His Holiness Mar Awa III, Catholicos-Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, visited Hong Kong from October 16 to 20, 2025, for a momentous five-day program marked by theological exchange, ecumenical dialogue, and the inauguration of the Hong Kong Institute of Jingjiao Studies (HKIJS). The visit was held in commemoration of two historic milestones—the 1,700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed and the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the Jingjiao Stele—both of which highlight the enduring legacy of Christian faith and its deep roots in the East.
Legacy of the Visit
This historic visit, the first of its kind by a Catholicos-Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East to Hong Kong—and indeed to China—marked a moment of profound historical significance. While the ancient Jingjiao Stele records only the name of the Patriarch under whom Christianity first entered China, this occasion represents the first time a Patriarch of the Church of the East has personally come to Chinese soil. The visit not only strengthened ties between East Syriac Christianity and the Chinese Christian community but also underscored the growing academic interest in the ancient presence of Christianity in China.
Gratitude
This historic visit was made possible through the generous support and collaboration of the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui (HKSKH), the Divinity School of Chung Chi College (DSCCC), and the Institute of Sino-Christian Studies (ISCS). Heartfelt thanks are extended to Archbishop Andrew Chan, The Very Revd Samson Fan, Professor Francis Yip, and Mr. Daniel Yeung, whose leadership and partnership were vital to the success of the Patriarch’s visit.
Background
On June 27, 2024, Dr David Tam was blessed to have an audience with His Holiness Mar Awa III, Catholicos-Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, during His Holiness’s pastoral visit to Toronto.
The meeting provided an opportunity for Dr Tam to convey his vision for renewed engagement between the Church of the East and Christian communities in East Asia. He invited His Holiness to visit Hong Kong in 2025 to mark two milestones of shared significance — the 1,400th anniversary of the Nicene Creed and the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the Jingjiao Stele.
His Holiness warmly received the invitation and expressed his desire to undertake the visit, laying the foundation for what would later become the Hong Kong commemorations and the founding of the Hong Kong Institute of Jingjiao Studies (HKIJS).
Photo: Dr David Tam with His Holiness Mar Awa III, Toronto, June 27, 2024.
Building Partnerships for the Patriarch’s Visit
Following his return to Hong Kong after meeting His Holiness Mar Awa III, Catholicos-Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, in Toronto on June 27, 2024, Dr. David Tam began laying the groundwork for the Patriarch’s proposed visit to Hong Kong in 2025.
Dr. Tam first contacted Mr. Daniel Yeung of the Institute for the Study of Christianity and Chinese Culture (ISCS) to explore possible collaborations. Mr. Yeung, recognizing the significance of the occasion, reached out to Professor Francis Yip, Director of the Divinity School of Chung Chi College (DSCCC) at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Together, they began planning the October 17 program, which would later form the cornerstone of the Patriarch’s official itinerary.
To extend ecclesiastical partnerships, Dr. Tam also wrote to Archbishop Andrew Chan of the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui (HKSKH), on December 4, 2024, on behalf of His Holiness. In his letter, Dr. Tam conveyed the Patriarch’s desire to visit Hong Kong to commemorate two historic milestones—the 1,700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed and the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the Jingjiao Monument.
This correspondence led to a formal meeting on January 13, 2025, at Bishop’s House, resulting in HKSKH’s formal collaboration on the Patriarch’s upcoming visit, as reflected in the final itinerary of events.
Through these efforts, Dr. Tam successfully brought together the academic, ecclesiastical, and cultural partners that would make the 2025 visit a landmark occasion for Christian unity and historical reflection in Hong Kong.