Archdiocese of Australia and NZ: Melbourne Parish Together With H.G. Bishop Mar Aprim Khamis Celebrate 30-Year Anniversary
2009-05-31
His Grace Mar Aprim Khamis, Bishop of the Diocese of Western United States conducted a weeklong Episcopal visit to the city of Melbourne, Australia commencing on the 26th of May 2009, accompanied by Rev Genard Lazar, Ss. Peter and Paul Parish Priest - Sydney. Having initially arrived in Sydney and welcome officially by His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia AM, Metropolitan of Australia and New Zealand, as well as having conducted the Eucharistic Liturgy in Greenfield Park’s St. Hurmizd Cathedral, His Grace made the journey to Melbourne to partake in the 30–year anniversary celebrations honouring the purchase of St. George Church located in Reservoir, Melbourne. While in Melbourne, His Grace took the time to visit with many Assyrian families and bestowed upon them his Episcopal blessings.
On Sunday the 31st of May, His Grace consecrated the Eucharistic Liturgy on the Feast of the Pentecost, one of seven holy feast days of the Church of the East, for hundreds of Melbourne’s faithful. Later in the evening a dinner function was held at Ishtar Reception Center celebrating the 30–year anniversary of the purchase of Melbourne’s St. George Church. It is worthy of noting that the following clergy and dignitaries were also in attendance: His Grace Mar Aprim Khamis (Bishop of the Diocese of Western United States – Arizona), Rev. Genard Lazar, Rev. Gewargis Toma (Priest of St. George Church – Melbourne), Rev. Hurmizd Gewargis (Priest of St. George Church – Melbourne), The Hon. Yonathan Betkolia MP (Assyrian Representative in the Iranian Parliament and Secretary General of the Assyrian Universal Alliance), Mr. Hermiz Shahen (AUA Deputy Secretary General – Sydney), Mr. David David (President of the Assyrian Australian National Federation – Sydney), Engineer Odisho Malko (President of the Assyrian Writers League – Iraq), in addition to other guests who had traveled from overseas and interstate to attend the event. A number of rousing speeches were delivered charting the history of the Melbourne Parish, including its inception, Reverend clergymen who have served its faithful and its growth from a mere handful of members to more than 500 households today. His Grace delivered a heartfelt address explaining his first trip to Melbourne in 1979 and the series of circumstances which resulted in the purchase of the St. George Church. His Grace discussed the need for faith, understanding, responsibility and humility in the successful operation of a Parish and the requirement that all members work together in a spirit of Christian fellowship.
The tireless efforts of His Beatitude Metropolitan Mar Meelis Zaia AM towards the Parish were also noted. In addition, His Grace and all members of the Melbourne church expressed their sincere gratitude to His Holiness Mar Dinkha IV, Catholicos Patriarch, for his continuous support and prayers for the success of the church. It is only through the leadership, diligence and guidance of our beloved Prelates and the generous support of our members that Melbourne’s St. George Church and its Assyrian community continue to go from strength to strength.
