Mysteries of the Kingdom is a modern-day treatise on the theology of the Assyrian Church of the East regarding the seven holy sacraments of the Church. The title is inspired by the words of our Lord to his disciples: "To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but to them it has not been given" (Matthew 13:11). The sacraments are the visible, material means of God's saving grace, which is itself unseen and immaterial; this he gives to us freely out of his own love and mercy. The theological foundations for the sacraments lay in the fact that the Word of God was Incarnate for our salvation. However, the sacraments become spiritually efficacious and beneficial for our salvation in the power of the Paschal Mysterythe passion, death, burial and triumphant resurrection of Christ Jesus. The faithful must be initiated in the doctrine and theology of the sacraments so that they may know and gain spiritual benefit from those means which God has given us to impart his unseen and uncreated grace to us. The bases upon which this treatise is written is the Apostolic Tradition of the Holy Church, which exists in both its written (the Sacred Scriptures) and oral forms (the Apostolic and Patristic writings).

Currently the only complete history in English of the Syriac Church of the East, this work covers the periods of the Sassanians, Arabs, Mongols, Ottomans and the twentieth century.

Christianity was firmly established in Iraq from the earliest times, and the Churches of Iraq were to play a major role in the development of Christian theology and spirituality for many centuries. By the seventh century evangelization from Iraq had brought Christianity to China, Central Asia and India. Yet few people in the West are aware of Christianity's vibrant past in this region, or of the fact that Christianity has continued to be a significant cultural and religious presence in Iraq right up to the present day. The story of the Churches of Iraq, their interaction with each other and their varied fortunes under successive Parthian, Sassanid, Arab, Mongol and Ottoman rule, is told here with consummate skill. Suha Rassam guides the reader seemingly effortlessly through complex issues of doctrinal dispute and ecclesiastical politics. She helps us explore the ancient heritage of these Churches, and the major contribution they have made to the intellectual development of the region and the wider world. Suha Rassam's book comes to fill a large vacuum in the knowledge of those in the West, many of whom are still not aware of the fact that from ancient times Christianity was firmly rooted in Iraq and the rest of the territory now seen as the 'Arab Middle East'. Archbishop Mikhael Al Jamil, Patriarchal Vicar of the Syrian Catholic Church of Antioch to the Holy See and Vicar Apostolic for Europe Dr Suha Rassam has written a work of remarkable scholarship. But is is also a vivid portrayal of an extraordinary story of conflict, persecution and, for fifty years in the twentieth century, of hope, harmony and prosperity for the Christian community in Iraq. It would be a tragedy if that Christian community were now extinguished. Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster Gives to the general interested public a comprehensive and informed insight into two thousand years of Christianity in Iraq. Dr Erica Hunter, School of Oriental and African Studies, London University

The so-called 'Nestorian' Church (officially known as the Apostolic Assyrian Church of the East, with its See in Baghdad) was one of the most significant Christian communities to develop east of the Roman Empire. In its heyday the Church had 8 million adherents and stretched from the Mediterranean to China. Christoph Baumer is one of the very few Westerners to have visited many of the most important Assyrian sites and has written the only comprehensive history of the Church, which now fights for survival in its country of origin, Iraq, and is almost forgotten in the West. He narrates its rich and colorful trajectory, from its apostolic beginnings to the present day, and discusses the Church's theology, christology, and uniquely vigorous spirituality. He analyzes the Church's turbulent relationship with other Christian chuches and its dialogue with neighboring world religions such as Zoroastrianism, Manichaeism, Islam, Buddhism, and Taoism. Richly illustrated with maps and over 150 full-color photographs, the book will be essential reading for those interested in a fascinating, but neglected Christian community which has profoundly shaped the history of civilization in both East and West.

This book, originally written in the Aramaic language was translated in the spring of 1964 by His Holiness, Mar Eshai Shimun XXIII, Catholicos Patriarch of the Church of the East. This work was little known since the original printed copies were mostly destroyed. This reproduction represents no changes to the original translation with the exception of spelling corrections and standardizing the protocol from English to American diction. His Holiness Mar Eshai Shimun XXIII, Catholicos Patriarch was the Supreme Head of the Church of the East, its Universal Pastor from 1920 until his assassination in 1975. Born in southern Turkey, His Holiness was raised with care, having received theological and liturgical training in the Middle East and in England at St. Augustines College and later Cambridge University. He worked tirelessly fighting for the Church and his Assyrian people. Often in danger of his life, he met with foreign diplomats and heads of states appealing to the League of Nations and later, the United Nations all the while contacting world leaders and discussing with them the Assyrian Questions. In later years, he was received throughout the Middle East by Islamic Heads of state in a most respectful and amiable of circumstances which speaks to his worldly sophistication and influence as a true leader. His Holiness was a profound scholar, an exemplary writer, a charismatic speaker and was a recognized subject matter expert in Ecclesiastical History and an authority the on History of Christianity in the Middle East and Far East. An innovative leader of the Church and Assyrian people, well schooled in both the ecclesiastical aspects of his vocation, as well as geo-political issues. Attuned to the needs of his flock and nation he mindfully navigated the tenuous landscape with uncompromising ethics, integrity and superior leadership, which were the hallmarks of his character and a truly remarkable Patriarch. His agility in managing both the secular and temporal affairs bespoke his magnificent stewardship of the Assyrian people and the Church of the East.

From the pious to the practical, the reflections of the Fathers of the Church cover virtually every aspect of the Christian life. Noted author Mike Aquilina has compiled their ancient axioms into a concise collection of comments designed for busy, modern readers. Pray with the poetry of St. Gregory Nazianzen. Find clear direction in the practical advice of St. Jerome. And, let your heart turn toward the heavenly Jerusalem, following the 1,000 timeless treasures in The Way of the Fathers. "A power-packed collection of the Fathers' concise, clear, and challenging statements on issues still relevant to Christians today. A helpful tool, for anyone seeking to live the authentic Gospel life as understood by the first Christians."

The contributions in this volume were mostly first presented at the conference "Research on Nestorianism in China. Zhongguo jingjiao yanjiu 中國景教研究" held in Salzburg, 20– 26 May 2003. Like the conference, the volume explores the subject of "Nestorianism" (jingjiao, "Luminous Religion") in a variety of aspects. The material of the present collection is organized in five parts. The first part presents different aspects of the past and current research on jingjiao. The second part discusses jingjiao in the Tang dynasty, especially the question of the "Nestorian" texts and documents, their authenticity and theology. The third part deals with the "Nestorian" inscriptions and remains from the Yuan dynasty, especially from Quanzhou. Part four is dedicated to questions of the Church of the East in Central Asia and other historically relevant countries. The last part of the book presents a "Preliminary Bibliography on the Church of the East in China and Central Asia" prepared especially for this volume.