Installation of Patriarchal Vicar for Assyrian Church of the East Diocese of California, Chaldean Archbishop to be installed in Tehran

MODESTO, California, USA / TEHRAN — In a series of significant ecclesiastical events, ceremonies were conducted to elevate Father al-Khor, Bishop of Oshana Kannon, to the esteemed rank of Archdeacon. He was officially appointed as the Patriarchal Vicar of the Patriarchal Diocese of California for the Assyrian Church of the East in the United States of America. Concurrently, Chaldean Bishop Imad Khoshabeh Girgis arrived in Tehran to be installed as the Archbishop for the Chaldean Church.

Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East Mar Awa III Royel presided over the enthronement ceremony for Father al-Khor at the Cathedral of Mar Ziya in Modesto, California. The ceremony was attended by a congregation comprising numerous members of clergy and believers.

During the ceremony, the newly appointed Patriarchal Vicar, Archdeacon Oshana Kanon, delivered a solemn pledge to dedicate himself to the service of the Church and its followers.

In related news, on Tuesday evening, Bishop Imad Khoshabeh Girgis traveled to the headquarters of the Chaldean Diocese of Tehran in Iran. Chaldean Patriarch Mar Louis Raphael Sako is expected to join him in Tehran to preside over the official installation ceremony as Archbishop.

The Chaldean Church’s Synod had previously announced the election of Bishop Imad Girgis as the Archbishop of the Chaldean Diocese of Tehran on 26 September 2023. His appointment follows the retirement of Bishop Ramzi Karmo, marking a new chapter in the leadership of the Chaldean Church in Tehran.