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Meltha Magazine Online

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1997, Volume 3, No.1(7) page 34

TO THE QUESTION OF THE HISTORIC JUSTICE

The Russian daily newspaper "Nezovi- simaya" (The Independent) of 27 February 1997 came out with a story entitled 'The Great Assyrian on the Heraldic Symbol of Moscow City' composed by Dr. S. Osipov. It should be emphasized. that the material was in focus as it really made a splash among its readership. Besides, its title carried the subtitle 'The Assyrian Apostolic Church that brought Christianity into China exists to the latter day' .This material actually was published in the section 'History and the Gospel' under the heading 'Prior to Chalkedonians' .

The above mentioned story was a response to one material previously published by O. Lebedev in the same newspaper under the title 'Church in the Land beneath Husky'. The author presumes that it was Catholic mission that came first to teach Gospel in China. Unfortunately they also tried to influence and control local policies. As a result, in 1368 the emperor Chu as he was discontent with activity of foreigners began to persecute Christians. In his article Dr. Osipov prints to one certain inadequacy made by O. Lebedev in his story. Obviously, it was not ill-thought or done deliberately, and if this is the case it should just be discounted. But as it seems, distortion of facts has a system of its own for due to this in- adequacy the role of the formerly great nation diminishes. But it really was a great nation which once stood at creation of the civilization as well as at inception of Christianity. It means a nation which still uses the Aramaic language, the one of the Bible and of Jesus Christ as well.

Furthermore, pr. Osipov turns to focus on Professor P. Y. Saeki's book (see the article of His Grace Mar Geewargis Sliva in 'Meltha' No.l(5), 1996), and the Russian Vice Consul R.I. Termen ' s notes which say of the Assyrian Christian mission's arrival in China as early as in 7th century AD. The history itself bears many facts of Assyrian contribution to the cause and propagation of Christianity. The following separation of

Assyrians into different confessional groups like Nestorians, Jacobites, Maronites, Chaldeans, only reflected social and political unrest in the Middle East, and eventually diminished the position of the Church of the East. However one should bear in mind that all these confessions initially belonged to one Assyro-Aramaic Church of the East.

The article also focuses on' an age-long existence of Eastern Christians among Muslims. Despite heavy repressions it was not overshadowed by forced Islamization, for example, as it was predetermined by Muhammad's prophesies. While the Western missionaries as of 19th century had been working on disintegration of the formerly powerful Church' .

In conclusion Dr. Osipov states, «Today Assyrians are a long forgotten nation in the world although its issues have more than once been discussed both in the League of Nations and recently in the United Nations Organization. But there has been no mentioning about Assyrians exposed to genocide in Iraq. This way the right of Assyrians to the international status of refugees though they never leave their homeland in search of a better life in the West but try to survive the inevitable annihilation.

As Assyrians made a great contribution to the world civilization and to progress of Christianity, it would be unjust to deny it. Assyrians have always lived well together with any nation no matter what religion dominated. But they always have been proud of its ancestors and not only of warriors or conquerors, but also of builders, scholars, healers, astrologers, educators and missionaries as well. The nation also feels proud that its missionaries baptized the people of Republic of Georgia that became a homeland for many generations of Assyrians, and as much this pride builds up when we see the figure of the great Assyrian from Kappadokia, Saint George by name that shines on the Third Rome's heraldic symbol of Moscow City as well».