The Chaldean Patriarchate:
Guide and Compass for its People
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Christianity entered Mesopotamia and surrounding regions with the Apostles and Disciples of the Lord, and, as early as the third century, it established its administrative center in the twin-cities of Seleucia-Ctesiphon, near Babylon; thereafter, with the Mongolian invasion, it shifted its patriarchal chancery to the North, until the foundation of the Iraqi state, when Baghdad became the capital and to it the patriarchate moved, returning again into the vicinity of Babylon.
The Chaldean Catholic Church--the major remaining segment of the Apostolic Church of the East – clergy and faithful – has always looked at her Patriarch, especially in turbulent times, as the most secure guide and compass providing direction in public life. The Chaldean Patriarchate has always been, for hierarchy and people, by Church canons and historic factuality, the axis of encounter of the whole faithful family, it being the house of the patriarch, the recognized head and father of his people.
Disagreement between hierarchs, since the era of Peter and Paul, never lacked in ecclesiastic circles. Nevertheless, loyalty to Christ and commitment to the well-being of his Church, moderation and the spirit of brotherhood, and more concretely the Canon Law regulations, standards and procedures do and should prevail among the different positions, leading to resolutions that deserve general acceptance and endorsement.
The last few years were and remain the time of overwhelming hardship for the Chaldean people and all Iraqis in general, beyond the ordinary management capacity of any administrative authority, civil or ecclesiastic. For all the Christian shepherds, particularly the Chaldean clergy, it is a heroic act of faithfulness to Christ and ecclesiastic duty to remain with their flocks in Baghdad and other major cities of Iraq, where the specter of kidnapping, torture and martyrdom is a daily vision. Despite his age and frail health, Mar Emmanuel III is constantly there with his flock, doing what is doable at the present circumstance for the sake of his people.
Certainly, a lot is duly expected from the Patriarchate in these tragic and critical times in regard to persecuted people and clergy, displaced families, fleeing refugees, dismantled communities, abandoned institutions…etc. Therefore it is the duty of all hierarchs to meet and dialogue with the Patriarch and support him, most of all in the context of canonical synods, these being the acknowledged forum for presenting comments and proposals and making valid decisions. Complaining and lamenting on the public stage is not what is needed at the present time. Doing what is doable, with the Patriarch, is the urgent and challenging call of duty.
Bishop Sarhad Yawsip Jammo
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In Solidarity with the Iraqi Christians
San Diego’s Rally
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On Friday, June 15, 2007, the Chaldean Community held a peaceful rally in response to the persecution of the Christians in Iraq. We met at St. Peter’s Cathedral and took buses to downtown San Diego, where we gathered in front of the Federal Building. We held signs that voiced our desire for peace in Iraq and an end to the persecution of Christians. There were also speeches from our Most Reverend Bishop, Mar Sarhad Yawsip Jammo, former Senator Wadie Deddeh, Chief of Staff for the office of Congressman Duncan Hunter, Rick Terrazas, and Steve Garmo. The rally began at 10:30AM and lasted until about 1:30 in the afternoon. We give a special “thank you” to all of our dedicated faithful who participated in this event: the youth of the Chaldean Community, all the prayer groups and Sodalities, the Knights of Columbus, the Diocesan Advisory Council, and the Parish Council, the Syriac Church and the Maronite Church. There were also many American people who came and joined us in prayer to end the persecution of Christians in Iraq.
God Bless you all. We encourage people all over the world to join our cause, especially asking the American government to influence the Iraqi government to establish security and stop the targeted violence against the Christians of Iraq
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Modesto’s Rally
On Wednesday June 27th an estimated 300 people of California’s Central Valley Christian Community of Assyrians and Chaldeans held a peaceful rally in downtown Modesto in front of the City's Building in support of Christians of Iraq.
The rally began at 12 PM and lasted until 2 PM. Speeches were given in English and Aramiac by three of our priests together with a speech by a representative from the office of United States Congressman, Denise Cardoza. The participants were asking for equal rights and protection for our Christian people living in Iraq.
People were shouting: Stop kidnapping our priests, stop killing our priests, stop bombing our churches, stop killing Christians & God is Love. It was a poweful rally which brought the Christians in Modesto together to help and support our fellow Christians in Iraq.
Raymond George
Advisory Council Member
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تظاهرة اريزونا من اجل التضامن مع مسيحيي العراق
نهار الاربعاء 27 حزيران 2007، نظمت كنيسة مار اوراها في اريزونا تظاهرة سلمية تضامناً مع ابناء الوطن بشكل عام والمسيحيين بشكل خاص على ما يُرتكب بحقهم من القتل وهدم الكنائس واختطاف رجال الدين وقتل بعض منهم، وقد شاركت في هذه التظاهرة بالاضافة الى كنيسة مار اوراها الكنائس التالية مع كهنتهم: كنائس الاخوة الاثوريين بشقيها، وكنيسة مار يوسف للاخوة المارونيين، وكنيسة مار يوحنا للاخوة الملكيين. كما حضر التظاهرة رجال من حكومة اريزونا ومن جريدة الكنيسة اللاتينية، بالاضافة الى ابناء الجالية العراقية حيث بدأت هذه التظاهرة في الساعة 11:00 صباحاً واستمرت اكثر من ساعة، وكنا قد اعددنا باصات لنقل المتظاهرين من كنيسة مار اوراها الى مكان التجمع ثم العودة الى الكنيسة. بهذه المناسبة نشكر جميع المشاركين والمعدين، والرب يبارك الجميع.
الأب بولس خوزيران
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المشاركـة الفعـالة أفضـل مـن الضعف!
بقلم وسن
جربوع
ونحن نعيش هذه الايام ... بطابعها ... المر والحلو ... من المستحيل ان نفصل انفسنا عما يجري حولنا من احداث مختلفة الالوان بعيدة كانت عنا ام قريبة... يعيشها ابناؤنا واقرباؤنا ... وحتى اصدقائنا.
تدور الفرحة بيننا مع كل مولود جديد ... عماذه ... تناوله .... تخرجه ... وزواجه، فهل يا ترى يمكن ان نغيّر المعنى الحقيقي لهذه الاحداث المفرحة لو كنا حزانى؟ لا اعتقد!.. فالفرح مزروع في قلوبنا ... يروّح عن همومنا ... يبعث فينا الأمل، ويزيّن لنا الحياة. اما الحزن، فهو مصير الحياة ... يعيش في عمق الانسان ... يراودنا بين زمن وآخر ... نخافه ... نكرهه ... نحاول ان نبتعد عنه ولكنه احيانا يغلبنا.
نحزن مع كل مكروه يصيبنا ... وفاة ... مرض ... شدة، ألم، ضيق، كوارث، مجاعات، حروب، قتل، تعذيب. فهل يا ترى تضاعفت احزاننا عن افراحنا؟ من المستحيل ان نرى ما يدور حولنا من احداث وان كانت بعيدة ولا نشعر بالمعنى الحقيقي لها حتى وان كنا فرحين.
يوم مفرح، ويوم محزن، من الصعب جداً ان نكيف انفسنا بين يوم واخر لنسير مع ما تفرضه الاحداث علينا... ولكن يجب ان نسير مع تيار الحاضر، نحتفل بافراحنا ونبكي على احزاننا.
هناك الكثير من يقف متفرجاً ينتظر مكتوف اليدين لا يريد ان يصدق ان ما يجري حوله يخصه، علماً بأنه ملزم ان يبدي شعوره وتأييده لهذه الاحداث مفرحة كانت ام محزنة.
قبل ايام تظاهر المئات من الرجال والنساء والشباب والشابات الكلدان في سان دييگو مساندين راعي ابرشيتنا مار سرهد يوسپ جمو مع الكهنة الأفاضل متضامنين مع مسيحيي العراق اخوتنا واقربائنا المنكوبين، رافعين لافتات تصرخ بأيقاف اضطهاد المسيحيين في العراق، والشباب الكلداني يحملون الاعلام واللافتات تعلو اصواتهم وتنادي بكل عزيمة وشجاعة وانتظام "انقذوا مسيحيي العراق" والنساء والرجال يهتفون معاً ويرددون الصلوات من اجل المحبة والسلام في العراق.
افلم ينضح ضمير المتفرجين دماً بحرارة العزيمة التي ابداها هؤلاء المتظاهرون وهم يدافعون عن الحق والعدالة. فالاحداث تجري ... وكل يجب ان يلعب دوره ... كل حسب قدرته ولا ينتظر الاخرين ان يعملوا عوضاً عنه. ... ومَن لم يكن باستطاعته الحضور والمشاركة فليُبد بالأقل تشجيعه ودعمه ومساهمته باي اسلوب آخر. ولا يقف متفرجاً ومنتقداً مع ضعفه
فاليوم من برز أسمه حاصلاً على لقب ما او جائزة نتيجة اختراع او تحصيل علمي او حتى عمل انساني او فكرة جديدة ... وغيرها من المجالات التي يستحق ان يفتخر بها الشخص حين يُذكر أسمه بما حاز عليه تقييماً لكفاءته واجتهاده لخدمة الانسان والعالم. فلِمَ لا أكون أنا او أنتَ او أنتِ من اولئك المميزين. افلسـنا نحن أبناء أعرق حضارة في العالم كما يشهد التاريخ؟ جذورنا تمتد في ارض الرافدين، بيت نهرين، ارض ابينا ابراهيم، ارض الخير والتضحية.
فلنثنِ ولا نستصغر عمل كل من يقوم على تنظيم وتخطيط العديد من الامور التي نحن بحاجة اليها في جاليتنا بصورة خاصة وفي مجتمعنا الكلداني في المهجر بصورة عامة. بغض النظر ان كان الحدث جنازة، ام تظاهرة، ام حفلة تخرج، ام مهرجاناً لدعم مشروع ما لخدمة الرعية. فهؤلاء حقاً يستحقون منا كل التقدير والأحترام والتشجيع على عملهم الدؤوب كل بقدر ما يساهم به وفي مختلف المجالات الثقافية والدينية وغيرها، وفي مقدمتهم راعي ابرشيتنا والكهنة الافاضل وكل العاملين والعاملات في الجمعيات والمنظمات والاخويات وبالاخص شبابنا وشاباتنا الذين نفتخر باسمهم عالياً بما يحققونه من نشاطات لخدمة كنائسهم والجالية بأجمعها. ان هؤلاء جميعاً بكل حق يستحقون أثمن الجوائز.
هكذا تمر الايام بمرارتها وحلاوتها ... واللـه هو القادر على كل شيء ... أما المتفرج فليبقَ متفرجاً.
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احتفالات التناول الاول في
ابرشية مار بطرس الرسول
كاتدرائية مار بطرس الكلدانية في سان دييگو
احتفلت كاتدرائية مار بطرس الكلدانية في سان دييگو بمراسيم التناول الأول لـ 137 بنيناً وبناتاً يومي 8 و 9 حزيران 2007 وعلى مجموعتين.
أقام راعي الخورنة الأب ميخائيل بزي القداس الألهي للمجموعة الأولى في الساعة السادسة مساء يوم الجمعة 8 حزيران 2007، حيث تقدم للتناول الأول 61 بنيناً وبناتاً.
كذلك أقام الأب ميخائيل في الساعة التاسعة والنصف من صباح السبت 9 حزيران 2007، القداس الألهي للمجموعة الثانية التي تقدم فيها للتناول الأول 76 بنيناً وبناتاً.
ألف مبروك لأبنائنا وبناتنا الأعزاء بهذا اليوم المبارك لتقدّمهم نحو مائدة الرب وتناولهم جسد ودم مخلصنا وفادينا وربنا يسوع المسيح.
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كنيسة مار ميخا الكلدانية في سان دييگو
تم في مساء يوم السبت 9 حزيران 2007 الأحتفال بمراسيم التناول الأول للقربان المقدس لـ 17 فتىً و 15 فتاة، واقام قداس الأحتفال الأب بولس خمي الذي شكرَ بدوره راعي الكنيسة الأب صبري قجبو ومعلمي ومعلمات التناول وعوائل المتناولين لاعداد وتحضير هؤلاء الاطفال وتهيئتهم لقبول جسد المسيح ودمه في قلوبهم.
ثم في صباح يوم الاحد 10 حزيران 2007 جدّد المتناولون والمتناولات مواعيد التناول، وبعد ذلك اُقيمت دعوة غداء في قاعة كنيسة مار ميخا، على شرف المتناولين، حضرتها عوائل المتناولين ومعلمو ومعلمات التعليم المسيحي واعضاء مجلس خورنة الكنيسة وفرقة الانشاد والعاملون في الكنيسة. لقد كان تجمّعاً جميلاً جداً، حضره 150تقريباً شخصاً، حيث ابتهج به المتناولون والمؤمنون جميعاً.
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كنيسة مار اوراها الكلدانية في اريزونا
أحتفلت كنيسة مار اوراها في اريزونا يوم الاحد 10 حزيران 2007 بالتناول الأول لـ 31 طالباً وطالبة من ابنائنا، وكان الحفل في غاية الترتيب والأتقان بحيث نال اعجاب الجمع المؤمن الذي اكتضت به الكنيسة.
لقد وفقنا الرب لخدمة جاليتنا العزيزة روحياً واجتماعياً، فنشكر بهذه المناسبة القائمين على اعداد وتعليم هؤلاء الأولاد، والرب يبارك الجميع.
الأب بولس خزيران الراهب
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كنيسة مار گورگيس في اورنج كاونتي
احتفلت كنيسة مار گورگيس الكلدانية في اورنج كاونتي،
كاليفورنيا يوم الاحد 17 حزيران 2007 بمراسيم التناول
الاول لـ 6 فتيات وولدين. واجتمع الحضور مع المتناولين
واهاليهم بعد القداس لتناول وجبة الفطور في قاعة
الكنيسة حيث هنأ المتناولون والمتناولات اباءهم
بمناسبة عيد الاباء الذي صادف اليوم نفسه.
الأب اندراوس توما
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First Holy Communion at St. Mary’s Parish
On Sunday, June 04, 2007, St. Mary’s Assyrian
Chaldean Church in San Jose, CA, celebrated the
First Holy Communion of 16 boys and girls in the
presence of His Excellency Mar Sarhad Yawsip Jammo,
who celebrated the Divine Liturgy for the occasion.
He spoke to the children congratulating them on
receiving the precious Body and Blood of Jesus
Christ, who is the real food for our souls,
emphasizing to the children how they should stay
close to their Church and follow Her teachings and
encouraging them to become servants for the Lord as
deacons, priests and nuns one day. He especially
thanked Father Yoshia Sana, Pastor of St. Mary’s
Parish for his outstanding efforts in preparing the
lovely children who were very well taught about the
Holy Bible and Catholic Faith. After the Mass, there
was a gathering for the children and their families
at the beautiful Milpeta’s Park where everyone
welcomed the Bishop for being with them while one of
the children surprised him with a reading in the
Aramaic language thanking him for coming to San
Jose, also thanking Fr. Yoshia and all the teachers
and the parents and special thanks to Fr. Ben
Petedgar who is visiting us from Georgia.
Afterwards, there were food, games, sports and
dancing.
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The Annual Knights of Columbus/Mar Toma Council
Graduation Celebration
The
annual graduation celebration honoring the class of
2007 was held on Friday June 29, 2007 at St. Peter’s
Hall, El Cajon, CA. The Knights of Columbus/Mar Toma
Council under the patronage of his Excellency Mar
Sarhad Yawsip Jammo hosted the event. This year the
celebration was special in that it was dedicated to
the memory of Fr. Ragheed Ganni, killed in Iraq, a
Chaldean Martyr of faith and patriotism.
To begin the celebration, MC Wisam Maroge greeted
the guests of the evening by his welcoming speech.
Soon after, the Bishop along with the priests and
the Knights of Columbus entered the hall, signaling
the start of the event. A prayer was then recited by
Father Michael Bazzi with the clergy, following a
reading from the
Gospel
read by graduate Peter Alkatib, then following the
Gospel. Teaba Theweny read the petitions. The prayer
was followed by Mar Sarhad’s inspiring speech to the
graduates in which he congratulated the graduates,
“Your accomplishment is one to be proud of. I would
like to remind you that both in your past
accomplishments and in your future responsibilities,
you are not alone, but are members of a larger
family, one which is made up of three distinct
layers. Your first family is your physical family at
home
because in some way it is their accomplishment as
well. They have supported and encouraged you
throughout these years. Your second family is your
Chaldean community who is proud of you – from the
Church, which is the soul of the Chaldean community,
to every social institution. When an individual
Chaldean accomplishes what you have accomplished,
the whole community is raised up and ennobled in
you. Your third family is society at large. Through
our Chaldean community we are connected both to
American society and to the Chaldean nation
throughout the world. This is an enriching but
challenging reality. It is a challenge to share in
the American dream as well as to reach out to all of
our brothers and sisters who are
suffering in our homeland Iraq. Your graduation is
quite a responsibility, but one which will perfect
your
personality and make you the person that God created
you to be, through the grace of his Son Jesus
Christ.”
By this time it was about 9 PM, and the guests were
now ready to enjoy and dance to music played by DJ
Tony. Dinner was served followed by the Knights of
Columbus speech presented by Dr. Noori Barka who
congratulated the graduates on their achievements.
He also thanked all the people who came to the party
and especially those who Sponsered the Scholarships,
and all the advertisers who contributed for printing
this years’ graduate book.
Following Dr. Barka’s speech was the most
anticipated event of the evening, the announcement
of the
scholarship winners. Fourteen distinguished
graduates received scholarships in the categories of
academics, athletics, leadership and new comers.
After the scholarship winners were recognized,
graduate Ivanka J. Khemoro presented the
valedictorian address. DJ Tony helped bring the
night to an end, as he played music for the
graduates and their families until the celebration
came to an end at midnight.
Scholarship Winners:
(Pictures shown below are in the same order of
names)
Academic:
Peter Alkatib (4.7 G.P.A.), Ivanka Khemoro (4.6),
Carolyn Mush (4.6),
Megan Farida (4.3), Sandra Zetouna (4.2), Vanna
Kattoula (4.1), Teaba Theweny (3.9), and Madlain
Arabo (3.8).
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Congratulations Class of 2007!
Newcomers
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Lubna Hanna |
Habib T. Habib |
Athletic:
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Yousif Alyadako |
Nicole Salem |
Leadership:
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Anmar E. Shamon |
Sam K. Gorgees |
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ST. PETER CHALDEAN CATHEDRAL,
EL CAJON, CA
Welcome Christian fellows through Holy Baptism and
Confirmation:
Samantha Shamon,
Samira Shamon, Daniella Jabro, Aidan Barka, Melania
Esoo, Hailey Esoo, Emily Zura, and Emma Zura.
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137
boys and girls received their First Holy
Communion. The first group of
61
boys and girls
received Communion on Friday, June 08,
2007.
The
second group of
76
boys and girls received their
Communion on Saturday, June 09, 2007. |
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Congratulations to our brothers &
sisters who have received the crown of
Holy Matrimony:
Danny Thomas & Dalia Attiq,
Diaa Ballo
& Saveen Samo (nuptial), Joe Zakar &
Renee Issak, Bashar Jazrawi & Oras
George, Fady Yousif & Thamira Jarjees,
and Justin Montgomery & Mayada Alsawaf.
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With deep sympathy the following
members of our community of faith passed
away to the heavenly glory:
Sabriya Halabo, and
Sadik Sagmani.
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ST. BARBARA MISSION, LAS VEGAS, NV
Welcome Christian fellow through Holy Baptism and
Confirmation:
Emmanuel Joseph.
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MAR AURAHA CHALDEAN CHURCH,
SCOTTSDALE, AZ
Welcome Christian fellow through Holy Baptism and
Confirmation:
Kirollus Bahdi,
Peter Kako, James Shamoon, and Tommy Korkis.
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31
boys and girls received their First Holy
Communion on Sunday, June 10, 2007. |
ST. MICHAEL CHALDEAN CHURCH,
EL CAJON, CA
Welcome Christian fellows through Holy Baptism and
Confirmation:
Stacy Tubia, and
Jasmine Yakob.
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32
boys and girls received their First Holy
Communion on Saturday, June 09, 2007. |
Congratulations to our brothers & sisters who have
received the crown of Holy Matrimony:
Gumar Jirgis &
Samira Shamoun.
With deep sympathy the following members of our
community of faith passed away to the heavenly
glory: Issa
Antoon, and Joseph Garmo.
ST. GEORGE CHALDEAN CHURCH,
SANTA ANA, CA
Welcome Christian fellow through Holy Baptism and
Confirmation:
Joleen Jebo.
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8
boys and girls received their First Holy
Communion on Sunday, June 17, 2007. |
ST. MARY ASSYRIAN CHALDEAN CHURCH,
SAN JOSE,
CA
Welcome Christian fellows through Holy Baptism and
Confirmation:
Sheridan Cabi, and
Amoody Mikha.
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16
boys and girls received their First Holy
Communion on Sunday, June 24, 2007. |
Congratulations to our brothers & sisters who have
received the crown of Holy Matrimony:
Jesse
Danielzadeh & Ramona Mirzapour, and Benjamin
Pourkaldani & Edessa Nazaradeh.
With deep sympathy the following member of our
community of faith passed away to the heavenly
glory: Salma
Alkakos.
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