His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia AM serves as the Metropolitan of the Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand, and Lebanon of the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East. A distinguished theologian, educator, and church leader, His Beatitude has devoted his life to the service of Christ’s Church and the Assyrian community both in the homeland and throughout the diaspora.
Theological Formation and Scholarship
In 1979, His Beatitude completed a Licentiate in Theological Education at the Assyrian Church of the East’s Theological Seminary in Baghdad, Iraq. Since that time, he has continued to promote theological learning and the preservation of the Syriac heritage through education, publication, and dialogue.
He is the editor of Liturgy of the Sacraments (Sydney, 1992 – English and Syriac) and the author of The Sabbath in the Mosaic Laws (Sydney, 1987 – in Syriac).
His Beatitude has also undertaken a comparative study on the Christological positions of the Assyrian Church of the East and the Coptic Orthodox Church. The resulting monograph, provisionally titled The Church of the East and the Coptic Orthodox Church: The Christological Debate, represents an important contribution to contemporary ecumenical scholarship.
Recognition and Honours
Over the course of his ministry, His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia has been recognised for his spiritual leadership and community service with numerous honours, including:
- 2024 – Great Cross, awarded by His Holiness Mar Awa III, Catholicos-Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East
- 2018 – Australian Assyrian of the Year Award
- 2009 – Citizen of the Year, Fairfield City Council
- 2009 – Cross of Service, awarded by His Holiness Mar Dinkha IV, Catholicos-Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East
- 2008 – Bestowed the ecclesiastical title “His Beatitude” by His Holiness Mar Dinkha IV
- 2007 – Member of the Order of Australia (AM), for service to religion and the Assyrian community in Australia
Through his decades of ministry, His Beatitude has been instrumental in establishing churches, schools, and community institutions across Australia and beyond—fostering faith, education, and unity among the faithful.
