Patriarchal Epistle

The Holy Nativity — 2006

Our beloved Brothers in the Lord, The Honorable Prelates; our spiritual sons, the elected priests and pure deacons, the sons and daughters of the Holy Church and the Assyrian nation together with all our brothers and sisters in Christ:

Prayers and blessing receive:

We have gathered this day as the sons and daughters of One Household in Christ, celebrating this Holy Feast of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, in all joy and happiness, offering our thanksgiving unto our God Heavenly Father on behalf of His paternal love and kindness toward humankind by sending His Only Son, the Savior of the World, who is The Light of the World; and that whosoever believes in Him will not be left in darkness.

We are learning from the Holy Book of the Gospel of St Luke, that as of this day the Angel of God came to the shepherds who were watching their flocks by night "and lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and the were sore afraid, and the angel said unto them ‘fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people, for unto you is born this day, in the City of David a Savior which is Christ the Lord, and this shall be a sign unto you, you shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger;’ and suddenly there with the angel a multitude of the Heavenly Hosts praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace and good will toward man.’" (Luke 2:8—14)

On June 9, 2006, at 11:45 am, the Assyrian American Christian School concluded its first triumphant year of operation with the joyous dismissal of its students for summer vacation.  The days that filled the time from the first day of school to the last instilled everlasting memories into the hearts and minds of everyone honored enough to have been involved.  Accompanying these cherished memories are the worthwhile and significant academic contributions the school has made to the minds of our youth.

The academic goal of the Assyrian American Christian School is to pass information and knowledge to students from a position of instructive erudition, and to demonstrate secure and ceaseless guidance with which to apply that information and knowledge to all aspects of life.  All of the school’s endeavors in this past year have been aimed at achieving this lofty goal, and Assyrians the world over should rejoice in its many successes.

We, the Youth Ministry Association of the Assyrian Church of the East, give glory to God for a successful and spiritually fruitful Youth Conference 2006 just completed, being convened from June 30 to July 4, 2006 in Los Angeles, California.  The theme of this year was ‘Revolution’ (Quyama)—indicating the inner, spiritual renewal and conversion to which all the Youth of the Church were called to be engaged in. The Youth further give the Lord thanks for the blessing of His Holiness Mar Dinkha IV, Catholicos-Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, who gave permission to conduct such a gathering of the Church’s Youth.  

His Holiness Mar Dinkha IV, Catholicos Patriarch of the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East

 Prayers and Blessings Receive: 

During this Holy Week, we are celebrating the Great Feast of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, raised from among the dead.  He broke the doors of Sheol through His raising again of His Holy Body; and, He seized and destroyed the power of death giving to us new life; renewing all of creation.  Through His Holy Resurrection He has brought to life those who had died raising the whole nature of mortal man.  He proclaimed renewal to all humankind, especially to those who believe in His Name: Jesus Christ; He has given to us joy in the knowledge in His resurrection.

Through His gifts of life, He has given or provided hope, destroying the awesome power of the human fear of death.   He has lifted the saddened countenance of humankind by the glorious and victorious resurrection filling the human heart (and soul) with great joy!!  Glory be to God who has given to sin weakened humankind His Son to be crucified in our behalf!!  The terror of the crucifixion brought the renewal and the redemption to the masses of humankind, leading them toward the gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus.

 His hidden Divine Power which is in The Cross; our Lord Jesus becomes for us, The source of our Great Salvation.  So, therefore, we extend joyful greeting to the Sons and Daughters of The Holy Church, and to all our fellow Christian brothers and sisters; beseeching the blessing to and for you all.