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The life of Brigadier General Phillip Betoshana

On February 22, 1921, Mr. and Mrs. Rabi Poulos and Rabi Anna Betoshana brought into this world their first surviving child who was named Phillip. Unbeknownst to them, Phillip would grow up to become one of the most influential members of the Assyrian community and a General in the Iranian Armed Forces under the rule of Mohammad Reza Shah. Phillip was the oldest of four siblings, brother Sargon and his sisters Joanne and Rony. Phillip grew up and attended elementary school in Goytapa, where he then went on to high school in Urmieh, Iran. In 1939, at age 18, he began his studies in Electro-Mechanical Engineering. To expand his knowledge and as a service to his country, Phillip joined the Iranian Armed Forces in 1942. As Phillip was continuing his education and serving his country, he became acquainted with a beautiful Assyrian woman named Tamara Younanoadeh. In 1944, Phillip graduated from the University of Tehran with degrees in Electro-Mechanical Engineering and Civil Engineering while continuing his journey through the armed forces. As their love grew, Tamara and Phillip became Mr. and Mrs. Betoshana in1947. Phillip loved his wife and together they raised seven well rounded children who would grow up to carry their legacy. Phillip’s love of the Assyrian community, culture, and language inspired him to name his children with unique Assyrian names that represented his culture and his faith. He raised four sons and he named them Banipal, Dematour, Raman, and Marduk, and for his 3 daughters he chose the names Ashourbella, Ramina, and Domarina.

As a self taught artist and musician, Phillip enjoyed nature and he would often use nature as his median in his art. He taught himself to play the mandolin and would frequently entertain his family and friends at gatherings, while encouraging his children to participate by singing and playing other instruments. His love for music transformed his home into the local spot for musicians to gather and practice traditional and patriotic Assyrian songs and instruments. Phillip would pride himself with the company of his friends and family and according to his children their house was always filled with love and joy. As Phillip would entertain the guests, Tamara would prepare bountiful time-honored cuisines and would treat the guests as extended members of their family. Phillip and Tamara would offer the use of their house for many choir practices along with cultural and community meetings to assure his fellow people a place to meet at a time where money and infrastructure was limited.

Phillip was a renaissance man with many great talents. He was a poet, a painter, a musician, and enjoyed crafting art out of wood. He emphasized and instilled his love of the arts into his children and passed onto them his many talents including: painting, embroidery, piano, clarinet, violin, and singing of various forms. His children grew up to sing opera, folk lore, and were involved in the Shah’s Choir and theater. Aside from his family life, cultural pride and hobbies, Phillip’s legacy included his military life and his work in advancing the Assyrian community in Iran. Through the years, as the military allowed, Phillip worked tirelessly to advance the Assyrian community and to bring awareness of the Assyrian culture in Iran.

In 1950, Phillip met with the Patriarch of the church, Mar Isha Shimoon and in conversation Phillip promised Mar Shimoon that he would do everything in his power to strengthen the Assyrian Church of the East in Iran. When Phillip joined the armed forces, he demanded that his faith in Christ would not interfere with his rise through the ranks for he had his eyes set on achieving the highest rank any Christian has achieved in a Muslim ruled country. Phillip spearheaded major military projects and was entrusted by the Shah to complete them as timely and efficiently as possible. Phillip proposed to Shah, that if fair salaries were given to Iranian civilians and military personnel, they can stop outsourcing their projects to French workers. Shah agreed and production costs were cut by two thirds. Phillip was then sent to America, Germany, France, and England on several occasions to further his education in ordinance, logistics, and military technology, science, weaponry, and machinery. Phillip continued on with his military education and ambition and was advanced to the rank of Colonel in 1964.

While being promoted to Colonel, the American Government realized the sacrifice, support and determination that Tamara had in raising her 7 children while supporting her husband’s dream she was acknowledged and was presented with a diploma for her hard work. Phillip returned to Iran as Colonel Betoshana where he became the professor of defense at the University of National Security and Defense of Iran. Phillip was the first Iranian to travel to Russia and Israel to learn about their various defense weapons.

Prior to 1953 there was no Assryian Church of the East established in Tehran. Through constant pressure and determination a congregation of men and women was formed in the name of the Assyrian Church of the East. Although, there was no priesthood assigned specifically to the Congregation in Tehran, in 1958 Father Khnania Dinka was sent to preach in Tehran. As Philip, his brother Sargon and their uncle Aprim realized that this young 23 year old priest did not have a permanent congregation assigned to him, they formally requested from Mar Yosip Khnanishoo to keep Father Dinkha in Tehran to help strengthen the Assyrian Church of the East’s congregation in Tehran whereby the first Motva’d Eta was established in 1958.

Phillip had a goal and a promise to fulfill which lead him to raise funds and receive donations from the Assyrian community, Iranian nationals, and foreigners from abroad in hopes of building Mar Givargis Church in Tehran and a School for the Assyrian Church of the East. With the help of Father Dinkha and Motva’d Eta the congregation picked up momentum and started to grow. Phillip enlisted help of the community as well as military personnel to complete the construction of the church by 1962. Within one week of the church’s completion His Holiness Mar Shimon anointed the church and ordained Father Dinkha as the Bishop of the Church in for Iran. Phillip had became an active member of Mar Givargis church and the leading member of the Motva’d Eta. Through the years, Phillip encouraged the Bishop Mar Dinkha to further his education in England.

In 1972, the Shah appointed Phillip as Lieutenant General where he became the first minority to ever reach those ranks in the history of Iran. In 1976, Phillip was to be appointed Major General but due to his continuous battle with diabetes and his deteriorating health, his doctors advised against the promotion and convinced Phillip to retire. In 1975, within a short time after the assassination of Patriarch Mar Isha Shimoon, Bishop Mar Dinkha consulted with Phillip regarding the future of the church. Phillip advised the Bishop to prepare to become the Patriarch as there is no one better suited to take on this great obligation. Sadly Philip lost his battle to diabetes 1 month prior to the ordination of the Patriarch Mar Dinkha IV who continues to reign as the Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East to this day.

Although Mar Giwargis Church in Tehran was a big undertaking for Philip, he believed firmly in supporting the Assyrian Arts and Artists. Phillip’s love for the arts encouraged him to work with Assyrian calligraphists, poets, painters, writers, and musicians. Phillip worked with well-known artists such as, The Late Maestro Nebu Issabey, Nineveh Assyrian Choir, Vania David, Assyrian Folk-Lore Choir of Ashur, The Late Rabi William Daniel, The Late Rabi Issa Benyamin, Misha Ashoorian, The Late Sophia Ghajarian, The Late Polus Khofri, and The Late Andre Gualovich. Phillip commissioned Andre Gualovich to paint a portrait of the late Mar Benyamin Shimoon and helped him setup an exhibition of his work in America. In honor of Phillip’s help, Andre created a posthumous portrait of Phillip to show his gratitude for all his hard work. Phillip commissioned the Late Rabi Issa Benyamin to create an Assyrian Calligraphy on golden tapestry to present to the Shah for his coronation. With the presentation of this tapestry, Phillip also coordinated a parade of over 200 Assyrian men and women dressed in ancient Assyrian military uniforms to march in the coronation parade. Phillip also made it possible for the Late Maestro Nebu Issabey and his Nineveh Choir to perform for the Shah on many occasions.

Phillip’s major influence in the Assyrian arts was with The Late Rabi William Daniel. Rabi William Daniel was the foremost talented Assyrian writer of his time. Rabi William Daniel’s work spanned from poems and songs to short stories and novels with “Kateeni Gabara” being his most compelling work. Rabi William Daniel had explained to Phillip that he is having trouble publishing the book in America. Phillip used his network and influences in Iran to bring the book to publication. Phillip would personally take eight pages at a time to the publisher and watch over their work. In 1961, Phillip presented a reading of the book “Kateeni Gabara” in Shooshata to over 150 people. Phillip was so mesmerized by this book that he recorded an audio reading of “Kateeni Gabara” for those who lacked the reading ability.

Poulos, Philip’s Father, was a collector of books that written about Assyrians or their culture and he instilled the importance of our history into Philip. On his travels, Poulus had found a handful of Assyrian books being sold by Kurds and he was hurt by the fact that strangers had possession of our history and showed no regards to the people that they belonged to. It was then that he began his library and behind each book, Poulos wrote the inscription, “Alaha Rakhim al milat ghad ktavo naplee beedad nookhrayi” which translates to “God have mercy on any people whose writings fall into the hands of others”. Phillip continued to collect books to advance his father’s library and he named his library after his father “Poulos.” Philip created the library in his house which consists of over 500 books. Some of the books date as far back as the 1800’s containing historic writings about Assyrians written in English, Farsi, Russian and Assyrian. During the Grand Opening of the “Poulos Library” in 1975, all authors, musicians, and artists who contributed to the advancement of the Assyrian culture and society were invited to celebrate this grand occasion. To this date, the library still exists and resides with Phillip’s son Raman in America. Phillip had become well known for his influences in the Iranian Government and in the Assyrian community. He was one of a few handfuls who could organize and unite the “Malikeh” (tribes leaders) to work together in advancing and protecting the future of Assyrians in Iran and in the World. Due to his military obligations, Phillip was not allowed to be a part of any private organization. However, Phillip headed and encouraged the creation of several Assyrian organizations such as the upbringing of Seeta Sapreta, Assyrian Universal Alliance, Shooshata Oomtanaya, Shooshan school, and the Boy’s Scouts. In June of 1976, Phillip became a member of Mootva Atooraya of Tehran after he had retired. Two months after his retirement, Phillip’s health had severely deteriorated and on September 1st, 1976, Phillip’s body was found in his bedroom by his youngest son, Marduk. Phillip had died of a heart attack due to complications from diabetes. Phillip’s funeral consisted of over 5000 attendants, including family and friends, Military personnel, and political dignitaries. Phillip’s legacy would be succeeded by his seven children, fifteen grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren.

“Toova all nashid min bar moteh, khayi go libavateh.” Gen Phillip Betoshana.