The venerable Clergy and People of this Holy Exarchate under the protection of the Lord’s Apostles.
EMMANUEL NASCETUR PRO TE!
It is with immense Joy in Christ Emmanuel who is the glorious Bishop of his Church, which I now announce and ratify the revival of an ancient liturgical observance in this Year of our Lord and Advent Season of 2020AD:
+ The Assyrian Rite of St. Jude Thaddeus –Apostle and Dean of the College of Disciples in Syriac Lands. St. Jude Thaddeus together with James –who the Lord was close too, and Simon were of course cousins (close family in the East are all associated as brothers regardless) of the Lord from Joseph’s brother Cleopas and sister-in-law Salome’s children whom Joseph raised as his own when Cleopas died.
Hence, Apostle Jude is shown carrying an icon “towel” portraying the Lord’s face….many of the reformers would say that if accounts are not written is Holy Scripture (Sola Scriptura) – they are fable! Yet the Apostle John states that many accounts had not been recorded (Jn 21:25) for they were to be counted as grains in the sand as a figure of speech; such accounts were handed down as HOLY TRADITION – not to be seen as something made up, but as that which has taken place and is passed down through the ages!
It must be noted that we are not to confuse this shroud/mandolin with that of St. Berenice “acquirer of victory” who was the woman that Jesus healed of her internal and external bleeding when she touched his garments (Lk 8:43-48) She Berenice became later known in the West as Veronica who wiped the Lord’s face on the way to Golgotha producing the imprint on the cloth being the: VERO ICONA – True Icon!
Thus, there was an Assyrian ruler (Abgar) who heard about Jesus, for he (Abgar) suffered with various skin and blood conditions; wanting to see Jesus for he believed in that which was reported concerning the Lord. Thus, he sent his accomplished artist (Ananias) along with a letter of invitation (to which the Lord declined but promised to send one of the apostles later on) to at least sketch out his face.
However the artist perched himself distant from the crowds in endeavouring to sketch out his (the Lord’s) likeness; he could not because as he reported to the king after several attempts – light radiated from his face! Therefore, Jesus sent his cousin/brother ‘the jealous one” Jude to the king in Edessa/Urfa imprinting his face on the towel which when beheld by the ruler; immanent healing occurred! Thus, after the Pentecost, Jude was assigned Dean of the Disciples in Assyria to which that same king/ruler became a disciple of the Lord and aided the Church to flourish in those lands.
Moreover, with the many schisms, foreign dictatorships from the great apostasy “Islam” and reformations: scripture became not only tainted and twisted in the sense of mal comprehension, but a recipe for disasters and crisis of faith to come! Thus, many may be aware that there is a confusion about who are apostles and disciples in the Book of Acts “the current understanding” suggests that some Apostles were demoted and became disciples, whilst others maintain that they share the same names but are different people altogether.
Unfortunately many are at odds with the composition of theories regarding thus (especially the Orthodox who have swallowed the biblical translation of protestant reformers) having been fooled outright; for Apostles and Disciples are two different categories! Hence, when the Book of Acts mentions Apostles like Phillip and Thaddeus appointing them amongst the 70+ Disciples – what this means is that these Apostles were given the title of administrators (deans) in overseeing certain factions of the Disciples which were divided into their respected territories.
Furthermore, clarification is warranted regarding the Apostles who traveled through these lands on rout to their respective missions. Although the apostle Jude Thaddeus (Mar Addai) was appointed dean of Syriac lands, yet his brothers in the apostolic college: Thomas, Nathaniel Bartholomew, Simon and Philip assisted Jude whilst journeying through those lands. Now martyrdom was shared among them and often such were martyred together; Jude and Simon were mutilated via axe, yet their disciples carried on their work until they too followed in the footsteps of martyrdom. One of Jude’s early assistants within that territory was Palut later known as Mari.
We need to remember that even among the supposed highly educated theologians and apologists – such are apt to err especially in these regards. As the Holy Fathers state (1clement: 2) and Holy Scripture exhorts (Jn 15:9-14) that in the midst of arrogance and presumption - the Holy Spirit who reveals all truth cannot and will not work when such sentiments are present despite one’s ecclesial heritage!
Therefore, St. Jude Thaddeus went to Assyrian lands in attending to the growth of the Church with training the disciples assigned him for the sowing and ripening of a fruitful vineyard in the Lord! Such territories were later (430AD) infested with the Nestorian Heresy which eventually gave rise to the Great Apostasy (500AD). Let us clearly state that its leader who sort sanctuary in order to escape the penalty of the law was inspired by the monks of St. Catherin’s Monastery on the slopes of Sinai rendering him with the ill theology of the Nestorian persuasion.
Thus, bearing in mind that this gentlemen was equipped to usher in the Great Apostasy; this was not revealed as maintained but learnt from that very monastery at the time! Let us also consider the future bloodbaths and hijacking of churches and monasteries in conjunction with the reason (handprint) why the monastery of St. Catherine has never been destroyed or in peril till this day!
Hence, bearing in mind the Nestorian heresy (Jesus as Man not God) there was another ill minded teaching circulating which was present earlier on: Gnosticism (2AD) - the heresy of private knowledge given to an initiated few in the spirit and withheld from everyone else due to unworthiness in body. Here begins the omitting of certain prayers and scriptural quotations “later observed in silence” beginning with the omitting of the Lord’s supper- leaving out the words of commemoration: “This is my body! This is my blood!”
It also must be stated that certain groups within the Syriac tradition claim that they are the purest form of Christianity and its churches are simple in nature…The Assyrian church along with all others were once beautifully decorated with rich iconography as archaeological discoveries in those parts are uncovering. Unfortunately, it was the controversies of the Iconoclasts and Islam in particular who adopted such heresy which then pedalled thus and imposed such ecclesial décor throughout the ages. Rome too in her traditions adopted the iconoclastic tradition of covering icons in its Lenten observance – to the surprise of many; a remnant of those times!
Although certain communities amongst the so called Oriental Church Family apostatized in joining Rome which rightly purged the rite from such heresies; even though the Nestorian heresies were removed, yet they replaced these with other injustices. Such abominations were imminently implemented concerning the practice/format via Latinising the whole rite as they have done to all Rites of the East who compromise and pursue security and stability via unity with them!
Therefore, our Holy Exarchate has remained faithful to the tradition of this venerable rite but placed thus within the context of the liturgical practice of the Eastern Orthodox Church so that this glorious rite may once again be offered, shared, and partaken amongst the Church family. Let us also remember that these oriental rites were the ones that reached the west and formed Western Christendom; Orthodox from day one - particularly following the Syriac traditions as we see its clear evidence in the early days of the monastic missionaries in Celtic lands!
To many of you, such decrees and revivals seem odd in the sense that such rites are in use throughout their nascent territories. Yet the fact remains that: such rites in the current practice are remote from their original foundation, are filled with various errors, have endured foreign additions which are totally abhorrent to the natural spirit of the liturgy, and most importantly - certain biblical elements of sacred tradition have been conveniently discharged! Therefore, it is imperative that a concrete study, a profound cultivation of original spirituality, and the adherence to the Holy Spirit who is the Treasure of Blessings and Fount of all Knowledge be wholeheartedly obeyed in such matters – placing our arrogance, ecclesiastical standing, and pre-conceived ideas aside!
Hence, as the Church in formative years developed under the leadership of the Apostolic Fathers – each territory had the grace of autonomy in the cultivation of culture within the context of worship. As we know only too well, when the Church became instituted according to worldly empires with the reaping of the benefits thereof; the local churches were crippled and became slaves of the empire (Christian and Non) and forced to conform to the prevailing rites, customs and indignities of the mighty who replaced the Lord and became lords!
Thus, as the Church of Apostolic times was a suffering Church, who were exposed to ridicule, crippling, and isolation; we too who via Holy Succession from Orthodox Rome are in truth the thorn in the side of those who consider themselves all that is Church in their limited understanding and endurance. Therefore, we stand with Peter, Paul, Linus, Cletus, and Clement and the Church Universal – the significance of being KATHOLIC in our faith and ORTHODOX in canonicity; like the mustard seed which is the smallest – the Lord will enable us to grow in being fruitful branches that live in him who is the vine!
This Holy Exarchate consecrated to the Holy Apostles of Christ our Bishop thus herby preserve and bring back to liturgical service all the Rites and Customs that the Faith of our Father’s used which were violently suppressed and tarnished!
Therefore, as ARCHBISHOP and EXARCH of the Orthodox Church present in Australia within the Elder Tradition under the protection of the Holy Apostles of Christ our Bishop, I reiterate my pleasure, support and approval for all clergy to implement this blessed rite within their communities to compliment and enrich the spirituality of the people in their care and the spirituality of those who come and join them for prayer!
With sincere thanks and deepest appreciation in IESUS KRISTOS our Bishop,
+Raffaele
Archbishop and Exarch of Australia and all Oceania
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