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11 Young Men Ordained

“You shall serve the Lord, your God…” On Sunday, 9th May 2010 at 10:00am (VI Sunday of the Resurrection), the gracious gift of the Holy Spirit, the laying on of hands (Syameeda), was bestowed upon eleven young men of the Church, through the hand of His Grace Mar Awa Royel, Bishop of California & Secretary of the Holy Synod. The service was conducted at Mar Addai Church, followed by the offering of the Holy Eucharist (Qurbana Qadisha) by His Grace. Those first ordained were the Readers: Mr Michael Nissan, Mr David Baghdasarian, Mr Sargiz Eshaq, Rameil Youkhanna, Eilen Shahbaz and Mr. Delmon Khoshaba. Then, two Sub-Deacons were ordained: Mr. Ramsin Youkhanna and Mr. Raymond Rasho. Finally, those ordained to the Diaconate were: Mr. Edson Joudeh, Mr. Antovan Ousipsargezzadeh and Mr. Ramil Biviyodavid. It is apposite to note that the above ordained were educated and trained by Rev. Fr. Jameel Wardah, Parish Priest of Mar Addai Church, Turlock. We beseech the Lord’s merciful grace to be bestowed upon the newly ordained, granting them the desire and strength to serve His holy church. [nggallery id=44]

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Assyrians in China – Lecture by Dr Ken Parry

Thursday the 22nd of April 2010, was an evening of knowledge, wisdom and a clear understanding on the history of the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East’s missionaries in China and India. Dr Ken Parry, a senior lecturer and researcher from the Ancient History Department of Macquarie University and is a world renowned authority on ancient philosophy, church history and theology, lectured to a congregation of church faithful in Edessa Reception with the presence of H.B Mar Meelis Zaia, other university lecturers, along with priests and deacons and faithful of the church. His extensive travels in Asia enabled him to give first hand information on the ancient missionary work of the church of the east that cannot be found in textbooks. The presentation by Dr. Parry opened the eyes of the congregation and expanded their knowledge of the remarkable message propelled to China and India over a thousand years ago. H.B Mar Meelis Zaia, being a graduate of the MA East Syriac Studies of Macquarie University, also presented a speech on this note and was highly supported both historically and factually by the lecturers present (having taught H.B Mar Meelis during his studies). [nggallery id=32]

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Prayer Memorials for the Late Mar Narsai DeBaz Held by Churches and Schools

Hundreds of people attended a memorial service at the St Hurmizd Assyrian cathedral of Greenfield Park in Sydney’s west on Tuesday (16th). The service was in remembrance of H.B Mar Narsai DeBaz, the Metropolitan of Lebanon, Syria and all Europe for the Assyrian church of the East. People also lay flowers and wreaths on the cathedral gates along with messages and cards of sympathy. Among the attendees local Assyrian organisations and politicians payed their respects. Priests from the Ancient church of the East of Sydney were also present. The Assyrian Church of the East has now entered into its 6th day of the Great Fast and yet during this fast, the faithful not only grieve over their sins but now also mourn for the loss of one of their dear Church Fathers; His Beatitude; the late Mar Narsai DeBaz. Ss. Peter and Paul Parish conducted prayer service in the English language, lead by the Parish Priest, Rev. Genard Lazar, in honour of the late Metropolitan of the Assyrian Church of the East in Lebanon Syria and Greater Europe, commencing at 8pm at St Hurmizd’s Cathedral in Sydney. Reverend Genard presented a short eulogy on the life of the simple, meek and …

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Thousands Attend Assyrian Church of the East Events in India

Thousands of members of the Assyrian Church of the East in India have attend numerous events surrounding the convocation of the Holy Synod and the visit of His Holiness the Catholicos-Patriarch accompanied by Metropolitans and Bishops of the church. The following is an outline of events that took place: Sunday 17th of January: Following the consecration of two Bishops for the Assyrian Church of the East in India His Holiness Mar Dinkha IV opened the new section of one of the Church of the East’s junior high schools in India. The Maran Mar Dinkha IV Building comprises 22 new classrooms and facilities for 1500 students. Donations for this building also came from Assyrians outside of India. His Holiness and fellow Bishops returned to a public reception in his honour which was attended by representatives of numerous churches in India, Indian government ministers, numerous members of the Indian Parliament, the Deputy Governor of the State of Kerala and the Deputy Mayor of the City of Thrissur in addition to some 4000 members of the Church. On Sunday the 17th of January the Federal Government of India held a dinner in honour of His Holiness Mar Dinkha IV which was attended by …

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Visit of the Iraqi Ambassador in Australia to His Beatitude for Christmas

His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia AM was visited by His Excellency Ambassador Ghanim Taha Al-Shibli, the Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq in Australia, and Dr William Isaiah, Charge  of the Iraqi Embassy in Japan, and Mr. Mohsen al-Samarrai, an Iraqi consul in Sydney, In addition to  Mr. Havel Sean representative of the Kurdistan Regional Government in Australia. [nggallery id=33]

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Mar Gewargis Visits Northern Iraq

Telkepe Chapter of the Assyrian Democratic Movement received His Beatitude AMar Gewargis Sliwa Metropolitan of Iraq, Iran and Russia to the Assyrian Church of the East, accompanied by Reverend Yousef Benjamin, and Reverend Matti Bayto. This delegation was welcomed by Mr. Dawod Shabu: Deputy Director of Sennacherib Branch, Mr. Fouad Masoud: Telkepe Chapter Director, Mr. Andrius Nisan: Batnaya Chapter Director and a number of cadres of the Movement and a large gathering of our people in the region. This visit took place on Monday December 28th, 2009. Also on Sunday December 27th, 2009 a delegation from the Sennacherib Branch, which included Mr. Dawod Shabu and a number of staff and cadres, attended the ceremony of ordaining Father Yousef Benjamin to the priest-Khuri level by His Eminence Archbishop Mar Kourkis Slewa in Mart Shmoni Church of the Assyrian Church of the East in Telkepe. [nggallery id=65]

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His Grace Mar Awa Royel Attends the Second Symposium Syriacum in Vienna, Austria

His Grace Mar Awa Royel, Bishop of the Assyrian Church of the East for the Diocese of California (USA), attended the ‘Second Symposium Syriacum’ in Vienna, held under the patronage of the Pro Oriente Foundation, from November 4 to 6, 2009. Accompanying His Grace, was Cor-bishop Auchana Kanoun, priest of Mar Gewargis Parish, Ceres, California. With its studies in the Syriac tradition, the PRO-ORIENTE FOUNDATION of Vienna, Austria, intended to facilitate mutual understanding and exchange as well as to promote the common heritage of the various churches belonging to the historical Syriac Tradition. In continuation of its former “Syriac Dialogue” (1994-2005), the PRO-ORIENTE, fourth Forum Syriacum was held in Vienna from November 2-7, 2009. Under the auspices of the Forum Syriacum, the “Second Symposium Syriacum” was held at the Palottihaus, Vienna. The theme this year dealt with the contributions of Syriac Christianity in the Middle East and India, and the challenges it faces in the same areas. The following were the invited experts and Church representatives: A.  Expert Scholars from the Churches of Syriac Tradition:- 1. Mar Boulos Matar, Archbishop, Beirut, Lebanon (Maronite Catholic Church) 2. Mar Joseph Powathil, Metropolitan, Changanassery, India (Syro-Malabar Catholic Church) 3. Mor Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim, …

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Unveiling of the Memorial Plaque for Assyrian Levies in fairfield

“… Lest we forget” On Saturday 31st October 2009, approximately 250 proud Assyrians gathered in Fairfield’s Ulverstone Street Park in Sydney, NSW to witness the Unveiling of a memorial park in honour of the Assyrian Levies. Mr Gaby Kiwarkis of the Assyrian Levies Association welcomed all at 10:00 am followed by a prayer by His Beatitude Archbishop Mar Meelis Zaia, Metropolitan of the Assyrian Church of the East, Archdiocese of Australia and New Zealand. Guest speakers on the day were Lieutenant Steve Zakaria RAN, Assyrian Australian Association; Mr. Andy Rohan, Assyrian Sports and Cultural Club; Mr. Joseph Adams, Assyrian Bawar Association, Fairfield Councilor Zaia Tooma, Mr. John Savige – Lt General Sir S. Savige, Mr. Lindsay Grigg – Captain Nicol MC Rep. New Zealand Defense Force, Hon. Charlie Lynn MLC. Prior to the unveiling of the plaque, His Beatitude the Metropolitan lead all into a prayer of commemoration followed by the official unveiling by His Beatitude and the laying of the first wreath. Wreaths were also laid by the Colonel, then the Levies, then MP Charlie Lynn then Assyrian Sports and Cultural Club, followed by the Scouts. [nggallery id=34]

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