Barwar or Barwari Bala is a district in northern Beth-Nahrain, now within the borders of Iraq. It is situated between the two rivers Khabour and Upper Zab. It has a beautiful natural setting and a pleasant climate.  Ain Nooni (Fish Spring) is Barwar's largest village and its administrative centre.

Because of the genocide campaigns committed against the Assyrians during the the First World War most Assyrians of Barwar were forced to leave the Hakkari region and move towards Urmie in Iran.  Many were killed or died of hunger, cold and diseases. Among those slaughtered were forty four men from the Assyrian villages of Ikri and Malikhtha in the eastern part of Barwar near the river Zab. Only a few children survived that massacre one of whom was Rabbie Gewergis Daoud Khmis. His grandmother succeeded in rescuing  him and hiding him in the caves until several years later when the Assyrians returned from Iran. She took Rabbie Gewergis back to Ikri but soon afterwards passed away.  Her brother, Pastor Benjamin Heido from Ain Nooni,  took young Gewergis to live with his family.  And so begins, in his own words, the story of Rabbie Gewergis or Sidi Jajjo or as his school pupils and villagers used to call him, Gewergis Afendi:

"Before the establishment of the State School there were two private schools  in Ain Nooni. One was founded by His Holiness Mar Eshai Shimmun, Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, where English and Assyrian were taught. The other school's founder was Mar Francis, the [Chaldean] Catholic Bishop of Aradin and Sapna, to the south of Barwar.  Assyrian and Arabic languages were taught in this school.

In 1930 the Governor of the Mosul Province, which at the time included the Barwar region, was on a visiting tour of the area.  He was on his way from Ain Nooni to the village of Dori, a twenty-minute walk, to visit Bishop Mar Yewalaha when he encountered several boys carrying Assyrian, Arabic and English books. He was surprised and asked if there were an official school in the area.   His escorts informed him about the two private schools.  He was so impressed that he promised to order the construction of a State School in Ain Nooni as soon as he arrived back in Mosul.  The local authorities were directed to begin work and to prepare the people for this project. The Ain Nooni Primary School for Boys began operation in September 1930 when the first teacher Sarkis Sorani, an Armenian, arrived to open the school.  Among the pupils were Michael Torkhan, Benjamin Darwish, Shlimon Oraha, Shiba Bakos, the late Deryawish Oraha and myself.

After six years I joined the Rural Institute for Teachers in Rustamiya in Baghdad. In 1940-41 I completed my studies and was asked to teach at Al Tar's Primary School in Sug al-Shoyokh of the Nasiriyah Province in southern Iraq. Later I worked in the village of al-Joueber in the same area. The only means of transportation available were the canoes called Mashaheef.  Any official who visited the area knew that I was from the Assyrian mountains in the north and was surprised of my work in the marshy area of Hor al- Hammar.  They thought I was being punished and was serving a sentence.

In 1944 my request to work in my own area was accepted. I was sent to work as a teacher for the Ain Nooni Primary School.  The late Haidar Esa and Hassado Oshana were already there. After one year I became the Headmaster of the school. Of course the boys from the surrounding villages of Dori, Iyat, Beshmiyaye, Gothaye (where many Jewish families lived), Dereski, Maye and others studied in my school also.  At that time it was the only school in the area.

As soon as I became the Headmaster I began visiting the people and urging them to send their children to the school, after explaining the benefits of a good education. In the following year the number of pupils reached 85 and continued increasing. I then struggled to make it possible for the girls to join the school.  I managed to convince the authorities to permit academic studies for the girls and in 1947-48 the first group of girls joined the boys in my school. I did not stop there. Through my association with the educational authorities in the Mosul Province and by urging the people to demand the construction of other schools in their villages we opened new schools in several villages- particularly those distant from Ain Nooni. By 1959, only one year after the July Revolution*, there were 16 schools in operation. In that year alone, eleven new schools were opened in the villages of Dori, Halwa, Tashish and others. The pupils were now able to study in their villages or in the villages closer to their homes. Pupils from Dori and other villages still remember how difficult it was to walk to school on rainy and snowy days, and cross the Swireh Stream when it flooded occasionally.

We explained to the pupils that through their good behavior and cooperation with others they were to help create a developed and peaceful society. One day the administrator of the area lost his keys. He was very glad to know that a pupil had found them and given them to his teacher. Afterwards anyone who lost something expected to find it in the school.

Sadly, in 1961, as a result of the wars with Iran that was in turn using the Kurds to cause chaos in the north, all schools including those in Barwar were closed.  The Assyrians, once again, began fleeing the area and move to more urban areas of Nineveh, Baghdad, Basrah and Kirkuk. And so my years of establishing schools and educating future Assyrians in the rural areas came to an abrupt end."

Adam Odisho
Sweden

Rabbie Gewergis, 80, lives with his wife Zomo in Linkoping, Sweden.  He was interviewed for ZENDA Magazine by Adam Odisho.

See Republic of Fear, al-Khalil

(ZNAF: Baghdad)  French Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, president of the Vatican's papal council for
justice and peace, arrived in Baghdad on Sunday to prepare the way for a  visit by Pope John Paul II to the ancient Sumerian city of Ur in southern Iraq.  According to the Bible Ur is also the birthplace of Abraham, regarded as a key ancestral figure by Jews, Christians and Moslems.  On Friday, Etchegaray met with Jordanian Tourism Minister Akel Beltaji and praised Crown Prince Hassan ibn Talal's efforts to promote harmony between Christians and Moslems.  This morning Cardinal Etchegaray and 170 other Christian leaders, including the Assyrian Patriarchs and bishops, take part in a three-day congress in Baghdad to press for the lifting of UN sanctions.  Last month the Patriarchs of three Assyrian churches met in Baghdad.  At press time ZENDA had yet received no information on the details of this meeting.  The papal visit to the birthplace of the biblical patriarch Abraham in Ur will mark the 2000th anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ. The pope and the Vatican have consistently spoken out against embargoes, arguing that such measures only harm the population of the country targeted, especially the poor.  Etchegaray will also visit children's hospitals and meet Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz (a Chaldean Christian) and Mar Raphael I Bidawid, Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church.

"The latest issue of Zenda is especially excellent because of the two articles on the Assyrian Democratic Organization (ADO). It's so encouraging to see that some of our political organizations are actually doing what a political organization is supposed to do. Instead of holding meaningless rallies amongst ourselves, they are out there meeting with heads of states, forming alliances and accomplishing something of value. I applaud Mr. Hanna Issa, Nineb Lahdo, and all the other members of the ADO, God bless you and keep you, our nation really needs you. A well earned applause also goes to Zenda for bringing us such informative news on current Assyrian events."

Raman Michael
Chicago, Illinois

(ZNDA: Chicago)  The 22nd World Congress of the Assyrian Universal Alliance will be held on September 11-25, 1998 in Tehran, Iran.  The Congress and one day Conference for all participants will be on Monay, September 14, 15, & 16.  The tour is open for all Assyrians who wish to visit Tehran and Urmia.  There is also an optional side tour trip to the city of Esfehan.  All are invited to participate in this historic trip.

The Congress and tour package includes airfare, 9 hotel nights in Tehran and 4 hotel nights in Urmia for about $2000.00 (Two Thousand U.S. Dollars) from Chicago.  Optional side trip to the historic city of Esfehan is also available.  Special arrangements have been made for visas for American citizens and for citizens of all other countries including Iraq.  Iranian-born visitors must obtain a current Iranian passport which is required for all Iranian-born visitors.  All those traveling from the United States must return the completed forms before June 30, 1998 with the deposit.  Please call Emma at (773) 274-9262 for additional information and for the name of your local AUA representative.

September
11, Friday             Departure from Home Country
12, Saturday¹        Arrive in Tehran, Iran
13, Sunday ¹         Church Service
14, Monday¹         Opening Session of the Conference
15, Tuesday¹
16, Wednesday¹    Congress, 2 Days - Conference 1 Day
17, Thursday¹
---------------------------
18, Friday²            To Urmia
19, Saturday²
20, Sunday²           Church Service
21, Monday²          To Assyrian Villages and other areas
22, Tuesday³          Return to Tehran
---------------------------
23, Wednesday³     Tehran (Optional Visit to Esfehan)
24, Thursday³        Tehran (Return to Tehran)
25, Friday              Return Home

Hotels:   ¹  6 Nights in Tehran, Double Occupancy
             ²  4 Nights in Urmia, Double Occupancy
             ³  3 Nights in Tehran,

Airfare & Hotel in Tehran- Chicago to Tehran, 9 Nights in Tehran
                Double Occupancy:  $ 1772.00
                Single Occupancy:    $ 1932.00

Airfare & Hotel in Urmia - 4 Nights in Tehran
               Double Occupancy:  $ 230.00
               Single Occupancy:    $ 330.00

Visa (Non-Iranian Born):  All non-Iranian tourists need a Visa ($ 60.00).  U.S.-Americans, complete and submit an AUA Form (call AUA for a copy) by June 30 For all other countries contact local Iranian Embassy.

Passport (Iranian Born):  Accreditation cost $56.00.  Apply for Passport from Embassy or Interest Section.  Forms available at AUA Office or your local Embassy.

Conference &/or Congress Registration Fee:  $ 100.00

For more information contact the AUA representatives at:
Tel:  (773) 274-9262   (773) 338-2000
Fax:  (773) 274-5866
Email:  auaf@aol.com

Zenda readers who have questions about JAAS should direct their questions directly to that publication.  JAAS is published semi-annually. It offers some articles in English, others in Assyrian. The 20th issue, currently in production, features the enclosed Table of Contents.

• LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:  The Journal welcomes them in either language. We cannot publish all of them. And we do not publish those which include personal attacks.
• MANUSCRIPTS, ARTICLES:  Equally welcome. Must be based on research.
• INQUIRIES AND MAIL:  All inquiries or correspondence in English should be mailed to JAAS, P.O. Box 5715, Santa Barbara, CA 93150  (fsarguis@west.net).  All inquiries or correspondence in Assyrian should be mailed to JAAS, P.O. Box 4102, Des Plaines, IL 60016 (danbenjamn@aol.com)
• SUBSCRIPTIONS:  If you'd like one, make your $20 check payable to “JAAS”, and mail it to JAAS, P.O. Box 4102, Des Plaines, IL 60016.

Francis Sarguis
Santa Barbara, California

With permission from San Francisco Chronicle

There was an article in the paper the other day about the survival in modern Israel of Aramaic, the language spoken by Jesus. Turns out there is a small Jewish sect from Persia called Nash Didan, which means ``our people'' in Aramaic.

(It seems to be a given that every exotic nationality has a name that translates to ``Our People'' or ``The People.'' It makes sense when you think about it -- if you're isolated in the mountains of Iran, you're not going to call yourself something that means ``a tiny group of subsistence farmers on a weird plateau'' or ``people who don't really have a clue how the telephone works.'')

The Nash Didan are now writing rock 'n' roll songs with Aramaic lyrics, figuring that this is the best way to preserve the language. And if the Aramaic word for ``baby'' happens to rhyme with the Aramaic word for ``maybe,'' you know they have a fighting chance.

The Nash Didan have preserved their old customs, one of which is ``a wedding ceremony in which the bride throws apples at her husband from the roof of their home in front of the community.''

I am as culturally sensitive as the next person, and yet I could not prevent a crude smile from flickering over my lips. I saw, in that instant, a fiery, dark-eyed Nash Didan bride. It was the morning of her wedding day. Her mother came to her in her bedchamber.

``Tovya, here are the apples with which to throw at Gary, your handsome fiancé. As your mother did before you, and your grandmother, and all the Nash Didan through the ages, you will hurl apples at him from the rooftop while we sing the traditional song, `She's Throwing Apples From the Rooftops, Let the Blossoms of Happiness Burst Forth From the Garden of Contentment If You Catch My Drift.' ''

But Tovya pouted. ``Mom, that's so 1740.  No one does that anymore. People laugh at us when we throw the apples. What is the point? Gary already knows that I can throw apples.''

``What?''

``Mom, enter the modern world! I threw apples at him just last week behind the grain-storage facility. All day long, I threw and threw and threw, and he ducked and laughed and even threw one back.''

``He did? I shall talk to your father!''

``Yes! He threw one back! Because I believe in a world where men and women can throw apples together. They can stand on the rooftops together, side by side, their hair blowing in the wind, and hurl
apples at fortunate townspeople! And plums!''

``Plums?''

Tovya burst into tears. ``Yes, plums. And oranges! And perhaps even a vegetable. Because I believe in a world where all foodstuffs are equally useful for hurling from the rooftops. I believe that one day a Nash Didan groom will take an eggplant and throw it up, yes, up from the streets to the rooftop, where his bride will catch it.''

Her mother softened. ``Do not cry, my sweet. I too once was young. I too questioned the ways of our people. Your father too wanted me to pelt him with fruit before our wedding day, and I did so.''

``Mom!''

``And I enjoyed it. I admit that. But today, we reconnect with a part of our history. It is inexplicable, perhaps, but is it any stranger than throwing your garter to your classmates, or having to use the caterer at the hotel even though he overcooks the chicken until it's so dry you could use it to start a desert? Is it any stranger than owning nine toaster ovens the day your marriage starts?''

``I have heard of these customs. And yet, the people are happy and modern, are they not? If they can make it through that, I guess I can throw a few apples.''

``Good girl. Have a Jonathan.''

``What will Gary think?''

Jon Carroll
San Francisco Chronicle
May 28, 1998

(ZNMW:  Washington D.C.)  A coalition of Middle East Christian organizations in the United States comprised of the Lebanese, Assyrian, Coptic, and South Sudanese organizations has called on the Israeli government to "allow the southern Lebanese enclave to defend itself."   The Middle East Christian Committee (MECHRIC) said that "the fall of the security zone in the hands of the Lebanese pro-Syrian regime and the Hizbollah will lead to a gradual ethnic cleansing of the Christian community. To millions of Middle East Christians in the region and around the world, this disaster will have tremendous consequences."  MECHRIC believes that "the hopes of 18 million Christians in the Middle East are currently linked to the survival of the security zone in south Lebanon. Israel should measure its decision not just on the scale of its domestic political situation, but also with regards its strategic relations in the region. Jezzine and Marjayun as as important to us as the towns of southern Sudan, the villages of upper Egypt and those of northern Iraq. The abandonment of the Christians in south Lebanon is an abandonment of the Middle East Christians as a whole." Recently, some Lebanese and Israeli sources told Lebanon Bulletin that a number of Lebanese and Israeli activists are meeting to form a "Free South Lebanon Committee" in Israel. An organizer explained that "This group will shed light on the poorly known cause of thousands of people in the security zone.  We expect the committee to take action soon in light of Israel's decision to implement resolution 425."

(ZNSM: Beirut)  On 15 May some 300,000 worshippers of whom 15,000 were Lebanese, attended the beatification of the Maronite monk, Naamtallah Kassab al-Hardini at the Vatican.  The ceremony was presided by Pope John Paul II and attended by an official delegation of cabinet ministers and members of the Lebanese Parliament headed by Lebanese president Elias Hrawi. Prime minister Rafic Hariri's wife, Nazek, was also present.  During the Mass the Pope said "We hope that the blessed Hardini can revive faith, reinvigorate Christian life and reinforce the message for all Lebanese disciples of Christ."  The Pontiff then called Lebanon "the land of saints", and asked that Lebanon remain a land of peace and brotherhood.

A group of independent Iraqis and Iraqi-Americans, including several leaders of the local and national Assyrian organizations, organized an 11-state bus trip from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. in a campaign to indict Saddam Hussein for his crimes against humanity, to call for immediate implementation of the UN Resolution 688, and to call for lifting of the economic sanctions against the Iraqi people. At each stop, the group carried out public rallies with local Iraqis and Iraqi-Americans and collected signatures on a letter addressed to leaders of the international community. Later today the Free-Iraq Campaign will present the letters and signatures to the United States Congress and members of the United Nations Security Council.  The Assyrian organizers included members of the Assyrian National Alliance, the Assyrian Democratic Movement (Zowaa), and the Assyrian Aid Society of America.  However, only the Assyrian National Alliance has formally endorsed the Free-Iraq campaign.  At  Modesto's Graceada Park on Needham Street and Sycamore Avenue, attendees purchased T-Shirts and listened to the speeches given in English, Arabic, and Assyrian by the Zowaa officials.  AssyriaVision TV conducted interviews with the organizers.  A good turnout was reported at Chicago's Warren Park, organized by the Assyrian National Alliance, and a report was printed in the Chicago Tribune.  The low turnout in San Jose's Cezar Chavez Plaza and the absence of any reporters, however, did not disappoint the organizers in the early phase of the campaign.  The following is a copy of the letter to be presented today to the U.S. & U.N. officials:

US President, Bill Clinton,
UN Secretary General, Kofi Anan,
Members of the UN Security Council,
US Congressional Human Rights Caucus,
UN Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson,

We the undersigned are concerned and disturbed at the same time by U.S. policy and shifting resolve towards Iraq. While Saddam Hussein is correctly portrayed time and again as a villain, a mass murderer, a human rights violator and a harborer of terrorist groups, no measure is taken by the United States to bring him to justice. We urge you, Mr. President, to take tangible steps as leader of the free world to INDICT and try Saddam Hussein in an international court of justice for the numerous crimes committed against the Iraqi people and against Iraq’s neighbors including the crime of genocide and the practice of ethnic cleansing. We are equally concerned about the plight of the Iraqi people under Saddam's regime. Torture, mass executions, arbitrary arrest and forced deportations are routine in Iraq.  The human rights situation has deteriorated since 1991.  These violent abuses stand in stark contrast to UNSCR 688, adopted in April 1991, which calls on the Iraqi government to respect and uphold the human rights of all its citizens.  We urge the United States to make an open commitment to the implementation of UNSCR 688 and make compliance with the resolution an international requirement. Finally we believe that the economic sanctions against Iraq are only hurting the poor and weak among Iraqis and not the perpetrator it was designed for. We therefore ask you to work towards lifting the economic sanctions against innocent Iraqi civilians but maintaining them on the Iraqi government as long as Saddam Hussein is at its helm.

Yours sincerely,
Name, Occupation Address, City, State

June 13	SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA ASSYRIAN STARS ANNUAL PICNIC  Assyrian American Association of San Jose Come and Support Our Athletes Food & Drinks plus DJ Music   11:00 AM-5:00 PM BETA:  20000 Almaden Road Admission:  $3.00, Kids under 10 - Free, Free to all Stars Athletes
June 21	CHICAGO, ILLINOIS FOURTH ANNUAL GRADUATION ASSEMBLY  Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East   Mar Gewergis Church   7201 North Ashland   Chicago, IL 60626  USA   Office: + (1-773) 465-4777   Fax: + (1-847) 966-0012  For Registration and Information please call:        Misha Talya - (773) 463-4200        Sara Royal - (773) 777-7370        Mary Yonan - (773) 463-7920        Tina Yousif (847) 699-1931
July 3-4	SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA ASSYRIAN OLYMPIC GAMES Assyrian Teams from Five Cities in California Competing in Several Sports Los Angeles, Modesto, San Diego, San Jose, Turlock  Participants include over 100 athletes from San Francisco Bay Area Games:  9:00 AM-5:00 PM (Friday & Saturday) Willow Glen High School For Schedules & Hotel Information See Next Week's ZENDA
Sep 2-7	WATERBURY, CONNECTICUT ASSYRIAN AMERICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION  Sponsored by the Assyrian American National Federation
Sep 11-24	TEHRAN-IRAN 22ND WORLD CONGRESS OF THE ASSYRIAN UNIVERSAL ALLIANCE  For more information see ZENDA:  June 8, SURFERS CORNER
Through   2001	CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS NUZI & THE HURRIANS:  FRAGMENTS OF A FORGOTTEN PAST Hurrian settlements in Bet-Nahrain during mid-2nd millennium B.C.  More than 100 objects excavated by Harvard between 1927 & 1931  Harvard University's Semitic Museum  -cuneiform tablets  -seals  -glasswork  -pottery  -beaded jewelry  -lion statuettes from the temple of Ishtar at Nuzi

 

ENGLISH	MODERN ASSYRIAN	GENDER	EXAMPLE
Police	Short/tda	Masculine	Police Protection:  ntdarta 'd shortda OR ntdarta shortdeta
Detective	Khoo/pee/ya	Masculine	Detective Work:  Poolkhana m'khoopya

 

JUNE	FEASTS & MEMORIALS	ASSYRIAN CHURCH
5	Golden Friday:  The Disciples First Miracle	CCC , ACE
7	Pentecost	SOC
7	2nd Sunday of the Apostles	ACE
11	Feasts of the Holy Eucharist (Corpus Christi)	CCC
14	3rd Sunday of the Apostles	ACE
18	Memorial of St. Ephrem (Mar Aprim)	CCC
19	Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus	CCC
21	4th Sunday of the Apostles	ACE
26-28	Fast of the Apostles	SOC
28	5th Sunday of the Apostles	ACE
29	St. Peter & St. Paul	SOC

 
ACE = Assyrian Church of the East
CCC = Chaldean Catholic Church
MCC= Maronite Catholic Church
MOC = Malankara Orthodox Church
SKC = Syrian Knanaya Church
SOC = Syrian Orthodox Church

BC (2270)

A person by the name of Azuzu in an inscription from the Ishtar Temple in the city of Ashur refers to the greatness of his master, King Manishtushu's (2269-2255 B.C.) Akkadian empire stretching from the land of Sumer in southern Bet-Nahrain to the city of Ashur in the north.  By this time the city of Ashur had become the region's political and administrative center.

Assyrian Origins:  Discoveries at Ashur on the Tigris, The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Assyrian Federation of Sweden resumes the publication of The Hujådå Magazine.  It was first published by the Assyrian writer, scholar and nationalist, Naom Faiq, in 1921.

ZENDA extends its warmest congratulations to Mr. Ninib A. Lahdo, publisher; D.Z. Ibrahim, Editor -in-Chief; and the entire staff of Hujada Magazine on the occasion of this excellent Assyrian magazine's 20th anniversary.  Hujådå remains as one of the most daring, informative and attractively-designed Assyrian magazines in existence.  For subscription to Hujada write to hujada@algonet.se .

Location	Class	Instructor	Date	Time	Location
Chicago	Introductory Classical Assyrian  alphabet and the vowel system, basic literacy skills & vocabulary	Saad Sadi	APR 4 JUN 27	Saturdays  3-5 PM	North Park Univ Carlson Tower  Room C44
Chicago	Introductory Modern Assyrian I  alphabet and the vowel system, basic literacy skills & vocabulary	Zaia Kanoon	APR 9 JUN 25	Thursdays  7-9 PM	North Park Univ  Sohlberg  Room B-3
Chicago	Introductory Modern Assyrian II  reading & writing,  & elementary grammar.	Zaia Kanoon	APR 4 JUN 27	Saturdays  3-5 PM	North Park Univ  Carlson Tower  Room C42

David:      Twice in your short talk you used the term "park".
Rehana:   What should I call it then?
David:     We have a very beautiful term for it.
Rehana:   Shoot.
David:     Listen well.  The term park in Assyrian is Gannat-Eelany.
Rehana:   That long word?
David:     Allow me to analyze it for you.  Eelana in our language means tree.  That one you know.  You also know that Ealany - means trees.  Ganta means garden.  I hope you know that one too.  Now, if you say Ganta d'eelany, it would mean garden of trees.  You got it this far?
Rehana:   Yes, but you said it differently.  How was it?
David:     Great, Mr. Rehana, Great.  You were meant to be a scholar. You're right!  I said it differently and you noticed it.  Good for you.
Rehana:   But...
David:     Hold it! I'm coming to it.  Listen...If I say Ganta d'eelany, I'll be tying two names loosely.  But if I say Gannat-Eelany, I shall be sort of, grafting the two terms together, and the outcome will be the product of the two; and its sound will be pleasant to the ear.  Got it?
Rehana:   I'll be darned!
David:     You are echoing my reactions to it.
Rehana:   But...
David:     No more buts.  You called me Rabee.  (They both laugh heartily).
David:     That was lesson number one, and I won't send you a bill.
Rehana:   And what would you name a bill?
David:      In America, they say...easy!  You can't learn an entire language in one lesson.  (They laugh again.)

An excerpt from William Daniel's play "Marganeeta" which appeared in successive issues of the Assyrian Star magazine.  This and four other plays by William Daniel are included in a newly-published book entitled "Satire & Sympathy."  

June 9, 1929:   Dies, Father Paul Bejan of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Germany.  Bejan was the author of 25 books and hundreds of articles in 38 different magazines on subjects ranging from Syriac studies to Assyrian literature and theology.

This week, His Beatitude Mar Raphael I Bidawid, Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, will be meeting with the Vatican officials in Baghdad to discuss the papal journey to Iraq and the affairs of the Chaldean-Assyrian Church.  His Beatitude was born in Mosul, Iraq in 1922 where he attended the Dominican Fathers School and the College of the Chaldeans.  He was ordained as a priest of the Chaldean Catholic Church in 1946 and one year later completed his Superior studies in Rome.  He obtained a Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Urban IV on the subject of the religious philosophy of al-Ghazali.  His Doctorate in Theology from the same university was on the topic of Patriarch Timothaos the Great and Christianity during the Abbassid period.  He also obtained a Diploma in Cannon Law and Civil Law from the University of Latran.

In 1948 Mar Raphael began teaching philosophy, theology, and religion as a Professor at the Ministerial Patriarchal Chaldean College in Mosul.  In 1957 he was elected as the Bishop of the Chaldean Diocese of Maamadieh in north of Iraq.   Five years later he was transferred to the Chaldean Diocese of Beirut where he spent the next 23 years as the head of the Chaldean Church in Lebanon.  Here, he founded the Councils of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon.  He is also a founding member of the Christian minorities union in Lebanon. In 1989, during the Holy Synod held from 15-21 May in Baghdad, His Beatitude was elected as the Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church.   In addition to modern Syriac (Assyrian) and Arabic, Mar Raphael is fluent in French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, English, and German.

ZENDA REQUESTS:

-JOIN ZENDA'S CLASS OF 1998

It's that time of the year again and ZENDA is preparing the list of all Assyrian graduates from the high schools, colleges and universities around the world.  If you are such a person or know of someone (daughter, son, friend, etc.) please contact ZENDA with the following information:

                            Example:
Student's Name     (Sargina Atoureta)
Major:                  (Electrical Engineering)
Degree:                 (Master's Degree)
School:                 (Free University of Babylon)

ZENDA will announce the names of its Class of 1998 graduating students in the June 15 issue.  Your student need not be a ZENDA reader.

From all of us at ZENDA a heartfelt congratulation to the Class of 1998!

CORPORATE ACCOUNTS	UNIVERSITY ACCOUNTS	PERSONAL ACCOUNTS
IBM		Sweden

                             

This Week's Contributors:

John Nimrod (AUA Secretary General)	Chicago, Illinois	Surfing Corner
Dr. Manfred Alkhas	San Jose, California	Assyrian Surfing Posts
Raman Michael	Chicago, Illinois	Surfers Corner

 
Thank You For Referring ZENDA to a Friend:

Adam Odisho	Linkoping, Sweden
Milt Khoobyarian	San Jose, California

 

P.O. Box 20278   San Jose, California   95160   U.S.A.

Fax:  (408) 885-9894

---

The Directory of ZENDA News Sources

ZNAA (Assyrian Academic Society-Chicago)
ZNAD (Assyrian Democratic Organization)
ZNAF (Agence France-Presse)
ZNAI  (Assyrian International News Agency)
ZNAK (American Kurdish
ZNAM (Archeology Magazine)
ZNAP (Associated Press International)
ZNBN (Bet-Nahrain Inc/ KBSV-TV "AssyriaVision")
ZNCO (
ZNCN (ClariNews)
ZNIF (Iraq Foundation)
ZNDA (Zenda: zenda@ix.netcom.com)
ZNIN (Iraqi National Congress)
ZNLT (Los Angeles Times)
ZNMN (San Jose Mercury News)
ZNMW (Mideast Newswire)
ZNNQ (Nabu Quarterly)
ZNNV (Nineveh Magazine)
ZNQA (Qala Atouraya- Moscow)
ZNRU (Reuters)
ZNSH (Shotapouta Newsletter)
ZNSJ (San Jose Mercury News)
ZNSM (Shufimafi Lebanese News)
ZNSO (Syrian Orthodox News "SOCNews")
ZNTM (Time Magazine)
ZNUP (United Press International)
ZNUS (US News & World Report)