Fairfield, Australia -- More than 750 people celebrated the laying of the first stone for the church of Saints Peter and Paul, when the

Assyrian Church of the East Patriarch His Holiness Mar Dinkha IV performed the blessing on Sunday.

Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia, Mar Narsai Debaz, Mar Aprem Mooken, Mar Gewargis Sliwa, along with His Grace Bishop Mar Awa Royel, was also present at the ceremony.

The Patriarch His Holiness Mar Dinkha IV prayed and blessed the foundation stone of the church before it is due to be used to build the rural property purchased by the church at Wallgrove Road in Cecil Park.

His Holiness and church clergy all took part in cementing the stone with the prayers inside as a scroll.

Celebrations then followed as the traditional Assyrian dawola and zorna was played, while people danced the

Assyrian folkloric dances.

A special cake was also cut by deacons of the English parish as celebration.

The Saints Peter and Paul English speaking parish, led by Reverend Genard Lazar, was established five years ago.

It has since grown into a well numbered congregation. Its aim was to draw youth and the younger generation closer to the Assyrian faith and out of trouble.

In the past the English parish church and Metropolitan Mar Meelis Zaia have been involved in the creation of different programs targeting youths with drug and alcohol problems.

The Patriarch and clergy will leave for Melbourne this week before leaving Australia.

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