Communiqué Rome, November 22, 2019 A plenary session of the Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Assyrian Church of the East took place from 21–22 November 2019 at the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity in Rome. This fourth session continues the third phase of the dialogue which is considering the mystery of the Church as understood in bothtraditions. The Commission is co–chaired by His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia, Metropolitan of Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon, and the Most Reverend Johan Bonny, Bishop of Antwerp. ​On Thursday, 21 November 2019, the Most Reverend Brian Farrell, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, welcomed the members of the Joint Commission to the annual meeting. ​The Joint Commission continued its work on the third phase of the dialogue on issues of ecclesiology which had been approved in 2017. This phase is reflecting on the nature and mission of the Church, the work of the Holy Spirit in the Church and the constitution of the Church. The members of the Commission gratefully recalled the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Joint Commission concurrently with the Common Christological Declaration signed by Pope John Paul II and Catholicos Patriarch …

The fourth meeting of the official Bi-Lateral Commission for Dialogue between the Assyrian Church of the East and the Russian Orthodox Church met in Thrissur, Kerala from 13 to 16 November, 2019. The meetings were held under the auspices of the Archdiocese of India in Thrissur, hosted by His Beatitude Mar Aprem, Metropolitan of India for the Assyrian Church of the East. ​The participants in the bi-lateral dialogue meeting from the Assyrian Church of the East were the following: His Grace Bishop Mar Awa Royel, Bishop of California and the Secretary of the Holy Synod (co-chair); Very Rev. Cor-bishop Gewargis Toma, Diocese of Eastern USA (member); Rev. Fr. Ephraim Alkhas, Diocese of California (co-secretary); Rev. Deacon Roland Bidjamov, Diocese of Nohadra and Russia (member). Representing the Russian Orthodox Church were the following: His Grace Bishop Kliment of Krasnoslobodsk and Temnikov (co-chair); Very Rev. HieromonkStefan Igumnov, Secretary for Inter-Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate’s ‘Department of External Church Relations’(member); Very Rev. Hegumen Stefan Sado (member, absent) and Mr. Sergei Alferov (co-secretary). ​On the Commission’s first full working day held on Wednesday, November 13th, the Commission was formally welcomed by His Beatitude Metropolitan Mar Aprem, the head of the Archdiocese of India. …

St Narsai Assyrian Christian College officially opened its newly completed Stage Three project on Sunday 27 November 2019. The ceremony was officiated by His Eminence Mar Meelis Zaia AM, Chief Executive Officer of the Assyrian Christian Schools Limited, accompanied by members of the official party, staff, parents and students. The official party accompanying His Eminence consisted of His Grace Bishop Haigazon Najarian of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Reverend Father Nektarios Nemme representing His Eminence Archbishop Basilios Kodseie of the Antiochian Orthodox Church, along with Sydney’s Assyrian Church clergy. It was also with great honour that Members of Parliament and Local Council were in attendance, including the Honourables; Ms Tanya Davies MP representing the Premier Ms Gladys Berejekilian MP, Mr Kevin Conolly MP representing Ms Sarah Mitchell the Minister of Education, Mr Chris Bowen MP, Dr Hugh McDermott MP, Mr Nick Lalich MP and the Mayor of Fairfield City, Mr Frank Carbone. Not to mention all the Assyrian and Chaldean associations, organisations, charities and entities who were in attendance. The newly opened Stage Three section of the campus encompasses the COLA (Covered Outdoor Learning Area), the outdoor courtyard garden and Building D. The new building is specifically designed to teach the …

Voice of the East – Vol. 66 – July & August 2019 – No’s 07 & 08

On the first Sunday after the Feast of the Finding of our Lord’s Cross (15 September 2019), His Holiness Mar Gewargis III Sliwa Catholicos-Patriarch consecrated the Holy Altar of St Mar Yosip Khannisho Parish (Gilbert, Arizona) with oil.  This joyous celebration was a part of His Holiness’ first Apostolic sojourn to the Diocese of the Western United States.  The consecration was attended by the His Grace Mar Aprim Khamis Diocesan Bishop of the Western USA, His Grace Bishop Mar Emmanuel Yosip of Canada, various members of the clergy, lay faithful, and representatives of local government and Assyrian organizations.  Following the consecration of the Holy Altar, His Grace Bishop Mar Aprim Khamis celebrated the Divine Liturgy of Ss Addai and Mari and communion was distributed to over 700 faithful attendees.  A celebratory luncheon, with over 450 guests, was hosted by the new parish in honor of His Holiness the Catholicos-Patriarch and the consecration of the Holy Altar. A brief history of St Mar Yosip Khannisho Parish of Gilbert, Arizona: In August 2006, East Valley church members signed a contract with the Gilbert Public School District to use Burk Elementary Multipurpose Room for church service.  On 1 October 2006, the inaugural Qurbana …

The Assyrian Church of the East Youth Association hosted its annual Walkathon Fundraiser on Sunday with more than 500 walkers trekking the eight-kilometre route around St Hurmizd’s Cathedral in Greenfield Park. The map traced the steps of Christ and passed major cities that signified milestones in his ministry across the Holy Land: Jericho and the Mount of Temptation, Cana and the wedding miracle, Samaria and Jacob’s Well, Capernaum and the healing of the lepers, Bethany and Lazarus’ tomb and ended in Jerusalem and the Golgotha. Walkers picked up a handout explaining the significance of the city and the church fathers’ commentary. The walk was officially opened by His Eminence Mar Meelis Zaia AM and Reverend Fathers of Sydney parishes with a short program to welcome the walkers and cut the ribbon. The event concluded with a picnic at the rear of the church with entertainment, amusements and a barbecue. All proceeds from the Walkathon will go towards helping the needy displaced individuals and families in the Middle East, local charities in Australia and the works of the Youth Association in Sydney.

Source: http://www.ecaj.org.au/2019/historic-meeting-between-pm-and-faith-community-leaders/ In an historic meeting in Sydney on Monday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison met with 21 leaders of major faith communities in Australia to discuss progress in the government’s plans to introduce a Religious Discrimination Bill later this year (see picture).  The Jewish, Catholic, Anglican, Uniting Church, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Greek Orthodox, Coptic, Assyrian and Melkite communities were among those represented at the meeting. ECAJ co-CEO Peter Wertheim, who represented the Jewish community, hailed the meeting. “There cannot be many other countries in the world in which the head of government can have a constructive conversation over one and a half hours with such a diverse range of faith community leaders on as sensitive a topic as religious freedom  and discrimination,” he said. “Each of us outlined what was of importance to our respective communities not only with regard to the proposed legislation but also in terms of Australia’s broader cultural attitudes with regard to religion”, Wertheim said. “There was a large measure of agreement in the room about many of the principles that the government is grappling with in seeking a fair and workable balance between religious freedom and competing rights and freedoms.  This sends a positive message …

For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life, John 3:16 His Grace Mar Awraham Youkhanis along with Rev. Fr Tony Malham have today met with youths aged between 14-40 at St Mary’s Cathedral in London. With nearly 200 youths in attendance, His Grace opened the meet with Our Lords Prayer. His Grace proceeded with a sermon which centered around Gods abundant love for mankind, the importance of love and forgiveness and how each one of us has the love of God in our hearts and we should always keep that in our minds in our treatment of eachother. Following this inspirational sermon, registration forms were handed out for each person to become an official youth member and receive updates about all future youth events. In the coming months committees will be formed to fulfil a variety of tasks and implement programmes for all ages. Programmes will include Bible Studies, A school for anyone who wishes to study to be a Deacon, Assyrian language studies, Social Events, fundraisers and a monthly youth magazine. We encourage ALL youth who want to serve and want to …

Voice of the East – Vol. 66 – May & June 2019 – No’s 05 & 06

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity -Psalm 133:1 The 32nd National Youth Conference of the Assyrian Church of the East Youth Association of America (ACEYA) took place in the Diocese of California, hosted by the Central Valley Parishes of Mar Zaia Cathedral, Mar Gewargis Parish, and Mar Addai Parish, from 10 July to 15 July 2019. This youth conference had over 400 attendees from the three dioceses in the United States of America.  In particular, this youth conference was blessed with the presence of His Holiness Mar Gewargis III Sliwa, Catholicos-Patriarch.  It is noteworthy to mention that His Grace Mar Awa Royel, Bishop of California and Secretary of the Holy Synod; His Grace Mar Yosip Sargis, Bishop Emeritus; His Grace Mar Aprim Khamis, Bishop of Western USA and His Grace Mar Paulus Benjamin, Bishop of the Eastern USA were also present along with many priests and deacons. This year’s youth conference’s theme was “Keys to the Kingdom” (c.f. Matthew 13:11) which expounded upon the sacraments of the Holy Church.  This youth conference’s lectures included: -Rev’d Chorbishop Gewargis Toma of Glenview, Illinois on the Holy Mysteries of Priesthood and Absolution; -Rev’d Chorbishop Gewargis Bet-Rasho and Rev’d …

Message of Congratulations from His Eminence Mar Meelis Zaia   to His Grace Mar Awraham Youkhanis     Beloved brother in Christ, His Grace, Mar Awraham Youkhanis  , Bishop of Western Europe. Greetings to the Lord Jesus Christ “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ, for he chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight in love” (Eph 1-3-4) I am rejoiced to see our Lord Jesus Christ choosing a great and distinguished priest, with the grace given to him from the heights, devoting himself to serve the Church of the East. In that holy hour of your episcopal consecration, as the Holy Spirit was descending upon you, I thanked the Lord for that, and for His good divine will and His heavenly blessings, for setting me a witness to all your consecrations from deacon to bishop. As you serve His holy Church in the heart of London and lead the diocese of Western Europe; which you will make it a spiritual lighthouse for the advancement of the blessed Assyrian Church of the East, as you have …

The decrees in the English language from the Holy Synod 2019 in Erbil, Iraq.

The Assyrian Church of the East’s St Hurmizd’s Cathedral in Greenfield Park was the site of a major milestone for the Assyrian community and the Archdiocese on Sunday 26 May 2019. Prelates of the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East gathered to consecrate Reverend Archdeacon Narsai Youkhanis, the bishop-elect for the Church’s diocese of Western Europe to be based in London. The Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East in Iraq, His Holiness Mar Gewargis III Sliwa was joined by eight other prelates from across the world for the consecration. Thousands of parishioners and members of local council and parliament attended the official service in the morning. The church held a celebratory dinner at Edessa Reception in the evening for the newly consecrated bishop, who will be known as His Grace Mar Awraham Youkhanis. The new bishop, who has been a priest for nine years doing youth work in the local community, will make his way to London in late June to start his work in the church for the Western Europe diocese. The prelates present for the consecration were: His Eminence Mar Meelis Zaia AM, Metropolitan of Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon. His Grace Mar Awa …

On Monday 13 May 2019 the Holy Synod of the Assyrian Church of the East commenced its deliberations in the city of Ankawa, Erbil under the presidency of His Holiness Mar Gewargis III Sliwa, Catholicos-Patriarch and prelates of the Assyrian Church of the East. The commencement of the Synod was preceded by the celebration of the Holy Qurbana by His Beatitude Mar Aprem, Metropolitan of India and the UAE who was assisted by His Grace Mar Awgin Kuriakose, Bishop of India at St John the Baptist Cathedral, Ankawa. This Synod will convene for five days. On Wednesday 15 May the altar of the newly built St George Church in Diana will also be consecrated. This Synod is the second to be convened under the leadership of His Holiness Mar Gewargis III Sliwa following his election as Catholicos-Patriarch on 18 September 2015, after the passing into eternal sleep of His Holiness the late Mar Dinkha IV, Catholicos-Patriarch of blessed memory. In attendance are the following prelates: HB Mar Aprem Metropolitan of India and UAE HB Mar Meelis Zaia AM Metropolitan of Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon HG Aprim Khamis Bishop of Western USA HG Mar Emmanuel Yousip Bishop of Canada HG …

On Sunday 5th May 2019, His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia AM, Metropolitan of Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon raised The Rev’d Cor-episcopa Narsai Youkhanis to the clerical rank of Archdeacon. The service, held at St Mary’s Church in Fairfield, Australia was attended by a large congregation of faithful. The Metropolitan was assisted by priests and deacons during the ordination and the Eucharistic Liturgy which followed. The newly ordained Archdeacon presently serves the Archdiocese as Secretary to the Metropolitan and Chaplain of the Assyrian Church of the East Youth Association and Children’s Association. Congratulations to The Rev’d Archdeacon Narsai Youkhanis. May Almighty God shower His grace, mercy and blessings on him as he continues his devoted service in the Assyrian Church of the East.