Biography of our Archbishop Hanna Zora

Archbishop Zora was born in the town of Batnaia north of Mosul, Nineve on the 15th of March 1939.  On September 1951, after elementary school he went to the seminary of St. John in Mosul directed by the French Dominican Fathers.  For 11 years he continued his studies including Philosophy and Theology.  He was ordained priest on the 10th day of June 1962, The feast of Pentecost.

His Grace worked in different towns in Alkosh, in his own town of Batnaia and in Tellescof as pastor until 1969.  In April 1969, his beatitude Mar Paulos II Cheikho asked him to go to Iran where he worked in the Archdioceses of Ahwaz wit his grace mar Toma Bidawid for a year and a half.  Afterwards, when his grace Mar Toma was transferred to Cairo his Grace became a Patriarch Administrator of Ahwaz.  On May 1st 1974 he was elected by the Chaldean Synod.  On the 27th of October 1974 he was consecrated Bishop of Ahwaz.  At that time he was the youngest bishop in the Catholic Church. 

For 18 years while he was Archbishop of Ahwaz, his grace Mar Hanna Zora organized a building for the benefit of the Chaldeans of Ahwaz, his grace Mar Hanna Zora organized a building for the benefit of the Chaldeans of Ahwaz consisting of a school library.  Three floors of this building were rented out to different kinds of businesses.  The profits of this enterprise were used by the community for different religious and social activities.  This building was given to him as a gift of God through the intercession of our Lady the virgin mother of God as a miracle for the benefit of the whole community.

During the Iran/Iraq war His Grace established a special aid station in the church for those who were injured in battle.  Many needy people who were injured and diseased were helped and cared for through this agency. 

As we have learned from many different people coming from Iran, Christian and non-Christian alike, His Grace, our Archbishop made good relationships throughout the city of Ahwaz.  Through his humble character, the face of the church shone before everyone.

In Rome for three and half years His Grace, our Archbishop studied at different universities.  At the Pontifical University of Urbaniana he studied Canon Law.  He also studied at the Pontifical Institute of Arab and Islamic studies as well as the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music.

When he was in Rome, His Grace, our Archbishop helped the organization of the Daughters of Charity with Mother Theresa.  He helped the organization of the Daughters of Charity with Mother Theresa.  He helped Mother Theresa directly after the Gulf War sanctions.  He helped this congregation spiritually for two and a half years. 

During his stay in Rome, he wrote two books, Maria Vergine in Italian and Arabic.

Archbishop Zora was stationed in Canada in August 1991.

One important thing that his Grace, our Archbishop Hanna Zora did for us is to get permission to have a Chaldean Language Program recognized by the Board of education as an international heritage Language Program. Now, we have classes for High School students in grades 9-11 with eight classes of more than two hundred students on Saturday.

Beside this, he established the Confraternity of Love and Mercy whose purpose is to be holy and to help other be holy through the Holy Bible.  Now we have more than 120 active members in Toronto.  This program was established in Windsor in 1992 and the Chaldean language program was established in 1993.  In the same spirit, the Confraternity of Love and Mercy was established in Detroit and Santiago.

We are proud of the unity and harmony that his grace our archbishop encourages in our worship as the deacons and the choirs accomplish the official prayers of Matins and Vespers in our Chaldean liturgy.

It is good and proper to thank God for his blessing and graces that he sent to us this pastor to help us spiritually and to show us the good way of the holy gospel, to be with Jesus, for Jesus and in His grace.  The good example that our Archbishop demonstrates especially his virtues of humility and patience show the entire community how to follow Jesus our Lord and to know how to love and serve each other with respect and reverence.  Another characteristic that we profit from is his good example of prayer.  He asks everyone every day to pray and to fast.  With prayer and fasting we can be forever happy and holy.  We thank God that our church was built with good foundation of daily prayer and the holy rosary.  We now have the best church and community in Toronto.

Home | Contact Us | Links | Newsletters |  Photo Gallery