My Neighbor Jesus
Our Assyrian people belong to a country where ancient customs are sacredly and tenaciously held. Railroads and machinery are unknown. Transportation is by mules, camels and on men's backs. The social order, in respect of simple and hospitable ways, continues as in the days of Jesus. Religion, as then, is still the dominant factor. The only literature known is the Bible and the liturgical books used at the church services. The Gospels in the Aramaic are a source of much inspiration to sustain the faith and to cherish the hope of these people, who are now refugees scattered throughout the hot plains of Mesopotamia without home or country, exposed to persecutions and the privations of poverty.
From this work
Introduction: Our Assyrian people belong to a country where ancient customs are sacredly and tenaciously held. Railroads and machinery are unknown. Transportation is by mules, camels and on men's backs. The social order, in respect of simple and hospitable ways, continues as in the days of Jesus. Religion, as then, is still the dominant factor. The only literature known is the Bible and the liturgical books used at the church services. The Gospels in the Aramaic are a source of much inspiration to sustain the faith and to cherish the hope of these people, who are now refugees scattered throughout the hot plains of Mesopotamia without home or country, exposed to persecutions and the privations of poverty. The Aramaic, according to Old Testament history, is the oldest language. Nearly all Biblical names derive their meanings from it. Abraham was an Assyrian who left Haran to settle in Cana