Assyrian Church News Official News Site of the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East
History was joyously made after 125 years, on Friday November 30th at 9:00am, when His Grace Mar Awa Royel, Bishop of the Assyrian Church of the East, Diocese of California conducted the Liturgy of the Blessing of Houses, in the new established Holy Monastery of St. Isaac of Nineveh, in Salida, California. The monastery came about after much prayer and the seeking of the Lord’s will, in addition to the petition of some of the faithful, particularly those who wish to consecrate their lives to God by continue prayer, fasting and good works.
Accompanied His Grace were Archdeacon Nenos Michael (Mar Narsai Parish Priest), Chorbishop Auchana Kanoun (Mar Gewargis Parish Priest), Rev. Fr. Jameel Warda (Mar Addai Parish Priest), Rev. Fr. Genard Lazar (Secretary to the Bishop) and Rev. Fr. Shamlee Tamras (Mar Zaia Parish Priest), along with deacons who serve in the diocese.
On the same day, at 6:00pm, His Grace celebrated the Holy Eucharist for the Commemoration of Mar Rabban Bar ‘Edta (on the Fourth Friday of the Hallowing of the Church—Qudash ‘Edta) at Mar Zaia Cathedral. Following immediately after the homily, His Grace proceeded with the ancient rite of tonsuring and investiture of the first brothers of the monastic brotherhood of St. Isaac of Nineveh, according to the rites and usage of the Assyrian Church of the East. Deacon Emmanuel Benjamin and Mr. Evan Badine were formally received into the brotherhood, by His Grace at Mar Zaia Cathedral (Modesto). Both Dayraya Emmanuel and Dayraya Awgin have commenced the order of Novices and are residing at the Monastery.
A dinner banquet was hosted in the church hall, where His Grace expanded on the significance of this first historical event within the Assyrian Church of the East in the Diaspora. The attending faithful expressed their sincere praise and thanksgiving our Savior Jesus Christ the King and Lord of the Church, for this unspeakable gracious gifts bestowed upon her. Heartfelt gratitude were also extended to the Shepherd of the Church in the Diocese of California, His Grace Bishop Mar Awa, for his continued strive towards the preservation and strengthening of the spiritual life of the Church, bringing back her glory clothed by Christ and his blessed Apostles.
On Saturday December 1st 2012, at 9:00am, His Grace and the diocesan clergy concluded the liturgy of the ‘Consecration of the Altar Without Oil’ within the chapel of the Monastery, officially dedicating it for various hours of prayers and the celebration on the Holy Eucharist (Qurbana Qadisha) every Wednesday and Friday afternoons (3:00 pm) and Sunday mornings (6:30 am). The monastic brotherhood is also governed by a strict rule, following in line with the Synhodos and monastic canons of the Assyrian Church of the East.
It is meet to mention that the current premises for the Monastery have been provided by a number of the faithful of the Church until such time in the future and according to God’s perfect timing and will, that the Church will be in a strong position to acquire land for construction of the monastery according to the rites of the Assyrian Church of the East. The Diocese offers its thanksgiving to all the faithful who have helped with the monastery and donated in various forms. May the Lord richly bless him.
We raise our voices together as one united body of Christ, and ascribe praise, glory, honor and worship to the glorious name of our heavenly Father for all his aids and graces towards his holy Church which cannot be comprehended.
For more pictures and to keep up-to-date, visit the below links:
Facebook – Diocese of California
http://facebook.com/assyrianchurch.california
Facebook – Monastery
http://facebook.com/stisaacmonastery
YouTube – Assyrian Church TV
http://assyrianchurch.tv
http://youtube.com/assyrianchurchtv
