We are 10 days away from July 1st, the Mission Sunday. On that Sunday,
we read the kalpana of one of the greatest living assets of IOC, H.G.
Geevarghese Mar Osthathios Thirumeni. On that Sunday, we have special
prayers for the needy, the missions across the country and people
working to serve the needy.
It's hard to imagine what the IOC mission would look like if it was
not molded and perfected by H.G. Osthathios Thirumeni. Thirumeni has
been the strongest voice and the torch bearer of IOC's reach out
initiatives. Thirumeni is the president of the Mission board of the
Indian Orthodox Church (IOC). He is equally accepted across religions
as the champion of social justice. Thirumeni is the founder of the
mission training center of IOC. Thirumeni's hands and his mission have
reached the underprivileged of the society and has spanned from
Pudupaddy, Kerala to Kalahandi, Orissa.
His vision for IOC is probably the closest to his creator's will: a
church focused in reaching out to the needy. Even though he resigned
as the metropolitan of Niranam diocese, he continues to work as the
president of the mission board, keeping the focus of IOC's mission in
perspective to the greatest teaching of Jesus Christ. His values are
unique. His concern for the poor is divine. His achievements to reach
out are beyond words. He is priceless.
To know him, to hear his ideas, to share his dream of a true church of
Christ, we would like to share an informal interview with H.G.
Geevarghese Mar Osthathios Thirumeni. Please visit
http://www.stgregoriosaustin.org/missionSunday.php
Thirumeni has been very vocal in many of the answers during the
interview. The answers might sound strange to us when we hear it for
the first time. The reason for it is that we probably are so far away
from the place where Thirumeni wants to reach. Thirumeni wants social
justice. It's probably light years for us to reach there, but at least
as we can start. As thirumeni suggested, we can start with charity.
And again, we must listen to the interview by being in the shoes of a
person who has the frustration of starting a hospital, but unable to
run it because there are no doctors to serve, the frustration of
starting a training center, but no students to attend and many
more....
On that Sunday, and everyday, pray for this great gift of God to IOC.
Pray for his long life. Pray that we get more leaders who share
thirumeni's values. Pray for the mission of Christ.
Thanks,
Rajesh Vargheese
http://www.stgregoriosaustin.org/
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