Tooma Nasseri
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Tooma Nasseri | |
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| Born | 1905 Mushawa (Urmia, Iran) |
| Nationality | Iran |
Rev. Tooma (Thomas) Nasseri was born in 1905 in the Assyrian village of Mushawa (Urmia) in Iran. He was born to his father, Nasser and his mother, Esyat. In 1914, at the age of 9, he fled with his parents and many Assyrian villagers to Russia to escape the persecution of Assyrians in Persia . While in Russia, he attended school and in early 1920's married his beloved wife, Youlia (Julia), daughter of Baba Bet Eshoo (Bethishou) and Susanbar, also of Mushawa. Youlia was a woman of strong Christian faith and a devoted mother and wife. They had two children in Russia, son Youtam (Anthony) and daughter Vera.
He and his family returned to the village of Mushawa (Urmia, Iran) after World War I and it was at this time that he dedicated his life to Jesus Christ and accepted the Pentecostal faith. In 1930, he started his first church in a building in the backyard of their home in Mushawa. He would visit Assyrian villages in Urmia, preaching the gospel, visiting the sick, performing baptisms, marriages, and conducting funerals. His love and faith was so strong, he truly walked in the footsteps of Jesus Christ without regard for material benefit, ministering to the Assyrian faithful.
Rev. Nasseri and Youlia were blessed with 5 additional children born in Iran: daughter Naga, son Nathan, daughter Nellie, daughter Julia and daughter Lily. Tragically, daughter Vera passed away aged 5 in an accident and daughter Julia died aged 4 from an illness. More heartache followed when his beloved wife died in 1944, aged 34, after a brief illness. This left Rev. Tooma Nasseri a young widower, raising 5 children, being both a father and mother to them. Supported by his parents, and his faith in Christ, he continued his ministry throughout Iran visiting other Assyrian churches in Kermanshah, Abadan, Hamadan and Tehran. He was so popular, that churches would be filled to capacity and overflowing when he was visiting, despite not being the same denomination as he was. He was held in high esteem by his people and was known for his powerful speaking and ministry. In 1948, he was named the Superintendent (head) of all the Pentecostal Churches in Iran - a position he held until his passing on May 3, 1987. In the 1960's, Rev. Nasseri was invited to attend a Pentecostal convention in Jerusalem, a lifelong dream of seeing the Holy Land being fulfilled.
He to this day is one of the most famous Assyrian Reverends, not only for his ministry, but in how instrumental he was in building of Pentecostal churches throughout Iran. Churches were built in Hamadan, Abadan, Kermanshah, Urmia and ultimately Tehran, where he ended his life ministry. The Assyrian Pentecostal Church in Tehran was his great labor of love and will stand as a memorial to his dedication and Christian ideals. He was beloved by his parishioners and all Assyrians in Iran. Over 6000 Assyrians and non-Assyrians attended his funeral in Tehran on May 7, 1987 and his casket was paraded through the streets of Tehran from his church to his final resting place at the Assyrian cemetery in the outskirts of Tehran.
His sons Youtam and Nathan, and daughter Lily had immigrated to the United States and held a memorial service for Rev. Tooma Nasseri in San Jose, California on May 16, 1987. Over 1000 people attended he memorial from all over the United States, including Mar Dinkha IV, Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East and many ministers from different Assyrian church denominations. The service was officiated by Rev. Fereidon Isaac, minister of the Assyrian Evangelical Church of San Jose. He was eulogized by His Holiness Mar Dinkha IV, Rev. Sargis Sayad, Homer Ashurian, Babajan Ashouri and Rev. Charles Barnabas.
He lived his life in devotion to Jesus Christ and the Assyrian people.
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