Embedded Files
Born in Bartleh, Iraq on 8th February 1931, speaking the colloquial Aramaic. His father the late Malphono Deacon Touma Issa Rammo Khoshaba Marya, and his mother the late Kurty the daughter of Hanna Haçii.
Received his elementary education “Bartleh Boys School”, while he received his Bible studies, the Syriac language lessons, and the holy liturgy through the summer school ran at St. Shmouney Church in Bartleh.
In the year 1945 joined the St. Ephraim Seminary in Mosul.
In the year 1951 received his high diploma in Philosophy, Theology and Common Law. The same year, he left Iraq heading to join the Archdiocese of Beirut and Damascus.
Worked at this diocese travelling between Syria and Lebanon during the period 1951-1958, and during this period he held the following positions:
o Archbishopric secretary
o Legal secretary at the Ecclesiastical Court.
o Teacher – teaching religious education, Syriac, and Arabic languages for high school, and at the Syriac Institute (ܬ ܡ ܣ) (the Syriac Orphanage – Al-Khandaq Al-Ghameek), and St. Severious High School, Museidbeh – Beirut.
o Spiritual mentor, and general secretary and one of the founders of the Syriac Lebanese Scouts.
On 5th January 1959 arrived in Amman, and immediately took over the responsibilities of Parish Priest and Headmaster for the Church’s school
In the year 1964 was appointed member at the Ecclesiastical Court, and on 23rd April 1968 appointed an official representative of the court in Jordan (the decree was published in the Official Gazette)
In addition to the above he was elected to participate in the following associations and committees:
The Near East Council of Churches (as one of the Treasurers of the Council)
The Humanitarian Association (this association is responsible for the Christian cemeteries in Jordan)
The Committee for unifying the feasts celebrations in Jordan (agreement was reached back in the 70s. In this agreement the Orthodox churches celebrate the Feast of Nativity according to the Gregorian Calendar, and the Catholic Churches celebrate the Feast of Resurrection according to the Julian Calendar). This had led the Jordanian Government to offer the Christians in Jordan official holidays on these two Feasts. This agreement continues to hold to these days.
The Committee of the Heads of Churches in Amman
The Committee of the owners of the private Schools in Amman
Honorary Chair for the Ecumenical Youth Committee – Amman
Spiritual Mentor for the Syrian Young Women Association – Amman
Established the Syrian Scouts team in Amman
Established a center for religious studies that focused on teaching the youth. The teaching included the Syriac language, religion, holy liturgy, hymns, and altar service. Additionally, special sessions were held every Thursday evening to discuss theological, historical, and other issues either at St. Ephraim church or when invited to other churches and communities.
Represented the holy church in number of different conferences either in Jordan or outside Jordan.
In the year 1971 supervised the inclusion of Our Syrian Orthodox Church in Amman within the weekly program to broadcast the Holy Mass from the church through the waves of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan’s state radio.
Exerted every effort to increase the properties of the church in Amman, thus was involved in several negotiations that ultimately brought properties in the name of the church.
Published several articles and poems in different newspapers and magazines in Damascus, Aleppo, Beirut, Jerusalem, Amman, Sweden, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and Germany.
V. Rev. Fr. Boutros Touma Issa’s service in Jordan lasted from 5th January 1959 – 6th July 1989. With the prior approval of H.H. Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, the Supreme Head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church (2014+), left Amman heading to Australia.
In Australia he arrived accompanied by Bathqyomo Marine Khoury-Issa and their youngest son Theodore, to serve the small community in the Western Australia. At the beginning of this service V. Rev. Fr. Issa commenced with bible studies and religious teachings that he used to hold in the community homes, until he rented a church where the lessons continued along with other church services.
V. Rev. Fr. Issa served this small community in Perth to the day he entered eternal life on Saturday 11 January 2025. In addition, V. Rev. Fr. Issa served our Indian brethren who found in Australia a second home and was instrumental in the establishment of the St. Peter church, with the branched-out churches i.e., St. Mary, Perth, St. Mary Knanaya, Perth, and St. Mary Bunbury.
V. Rev. Fr. Issa led the members of St Peter’s as they undertook the project of purchasing a land and building a church in Perth Western Australia.
In Perth Western Australia V. Rev. Fr. Boutros Touma Issa served as:
• A Member of the Committee of the Heads of Churches in Perth
• The Vice President of the Council of Churches 1992-2025
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse