To all the sons and daughters of the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East and fellow brothers and sisters in faith, The Holy Synod of the Assyrian Church of the East would like to inform all the faithful of the Church of the results on the Electoral Council held from the 6th to the 8th of September 2021, at St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Erbil, to choose the 122nd Catholicos Patriarch. The Prelates of the Church gathered from all dioceses across of the world, except for His Beatitude Mar Aprem Metropolitan India and the UAE, whose health condition prevented him from attending the Holy Synod meeting. We pray to the Almighty God to grant him good health, and we hope to see him with us in the coming councils. With supplication to the Almighty God, and guidance of the Holy Spirit, and in the spirit of love and brotherhood, the Synodical meetings took place to elect a new Patriarch for the Church, to succeed His Holiness Mar Gewargis III Sliwa, who submitted his resignation last year for health reasons. We pray to the Almighty Lord to grant His Holiness Mar Gewargis III health and full recovery, and we …

The bishops of the Assyrian Church of the East in the United States meet recently ahead of the 33rd annual National Youth Conference. Attending the meeting were: His Grace Mar Aprim Khamis, Bishop of the Diocese of the Western USA; His Grace Mar Awa Royel, Bishop of the Diocese of California and Secretary of the Holy Synod; and His Grace Mar Paulus Benjamin, Bishop of the Diocese of the Eastern USA. ​The three bishops held their meeting on Wednesday, July 30th, at the premises of the St. Mary’s Assyrian Church of the East in Los Angeles, California. The bishops discussed many topics effecting the life of the Church in the United States. Some of the matters discussed were: 1) the National Executive Committee of the Assyrian Church of the East Youth Association (ACEYA); 2) the Constitution of the ACEYA; 3) the importance of transmitting the faith of the holy Church to our youth, particularly the promotion and use of the Assyrian language among our younger generation; 4) currents events in the life of the Church in the States; 5) matters relating to the clergy (priests and deacons) serving the parishes of the US. ​Some of the more notable outcomes of …

Voice of the East – Vol. 68 – March & April 2021 – No 03 & 04

Voice of the East – Vol. 68 – January & February 2021 – No’s 01 & 02

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 …

On Sunday 23 May 2021, His Grace Mar Awraham Youkhanis Bishop of the Diocese of Western Europe elevated two deacons to the ranking of priesthood to serve in Western Europe, Reverend Father Ninos Babisha and Reverend Father Shimshon Temmo. After necessary visa paperwork and applications are completed, Reverend Father Ninos Babisha will commence theological studies in Vienna, Austria, and will be responsible for our communities living within Austria. Reverend Father Shimshon Temmo will commence his theological studies and service in Athens, Greece, caring for our communities living in Egaleo and Thessaloniki, along with his wife Mrs Mirna Temmo. His Grace extends his gratitude and thanks to His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia AM Metropolitan for his support. Australia’s border closures caused many issues for the plans of the Diocese of Western Europe. His Grace Mar Awraham desired to ordain the new priests in their respective parishes in Europe. Nonetheless, His Grace was able to travel to Sydney, Australia to fulfil the ordinations in order to prepare for the arrival of the new priests into Vienna and Athens. May the Lord bless Fr Babisha and Fr Temmo as they commence their service in Europe, and embark on a God-fearing and holy priesthood, …

Voice of the East – Vol. 67 – November & Decmber 2020 – No’s 11 & 12