Assyrian Church News Official News Site of the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East

On the 28th of September 2010, the Annual Swedish Churches Meeting took place in Sweden where present was His Grace Mar Odisho Oraham.

St. Mary’s parish of London were blessed by the patriarchal visit from the Assyrian Church of the East Catholicos Patriarch, Mar Dinkha IV, from 22nd to 26th September 2010

In a show of faithfulness to the Assyrian Church of the East, more than 300 church members took part in a physical and spiritual walk to raise more than $22,000 for the building of two new churches for the Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon. The 2010 Walkathon encouraged the young, old, fit and fighting to power-walk, trek and stroll their way through the scenic 10km route from the future site of Ss. Peter and Paul Parish, Kosovich Place in Cecil Park, to St Hurmizd Cathedral in Greenfield Park. A sea of green-shirted participants was visible from afar, proudly displaying motivational words from the Epistle of Paul to the Philippians, 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” The annual marathon fundraiser was organised by the Youth Association of the ACOE alongside Ss. Peter and Paul Parish committee members, with the aim of raising donations for the building of Ss. Peter and Paul and St George Parishes. Officially opening the 2010 Walkathon with a prayer, Reverend John Kushaba, priest at Ss. Peter and Paul Parish, said partial fundraising was to be donated to the Starlight Foundation of Australia. “It is encouraging to know that while …

In a majestic Christian ceremony and amidst a spiritual atmosphere of blended fragrances of incense and angelic church hymns, His Holiness Patriarch Mar Dinkha IV, Patriarch of the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East, chaired the Episcopal ordination of Mar Narsai Benjamin Bishop for Iran in Tehran. The morning of thirteenth of September, the Feast of the Holy Cross and according to the ceremonial tradition of the Church of the East, witnessed the largest attendance in Iran’s contemporary history from the clergy and faithful members of the Church of the East, our other sister Churches and all the Assyrian people in Iran to participate with the Church Fathers of the Church of the East. The Church of Saint George, the martyr, in Tehran was filled with the presence of clergy and believers from all the different churches to participate in this great event. Beginning at eight o’clock, the morning of the blessed day, the holy consecration procession moved from Holy Church courtyard, heading to the main door and then to the Holy Altar carrying the cross, the Holy Gospel and incense. Heading the procession was H.H. Mar Dinkha IV Catholicos Patriarch of the Church of the East accompanied …

On Saturday August 28th, 2010 the A.C.O.E, Diocese of California youth ministry held its monthly Joint Bible Study (JBS) at Larsa Hall in Turlock, California, which saw youth members of Mar Yoisp, Mar Zaia, Mar Gewargis and Mar Addai Parishes coming together in the love of Christ and His life-giving word.  The topic for this month’s discussion was “Media and its Influence on Our Christian Lives.” The day commenced with the Assyrian Church of the East liturgical Morning Prayer lead by Reverend Genard Lazar – Diocesan Youth Coordinator, numerous deacons, and all youth members. After the prayer, all attendees were welcomed by Deacon Ramil Bivyodavid, Vice President of the Mar Addai youth ministry, which was the hosting parish for this month’s JBS. Deacon Ramil expressed his gratitude to everyone who attended and urged those who were attending for the first time to engage with this month’s topic, discuss, learn, and join their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ for fellowship. After a few instructions and breakfast, as prepared by the Mar Addai Parish youth committee, all attendees were divided up in groups based on age and dispersed with their respective bible studies leaders for discussion. In these small groups, various …

The faithful of the Assyrian Church of the East in Melbourne were this weekend blessed by the Episcopal Sojourn of His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia AM, Metropolitan of the Assyrian Church of the East for the Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon. His Beatitude visited Melbourne to assess the condition of the church and provide direction and stewardship to its faithful. His Beatitude arrived in Melbourne on Friday 27 August 2010, and gave leadership to a series of meetings with the parish priests and various committees. In these meetings, the Metropolitan discussed numerous points of importance to the parish faithful and laid out concrete measures for the ongoing success of the parish. Sunday 29 August 2010, marking the First Sunday of Elijah in the ecclesial calendar, saw His Beatitude consecrate the Eucharistic Liturgy in the St. George Church located in Reservoir. Hundreds of faithful packed the small church, which was purchased in 1979, to take part in the service. In his sermon, His Beatitude exhorted the faithful to be in constant prayer and asserted the importance of humility, good works and mutual respect in the spiritual life of every Christian. His Beatitude was assisted during the service by Rev. …

The Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon’s newly ordained priest Reverend Narsai Youkhanis has commenced his lifetime service to the Assyrian Church of the East, following an emotional laying of the hands ceremony at St Hurmizd Cathedral. The ordination, on 22 August 2010, was led by His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia and assisted by Cor Bishop Reverend Ashur Lazar and more than 30 clergy members including parish priests, deacons, sub-deacons and lectors. In a symbolic ceremony filled with ritual prayers to the Holy Spirit, H.B. Mar Meelis Zaia placed his blessed right hand on Deacon Ramsen Youkhanis, raising him to the ranking of priesthood and a commitment to work in the field of the Lord under his chosen name ‘Reverend Narsai’. Attending the early morning ordination were more than 2000 faithful, who filled St Hurmizd Cathedral with a mix of tears and joy, and took part in the new priest’s first offering of the Holy Eucharist, which followed a sermon and gospel reading for the 7th Sunday of summer according to the church calendar. Rev. Narsai said he felt confident through the strength of God, following the gracious gift of the Holy Spirit, the laying on of hands. “When …

“Follow Me” said our Lord while He walked on the face of the earth. Many heard His message and transformed their lives. On Sunday August 22nd, 2010, the Seventh Sunday of Summer, the consecration of a deacon and two sub-deacons took place at Mar Yosip Parish by His Grace Mar Awa Royel, Bishop of California. H.G. Mar Awa laid his hand on sub-deacon Ashur Kanoon and was elevated to the ranking of deacon. Along with deacon Ashur, two young men, Lawrence Younan and Banypaul Beitsayad were elevated to the ranking of sub-deacon for this parish. May God bless them and guide them so that their light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify the Father in heaven. [nggallery id=44]