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

Qasha Shaju Paulose arrived in Australia at the end of June. He is currently visiting Australia from New Zealand to fulfil the Priestly duties in place of Reverend Genard Lazar who is currently in California of United States for the 23rd Annual Holy Apostolic Assyrian Church of the East Youth Conference. He has been offering the Holy Eucharist in St Hurmizd Cathedral, and St Johns Park High School hall, with his last service to be conducted on the 19th July. The Ss Peter and Paul Parish parishioners have also been blessed with some personally challenging sermons on Friday night preaching at St Marys church. We would like to thank him for his caretaking role with the Ss Peter and Paul Parish and wish him a safe trip home for his return flight as he will be returning to New Zealand. [nggallery id=40]

On Sunday, May 24, 2009, Feast of the Pentecost, His Grace Mar Awa Royel conducted the ordinations to minor orders of four readers and one sub-deacon at Mar Zaia Cathedral, Modesto, California. Those ordained were: Robert Malkopour to the order of sub-deacon; Michael Barsom, Brainer Gewargis; Onel Barcham and Zaia Merza to the order of reader. Assisting the bishop were Rev. Shamlee Tamras, parish priest of Mar Zaia Cathedral, and numerous other deacons. [nggallery id=46]

AFFORDABLE rental properties are being built in Fairfield as part of a national scheme that will offer new accommodation for low- and middle-income families. The 58 properties, now under construction in Polding Street, are to be built and managed by an association between Churches Community Housing and the Assyrian Church of the East that shares the site. Archbishop Mar Meelis Zaia said the Assyrian church had already started construction of the homes before they found out about the Federal Government scheme. “The Churches Community Housing informed us of the scheme and as we were one of the first to apply, we were also one of the first to be approved,” he said. Archbishop Mar Meelis Zaia said that due to the shortage of affordable accommodation in the area, there is already a waiting list of more than 120 people. “The people on the waiting list are mainly elderly residents that can not to afford to rent privately anymore because they are on the age pension,” he said. “As long as they meet all the eligibility requirements, they will be the first to be housed in the properties.” Archbishop Mar Meelis Zaia said the Polding Street properties were expected to be …

Melbourne’s St. George Church was honoured with a visit from His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia AM, Metropolitan of Australia and New Zealand during a 4-day Arch-Episcopal Sojourn to the city. During his time in Melbourne, His Beatitude took the opportunity to engage in a number of meetings, in particular with the Parish Council and both Parish Priest’s Rev. Gewargis Toma and Rev. Hurmizd Gewargis, where the general progress of the Parish was examined and a number of plans put in place to ensure the continued success of the Parish. On Sunday the 29th of March, the Sixth Sunday of the Great Fast, His Beatitude consecrated the Eucharistic Liturgy for many hundreds of faithful who came to receive the Holy Qurbana and welcome His Beatitude. In the evening His Beatitude took time from his busy schedule to hold a meeting with the St. George Church Youth Group where he exhorted the young faithful to remain strong in their Christian faith and work together for the advancement of each other’s spiritual lives. The success of the youth program in Sydney was discussed, with particular reference made to Sydney’s Ss. Peter and Paul Parish. His Beatitude informed the youth in attendance of his …

The faithful of the Assyrian Church of the East have responded to the call to help those in need. During recent church services His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia AM made an appeal to all the church faithful to respond to the devastation of the Victorian people. He announced that at this time of great national disaster, a Christian’s duty is to help those in need, and the very least we can do is give financially to those whose lives have been destroyed so quickly and fiercely. As Christians our compassion drives us to act on behalf of the vulnerable and right now the suffering of the people of Victoria needs our immediate response. Thank you to all who have generously donated to this appeal. The funds will be forwarded to the Australian Red Cross. As a church, and as individuals, our prayers and our hearts go out to all affected by the recent Victorian bushfires. [nggallery id=30]

Members of St. Mar Benyamin Shimun the Martyr Parish in Holland recently welcomed, with joy, faith and love,  His Grace Mar Odisho Oraham, Bishop of the Assyrian Church of the East, Diocese of Europe on 30th of January, 2009. His Grace was received at Amsterdam Airport by Reverend Stephan Yalda and the Parish committee members. On the following day, the Eucharistic Liturgy was consecrated by His Grace Mar Odisho Oraham during which he announced the appointment of Reverend Stephan Yalda as the official Parish Priest of St. Mar Benyamin Shimun the Martyr Parish in Holland. His Grace also discussed recent developments in the Church as well as planned spiritual activities for the Glory of our Lord. The Eucharistic Liturgy was attended by a large number of faithful members of our church in Holland. On the same day His Grace departed Holland and went to London accompanied by Reverend Stephan Yalda. His Grace and Reverend Stephan were received by Reverend Archdeacon Younan Youel and the committee members of St Mary Church. Also in attendance were Reverend Albert Benyamin, Priest of St. Mari Parish in Denmark as well as Reverend Ishmael Tamras, Assistant Priest of St. Mary Church in London. On Sunday, …

"This award gives me a sense of working for the whole community, not just the Assyrian church,'' Mr Zaia said.



On Friday 14th November 2008, students of St. Hurmizd Assyrian Primary School and Mar Narsai College in Sydney Australia, along with their Principal Mr. John Haskal, Deputy Principal Mr. Sargis Makko and all teachers and staff, joyously welcomed His Grace Mar Meelis Zaia AM, Bishop of the Assyrian Church of the East, Diocese of Australia and New Zealand. Students also welcomed to their schools a patriotic Assyrian guest of honour Dr. Sargon Dadisho, President of Bet Nahrain Democratic Party and Assyria Sat, in Modesto California, USA. Students presented poems, songs and other items portraying the quality standard of education provide by both schools. The admired behaviour and respect shown by all students depicted both the cultural and spiritual morals of the students as Christian Assyrians. In His speech, His Grace officially welcomed Dr. Dadisho on behalf the school community and expressed His gratitude towards the assistance provided by Assyrian Sat in broadcasting news reports of the schools and the entire achievements of the Church in Australia and New Zealand. Dr Dadisho expressed his absolute delight in finally eye witnessing the great achievements of the Church under the assiduous leadership of His Grace Bishop Mar Meelis Zaia. Dr. Dadisho said, “here …