Joseph Haweil – Mayor of Hume City, Viv Nguyen – Victorian Multicultural Commissioner, Victorian Multicultural Commission Commissioner Mohammad Yassin, Hume City Council Councillors Cr Sam Misho, Cr Jim Overend and Cr. Naim Kurt and a range of other dignitaries and representatives from a range of sectors.

The program included performances from students of St George Assyrian Language School, the Ashur Folkloric Dance Group, remarks from the prelates and elected representatives and was attended by a capacity crowd.

The Diocese expresses its immense appreciation to all those who made this project a reality including the selfless and dedicated building volunteers, the Building Committee, ACEYA • Melbourne and its members for their work in coordinating the opening event and our project partner/auspice organisation, the Australian Assyrian Arts and Literature Foundation Inc.

May this beautiful new facility be blessed and contribute to the strength and growth of the Assyrian-Australian and wider community.