Thousands of Assyrians flocked to the St Hurmizd Assyrian Cathedral in Greenfield Park on Sunday to witness Bishop Mar Meelis Zaia of Australia and New Zealand being elevated to the rank of Metropolitan.

The crowds began to descend on the church from 4am. In total, more than 3700 people from all over Australia attended the event.

Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, His Holiness Mar Dinkha IV, had flown in from Chicago last week with three bishops from California, India and Lebanon. Deacons, priests and children in the choir waited outside the church with roses and sang prayers as the clergy entered, flanked by security guards.

The tradition of the laying of the hand was performed during the ceremony.

Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia thanked the community for 24 years of support.

"Let's work together hand in hand for the years to come to produce more, more than we have produced in the last 24 years," he said.

Joseph Haweil, 19, from Melbourne, said the day was one of great happiness. "This will be giving His Grace the deserved position in the church and shows people when you do work hard you are able to achieve," he said.

English Channel swimmer Kaise Stephan, of Abbotsbury, said: "It's so good to see our community and congregation growing so much.

"This will require a new bishop and metropolitan to be able cope with this."

A dinner was later held at Edessa Reception attended by 800 people.

By Emmanuel Brikha
http://fairfield.yourguide.com.au