11-30-2004, 11:57 PM
Shlama Oozeaddai,
Assyrians belong to many different denominations. The vast majority of them are Arabic-speaking Muslims (otherwise known as "Iraqis".) The Christian Assyrians are a tiny minority and split up among various denominations (Syriac Orthodox, Chaldean Catholic, Presbyterian, Anglican, Church of the East, Jehovah's Witnesses, Baptists, etc.)
It's important to keep in mind that "Assyrian" is an ethnicity (like "Chinese"), it's not a religion. Assyrians follow many different religions, or none at all. The original Assyrians worshipped Ashur, a pagan deity, and some still do today.
As for the Church of the East (not only "Assyrian", but many different nationalities belong to this church), "Christmas" is not technically an important part of the Liturgical cycle. It has only recently begun to be acknowledged as we moved westward. It is called "Eida Zoroa" in Aramaic - "little feast".....to distinguish it from "Eida Rabba" - the "Great Feast" (or, "Easter" in English.)
What is celebrated in the Church of the East is on January 6th, it is called "Beth Denkha" which literally means "Manifestation." The Greek cognate is "Epiphany." This "little feast" is, of course, the commemoration of the Mawlada ("Baptism") of Meshikha. So we don't technically celebrate the "birth" of Meshikha, only His "baptism."
We (CoE) do not have trees, lights, etc. during this time. These were never part of our tradition, although living here in the states I do celebrate these things with my Roman Catholic American wife. Some CoE parishes here in the states do celebrate "Christmas", but mostly as an accomodation to the people who now live among Western Christians. But the CoE parishes in the middle east do not keep this day with any significance. They actually have services in Jan. 6th, not Dec. 25th.
As I said, this is a recent phenomenon in our experience.
Take care.
Assyrians belong to many different denominations. The vast majority of them are Arabic-speaking Muslims (otherwise known as "Iraqis".) The Christian Assyrians are a tiny minority and split up among various denominations (Syriac Orthodox, Chaldean Catholic, Presbyterian, Anglican, Church of the East, Jehovah's Witnesses, Baptists, etc.)
It's important to keep in mind that "Assyrian" is an ethnicity (like "Chinese"), it's not a religion. Assyrians follow many different religions, or none at all. The original Assyrians worshipped Ashur, a pagan deity, and some still do today.
As for the Church of the East (not only "Assyrian", but many different nationalities belong to this church), "Christmas" is not technically an important part of the Liturgical cycle. It has only recently begun to be acknowledged as we moved westward. It is called "Eida Zoroa" in Aramaic - "little feast".....to distinguish it from "Eida Rabba" - the "Great Feast" (or, "Easter" in English.)
What is celebrated in the Church of the East is on January 6th, it is called "Beth Denkha" which literally means "Manifestation." The Greek cognate is "Epiphany." This "little feast" is, of course, the commemoration of the Mawlada ("Baptism") of Meshikha. So we don't technically celebrate the "birth" of Meshikha, only His "baptism."
We (CoE) do not have trees, lights, etc. during this time. These were never part of our tradition, although living here in the states I do celebrate these things with my Roman Catholic American wife. Some CoE parishes here in the states do celebrate "Christmas", but mostly as an accomodation to the people who now live among Western Christians. But the CoE parishes in the middle east do not keep this day with any significance. They actually have services in Jan. 6th, not Dec. 25th.
As I said, this is a recent phenomenon in our experience.
Take care.
+Shamasha Paul bar-Shimun de'Beth-Younan
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