Jerusalem
and the Middle East
Church Association

News

Financial News

Book review

Obituaries

Installation of Bishop Azad Marshall

Bishop Azad Marshall was installed as sixth Bishop in Iran at St Paul’s Church, Tehran on Sunday 5th August 2007 in a moving three-hour service, opening a new chapter in the life of the Episcopal Anglican Church in Iran.

The congregation of over two hundred people included Anglicans, members from the Armenian Orthodox and Armenian Evangelical Churches, the Assemblies of God, Roman Catholics, the Orthodox Church and Muslims. Representatives from the embassies of Egypt, Pakistan, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands were also present. The service was also attended by Dr Sadighati, a senior official from the office of the President who spoke afterwards of the respect and freedom given to all religious minorities, including the freedom to change religion, since the Government knows many Christians come from the Muslim community.

The service was conducted by the President Bishop of the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East, the Most Revd Dr Mouneer H Anis. Also participating were the Rt Revd Dr Michael Nazir-Ali, representing the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Rt Revd Suheil Dawani, Bishop in Jerusalem, Archbishop John Chew, Archbishop of Singapore and South East Asia, the Rt Revd Paul Butler, Bishop of Southampton, and retired Bishop of Jerusalem the Rt Revd Riah Abu El-Assal.

Outstanding singing in Farsi and English by the House of Worship and Messiah Worship Choir and orchestra marked the service. Led by Honiball Yousef, the Messiah Choir is the first Christian professional choir in Iran.

Bishop preaches in Farsi and English

Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali preached on the eve of the Feast of Transfiguration. First speaking in Farsi, he drew on Persian poets to explain the divinity of Jesus in familiar cultural terms. Continuing in English he said, “The glory of God is seen in the risen Jesus and also in the glory of men and women as they are meant to be but which we have lost through sin and rebellion. Jesus said: ‘I when I am lifted up will draw everyone to myself.’ My hope is that Bishop Azad, whose name means ‘free’, will free you to be followers of the risen Christ, and help you to know what you have to put off and what to put on to live his risen life. ”

As part of the greetings from religious and civic leaders, Dr Wazirie from the Council of Guidance began with giving respect to the great prophet Jesus and his holy mother Mary. He spoke warmly of religious tolerance. “When anyone praises God because they are happy they are linked with us. Anyone in suffering who asks God for help in the middle of the night is our brother. We feel great sympathy and closeness for everyone who believes in God in his heart. Those priests and bishops who are asking God for help in the middle of the night are paving the way for morality in society”. He quoted the verse from the Koran which speaks of Christians being the closest to the Muslims. Those attending hoped that the reality they experience daily would match the words.

The Archbishop of Canterbury also sent greetings, saying, “The task of building relationships with government and religious leaders is an important element in the ministry to which you are called, and we look forward to working with you in promoting deeper mutual understanding.”

At the close of the service Bishop Azad said, “My Christ did not come only for Christians; my Christ is for the whole world. With your help and co-operation I will seek to serve both Muslims and Christians because Christ came to serve all.”

Visits to faith leaders

On the evening before the installation, all the visiting Bishops and Archbishops visited the mausoleum-shrine of Ayatollah Khomeini. They were accorded a guard of honour and met with government officials. On the days following Bishop Azad’s installation the Bishops met with the former President Ayatollah Khatami who said, “Bishop Marshall, we honour you. Bishop Marshall, this is your home”. Dialogue meetings were also held with clerics from the Council of Guidance.

The bishops and guests also visited a Jewish synagogue for evening prayers and to meet the Member of Parliament for the Jewish community of about 25,000, who date their time in Iran from the exile from Jerusalem in 597 BC.

From Bishop Azad

Since I last reported to you the Church in Iran has shown definite signs of growth. The Revd Nosrat Sharifian has returned to Iran after eye surgery in the United States and has taken up his responsibilities as Vicar of St Luke’s, Isfahan. He was made a Canon at St Luke’s on 12th August. The Revd Christopher Edgar has received his work permit and now resides in Tehran as Vicar of St Paul’s Church. Joura Zakoorian continues to take pastoral care of St Paul’s Church in Julfa, and I hope to ordain Baba Mohammadi for St Simon’s Church in Shiraz. With four clergy in place we hope to see an increase in membership.