Old Parumala Church and Parumala Perunal

Apostolic Blessings from H.H. Moran Mar Baselios Didymos I

The Holy Bible: A documentary

The Holy Bible, the first Book is the record of the revelation of God to man, through Prophets and Jesus Christ. The documentary looks at the journey the Holy Bible has traveled from its origin when there was non paper or printing press to the current day when it has been translated to numerous languages. The Bible or part of the Bible has been translated to more than 2400 languages. The Holy Bible contains the old testament and the new testament.

View the documentary at
http://icon.org.in/php/playVideo.php?id=HolyBible

Posted as additional viewing material for Class 9, Unit 1 & 2

Thanks,
Rajesh Vargheese

"YOU ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH." (Mt. 5:13)

"YOU ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH." (Mt. 5:13)


"The salt of the earth" figuratively means in the plural, 'the finest citizenry',
and in the singular, 'one among them'. In the course of His Sermon on the
Mount, Jesus addresses the listeners individually and collectively as the
salt of the earth. He reminds them that salt renders itself good for nothing
when it loses its taste. The reminder serves to warn against their losing
sight of their mission in life and leading bland, unsavory, meaningless lives.

During the Lord's earthly ministry, pure salt was a very scarce commodity,
and therefore, quite dear and often a suitable medium of exchange in terms
of its stability in value. Hence, the use of the figure of speech is in context
to challenge the listeners to evaluate what they really 'are', and what they
'can be' in God's kingdom on earth by being like pure salt without blemish.

The Lord's message is as much relevant to us individually as Christian
believers, and collectively as a parish/diocese/ church in the 21st century as
it was to the listeners then. In modern usage, we often refer to a diligent
and dedicated worker as being 'worth his/her salt'. That means, the worker
concerned MERITS IN FULL, what he/she earns as salary, by virtue of
personal commitment, perseverance and resultant improved productivity.
The word 'salary' itself is derived from the word 'salt'. In fact, salary means
'salt-money' .

We read in Job 6:6, "Can that which is tasteless be eaten without salt."
The same is a fact of life even today. Salt is extremely useful in our
day-to-day lives when used in its appropriate quantity. Salt is immensely
valuable for what it does. Salt SEASONS; PRESERVES; PURIFIES;
IRRITATES CUTS AND BRUISES; PERMEATES AND PENETRATES. Life
without salt is inconceivable. So must be Christianity and its adherents to
the present-day social life.

Millions around the globe remain literally drained of their spiritual dignity,
emotional security, mental peace and physical well-being. They desperately
look for props to cling to while living through the abject misery of their broken
lives. Just as salt seasons and causes flavor to come alive, Christian
believers and their churches of various denominations must strive to redeem
them by imparting flavor and zest to their otherwise wretched lives. They
have to be provided with at least a semblance of hope worth living for.

Like salt, Christianity has to be consistently an efficacious 'preservative' in
the face of rapidly vanishing values of life such as respect for the sanctity of
life; chivalry; chastity in thought, speech and action; courage of conviction;
personal integrity and so on. A society solidly founded on sound moral
tenets and values will become a forlorn dream unless Christianity does its
part in protecting and PRESERVING moral values on a war footing.

In 2 Kings 2:20-22 is the narrative of how Elisha made a polluted spring of
water wholesome by dropping salt in it from a new bowl with a prayerful
pronouncement of blessing over the water. Salt has antiseptic properties to
heal. In olden days new-born babes were given a saline bath to ward off or
avoid infections. Christianity has to play the role of 'purifying salt' by being a
relentless uncompromising voice of sanity and moral rectitude against the
rampant corrupting influences that threaten modern civilization. Social ills
will then be certainly healed, heralding the dawn of a better morrow.

Mark 9:49 reads: "For every one will be salted with fire." It implies that a
burning sensation is common to both salt and fire. As far as cuts and
bruises are concerned, salt is an irritant. Christians and their churches of
various denominations must also act as 'irritants' in a sick society. The
decaying modern culture badly needs and calls for the salt of Christianity and
the Lord's empowering gospel to break away from the stinking status quo,
and start afresh in newness of spirit.

Just as salt permeates and penetrates water, churches of various
denominations are to deploy their human resources to reach out to, and
penetrate all the different social strata, with the life-giving gospel of our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ, instead of keeping it hidden under a bushel. A
sweeping spiritual revival will then ensue giving hope and healing to billions.

Christians are required NOT to be conformed to this world. They are to be
strikingly different from non-Christians in their thought and behavioral patterns.
Apostle Paul, therefore, exhorts us: "Let your speech always be gracious,
seasoned with salt." (Col. 4:6) We owe it to ourselves and to our Lord to
conduct ourselves in such an exemplary manner as to be able to draw non-
Christians to the Lord of Glory.

I conclude this message by posing to myself the question: "Am I, my parish,
my diocese, my church pure salt or salt that has lost its savor?"

Prayerfully,

Nakkolackal V. L. Eapen,
St. Gregorios Church, Austin, TX.

IT IS FINISHED. (Jn.19:30)

"IT IS FINISHED." (Jn.19:30)


The Lord's above pronouncement from the cross at Calvary represents
the DIVINE perspective. Its emphasis is, therefore, NOT on the
Sacrificial Lamb, but on the final outcome of the sacrifice - i.e. the
fulfillment of the Heavenly Father's sovereign will. If paraphrased to
represent the HUMAN perspective, it would read: "I have finished it."

The Lord's emphatic declaration, "It is finished," leaves no room for
skepticism. However, to appreciate what has been finished, and at
what stupendous cost it has been finished, we need spiritual discern-
ment besides a sound understanding of the relevant Scriptural texts.

God's New Covenant with Israel, spelt out in Jer. 31:31-34 and alluded
to in Ezek. 36:24-28, has the following four (04) provisions: (i) Re-
generation: God's law will be ingrained in their minds and written on
their hearts; (ii) Israel's Restoration: Yahweh will be their God and
Israelites will be His people; (iii) The Holy Spirit's Direct Ministry:
They will ALL be individually instructed by the Spirit of God; and (iv)
The Assurance of Full Justification: Their sins will be forgiven and
remembered no more. The shed blood of the Lamb of God on Calvary's
cross guarantees to Israel its New Covenant while assuring forgiveness
of sins to believers comprising the Church, which forms God's New
Israel. In Rom. 11:25-26, St. Paul anticipates a day when all Israel
would accept Jesus as the Messiah and His death on the cross as the
atonement for their sins. "A hardening has come upon part of Israel,
until the full number of the Gentiles come in, and so all Israel will be
saved."

The cross is as much a symbol of 'divine justice' as it is of 'divine love'.
Divine justice dictates that the wages of sin is death. The reference
here is NOT to 'physical' death, but to 'spiritual' death. Spiritual death
means 'separation from God'. That is, the indwelling spirit, which is the
"inward being" (Ps. 51) or the "inner man"/woman (Eph. 3:16), becomes
separated from God as the inescapable consequence of sin. This is
attested in Isaiah 59:2. "But your iniquities have made a separation
between you and your God." When Adam and Eve ate the forbidden
fruit, they instantly died spiritually. Consequently, they lost their
fellowship with God and their God-centeredness, and became self-
centered, and scrambled for fig leaves to cover their nakedness. What
has been finished at Calvary is the BRIDGING OF MAN'S SEPARATION
FROM GOD in accordance with the rigorous, but just and fair require-
ments of divine justice. The Sinless Christ became our sin on the cross,
and died in our place, not only physically, but also spiritually, to appease
God's wrath against us. The Lord's SUBSTITUTIONARY SPIRITUAL
DEATH on our behalf implies His momentary separation from God the
Father, necessitating the heart-rending cry, "My God, My God, why hast
Thou forsaken Me." (Mt. 27:46) The strange salutation is profoundly
significant in that it is NOT, 'My Father, My Father', as it should
otherwise be. Suffice it to say that God punished Christ as though He
had committed our sins. On the other hand, when we believe in Christ,
God accepts us as though we were as righteous as Christ. (2 Cor. 5:21)
In Biblical terminology, it is called "reckoned"/imputed righteousness.
(Rom. 4:6)

The Lord Himself affirms in Lk. 22:37, "For what is written about Me has
its fulfillment. " The Lord's clarity of vision as to His epoch-making mission
at Calvary is apparent in Lk.12:50. "I have a baptism to be baptized with;
and how I am constrained until it is accomplished! " It was indeed a
baptism of fire; an acid test of His obedience and faithfulness. Accord-
ingly, the Lord "offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and
tears, to Him, Who was able to save Him from death, and He was heard
for His godly fear." (Heb. 5:7) The Lord also thoughtfully prepared His
disciples for the impending tragedy.

The mission at Calvary has four (04) primary purposes: (i) Bearing our
iniquities; (ii) Carrying our sicknesses; (iii) Washing away our sinful-
ness and purchasing with His precious blood the forgiveness of our sins;
and (iv) Dying physically to rise from the dead, and thus to destroy for
ever the power of death.

Isaiah, who lived 700 years before Christ, perceived in his spirit, the
spiritual, mental, emotional and physical agony of the dying Christ on
the rugged cross, and under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he wrote:
"He (the Father) shall see the fruit of the travail of His (the Son's) soul
and be satisfied; by His knowledge shall the Righteous One, My
Servant, make many to be accounted righteous; and He shall bear their
iniquities." (Is. 53:11) "He shall bear their iniquities," means that He
shall suffer substitutionary spiritual death.

Again, Isaiah saw in his spirit Lord Jesus Christ at the whipping post
being ruthlessly lashed by the Roman soldiers, and Isaiah cried out:
"Upon Him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with His
stripes we are healed." (Is. 53:5) The stripes, left on the Lord's back by
the soldiers' strokes with the whip, are a provision for our divine healing.
In other words, the Lord took upon Himself our ailments and diseases
to be nailed to the cross, and gave us in return health and healing with
His stripes. It is NOT coincidental, but prophetic, that David writes in
Psalm 103: "Who forgives all your iniquity," (because of the spilled
blood at Calvary), and "Who heals all your diseases," (with the stripes
on the Lord's back).

The Lord's mission having been triumphantly 'finished', it is up to us, the
believers, to claim and receive Calvary's everlasting victory over Satan,
sin, sickness and death, as our own inheritance during this Holy Lenten
Season.



Prayerfully,


Nakkolackal V. L. Eapen,

St. Gregorios Church, Austin, TX.

THE MAKINGS OF A SPIRITUALLY VIBRANT PARISH

Professing Christ is a far cry from possessing Christ. Living a selfless life in
absolute obedience to Christ's commandments is the only way to possess Christ
and be His disciple(s). What distinguishes a spiritually vibrant parish is the
parishioners' habitually 'loving one another' in the same way as Christ has
unconditionally loved them. (Jn. 15:12) Loving one another is enjoined as
imperative in Christian discipleship. (Jn. 13:35) Apostle Paul calls it a debt
that we "owe" (Rom. 13:8) to one another regardless of pelf, position or power.
Apostles Peter and John commend it as a way of life to be diligently pursued and
passionately preserved for mutual edification. (1 Pet. 1:22; 1 Jn. 3:11&23;
4:7,11&12 and 2 Jn. 1:5) Furthermore, Apostle John exhorts us: "Little
children, let us not love in word or speech but in deed and in truth." (1 Jn. 3:18)

Parishioners' loving one another must manifest itself in the way they
instinctively think, speak and act. The following are a few among the many
channels of expression of their mutual love and adoration.

1. Greeting one another: (Rom. 16:16; 1 Cor. 16:20; 2 Cor. 13:12 & 1 Pet. 5:14)

In the first three cited references above, Apostle Paul emphasizes the need for
greeting one another "with a holy kiss" while in the fourth and last, Apostle
Peter reiterates it using a similar expression, "with the kiss of love". The
kiss envisaged by the Apostles is by way of informal routine unlike the formal
'kiss of peace' we cherish having during the Holy Qurbana. In a spiritually
vibrant parish, members tend to greet one another, with a warm and cordial
embrace and with spontaneous cheer and courtesy, especially when they come
together for light refreshments after the Holy Qurbana. The temptation to
remain secluded in prisons of one's own making cannot then arise at all.
Inspired as they are with love for one another, 'other people' and 'common
events' do not generally feature in their sublime conversation. Instead, they
tend to discuss shared moral goals and values; precepts and principles; norms
and standards. Even the tone and tenor of their conversation will be mutually
elevating and empowering as is summed up in Eph. 5:19.

2. Rejoicing in the Lord and in one another: (Phil. 4:4)

A parish community, that steadfastly upholds love in all its internal dealings
with one another, tends to blossom out as a 'joyful' community, rejoicing in the
Lord always and consequently in one another.

3. Living in harmony with one another: (Rom. 12:16 & 1 Cor. 1:10)

A joyful parish community evolves into a 'peaceful' community in due course,
ironing out differences and forging consensus amicably. The parish community is
then at peace with itself, with other parishes and with God.

4. Bearing with one another in a spirit of forgiveness: (Eph. 4:2 & Col. 3:13)

When interactive love, joy and peace permeate among the parishioners, they tend
to be graciously 'patient' with one another's shortcomings, and refrain from
"passing judgment on one another." (Rom. 14:13)

5. Accepting one another and serving one another: (Rom. 15:7; Gal.5:13 & Eph.
4:32)

The offshoot of 'patience' outlined in (4) above is 'kindness' in accepting one
another as one really is, and being servants of one another in "humility". (1 Pet. 5:5)


6. Encouraging one another out of goodness: (1 Thess. 5:11; Heb. 3:13 & 10:25)

By 'goodness' is NOT meant 'inherent' goodness, but goodness attained by the
parishioners through the practice of virtues in successive stages starting from
'pervasive love'. At this stage, they are able to overcome their envy, and begin
encouraging one another to scale greater heights of success in their respective
professional and/or personal pursuits.

7. Teaching and admonishing one another in faithfulness: (Rom. 15:14 & Col.
3:16)

All parishioners cannot be at the same level of spiritual growth and awareness
at any given time. Those lagging behind need to be helped out by the
enlightened and discerning in 'faithfulness' which is yet another fruit of the
Spirit.

8. Submitting and being hospitable to one another in gentleness: (Eph. 5:21 &
1 Pet. 4:9)

'Gentleness' ranks eighth in the nine-fold fruit of the Spirit. (Gal. 5:22)
Gradually, when parishioners climb up to the eighth rung of the spiritual ladder
through self-surrender, the Holy Spirit enables them to submit to one another
gently without self-importance or pride. They also tend to practice being
hospitable to one another.

9. Exercising self-control in thought, speech and action: (Gal. 5:22)

At this final stage, parishioners are strengthened by the Enabler to gain
control over themselves and be temperate. The steady ascent, step after step
from 'permeating love', eventually culminates in self-mastery and control,
indispensable to overcoming the world and its temptations, and living abundantly
thereafter.

Gal. 5:22 reads: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. " Only when ALL the
parishioners bear the nine-fold fruit of the Spirit in their daily lives, does a
parish become spiritually vibrant in its true sense. Becoming and being a
spiritually vibrant parish, has therefore to be a protracted ongoing process.
Providential grace is the one key to achieving final victory.

Prayerfully,

Nakkolackal V. L. Eapen

Seven Bishops Consecrated by H.H. Baselios Marthoma Didymus I

His Holiness Baselius Marthoma Didymus I consecrated seven new bishops
today (February 19., 2009) at St. George Orthodox Church, Puthupally,
the Oriental Georgian pilgrim centre of The East. HH was assisted by
H.B Paulose Mar Milithios, Catholicate designate and all the other
bishops. The new bishops are H.G. Yuhanon Mar Polycarpos, H.G. Mathews
Mar Theodosius, H.G. Joseph Mar Dionysius, H.G. Abraham Mar
Epiphanios, H.G. Mathews Mar Themothios, H.G. Alexios Mar Eusebios and
H.G. Yuhanon Mar Dioscoros.

http://www.icon.org.in/php/BishopConsecration2009.php

Post your wishes at
http://www.icon.org.in/php/postYourBestWishes.php?for=ConsecratedBishops2009

May the Lord shower his blessings on all the new bishops and may their
service bring a positive impact for the church and the society.

Thanks,
ICON Moderators

--
Thanks,
Rajesh

H.G. Pathrose Mar Osthathios: Through the words of H.G Geevargheese Mar Osthathios

H.G. Pathrose Mar Osthathios: Through the words of H.G Geevargheese
Mar Osthathios

In the biography of H.G Geevargheese Mar Osthathios, 'Ethu
Karthavagunu' (This is the Lord) there is nice article by H.G
Geevargheese Mar Osthathios on H.G. Pathrose Mar Osthathios. (which
appeared in the February edition of the Church Weekly in the year
1968.)

H.G. Pathrose Mar Osthathios had passed away on February 2nd, 1968. In
this article, H.G Geevargheese Mar Osthathios tries to put together a
last farewell speech that H.G. Pathrose Mar Osthathios would have made
to the church if he was alive. While it talks more, let me take two
excerpts from this article that is always applicable.

"A request: This is a request I have made to the well off churches of
Malankara Sabha many times. Let me remind you once again before you
lay me to rest. Even when many of our well off churches have many sets
of bells, decorated umbrellas, patten, chalice, candle stands, how
unfortunate is it that some of the churches in Malabar and high ranges
dont have any church equipments....."

"Dear friends, I will pray for you. Please do not build me a big tomb,
instead use that money to build small houses for our new christian
brothers who we always call 'our happiness and our crown'......"

Today, we are glad that our leaders have taken the steps to make H.G.
Pathrose Mar Osthathios thirumeni's dreams a reality. The aggressive
plan laid out as part of the Catholicate day collections aims to
provide housing for all the financially poor members of the Servants
of the Cross by 2012.

May HG's soul rest in peace.

Reference:
1. Ethu Karthavagunu by Thomas Neelarmadom. (Page 784-788).
2. Catholicate day plan:
http://malankaraorthodoxchurch.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=267&Itemid=442

Thanks,
Rajesh Vargheese
Austin, TX

H.H. Moran Mar Baselios Geevarghese II: A Tribute

H.H. Moran Mar Baselios Geevarghese II: A Tribute

January 3rd marks the memorial of H.H. Moran Mar Baselios Geevarghese II, The Third Catholicos of the East. (6 June 1874 - 3 Jan 1964) Through prayer and fasting he received strength from God to lead his people for long years, courageously, inspiring his people to work for their church and for the glory of God. Following the peace pact of 1958, he had the good fortune to guide the destiny of the unified Malankara Church. The deep spirituality and wisdom of this Catholicos earned him the title 'Valiya Bava', or 'The Great Catholicos'. He entered the eternal realms on 3 January 1964 at Develokam Aramana and was laid to rest beside the Devalokam Aramana Chapel.

Please visit
http://icon.org.in/php/HHBaseliosGeevarghese-II.php
for viewing the tribute page.

Malankara Orthodox Church in the year 2008

Dear friends in Christ,

As the year 2008 leaves behind its memories, and we look forward to the year 2009 with hope, we must thank the Lord for guiding the
As the year 2008 leaves behind its memories, and we look forward to
the year 2009 with hope, we must thank the Lord for guiding the
Malankara Orthodox Church during the year.

There were many memorable events in the year 2008, some, we cherished
with joy and the sense of progress, some, we accepted with tears. The
church made progress in every walk of its life. The grace of the Lord
was with us in every moment. The signs of a strong leadership truly
emerged. The urge to reach out to the poor was ever more. The unity of
its people was evident.

There were many memories, big and small, some of them have been captured at
http://icon.org.in/php/2008.php

All in all, a memorable year. Thank you Lord.

We wish everyone a very happy new year filled with
heavenly blessings. May the Lord bless all of us.

Thanks,
Rajesh Vargheese

Remembering HH Baselios Geevargheese I

Dear friends,

The 80th rememberance perunal of the second catholicose of the
Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, HH Baselios Geevargheese I is being
celebrated at Vallikat Dayara, Vakathanam from December 7th to
December 17th.

His Holiness was born in 1870. He was ordained as 'Koruya' on 13 June
1885, as deacon in 1892, on 16 August 1896 as priest and on 23 August
as Ramban(Monk) by Metropolitan Kadavil Paulose Mar Athanasios. He
served as the Manager of Thrikunnath Seminary, Aluva from 1908 to
1910. On February 1913, he was consecrated as Metropolitan Geevarghese
Mar Philexinos. He was the Metropolitan of Kottayam and Angamaly
diocese. He made Vallikattu Dayara his administrative headquarters. On
30 April 1925 at Niranam, the Holy Synod installed him as the
Catholicos of the East. Through prayer and fasting he achieved
spiritual strength, which helped him to guide the Malankara Church
into green pastures. He passed away on 17 December 1928 at Neyyoor
Hospital. He was laid to rest on the northern side of Vallikattu
Dayara.

The profile of HH Baselios Geevargheese I:
http://icon.org.in/icon_catholicosedetails.icon?method=getCatholicoseDetails&id=BaseliosGeevargheseI

The detailed program and flyer of the perunal is available at

http://augenthirumeni.com/images/notice1.jpg
http://augenthirumeni.com/images/notice2.jpg

Thanks,
Rajesh Vargheese

Unbelievable! - Malankara Sabha Maha Sammelanam

Unbelievable! - Malankara Sabha Maha Sammelanam

 

Unbelievable! Unbelievable! Unbelievable! is all I can say. My eye has never before seen anything close to what I saw at the St.Thomas Nagar, Baselious College grounds, Kottayam. It was indeed a maha sammelanam that many have seen for the first time.

 

Taking into account all the hardships that the church had to go through to get to this point and the time it had in hand to get the countless people from all parts of Kerala and beyond, it was a Herculean task to make this a grand success.

 

The grace of the Lord and the hard work of thousands and thousands of church loving people resulted in large number of people  showing up for a well organized peaceful and powerful meeting and making it an unbelievable success. Young and old, men and women joined alike to make this a memorable event.

 

This meeting was so well organized, its beyond words of appreciation. The thousands of volunteers did a amazing job that there was no visible police presence inside the grounds.

 

The Rally was led by H.H, followed by bishops, bishop elects, clergy. Behind the leaders, the students from Kottayam seminary, and sisters from various institutions followed. Behind them, the people from each diocese (in alphabetical order) followed. All in all, an amazing rally. 

 

The speaker stole every moment and crowd was jubilant all through the meeting. The association secretary started of with a highly energetic welcome speech. The speakers used the podiums to crush false propaganda and myths that are spread by various groups and societies. They used the occasion to educate the faithful of the true interpretations. The meeting was addressed by Dr. George Joseph, H.H (message read by H.G. Mar Coorilos), H.G. Paulose Mar Militios, H.G Thomas Mar Athanasius, H.G.Dr Thomas Mar Athanasius, H.G.Mathews Mar Severius, Rev. Fr Abraham Johns Konat, Rev.Fr. Mathai Edayanal, M.G. George Muthoot, Alexander Karakkal, Very Remban Thomas Paul and Smt. Priya Jacob. The words of each of the speakers were very much thought provoking.

 

The true sons of this church have once again shown everyone, that we listen to our H.H, and we are here to serve the church. All it takes is for H.H to send out the word.

 

If we could pull this through so successfully within 14 days of H.H's kalpana, it should only give us an idea of what this church is capable of. We proved once again that nothing can stop us. The politicians can play their games, prevent us from using stadiums and resources, but the Lord will give us what we need. 

 

Let's thank the Lord for the success of this meeting and continue to pray for this church.

 

Thanks,

Rajesh Vargheese

Reporting for ICON from St. Thomas Nagar

Mar Baselios College Grounds

Kottayam

Seminary Day - An interview with Rev. Fr. Johns Abraham Konat, Priest Trustee, MOC

The Malankara Orthodox church designates the first Sunday of October as the Seminary Day. This year it will be celebrated on October 5th, 2008. Our Orthodox theological seminary in Kottayam and the St. Thomas Orthodox Theological Seminary in Nagpur are providing exemplary service in training our spiritual leaders. In an effort to create a greater awareness about our seminaries, Rev. Fr. Johns Abraham Konat, Priest Trustee, MOSC and Professor, OTS shares few of his few of his thoughts on the seminaries.



Thanks,
Rajesh Vargheese

ROOF Project May Update: Keys Handed over

The house that was being constructed as part of the ROOF project (part of the 10th anniversary projects 2007) at Cumbemettu, Idukki has been completed. The house was blessed and the keys were handed over to the benefeciary during the second week of May, 2008 by the vicar of St.Marys Church, Cumbemettu. In addition to vicar, Rev. Fr. K.T. Jacob and Rev. Fr. Kuriakose Varghese attended the blessing ceremony.

We thank Rev. Fr. K.T. Jacob, Grace Charities for providing us the follow-up on the construction progress.

We thank the Lord for the opportunity to reach out to this family in need. We thank all our well wishers for the prayers and support.

For more details about the project, please visit http://www.stgregoriosaustin.org/reachingOut.php

Thanks,
Rajesh Vargheese,
Austin, TX

ROOF Project March 2008 Update

The house that was being constructed as part of the ROOF project (part of the 10th anniversary projects 2007) is progressing steadily at Cumbemettu, Idukki. These are the pictures of the house construction as of March 2008. The internal wiring and flooring has been completed. Part of the exterior of the house has been plastered. The remaining plastering and painting work in under progress now. According to current plans, the house construction will be completed and keys will be handed over to the beneficiary during April 2008.

We thank Rev. Fr. K.T. Jacob, Grace Charities for providing us the follow-up on the construction progress.

For more details about the project, please visit http://www.stgregoriosaustin.org/reachingOut.php

Thanks,
Rajesh Vargheese,

Austin, TX

ROOF Project February 2008 Update

ROOF Project February 2008 Update

The house that was being constructed as part of the ROOF project (part of the 10th anniversary projects 2007) is progressing steadily at Cumbemettu, Idukki.

The roofing has been completed. Currently, (Feb 08) internal wiring and other flooring work are being carried out. These are the pictures of the house construction as of February 2008.

Thanks to Rev. Fr. K.T. Jacob, Grace Charities for providing us the follow-up.

For more details about the project, please visit http://www.stgregoriosaustin.org/reachingOut.php

Thanks,
Rajesh Vargheese,
Austin, TX

The Great Lent, Our traditions and our next generations

The Great Lent, Our traditions and our next generations

As we enter yet another Great Lent, it might be a good idea to ask ourselves and our children: how prepared are we for this great lent? How will we do during this great lent? Will we be successful in resisting the temptations to do the things that we gave up at the beginning of the great lent? Will we be any closer to Jesus? Will we take the extra time to pray? Will we pray for the less fortunate?...

Our church has a very rich tradition of special lent prayers, kumbidal and other traditions during the Great Lent. The special prayers during the great Lent have a lot of meaning in each word that is included in it. Our grand parents and our parents used to follow these with great
importance. As we disintegrate into nuclear families, will these traditions be handed over to the next generations? The more important question is: do we ourselves pray these special prayers, thereby giving our children a chance to hear these and learn these? Or do we think it's not important to pray these? Or even assume that the next generation is not going to be interested in it.

We must do everything to pass on these traditions to our next generations. If language if the only barrier, we must work to overcome it. It might be my ignorance, but I am not sure if there are English versions of these prayers for the children that do not know Malayalam.

Also, the great Lent is the time to build the character of our next generation to share and care for others. They must pray and help their less fortunate friends who are orphans and helpless.

In addition to our families, our Sunday schools and other spiritual organization's must take a proactive approach in passing on these valuable traditions to the next generation. We have to be positive in our thoughts that the next generation will be interested in these. It does not hurt to give it to try. I am sure our children will appreciate receiving these traditions.

Two years ago, at our Sunday school at St. Gregorios Church, Austin, TX, we created a guide called the Great Lent guide with some special lent prayers translated into English and made it interesting to the kids by adding activities for them every day of the 50 days of the Great Lent. We also used this guide to make them aware of the orphanages our church has. Each day was assigned to a charitable organization, and the kids would pay for them on that day. The children were really interested and excited to use this guide and hence we again did the same last year. The point that I'm trying to make here is that if we spend the energy and effort to make it interesting and informative for them, they will surely appreciate it.

If anyone is interested, please feel free to download this guide from our website [ www.stgregoriosaustin.org ] under the title 'The Great Lent Guide'. There are no copyrights, nor do we need any acknowledgments. Please feel free to change the church name as you need. A generation that strongly believes in our rich traditions and embraces the culture of caring and sharing is the biggest acknowledgment that one can ever dream of. May this Great lent help us
get closer to Jesus.

Thanks,
Rajesh Vargheese
Austin, TX

(ICON repost from 2007)

H.H. Moran Mar Baselius Marthoma Mathews II in memories

H.H. Moran Mar Baselius Marthoma Mathews II in memories

January 26, 2008 marks the second anniversary since H.H.Moran Mor Baselius Marthoma Mathews II, the Catholicose of the East, the 89th successor to the Apostolic throne of St. Thomas and the 6th Catholicose in Malankara Orthodox Church joined the creator after finishing his mission on this earth.

HH was a great orator and possessed vast knowledge in many areas. On this day, we remember HH through his golden words through a documentary 'Thirumozhikal'.



Thirumozhikal is a documentary featuring the words of H.H. Moran Mar Baselius Marthoma Mathews II and was created by CROSS (Christian Revival for Saving Souls) Media.
Special thanks to John Thomas, CROSS Media, Dubai for this wonderful compilation and many other Christian productions.

Thanks,
Rajesh Vargheese

40th day: Memories of H.G. Augen Mar Dionysius

40th Day: Memories of H.G. Augen Mar Dionysius

Today is the 40th day since we came in terms with the heart breaking and unbelievable tragedy. As we remember thirumeni's contributions to this church, we must continue to pray for thirumeni's soul and work towards making his dreams a reality.

His life was a life of prayer and service to the poor. Here are some of the precious moments as we remember him on his 40th day.

http://www.stgregoriosaustin.org/photoGallery.php?ShowId=163801

[Note: Please click the play button on the player to start the slide show.]

Thanks,
Rajesh Vargheese
http://www.stgregoriosaustin.org/

An Interview with H.G. Augen Mar Dionysius: English text

An Interview with H.G. Augen Mar Dionysius: English text

Recently many individuals and churches have requested us for the download option for the interview with H.G. Augen Mar Dionysius. We have worked with the people who have approached us with this request. If anyone else wanted it and could not contact us, we would like to let everyone know that the download option is enabled and if any one wishes to download, feel free to do so.

The purpose of the interview was to create awareness about Idukki among the people. This interview also gives a clear idea of thirumeni's values, focus and vision. Hence, feel free to link this interview to your websites, download, edit or use the interview in any form as long as it is inline with the purpose. There are no copyrights or credits required.

Even though thirumeni was one of the youngest bishops, his values and visions are valuable guides for us in the future. To spread the vision of thirumeni to a larger audience, we have translated the interview to English text. We hope this will enable our younger generation to learn more about the visions of thirumeni. The English text of the interview is available at

http://www.stgregoriosaustin.org/interviewWithHGAugenMarDionysius.php

You can also reach this through the common page that contains the information about thirumeni. We will continue to add more information on this page in the days to come. If you would like to link this page, please feel free to do so. Also if you have information or resources
on thirumeni, please send us your link. We will be glad to link your page to this page. The page is located at
http://www.stgregoriosaustin.org/HGAugenMarDionysius.php

May his values and visions become a reality in the near future.

Thanks,
Rajesh Vargheese
http://www.stgregoriosaustin.org/