الفنان مالك البابلي فاجعة الكنيسه

Press Release Of The Holy Synod Of The Assyrian Church Of the East Regarding "THE RECENT TRAGIC EVENTS IN BAGHDAD"

PRESS RELEASE OF THE HOLY SYNOD OF THE ASSYRIAN CHURCH OF THE EAST REGARDING THE RECENT TRAGIC EVENTS IN BAGHDAD.

Mourners attend funerals of Iraq church attack.

It is with deep sorrow to report that on Sunday October 31, 2010, more than 58 innocent and defenseless people were killed and over 70 severely injured during an attempt by Iraqi security forces to free more than a hundred Christians which were detained by gunmen linked to Al Qaieda. This tragic event took place during Sunday evening Mass in one of the largest churches in Baghdad, near the heavily fortified Green Zone.

According to the SITE Institute, Al-Qaida's the Islamic State of Iraq claimed responsibility for the attack. The radical group has said all Christians in the Middle East are "legitimate targets".

"We will open upon them the doors of destruction and rivers of blood," the insurgent group said in a statement posted late Tuesday on militant websites.

Among those killed were at least five women, more than seven children and two priests, according to officals and witnesses. Among the injured were at least ten women, eight children and a priest.

"They entered the church with their weapons, wearing military uniforms. They came into the prayer hall, and immediately killed the priest... We heard a lot of gunfire and explosions, and some people were hurt from falling windows, doors and debris."

One of the freed hostages, an 18 year old man said, declining to give his name, but adding that all the hostages had been huddled into the main prayer hall when the gun battles began with security forces.

Iraq's top Catholic prelate, Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly has encouraged the country's remaining 1.5 million Christians to stay in the country. He called on the authorities for more protection and police and over the past week there has been a boosted military presence around Baghdad's churches.

However, Archbishop Athanasios Dawood said members of Iraq's religious minority should leave the country to escape violence directed at their community, as it appeared certain that insurgents were deliberately targeting church services.

"I say clearly and now that the Christian people should leave their beloved land of our ancestors and escape the premeditated ethnic cleansing. This is better than having them killed one by one," said Dawood, according to prepared remarks he sent to CNN.

Speaking at a service in London, he also asked the British government, and those in other European countries, to grant asylum to Christians living in Iraq.

"The Iraqi government is weak, biased, if not extremist. It does not protect us and the other minorities. It has ignored our legal rights. We ask the British government, the EU and the U.N. to protect us... in order to preserve what is left of the victims who do not carry a weapon to fight and kill," said Dawood.

It is time for President Obama administration as well as all other leaders in the world to take action to protect vulnerable religious minority communities to ensure the safety of Christians in Iraq. Also, we urged the U.N. to adopt a more generous refugee and asylum policy, including the possible resettlement of at-risk cases to the United States and elsewhere in the world.

Mar Narsai Benyamin Consecrated As Bishop Of Iran

His Holiness Mar Dinkha IV, Catholicos Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, accompanied by one Metropolitan and five Bishops, consecrated Cor-Bishop Benyamin as Bishop of Iran. The new Bishop was assigned the episcopal name Mar Narsai Benyamin. The consecration took place in Tehran, Iran on the Feast of the Finding of the Holy Cross.

For pictures of this memorable event, please see:
http://www.mehrnews.com/en/NewsDetail.aspx?NewsID=1150664

18th Annual Assyrian Food Festival in San Jose, CA August 21 and August 22, 2010

Commemorating All of the Assyrian Martyrs

August 7th has been designated as a Memorial Day for Assyrian Martyrs. Throughout our history, our Assyrian people have stood up for their religion, language, and national existence, bravely defended our existence even if it meant suffering and giving up their own lives to defend and protect our cultural national existence.

The lesson to be learned is that we need to dedicate ourselves to preserving our language, culture and heritage. Let us honor the Assyrian Martyrs and pray to the Lord to rest their souls and accept the sacrifices they made in the name of Him and the Assyrian nation.

His Grace Mar Awa Visits Arbil

Ankawa ProZ.com

Here are some pictures from His Grace Mar Awa's visit to Arbil:

http://www.ankawa.com/forum/index.php/topic,417293.0.html

Happy Mother's Day 2010

There is nothing quite like a mother. Throughout time, no one has done so much for so many with such grace. She is selfless, patient, resilient, strong and compassionate, loving and protective, generous and courageous, nurturer and a confidante, leader, resourceful, and much more. But of all the characteristics that combine to make a mother so special, perhaps the greatest of all is her innate capacity to give of herself, not hesitating to sacrifice to make life better for family and others who need to be uplifted. And when all else fails, no matter the circumstances, she's the one you can always count on.

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful moms out there!

His Beatitude Mar Narsai De Baz Passed Away

2010-02-14

It is with a heavy heart and deep sorrow that we regret to announce the falling asleep in the Lord of His Beatitude Mar Narsai DeBaz, Metropolitan of Lebanon, Syria and Europe of the Assyrian Church of the East. His Beatitude was called to his heavenly home by the Lord at 3:00 pm Pacific Time, in the healthcare facility in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he was hospitalized for the past week and a half. The late Metropolitan had received the precious Body and Blood of our Lord (Qurbana Qadisha) and Khusaya, as heard the reading of the Sacred Scriptures a few hours before his passing. He was solaced by the prayers of His Holiness Mar Dinkha IV and brother prelates present in Phoenix and globally, as well as the prayers of all the faithful and the presence of his family members. The funeral will be conducted at Mar Gewargis Cathedral, Chicago, Illinois (USA) at a date and time that will be announced in the very near future. We ask that you kindly pray for the repose of the soul of the late Metropolitan.

+Mar Awa Royel
Secretary of the Holy Synod

Ceremonies held at the Mar Yohannan Mamdana Church (India) to appoint Joju Anto and Shaju Paulose as Archdeacons

Thrissur: Joju Anto, 43, and Shaju Paulose, 35, were on Friday appointed as archdeacons at a ceremony held at Mar Yohannan Mamdana Church (India). The Holy Synod of the Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East on Thursday unanimously decided to consecrate them as bishops with the Archdiocese of India. Consecration ceremonies will be held on Sunday.

The Holy Synod, attended by Catholicos Patriarch Mar Dinkha IV and prelates, continued on Friday. Metropolitans Mar Aprem (India), Mar Geevargis Sliwa (Iraq, Russia) and Mar Meelis Zaia (Australia and Newzealand); and Bishops Mar Awa Royel (Diocese of California), Mar Odisho Oraham (Diocese of Europe), Mar Aprem Natneil (Diocese-Syria), Mar Aprim Khamis (Diocese of the United States), Mar Emmanuel Yosip (Diocese of Canada) and Iskhaq Yosip (Diocese of Nohadra and Russia); are attending the Synod.

On Friday, they visited Mar Timotheus Memorial Orphanage and the Bathanya Ashram, and participated in the centenary celebrations of Mar Yohannan Mamdana Church. A reception will be accorded to the clergymen on Sunday. The Synod will continue on Monday and Tuesday.


Source: http://www.hinduonnet.com

For pictures and video, you may check:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyszIF6g43g&feature=player_embedded#

His Holiness Mar Dinkha IV, arrived to India to participate in the synod of the church

Thrissur: His Holiness Mar Dinkha IV, the Catholicos Patriarch of the Church of the East, arrived in India on Wednesday to participate in the synod of the church.

The Patriarch and bishops from various countries were accorded a warm welcome at the Mart Marium Big Church here. Many believers attended the special prayers held at the church. The synod would begin on Thursday morning.

Three Metropolitans of the Church, Mar Aprem (India), Mar Gewargis Sliwa (Iraq, Russia) and Mar Meelis Zaia (Australia and New Zealand), would attend the synod. Bishops from Europe, Syria, the U.S., Canada and Russia would also participate.

Consecration of two new bishops, Fr. Joju Anto and Fr. Shaju Paulose, would be the main agenda of the synod. Consecration of the bishops-designate as archdeacons would be held at a ceremony led by Archbishop Mar Aprem on Friday.

The Patriarch and other bishops were received at the Cochin international airport by Archbishop Mar Aprem, Trusty Board chairman K. A. Johny and P.C. Chacko MP. The synod would conclude on January 19.

Source: http://www.hinduonnet.com

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2010

The most precious thing that ever hung on a tree was Jesus Christ. God came to earth as a baby to fulfill the long awaited promise of a Savior. May your heart be lifted in praise this Christmas for the wonderful gift of Jesus and the joy He brings to our lives. Have a wonderful Christmas and a Blessed new year 2010 you all.

St. Mary Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East in Tarzana destroyed in a fire

Sad News - St. Mary Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East in Tarzana destroyed in a fire:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5WzxAweiFI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1eUYtBtgMI

Fire Does Major Damage to Church in Tarzana
KTLA News

Firefighters work to extinguish the church fire amid the smoke. (KTLA Sky 5 / October 16, 2009)

TARZANA -- St. Mary Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East Tarzana sustained significant damage in a fire Friday evening that burned as hundreds of parishioners looked on.

It took 95 firefighters about 25 minutes to put out the blaze, which was reported at 5955 N. Lindley Ave. around 6:35 p.m.

Arriving firefighters reported smoke coming from a stained-glass window at the front of the church, where a big eucalyptus tree also caught fire, according to Devin Gales if the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Most of the damage appeared to be to the front of the church, but firefighters also cut holes in the roof.

A damage estimate was unavailable early Saturday.

No injuries were reported.

The fire will be investigated by the House of Worship Task Force, which was set up years ago to examine a string of fires in predominantly black churches.

The task force includes members of the Los Angeles Fire Department, FBI, Los Angeles Police Department and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Copyright © 2009, KTLA-TV, Los Angeles

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Our thoughts and prayers go to all of St Mary’s parish members and all of Assyrian Church of the East members. It is indeed so heartbreaking to see one of our church buildings being destroyed like this. However, we are the church and we will rebuild it again soon. Thank God no one was injured.

Also, we have been informed that Cor-Bishop Fr. Gewargis doesn't believe nor agree that the candles were cause of the fire as the candle lighting area is safe and has been used for several years safely. We also learned that Cor-Bishop Fr. Gewargis was able to save the bread (Malka) that is used to make holy mass every week, which was in the midst of the fire. Thus, the holy bread, was not damaged and was protected by the Holy Spirit.

33rd. Patriarchal Anniversary Of His Holiness Mar Dinkha IV

We offer our congratulations to His Holiness Mar Dinkha IV, Patriarch Catholicos of the Assyrian Church of the East upon his Anniversary of the Consecration. His Holiness Mar Dinkha is deeply loved and respected by the entire church for his exceptional service, leadership and compassion. May God's blessings be on our beloved Patriarch as he continues the mission of the Holy Church.

Tkhara D' Syameeda H.H.MarDinkha IV:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGv04c4O58c&feature=related

Valley school gives young emigres stability and hope

(DailyNews) "It's sad to think of," 17-year-old Leon Thomasian said last week as he pondered the sixth anniversary of the start of the Iraq War. For the young or the old - regardless of their politics or religion - war dramatically alters destinies, he said.

Leon, who was studying to be a being classically trained as a pianist, didn't touch a piano for years after he and his family fled from Baghdad to Syria. He thought his dreams of performing as a professional had forever slipped through his fingers.

"A person wants something so bad," he said. " And then he has to wait years for it."

Nearly 2.5 million Iraqi refugees continue to struggle to survive outside of their homeland, most of them with temporary permission to remain in Jordan or Syria, according to the human-rights organization Amnesty International.

Hundreds of thousands of them were Assyrian, Chaldean, Armenian or other minority communities in Iraq.

The refugees lost access to housing, health care and education, and they continued to live in constant fear of being returned to Iraq, where they face death threats, according to the human-rights organization.

At the Assyrian school, some tell Principal Robin Alkhas that whereabouts of cousins and uncles, lost to kidnappings, remain unknown.

Also troubling to Alkhas is the time these students lost from reading and writing and socializing with children their own age while they awaited the chance to enter the United States. They have lost their formative years in exile, she said.

"I feel these kids had an unfair start," she said. "Iraq used to have the highest literacy rate in the world. Some of the children who came to us, who are now 11, couldn't even write their names. That's scary to me."

The Assyrian American Christian School, which now has about 40 students, opened in 2005 as the first private school of its kind in the nation.

But 10 young refugees, five from Iraq and five from Iran, have given the school an additional purpose this year: to help these students preserve the traditions of their ancestry while preparing them for college in less time than most other students have.

Alkhas wishes the school could afford to take in more students. But resources and donations from the local community are limited. She hopes to receive some assistance or qualify for a grant from the federal government or a philanthropy.

"There were three more students we wanted to take," she said. "But we had to turn them away. "It was heartbreaking for me."

While European countries have offered some form of stability, U.S. policy on resettlement continues to remain murky. The Bush administration was criticized for lacking any solid vision on the issue.

The U.S. State Department, meanwhile, said it will try to resettle a minimum of 17,000 Iraqi refugees this fiscal year. From Oct. 1, 2007, to Sept. 12, 2008, the U.S. resettled 12,118 Iraqi refugees; the number in 2007 had been 1,608.

When asked what challenges the United States faces in helping to resettle Iraq War refugees, a State Department spokeswoman said such questions are left to policymakers.

President Obama's plans for resettling refugees remain unknown, said Joel Charny, vice president for policy of Refugees International.

"During the campaign, President Obama actually uttered the words `Iraq refugees' and expressed concern for humanitarian conditions," Charny said.

"We have a president who is able to express concern for the Iraqi people who are suffering, but that verbal commitment needs to be translated into action."

Though Obama also has pledged to end the war in Iraq by 2010, its people need to prove there can be stability, Charny said. So far, that stability hasn't appeared.

"There are people who suffered a level of trauma to which returning is inconceivable," he said.

California remains one of the toughest states in which to resettle refugees, said Debbie Decker, community resource developer for the Interfaith Refugee and Immigration Service in Atwater Village, the largest organization of its kind in the nation.

"We do resettle a tremendous amount of people," Decker said. "But California is restricted because of limited social services, the cost of living (and) job availability, and housing is so expensive."

Last year, the organization helped about 1,500 refugees resettle in Los Angeles, Decker said. The previous year, the group helped about 1,350, mostly people from Iran escaping religious persecution.

Before refugee status is granted, the United Nations must determine those who apply for it are in real danger if they remain in their native lands. To settle in California, applicants must have family ties in the state and undergo a complex process of paperwork, background checks and verification of travel documents.

But Assyrians have historical ties to California. Waves of them arrived in the Central Valley after fleeing a massacre by the Turks near the end of World War I. Others escaped Iran after the Islamic revolution in 1979, and still more families came after the first Gulf War.

With the latest Iraq War, however, the American Assyrian community fears that ancestral homelands in Northern Iraq, where their numbers continue to decline, will be lost to them forever.

At the Assyrian school in Tarzana, the lessons help the students revive hopes and dreams, said the Rev. George Bet-Rasho, who started the school and is the parish priest for St. Mary's Assyrian Church of the East in Tarzana.

"We understand them, because many of us can relate to them," Bet-Rasho said.

Kathryn Yousif, 17, said coming to Los Angeles has helped her feel settled.

Her younger sisters, Sweden, 13, and Moreen, 11, also both at the school, seem happy as they immerse themselves in English grammar by day and songs by Hannah Montana and the cast of "High School Musical" by night.

The Yousifs traveled to the United States with nothing more than the clothes they wore, Kathryn said.

"I miss my friends," she said. "But there is no future in Iraq."

For Leon, the young piano player who is an ethnic blend of Armenian, Assyrian and Chaldean, the war landed him in the United States in a most unexpected way.

By Susan Abram

Help Find Missing 7 Year-Old Assyrian Boy

MISSING CHILD

A seven-year-old, Assyrian boy named Aishu Auraay is missing. He was last seen on Tuesday 2 September 2008 at 5:30 P.M. on the grounds of Mar Oraha Church/School, at Jaramana 10 kilometers Southeast of Damascus.

Father’s Name: Auraay D. Nissan
Mother’s Name: Yuneea A. Zumaeeah
Siblings: Mati, Aumta, Katreen, Linda, and Auleen

Family History

The family lived in Tel Kepe (Telkaif), 15 miles from Mosul, for twelve years before fleeing to Syria on the 16 November 2007. They lived near Mar Oraha in three separate locations within the vicinity of the Church until March 2009 when they arrived in Australia without their son.

This family, like most refugees, has been subjected to extortion and bullying by gangs that view these helpless souls as easy targets. A poor investigation was conducted by local police with no results. Now the family has asked for our help. The hope is to reopen the investigation at a higher level including international aid as well as police agencies.

What you can do to help?

1. Place this photograph on as many personal and public websites and social network websites as possible.
2. Show the photograph on as many satellite television programs if you have connections.
3. Most importantly, other refugees may have been subjected to the same abuse and may have been reluctant to speak up at the time. You can contact family members and friends that live in Jaramana or have recently emigrated from there and ask them to help.

Request

Please do not post incoming information and the contact details below on public forums. All information will be treated with the utmost care and confidentiality however insignificant it may seem to you. It is also important to centralize the information for analysis and distribution to proper authorities, so again, please use the contact details below to submit information.

Thanking you on behalf of the refugee family.

Primary Contact in Australia:
Gaby Kiwarkis
Gaby6@aapt.net.au
Mobile +0410086479

Secondary Contact:
Ashur Isaac
ashur@theplanet.net.au.vcf

http://MissingAssyrian.110mb.com/

Baouta’d Ninevaye or the Rogation of the Ninevites

Watch His Grace Mar Awa Royel, Bishop of California as he explains Rogation of Ninevites 862 B.C - Bouta D' Ninvayeh:

Watch Mar Awa...

Baouta’d Ninevaye or the Rogation of the Ninevites ܒܥܘܬܐ ܕܢܝܢܘܐ which means 'Nineveh's Wish' commemorates the repentance of the people of Nineveh at the preaching of Jonah, the Prophet.

God instruct Jonah to go to Nineveh and condemn Assyrians for their “wickedness”, and to preach faith in His unity and virtuous conduct. But the people jeered at him and paid no heed to his call. Jonah was so disgusted with the attitude of his people that he decided to leave his town and take to the sea.

When his ship was in deep waters, it was rocked by storm and Jonah was thrown overboard and swallowed by a big fish. As he lay in the belly of the fish, Jonah wondered why he was being punished when God had chosen him to be His messenger; where had he gone wrong? He then realized that he should not have acted in anger, because God wished that he be patient and more persuasive.

He prayed for forgiveness and for another opportunity to prove himself. Thus did his Lord choose him and make him of the company of the righteous. [68:50]

After three days in the belly of the fish, God listened to his prayers and miraculously took him out of the belly of the fish and cast him, albeit in a sickly condition, upon a deserted shore. Having recovered in the shadow of a gourd-tree, he went to Ninveh, where he pursued his mission, this time with greater persuasion and forbearance and despite all the jeers of the people, continuing with his work to bring them to the right path.

God told Jonah: Had your Lord so wished, all people everywhere would have been believers. But that is not His way, hence do not force anyone to take to Our path unless they do so willingly. No one can believe except by the will of God; only those who are skeptics do not understand His message. [10:99-100]

The Ninevites repent and declared a public fast. God then relented and did not inflict on them the punishment he had threatened. This shows God's universal love and mercy which extend to all human beings.

For Assyrians the Rogation of Ninevite has a nationalistic and a spiritual significance: In this way Assyrians were always reminded of Nineveh throughout the history until the ruins of Nineveh were discovered in early half of the 19th Century. Assyrians were also reminded of their importance in the history of the Church and spiritual development of Judeo-Christian tradition, for the Ninevites symbolized the longing of all humans for a universal God. The God who is so gracious and compassionate, the God who watches over His people and protects them from their evil ways.

During the three days of Baouta (fasting) people abstain from all food and water in their plea for forgiveness. Traditionally, at the end of the fasting period those that have fasted would partake of three handfuls of parched barley, mixed with a like amount of salt, and then sleep. Assyrians have different recipe's for such salty mixture or "pookhon" as it's called.

Baouta d’Ninevaye or the Rogation of Ninevites is an important Assyrian tradition which must be noted for its historic and spiritual significance.

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His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia Honored as Fairfield's Citizen of the Year for 2009

(Fairfied City Champion) FAIRFIELD City Farm was bursting with families celebrating the spirit of Australia Day on Monday.

Fairfield Citizen of the Year for 2009 is Assyrian Church of the East [Metropolitan] of Australia and New Zealand, His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia, who established St. Hurmizd Primary School in Greenfield Park, the first Assyrian school outside the Assyrian homeland.


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

``I aim always to make the younger generation feel first their responsibility of being Australian.

``In encouraging them to finish their higher education and be active members of their community, there needs to be a sense of contributing back to the whole country.''

A finalist for the 2008 NSW Young Australian of the Year award, Ms Coxon urged people to take on leadership roles, saying: ``Each of us experiences obstacles to becoming a leader, but we each have something inside us that will push past those to achieve our goals.''

Latest Assyrian Church of the East Events

Mar Yosip Parish Restaurant Night

Our next Restaurant Night is held on Sunday, January 25, 2009 at Mar Yosip Parish Hall in San Jose, California. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased for $10/per person and $5/per child under the age of 7. Tickets can be purchased at church or at the door on the day of the event.


Fundraising Banquet in Honor of The Consecration of His Grace Mar Awa in Turlock, CA

The Mar Zaia, Mar Addai and Mar Gewargis Parishes are hosting a fundraising banquet in honor of the consecration of His Grace Mar Awa Royel, Bishop of the Diocese of California, on Sunday, February 8, 2009 at Larsa Banquet Hall in Turlock, CA. The event will begin at 6:00 pm. Tickets may be acquired in advance. All proceeds and donations will go to benefit the purchase of the new Apesqopion in Modesto.


Fundraising Banquet in Honor of The Consecration of His Grace Mar Awa in San Jose, CA

The Mar Yosip and Mar Narsai Parishes are hosting a fundraising banquet in honor of the consecration of His Grace Mar Awa Royel, Bishop of the Diocese of California, on Sunday, February 15, 2009 at the Mar Yosip Parish Hall, San Jose. The event will begin at 6:00 pm and tickets may be acquired in advance. All proceeds and donations will go to benefit the purchase of the new Apesqopion of the Diocese of California in Modesto.