Executive Assistant to the Bishop of the Assyrian Church of the East Nina Khalil writes…
On Saturday 15 February 2025, His Grace Mar Awraham Youkhanis, Bishop of the Assyrian Church of the East, Diocese of Western Europe (ACOTE), celebrated the official opening of the new St Mary’s Cathedral, followed by its consecration on the following day.
Representatives from many of CTE’s national Member Churches joined more than 600 guests from the local community and across the world at these joyous events, which were presided over by His Holiness Mar Awa III, Catholicos-Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East. CTE General Secretary Bishop Mike Royal was also in attendance.
Deputy Lieutenant Richard Kornicki CBE, for the London Borough of Ealing, joined HH Mar Awa III in a ceremony to cut the ribbon and unveil the official plaque to Saint Mary’s Cathedral. This was followed by congratulatory speeches from several esteemed guests including the Mayor of Ealing, Yvonne Johnson. The opening was concluded by HH Mar Awa III planting a commemorative olive tree on the Cathedral grounds.
This marks a new chapter for the Assyrian community in the United Kingdom, who have settled in the borough of Ealing since the 1960s. At first members of the community practiced their Christian faith through the generosity of St Barnabas Church on Pitshanger Lane, Ealing. This is where the late Mar Dinkha IV, of blessed memory, was consecrated to Catholicos-Patriarch on 17 October 1976.
In 1987, the Assyrian community puchased their own church on Westminster Road, Hanwell, which was consecrated by the late Mar Dinkha IV. For over thirty-seven years, this served as the home of the Assyrian Church of the East in London.
As the congregation grew, a dream of a larger space was finally achieved by the purchase of the former St James’ Church. St James’ was designed by William Pywell and served the community for over a century before closing in 2018. HG Mar Awraham Youkhanis worked to acquire the building and it was lovingly restored as St Mary’s Cathedral. This was made possible through the faith, devotion and selfless contributions of its parishioners.
May this new Cathedral stand as a house of faith, a sanctuary of prayer, charity and love.
“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)
Learn more about the Assyrian Church of the East, Diocese of Western Europe.
All photos credit © ACOTE/Andrew Michael