Diocese

The Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon is pleased to announce that on Sunday the 6th day of September 2020, His Eminence Mar Meelis Zaia AM will ordain Reverend Deacons Riyadh Dinkha and Ramen Youkhanis to the ranking of Priesthood for the Holy Church. The ordination will take place at St Hurmizd’s Cathedral at 8:00am. As we are facing the current pandemic, the ordination will be streamed live (further details to be provided closer to date).   Reverend Deacon Riyadh Dinkha’s Biography Rev Dn Riyadh was born in Baghdad, Iraq on the 14th day of September 1979 to parents the Late Shlemon Dinkha and Ms Mariam Qashow. He migrated to New Zealand in 2000, and settled in Australia with his family in 2013. Rev Dn Riyadh spent his childhood immersed in church services in Iraq and continued to do so after taking on rank in the Holy Church. Throughout his time living in Sydney, he has served as one of the Deacons to the Cathedral with commitment and diligence to all of its services, in addition to leading adult bible studies for parishioners. Rev Dn Riyadh is a registered architect and builder. After the ordination, Dn Riyadh will be …

On Monday 15th June, His Grace Mar Awraham Youkhanis participated in a virtual discussion on a project entitled ‘Rewriting Global Orthodoxy: The Oriental Churches in Europe, 1970-2020’ The meeting was hosted by the Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies Radboud University of Nijmegen in The Netherlands. The project started in October 2019, by the Faculty, in cooperation with the Institute of Eastern Christian Studies, with a grant from the European Research Council of the European Commission. It explores the religious publications of the Coptic, Syriac Orthodox, Armenian, Ethiopian and Eritrean churches in Europe, in comparison with those of the Church of the East and other churches whose members over the past fifty years have moved to various European countries. It studies these Churches who have in various ways established dioceses, churches and parishes, and have started to build up church life and the education of the young and the old, via a variety of publications – published in Europe or in other places of the world. His Grace was joined by scholars and other Church leaders during the virtual session. His Grace is grateful to the Faculty for the invitation to participate in the discussion and looks forward to contributing …

On Tuesday 4th February ACEYA (Assyrian Church of the East Youth Association) Sydney held its annual Youth Meet, presided over by His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia AM and clergy. Youth members attended the Meet in listening to His Beatitude’s keynote address about the challenging times we as Christians are facing in the society and the importance of God in our lives. With helpful tips, His Beatitude worked through the challenges with the youth and delivering guidance on coping mechanisms to persevere in faith. The youth had the chance to fellowship afterwards with one another and share in a delightful meal together as a family in Christ. This marks the beginning of the youth ministries across Sydney parishes for 2020. The Church in Sydney takes this opportunity to thank all volunteers in ACEYA for their hard work and dedication in teaching and working for the youth and the wider community.

On Sunday 26 January the faithful congregation of Melbourne gathered to witness the ordination of a newly instated priest for the parish. Reverend Father Morris Daoud, a committed and longserving clergyman of the church was elevated to the priesthood by the Diocesan Bishop, His Grace Mar Benyamin Elya accompanied by visiting prelate from the Diocese of Western Europe, His Grace Mar Awraham Youkhanis. The ordination took place at St Odisho’s Cathedral in Coolaroo, with hundreds of parishioners gathered for the occasion. Afterwards a celebratory breakfast was hosted in Mona Lisa Hall with heartwarming speeches by the newly ordained Fr Morris, and their graces Mar Benyamin and Mar Awraham. Biography of Rev’d Fr Morris Daoud: Fr Morris was the first born to his parents Dawood Yaqo and Nadira Mesho on the 13th June 1980 in Messan Emara, Iraq. In 1985 the family moved to Baghdad. Fr Morris gained his knowledge in the Assyrian language from Deacon Shimon in the church of St Ephraim in the village of Bersiveh, the village of Fr Morris’ parents whereby he spent many of the summer breaks. In 1990 the family moved to Mansouria, where Fr Morris further studied under Deacon Akheqar until 1993. In October …

The Assyrian Church of the East Children’s Association (ACECA) hosted its third annual summer program, from Monday 13th January to Friday 17th January 2020. The week long program, themed “ROAR” set an epic African safari that taught the children all about God’s goodness. Each day 250 children were lead into spiritual lessons with 50 of ACECA’s most dedicated and hardworking teachers and volunteers. Through station rotations: imagination station, stampede sports, KidVid cinema, and wild bible adventures, the children experienced God’s goodness in every situation – when life is unfair, sad, changes, scary and even when life is good. The last day of the program featured a special assembly where the children welcomed His Eminence Mar Meelis Zaia AM Metropolitan of the Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon, accompanied by His Grace Mar Awraham Youkhanis of the Diocese of Western Europe, upon his visit to Australia. The presentation showcased all that the children learnt in the week. His Eminence Mar Meelis reinforced the importance of seeing God’s goodness in every situation.