Seeds of Faith Summer 2015

12
SUMMER- 2015 QUARTERLY MAGAZINE VOLUME 6, ISSUE 2 A Publication of Saint Andrew’s Assyrian Church of the East-Glenview, Illinois Copyright © 2015 by Assyrian Church of the East Page 1 Blessed Mary in the Nicene Creed “Who for us men and for our Salvation de- scended from heaven and was incarnated by the Holy Spirit and became man, and was conceived and born of the Virgin Mary.” The time Adam and Eve ate from the fruit of the forbidden tree the Lord God drove them out of the Garden of Eden. At the east side of the Garden of Eden God placed the cherubim, and a sword flam- ing and turning to guard the way to the tree of life. It is written: “Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from which he was taken. He drove out the man; and at the east of the Garden of Eden he placed the cherubim, and a sword flam- ing and turning to guard the way to the tree of life.” (Genesis 3:23- 24) After Adam and Eve had confessed their sin, God the father promised them a hope for salvation. It is written: “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.’” (Genesis 3:15) This prophetic utterance was fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Son of the Second Eve, the eternally blessed Virgin Mary, who had crushed the head of the serpent under his feet by His death upon the Cross, and thus humankind was delivered once and for all from the grasp of sin, death and Satan. It is written in the Holy Bible that Jesus Christ in His humanity was born from the seed of the woman. This was said about Jesus because He was born as a man, of the Holy Virgin Mary, by the Power of the Holy Spirit, without the benefit of an earthly father. So, therefore, Jesus had an earthly mother; with a heavenly Father. The promise of God regarding the Salva- tion of mankind enabled the human race to believe in the forth coming of the re- demptive message of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. As, now we who are believers know for certain that the promise has been fulfilled by the com- ing of Him who is Messiah (m’shikha), while awaiting His second coming from Heaven. In the times past some people believed in the coming of the Messiah, but the greater number of humankind forgot that God had made a promise to send a savior. In the course of history, God reminded people of His forgotten promise. The recorded history of the salvation of mankind clearly indicates to the read- ers of the Sacred Scriptures that God, indeed, reminded His creation of His promises. To Abraham a promise was made, and elaborated upon it: it is writ- ten: “And by your offspring shall all the na- tions of the earth gain blessing for themselves, because you have obeyed my voice.’” (Genesis 22:18) To the King David a promise was made: It is written: “The LORD swore to David a sure oath from which he will not turn back: ‘One of the sons of your body I will set on your throne.” (Psalm 132:11) God the word came down from heaven and took upon Himself the human body and became man. This operation of taking the human body, theologically, is called the Mystery of Incarnation of the divine word of God. So by the word “incarnationwe mean that God the Word, the Second Qnuma (person) of the Holy Trinity took upon Himself a human body which is without sin, and was made man, without ceasing to be God. Jesus Christ (The m’shikha) is the perfect man and the perfect God. It is written: “And the Word became flesh and live among us,” (John 1:14) We confess in the creed and say: “He “God the word” became man”. This emphasis the importance of the role of our Lord as a perfect man and perfect God (in so far, as we understand in Mo- nophysite setting), there is no recogni- tion of Him in both the human body and in His divinity. It is written: “For there is One God and One Mediator between God and men, The Man Christ Je- sus . . .” (I Timothy 2:5) We, as the Assyrian Church of the East con- fess that there are two natures in Jesus Christ; His human and His Divine nature. These natures are not mixed, nor are co- mingled, nor confused, but they are eternal- ly united in one person of the son of God. Thus in Jesus Christ both natures the human and the Divine nature are eternally united. Jesus Christ the Son of God and the son of Man is one person not two persons. The Holy Church confesses that the two natures of Jesus Christ are maintained and kept each in His Qnuma. Briefly the Holy Church confesses that Christ has two natures and two Qnumeh in one person of the Sonship. It is written: “One is Christ, the Son of God, worshiped by all in two natures, in His Godhead, be- gotten of The Father without beginning in the fullness of time, in a united body. In His manhood, born of Mary, in the end of time, in the body which was united. Neither His Godhead was of the nature of the mother, nor His manhood of the nature of the Father. The Natures are preserved in their qnumeh, in One Person of one Sonship. And as the God head is three qnuma, One Essence, likewise the Sonship of the Son, is in two natures, One Person, so the Holy Church has learned to confess the Son who is Christ, we worship, O my Lord, your Godhead, and your manhood, without division, One is the Power, One the Majesty, One the Will and One the Glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit forever: Amen” (Mar Bawai the Great) When we confess two Qnumeh in Jesus Christ we do not mean two persons. The Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East has always confessed Jesus Christ, two qnumeh, two kyaneh (natures), eternal- ly united in One Person of one Sonship. The Holy Bible teaches and explains to us this unique mystery of the birth of Jesus Christ, from the Virgin Mary, by the Power of the Holy Spirit. It is written: Continue on page 6

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Assyrian Church of the East Quarterly Magazine Published by Saint Andrews Assyrian Church committee Glenview, IL

Transcript of Seeds of Faith Summer 2015

  • SUMMER- 2015 QUARTERLY MAGAZINE VOLUME 6, ISSUE 2

    A Publication of Saint Andrews Assyrian Church of the East-Glenview, Illinois

    Copyright 2015 by Assyrian Church of the East Page 1

    Blessed Mary in

    the Nicene Creed

    Who for us men and

    for our Salvation de-

    scended from heaven

    and was incarnated

    by the Holy Spirit and

    became man, and

    was conceived and

    born of the Virgin Mary.

    The time Adam and Eve ate from the fruit

    of the forbidden tree the Lord God drove

    them out of the Garden of Eden. At the

    east side of the Garden of Eden God

    placed the cherubim, and a sword flam-

    ing and turning to guard the way to the

    tree of life. It is written:

    Therefore the LORD God sent him forth

    from the garden of Eden, to till the ground

    from which he was taken. He drove out the

    man; and at the east of the Garden of Eden

    he placed the cherubim, and a sword flam-

    ing and turning to guard the way to the

    tree of life. (Genesis 3:23- 24) After Adam and Eve had confessed their

    sin, God the father promised them a hope

    for salvation. It is written:

    I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and

    hers; he will strike your head, and you

    will strike his heel. (Genesis 3:15)

    This prophetic utterance was fulfilled in

    Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Son of

    the Second Eve, the eternally blessed

    Virgin Mary, who had crushed the head

    of the serpent under his feet by His death

    upon the Cross, and thus humankind was

    delivered once and for all from the grasp

    of sin, death and Satan.

    It is written in the Holy Bible that Jesus

    Christ in His humanity was born from the

    seed of the woman. This was said about

    Jesus because He was born as a man, of

    the Holy Virgin Mary, by the Power of the

    Holy Spirit, without the benefit of an

    earthly father. So, therefore, Jesus had an

    earthly mother; with a heavenly Father.

    The promise of God regarding the Salva-

    tion of mankind enabled the human race

    to believe in the forth coming of the re-

    demptive message of Jesus Christ our

    Lord and Savior. As, now we who are

    believers know for certain that the

    promise has been fulfilled by the com-

    ing of Him who is Messiah (mshikha), while awaiting His second coming from

    Heaven.

    In the times past some people believed

    in the coming of the Messiah, but the

    greater number of humankind forgot

    that God had made a promise to send a

    savior.

    In the course of history, God reminded

    people of His forgotten promise. The

    recorded history of the salvation of

    mankind clearly indicates to the read-

    ers of the Sacred Scriptures that God,

    indeed, reminded His creation of His

    promises. To Abraham a promise was

    made, and elaborated upon it: it is writ-

    ten:

    And by your offspring shall all the na-

    tions of the earth gain blessing for

    themselves, because you have obeyed

    my voice. (Genesis 22:18) To the King David a promise was made:

    It is written:

    The LORD swore to David a sure oath from which he will not turn back:

    One of the sons of your body I will set on your throne. (Psalm 132:11) God the word came down from heaven

    and took upon Himself the human body

    and became man. This operation of

    taking the human body, theologically,

    is called the Mystery of Incarnation of

    the divine word of God. So by the word

    incarnation we mean that God the Word, the Second Qnuma (person) of

    the Holy Trinity took upon Himself a

    human body which is without sin, and

    was made man, without ceasing to be

    God. Jesus Christ (The mshikha) is the perfect man and the perfect God. It is

    written: And the Word became flesh and live among us, (John 1:14) We confess in the creed and say: He God the word became man. This

    emphasis the importance of the role of

    our Lord as a perfect man and perfect

    God (in so far, as we understand in Mo-

    nophysite setting), there is no recogni-

    tion of Him in both the human body and

    in His divinity. It is written:

    For there is One God and One Mediator between God and men, The Man Christ Je-

    sus . . . (I Timothy 2:5) We, as the Assyrian Church of the East con-

    fess that there are two natures in Jesus

    Christ; His human and His Divine nature.

    These natures are not mixed, nor are co-

    mingled, nor confused, but they are eternal-

    ly united in one person of the son of God.

    Thus in Jesus Christ both natures the human

    and the Divine nature are eternally united.

    Jesus Christ the Son of God and the son of

    Man is one person not two persons. The

    Holy Church confesses that the two natures

    of Jesus Christ are maintained and kept

    each in His Qnuma. Briefly the Holy Church

    confesses that Christ has two natures and

    two Qnumeh in one person of the Sonship.

    It is written:

    One is Christ, the Son of God, worshiped

    by all in two natures, in His Godhead, be-

    gotten of The Father without beginning in

    the fullness of time, in a united body. In His

    manhood, born of Mary, in the end of time,

    in the body which was united. Neither His

    Godhead was of the nature of the mother,

    nor His manhood of the nature of the Father.

    The Natures are preserved in their qnumeh,

    in One Person of one Sonship. And as the

    God head is three qnuma, One Essence,

    likewise the Sonship of the Son, is in two

    natures, One Person, so the Holy Church

    has learned to confess the Son who is Christ,

    we worship, O my Lord, your Godhead, and

    your manhood, without division, One is the

    Power, One the Majesty, One the Will and

    One the Glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit

    forever: Amen (Mar Bawai the Great) When we confess two Qnumeh in Jesus

    Christ we do not mean two persons. The

    Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of

    the East has always confessed Jesus Christ,

    two qnumeh, two kyaneh (natures), eternal-

    ly united in One Person of one Sonship.

    The Holy Bible teaches and explains to us

    this unique mystery of the birth of Jesus

    Christ, from the Virgin Mary, by the Power

    of the Holy Spirit. It is written:

    Continue on page 6

  • Copyright 2015 by Assyrian Church of the East Page 2

    ISIS TAKES AIM

    AT IRAQS AN-

    CIENT PAST

    The Islamic State, or

    ISIS, is using every-

    thing from sledge-

    hammers to bull-

    dozers to rewrite

    Iraqs cultural histo-ry, a priceless lega-

    cy of art and archaeology that they con-

    sider inappropriate according to their

    interpretation of the Quran.

    A recent video released by ISIS showcas-

    es their destruction of historical objects in

    Mosuls museum, some dating back to as early as the 7th century B.C. According to

    Iraqs Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, ISIS bulldozed the ancient site of Nim-

    rud, a capital of the Assyrian Empire in

    the 800s B.C.

    The grass around the Lamassu is too

    green for July-

    August. [Their vid-

    eo] had to be

    [filmed] during the

    winter there, said Christopher Jones,

    an ancient Near

    Eastern history doc-

    toral student at Co-

    lumbia University in

    New York City.

    It is unclear when the video was pub-

    lished. Some believe the video was rec-

    orded last summer, but others disagree.

    In the video, a power tool mutilates the

    millennium-year-old face of the Lamassu,

    or Assyrian winged bull. The militants

    said they associate the pieces of art with

    polytheistic worship.

    Jones, although concerned with what oc-

    curred to the artifacts at the hands of ISIS,

    believes that human lives are more valua-

    ble than ancient art.

    Im more concerned about people get-ting massacred, raped, beheaded, [and]

    burned alive by ISIS than I am about the

    antiquities. Those are the people I want

    protected before anything is done to save

    the archaeology, he said.

    MEMRI, a nonprofit organization based in

    Washington, D.C., translated the video

    released by the Islamic State into English

    from Arabic.

    The Prophet Mohammad commanded us to shatter and destroy statutes. Since Al-

    lah commanded us to shatter and destroy

    these statues, idols, and remains, it is

    easy for us to obey, and we do not care

    (what people think), even if this costs

    billions of dollars, the unidentified man said in the video.

    The United Nations cultural agency UNESCO has accused ISIS of selling Iraqs ancient artifacts on the black market as a

    way to fund itself, according to

    Newsweek.

    Diana Zaya Passarelli, a Crystal Lake

    mother who works in hospitality, said she

    is concerned not only about the ancient

    art but also about the minorities in the

    region.

    Her Assyrian relatives were kidnapped

    by ISIS in Syrias Khabour region, but were recently released, she said.

    Every link to our history is being demol-ished. Yet nobody does anything, she said. We have no ownership over [our

    art]. It is heartbreaking to see it be de-

    stroyed. Were going extinct.

    Iraqs antiquities are on display in muse-ums across the globe. One institution that

    houses a large number of Near Eastern

    arts is the University of Chicagos Orien-tal Institute Museum. The museum has

    more than 300,000 objects in its collec-

    tion, and also has a designated Assyrian

    gallery.

    These barbaric and cowardly acts of

    book burning from Mosuls libraries, fol-lowed by the vandalism of the monumen-

    tal statues from Hatra and Nineveh, seek

    to glorify the destruction of these objects

    as so-called idols, but in reality, ISIL seek

    to eradicate knowledge of the past of

    Iraqs people and the heritage of the world, said Jack Green, chief curator of the University of Chicagos Oriental Insti-tute Museum. Without the past, we can-not understand our present, and without

    understanding our present, we cannot

    then plan for our future. It is the heritage

    of the world and part of the history of civi-

    lization.

    Greens sentiments reverberated through the art world.

    Speaking with great sadness on behalf of the Metropolitan, a museum whose

    collection proudly protects and displays

    the arts of ancient and Islamic Mesopota-

    mia, we strongly condemn this act of cata-

    strophic destruction to one of the most

    important museums in the Middle East, Thomas P. Campbell, director of New

    York Citys Metropolitan Museum of Art, wrote in an email.

    The Association of Art Museum Directors,

    Archaeological Institute of America, Soci-

    ety for American Archaeology, and the

    American Schools of Oriental Research

    issued a joint statement in February:

    Pillaging of archaeological sites and cultural repositories to destroy irreplace-

    able cultural heritage and to disperse

    rare and important artifacts is re rehensi-

    ble. This has caused irreparable damage

    to the heritage

    of the people of

    Iraq and hu-

    manity world-

    wide.

    Another Assyri-

    an in Chicago

    said that break-

    ing a cultures art, as terrible

    as that is, still

    cannot break a

    peoples spirit.

    If history is any indicator of humanitys relentless will to persevere, then we shall

    prevail even from this recent situation, said Paul Khio, an order manager at a

    photography company.

    ..The Yelda Khorsabad Court recre-ates part of the interior of a palace court-

    yard of King Sargon II of Assyria (ca. 721705 BC), dominated by the 16-foot tall, 40

    -ton, human-headed winged bull, the

    Lamassu. The Lamassu and the adjacent

    reliefs were excavated by the Oriental

    Institute between 19281935 at Sargons

    capital city Khorsabad. (Oriental Institute

    Museum/Courtesy)

    By Ramsen Shamon

    HOLY APOSTOLIC CATHOLIC ASSYRIAN CHURCH OF THE EAST

  • HOLY APOSTOLIC CATHOLIC ASSYRIAN CHURCH OF THE EAST

    Page 3 Copyright 2015 by Assyrian Church of the East

    The Late Mar Dinkha IV Catholicos Patriarch

    The late Mar (Khanania) Dinkha was born to his parents Andrius Soro and Pana Kako on September 15 th, 1935 in the

    village of Durbandoke. He was subsequently baptized and confirmed in the Holy Faith by his grandfather Rever-

    end Benjamin, at Mar Quriakos Church. Mar Dinkha was reared in the Diocese of Arbil, where many great leaders

    of the church of the East were born and reared, such as Mar Odeshoo and Mar Qardaq.

    Mar Dinkha had been reared as a Nazarite from the moment of his conception. He was

    offered as a lamb to serve the Holy Church even before his birth. His mother Pana,

    lived in piety and free from the consumption of flesh meats while carrying him in her

    womb. Nazarite Vow is taken by individuals who have voluntarily dedicated them-

    selves to God. The vow is a decision, action, and desire on the part of people whose

    desire is to yield them to God completely.

    In 1947, at the age of 12, the late Mar Dinkha was entrusted to the blessed hands of the

    late Metropolitan Mar Yousip Khananisho. From that time forward, Mar Yousip became

    the spiritual guide and teacher to His Holiness.

    When the late Revd Fr. Benjamin, held the hand of young Khanania, and in turn offered him to His Beatitude Mar

    Yousip, saying: your Beatitude, I am now offering to you this young lamb, you rear

    him as you know and wish to do in order to work for the Holy Church. Thus from this

    moment forward, he doesnt belong to us, he belongs to the Holy Church.

    Ranks in the Clergy:

    September 12th, 1949, Ordained as a Deacon Shamasha.

    July 15th, 1957, Ordained as a Priest Qasha.

    February 11th, 1962, Ordained as a Bishop.

    October 17th, 1976, Ordained as a Catholics Patriarch, Mar Dinkha IV.

    The late Mar Dinkha was privileged with a unique ability to recall those whom he had

    met. He always amazes the faithful, for he could call them by their names. Therefore, as the story of the Holy Gospel

    relates: the good shepherd knows those who belong to Him. And He calls them by their names, and they recog-

    nize his voice and they follow Him. In his role as the Supreme Head of the Holy Church, he had initiated and com-

    pleted many Apostolic visits, bringing comfort, healing, encouragement, hope, inspiration and strength to the scat-

    tered flock of the church throughout the world.

  • 4 egaP

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    eveileb tsum mih ot emoc ot stnaw ohw

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    eht no ronoh dna yrolg ,esiarp hcum

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    . d l r o w e l o h w e h t

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    tsaE eht fo hcruhC nairyssA yb 5102 thgirypoC

  • HOLY APOSTOLIC CATHOLIC ASSYRIAN CHURCH OF THE EAST

    Page 5

    The mission.

    Honor and glorify God the father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and make Him known. Preach His word (The

    Gospel) through the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian

    Church of the East, established by the teachings of our

    Lords Disciples and the Churchs Saints, Patriarchs, Bishops and Priests, as the source of the good news.

    Teach the Assyrian Language (Neo-Aramaic), one of our Lords main Languages, to our Children and edu-

    cate them on the importance of speaking and preserv-

    ing it.

    Saint Andrews Church Committee

    Copyright 2015 by Assyrian Church of the East

    Saint Andrews Committees:

    Church Senior Pastor Father George Toma. Deacons: Norman Israel, Elbron Odisho, Adnan David,, Edison

    Youkhana, George Antar, Yousef Mikhael, Sabir, George Baezo, Thompson Esho, Alfret Shamoun, Elie Antar. Committees Chairman (David Arkis). Building Director/Manager (Interim-David Arkis): Younes Zaia,

    Namrood Khamis, Louzan Odisho, Rema Shamoun, Paul Rehana, Peter Amaden, Ray Kando, Youkhana Youkhana, Zaya Youkhana, Saliba Abraham, George Elia Co-Chairman (Jack Youna).

    Secretary (Ban Youna). Treasurer Chairman (Gilbert Khosrabowdi): Sargon Yosip, Najla Mikhail, Diana Shamoun, Karolin Moshi Accountant (Julie Kako). Memorial wall: Al Puccinelli, Nadia Warda.

    Youth Directors: Nina Youabb, Karolin Moshi, Robert Thomas. Ladies Auxiliary Chairwoman (Catrina Khamou): Doreen Haider, Sonia Khammo, Layla Youkhana, Bassima Sorisho, Magie Zaya, Jane Hana, Jenny, Nada Younan, Mariam. Choir Chairwoman (Najat Marcos): Saad Yalda, Elie Antar, Jena Kena.

    Education Karolin Moshi, Deacon Adnan David, Souad Timatyos, Nirona Shino, Dr. Michael, Juliana Thomas, Mike Micho, Youbert Bahram, Helen Yousif, Nwyia Garmo, Bronica Amrahi, Connie Shakro, Kristy Andrews, Queen Ishay, Raquel Youkhana, Stephanie Andrews, Claudia Shakro, Neeran Shmoel, Hewi Arkis, Jackie Aoraha, Jennifer Younan, Youth Choir- Jena Kena.

    Sports (Vacant). Public Relations (Vacant). Ushers Chairman (Michael Michael): Albert Youel, Youkhana Youkhana, Ramzi Odich, George Danyel, Gilbert Gewargis, Abrahim Lazar, Robert Thomas, Zaya.

    Visitation Chairman (Deacon Norman Israel): Anderious Youkhana. Special Events Chairperson (Vacant): Suzana Yalda, Julie Kako, Hewi Adaay, Sargon Yalda, Neeran Shmoel, Tanya Khamo, Doreen Haider, Diana Esho. Maintenance Chairman (Musa Moshy): William Younan, Anderious Youkhana, Ashor Tamo (IT), Manny Yalda (IT), Yalda Kako (IT), Ashor Khoshaba (Sound System), Tony Atou (Sound System), Mounir Shamoon (Sound System).

    Media Chairman (Billy George): Hani Shawel, Robert Thomas, Hewi Arkis, Ramsin George, Amer Kasso, Albert Lazar, Benyamin

    Odisho, Saliba Abraham.

  • Page 6

    ...continued from page 1 Mary said to the angel, How can this be, since I am a virgin? The angel said to her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshad-

    ow you; therefore the child to be born will

    be holy; He will be called Son of

    God. (Luke 1:34-35) The holy Virgin Mary the mother of Christ

    is of the lineage and The House of Abra-

    ham and David; (that is from the same

    line), the Redeemer Jesus Christ, was to

    come according to the Promise of God.

    Blessed Mary was betrothed to Joseph, a

    man from the same lineage, so that he

    might fulfill his ministry to the Holy Fami-

    ly as its guardian. Ever Virgin Mary dedi-

    cated her entire life unto God through her

    vow of preserving her perpetual virgini-

    ty. It is written:

    . . . the book of the generation of Jesus Christ, Son of God, Son of Abraham . . .

    Jacob begot Joseph, the husband of Mary,

    out of whom was born Jesus, who is called

    Christ . . . (Matthew 1:1-17) The Virgin Mary preserved her virginity

    before and after the birth of Jesus Christ.

    Blessed Mary stayed pure and virgin for

    the rest of her life. There are many exam-

    ples of this unique role of the perpetual

    Virginity of the blessed Mary in the book

    of the Old Testament. Adam remained a

    complete man even after the creation of

    Eve from one of his ribs. The rays of sun

    enters through the glasses of windows

    without breaking the glass, the glass re-

    mains complete. The rock in the desert

    land which Moses struck for giving water

    to the thirsty Israelites brought forth wa-

    ter without being divided. The virginity of

    the second Eve, blessed mother was not

    defiled by the birth giving of Him who is

    her Lord.

    In addition to the perpetual Virginity,

    blessed Mary is named by the following

    titles: The Mother of Christ, The Mother

    of our Lord, The Second Heaven, The

    Mother of The Church, The Daughter of

    Zion, The Burning Bush, The Mother of

    Immanuel, The New Ark of the Covenant,

    The Second Ark, The Second Eve, etc. In

    the Prophets it is written:

    Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child

    and shall bear a son, and shall name him

    Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14) Again it is written:

    She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from

    their sins. (Matthew 1:21) Elizabeth called her the mother of my

    Lord. It is written:

    Mary said to the angel, How can this be, since I am a virgin? (Luke 1:43)

    The Assyrian Church of the East recogniz-

    es blessed Mary as the bearer and the

    begetter of Emanuel who is God with us;

    however, in order to avoid miss under-

    standing we prefer to address her as the

    mother of Christ, who is a perfect God

    and perfect man rather than the mother of

    God.

    Some sister apostolic churches address

    the ever Virgin Mary as The Mother of God for example the Orthodox position will declare this: The Blessed Mother did

    not give birth to His Godhead, which is

    from eternity; but rather she had given

    birth to His manhood. These churches still

    believe that it is perfectly right to call

    blessed Mary as the Mother of God. They

    believe that blessed Mary is entitled to

    be called the mother of God because He

    who is born of her is at once God and

    Man. By way of example: The mother of

    the President of the United States did not

    give birth to his presidency, she gave

    birth to the man; and indeed we call her

    the mother of the President; and again,

    the Catholicos Patriarch of the East re-

    ceived his office from The Church, and

    not from his mother who bore him, and

    we do call her the mother of the Patriarch.

    The Assyrian Church teaches that the Vir-

    gin Mary, being the Mother of our Lord

    she surpasses in dignity, graces and

    nearness to God. The Holy Church honors

    blessed Mary far above the Angels, Cher-

    ubim, Seraphim, and the whole of the

    Angelic Hosts. She comes before the

    Saints in honor. Many mothers name their

    daughters after the name of the blessed

    Mary. Many churches are built to her

    honor. Many institutions of healing

    (hospitals) are dedicated to the name of

    the blessed Mary. Blessed Mary is com-

    memorated in the Liturgical calendar of

    the Holy Church at least 3 times through

    the year. Many prayers and petitions are

    offered to the Lord in her name. It is writ-

    ten:

    . . .. The Angel came in unto her, and

    said, hail, you who are highly favored, the

    Lord is with you, blessed are you among

    women . . . for He has regarded the low

    estate of His handmaiden; for, behold,

    from henceforth, all generations shall call

    me blessed . . . (St Luke 1:28; 48). During the course of history God has pro-

    vided many signs for mankind in order to

    recognize the birth of Jesus Christ our

    Lord and Savior. Many signs in the Old

    Testament declare His coming, by way of

    example the Prophet Isaiah declares in

    foretelling the birth of Jesus from a Virgin

    (see, Isaiah 7:14)

    Again it is written: Asking, where is the child who has been born king of the Jews?

    For we observed his star at its rising, and

    have come to pay him homage. When King Herod heard this, he was frightened,

    and all Jerusalem with him; and calling

    together the entire chief priests and

    scribes of the people, he inquired of them

    where the Messiah was to be born. They

    told him, In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the proph-

    et: (Matthew 2:4-6) Following the completion of the 2nd tem-

    ple, in Jerusalem, Malachi states that at

    the coming of the Lord, a forerunner

    would be sent before Him, like that of the

    prophet Elijah; this shows the coming of

    John the Baptist the forerunner of Jesus. It

    is written:

    See, I am sending my messenger to pre-pare the way before me, and the Lord

    whom you seek will suddenly come to his

    temple. The messenger of the covenant in

    whom you delight indeed, he is coming,

    says the LORD of hosts. (Malachi 3:1) Read Malachi 4:5. The Prophet Zechariah

    foretold of the triumphant entry of our

    Lord into Jerusalem. It is written:

    . . . rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion, shout, O daughter of Jerusalem; behold thy

    King comes to thee; He is just, and having

    salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass;

    upon a colt a foal of an ass . . .

    . (Zechariah 9:9) The incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ

    affected our salvation. By His dogma

    (teachings), His Earthly life, His suffering

    and death on The Cross, burial, and res-

    urrection Jesus taught the world the Gos-

    pel of Love, the Gospel of the Kingdom of

    Heaven, the meaning of the Kingdom of

    Heaven, the doctrine of salvation and life

    after death.

    Cor- bishop George Toma

    Saint Andrews parish priest

    HOLY APOSTOLIC CATHOLIC ASSYRIAN CHURCH OF THE EAST

    Copyright 2015 by Assyrian Church of the East

  • TSAE EHT FO HCRUHC NAIRYSSA CILOHTAC CILOTSOPA YLOH

    7 egaP

    -oiD nretsaE ,tsaE eht fo hcruhC nairyssA

    )awtuM( licnuoc evitucexE ,esec

    :stcejorp 4102 fo emoS

    dnal koorbhtroN swerdnA tniaS eht tpmexe sexaT )DEREWOL(

    NI( .dnal koorbhtroN swerdnA tniaS rof saedi poleveD )SSERGORP

    )DETELPMOC( ecnanifer naol swerdnA tniaS

    )SSERGORP NI( eracyaD swerdnA tniaS

    )DETELPMOC( noitpmexe llib retaW egroeG tniaS

    )DETELPMOC( noitpmexe xaT esuoH egroeG tniaS

    )DEIDUTS( tnempoleved esuoH egroeG tniaS

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    )DETELPMOC( tcejorp sessalC syraM tniaS

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    .sikrA divaD ,amoT eissO ,azriM notlaW ,kilaM treblA

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    okaK eiluJ ,ijaH arolF ,sbocaJ eoJ ,)P( bbauoY ,anahkuoY ,)PV(

  • Page 8

    THE MEANING OF THE ASSYR-

    IAN FLAG

    At the center of the Assyrian flag is a golden

    circle, representing the sun. Symbolically, it

    generates heat and light to sustain the earth and

    all living things. The star surrounding the sun

    stands for the land, its light blue color repre-

    senting tranquility.

    The three major rivers of our homeland are

    represented by the wavy stripes that extend

    from the center of the flag to its four corners.

    The dark blue is for the Euphrates river, which

    stands for the Assyrian word peruta meaning

    abundance. The red stripes symbolize the Tigris

    river, its crimson color honoring courage, glory,

    and pride. The white lines between the two

    represent Zawa, as tranquility and peace. Many

    view the three stripes as roads that will lead the

    dispersed Assyrian people back to their home-

    land. Above the blue star, at the top of the flag,

    sits the ancient Assyrian God Ashur, who

    guards the people the flag represents. It is an

    ancient symbol.

    On top of the flagstaff is the standard of King Sargon I, who established the first Assyrian empire. During the ancient times this insignia stood by the king's side to let everyone know his whereabouts.

    Source: http://www.ninevehlives.com/history/one-nation-one-flag/

    Waiting!

    In the midst of our

    thoughts to the

    deepest places we

    may travel or the

    highest we may

    reach, the Holy

    Spirit will talk to

    us and direct us to

    the right path; it

    could be in English, Assyrian or any

    other language that our conscious

    will recognize. From that point comes

    the unimaginable that makes us won-

    der and say, "Oh Lord, how great you

    are!". With those thoughts I was

    among my Assyrian Christians peo-

    ple who are abducted and persecut-

    ed everywhere for the name of our

    Lord Jesus Christ, standing with fear

    in our eyes and unspeakable ques-

    tions on our lips and the beating of

    our hearts that was telling me to raise

    my voice and cry to the Lord, "SAVE

    US!"

    HOLY APOSTOLIC CATHOLIC ASSYRIAN CHURCH OF THE EAST

    Copyright 2015 by Assyrian Church of the East

  • TSAE EHT FO HCRUHC NAIRYSSA CILOHTAC CILOTSOPA YLOH

    9 egaP

    tsaE eht fo hcruhC nairyssA yb 5102 thgirypoC

    .

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  • In His Footsteps

    Ever wondered

    what it takes to be

    like Jesus? Well, I

    have! Its the most difficult thing to con-

    template.

    As I read the bible

    time and again it con-

    firms to me the fact

    that Jesus had some-

    thing strongly compelling about him. Jesus

    was no mere man like *Napoleon Bona-

    parte once said. He was God with all His

    patience, love, forgiveness and compas-

    sion. He invested His entire life preparing

    for three years, and with His wisdom and

    life-altering words has literally transformed

    billions of lives for the past 2000 years. The

    bible that portrays His teachings, journey

    and life style is the best-selling book of all

    time.

    Jesus was born to religious Jewish parents.

    He was ingrained in the Jewish teachings,

    and steeped in their scriptures. Every year His parents went to Jerusalem for the

    Passover festival. When He was twelve He

    stayed behind at the festival unnoticed by

    His family who traveled without Him for a

    day. When they came back to get Him they

    found Him in the temple courts, sitting

    among the teachers, listening to them and

    asking them questions. Everyone who

    heard Him was amazed at His understand-

    ing and His answers. (Luke 2:41-52) Jesus Transcended racial and cultural barri-

    ers with his wisdom. His followers are of all

    races, colors, backgrounds and ethnicities,

    while His roots were Middle-Eastern Jew-

    ish. He captivated the hearts of billions of

    people all over the world. He demonstrated

    forgiveness, giving, and righteousness for

    both Jews and gentiles.

    Jesus was authentic in his loving obedience

    to the laws of God. He respected and

    obeyed His mother, which is one of the Ten

    Commandments. When she asked Him to

    perform the wine miracle He told her My hour has not yet come, yet He still convert-ed the water into wine. In John 14:15 Jesus

    says If you love me you will keep my com-mandments. He always surrendered His thoughts and actions to God the Father at all

    times. Before crucifixion He went with his

    disciples to the Mount of Olives, knelt down

    and prayed Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not

    what I will, but what you will. Mark 14:36 No one can come close to Jesus, but we

    should always strive to follow in His foot-

    steps!!

    Page 10

    HOLY APOSTOLIC CATHOLIC ASSYRIAN CHURCH OF THE EAST

    Copyright 2015 by Assyrian Church of the East

    *I know men and I tell you that Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of compassion. Alex-

    ander; Caesar: Charlemagne and I have founded empires. But on what did we

    rest the creations of our genius? Upon force! Jesus Christ founded his empire

    upon love; and at this hour millions of men would die for him. Napoleon Bona-parte

    By: Mariam Amro

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  • HOLY APOSTOLIC CATHOLIC ASSYRIAN CHURCH OF THE EAST

    Copyright 2015 by Assyrian Church of the East

    1.

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    Created by Hewi S. Arkis

  • Published by Saint Andrews As-syrian Church of the East. 901 N. Milwaukee Ave. Glenview, Illi-nois.

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    Page 12 Copyright 2015 by Assyrian Church of the East

    S t . J o h n s C h u r c h

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    Are you in High School or College

    and want to join youth?

    If so, join us every Friday at 8:30

    PM in Saint Andrews Church.

    Classes will be lead by Cor-Bishop

    Dr. Gewargis Toma.

    Register your Child at St. Andrews

    the Apostle School Assyrian Lan-

    guage and Bible study classes for

    all ages on Fridays at 7:00 p.m. and

    Sundays at 9:00 a.m.

    Matthew 21:21-22 And Jesus an-swered them, Truly, I say to you, if

    you have faith and do not doubt,

    you will not only do what has been

    done to the fig tree, but even if you

    say to this mountain, Be taken up

    and thrown into the sea, it will

    happen. And whatever you ask in

    prayer, you will receive, if you

    have faith.

    Two things we will never com-

    promise, our faith as Christians

    and our nationality as Assyrians

    H.H Mar Dinkha IV Sept 1935

    Mar 2015