ECHO January 2016

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January Edition 2016 Volume 3(1)

Table of Contents Message from Diocesan Episcopa................................ 3 Message from Archbishop of Canterbury .................... 4 Editorial ........................................................................ 7 ‘Akashathilaye Bhava’ (Bishop of the Skies) ................ 9 A bishop with an Ecumenical Vision par excellence .. 10 Remembering Kochu Thirumeni ................................ 12

The COMPE Executive Committee President: The Rt. Revd. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius Vice President: Revd.Dr. Thomas Philips Secretary: Mr.P.M.Mathew Treasurer: Mr.Jaffey Chacko

The Humanity and Divinity of Jesus ........................... 14 O star of wonder, star of night… ................................ 16 Pastoral Ministry- Some Contemporary Challenges .. 17 What Lay People Expect from a Priest in the Mar Thoma ........................................................................ 19 Appeal for Peace in Syria ........................................... 24 Christian Concerns about benefit sanctions .............. 26

Editorial Board of the Mar Thoma Echo Editorial Director: Dr. Zac Varghese Chief Editor: Revd. Jose Punamadam Mr. Sherry Mathews Mr. Oommen Abraham Mrs. Geena Ajay

Bishop Angaelos gives address on refugee crisis ....... 27 Global Chrisitian Forum ............................................. 28

For private circulation only

Questions submitted to the CTE Presidents at the CTE Forum meeting in August 2015.................................. 29

Disclaimer: The views published in this journal are

When pain is pleasant ................................................ 29

endorse the contents or views expressed and they are

Christian toy retailer, Mr. Gary Grant seeks to 'honour God' ............................................................................ 30 News & Reports ......................................................... 30

those of its authors. Editors or the COMPE do not not liable for the contents or views in any form.

Send your articles- compe.echo@gmail.com

Episcopal Visit Report ............................................ 30 Photo Gallery ............................................................. 32

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Message from Diocesan Episcopa

Dear friends in Christ, We are celebrating Christmas at a time when a number of killings are taking place in various continents of our planet earth. European countries are flooded with refugees coming from Syria, Afghanistan and other countries. People are trying to get away with children from places where poverty is on the increase and so many die while crossing the ocean. Even in developed nations, the number of homeless are on the increase.

God incarnated in Jesus Christ faced difficulties when Joseph and Mary could not find a safe and secure place for the birth of their first born. The life-giving Messiah encountered the life -negating order of King Herod who ordered the slaughter of children below the age of two. The one who was born to die on Calvary was taken as a refugee to Egypt from Bethlehem by His loving parents.

Think of the days the Holy Family had to wander, though they had a place of their own in Nazareth.

Jesus is the answer to our present problems of the world. He is the manifestation of love and He is the Prince of Peace. He taught us to love as He has loved us. Let us celebrate Christmas meaningfully to bring peace on earth. Like the shepherds and the wise men, let us bow down and worship Him (St.Mat.2:11).

Church is the gift of God to the world. As members of the Church we are called to incarnate in this world to reach out to the people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. All the sacraments in the Church are meant to guide and lead the members for a sacramental living in a multi-cultural and multi-racial setting with the spirit of service and sacrifice.

New Year is a time for commitment. When the Church responds to the challenges of the day, we need the power of the Holy Spirit to transform us to open our faith to the future, as a community that is youthful in life and joyful in mission, continuing the historical journey with the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ from generation to generation. Though, in our parishes, there are separate meetings for children, youth and women, their direct participation in the common worship with the rest of the congregation is important. The more the children and young people are involved in the ministry of the church, the more likely they will stay interested in the ministry. We are not prisoners of the past, but a community led by the Holy Spirit, journeying with Christ, together in God’s love, to the future through unchartered ways. This means that the Church should happen in human experiences. The church-life is revealed through fellowship, solidarity, love, care, compassion and justice. Do we long for a Church better than the one we see today? If so, it is a call to listen to God in all cognitive humility and be radically obedient to Him. Let Christ in each one of us respond to God’s voice in obedience (Isai.6:1-8), obeying with commitment to journey to the bright future. God has not finished with our world yet (1Kings 19). God of Elijah is asking us to move on.

I believe that it is the time for our Diocese to write a new chapter in our historical journey as a Church in the geographical space of North America and Europe. We are no longer a potted plant here. Our roots have gone deep in the soil and we are now people of the land. We are lighted to lighten. There is a prophetic ministry that is to be carried out. In the rapidly changing landscape of the Church, orbit–shifting innovations are possible with proper vision, mind set and commitment. The innovative ministries will take form when we conceptualize and strive to achieve them by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, continuous Bible Study, regular prayer and worship and common witness. Our Commitment to Christ will ward off all possible dilutions. Our God is an awesome God. Let us trust and obey Him. On December 31,2015, I am completing 7 years of ministry in the Diocese of North America and Europe. I take this opportunity to thank God for the gift of life, my parents for guiding me to be a servant of God, the Church for ordaining me, and the Diocese for giving me an opportunity to walk 3

with all of you. I thank you for your love and support in my life’s journey.

It was a challenging experience for me to minister in this Diocese. I am grateful to all the clergy and lay members who ministered with me from time to time. It gives me joy that COMPE came into existence in the UK and Europe and a publication called ECHO has become a reality. There is change and continuity. Let me close with the words of St. Paul, “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on the completion until the day of Christ Jesus” Phil.1:3-6.

God be with you.

Mar Theodosius+

“Have you had a kindness shown?

Pass it on!

It was not given for thee alone, Pass it on!

Let it travel down the years, Let it wipe another’s tears, Till in Heaven the deed appears– Pass it on!” Henry Burton (AD 1886)

Message from Archbishop of Canterbury

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Editorial “Call no man worthless for whom Christ died.”

It is with enormous sadness we dedicate the January issue of the ECHO to the loving memory of the Rt. Revd Dr. Zacharias Mar Theophilus Suffragan Metropolitan who passed away on 27th Dec 2015. We hastily added an obituary and two articles to recollect great contributions of this amazing servant of God. We offer our deepest condolences to Thirumeni’s family, our Metropolitan, brother bishops, members of the world-wide Mar Thoma community and the ecumenical community. We thank God for his amazing servant ministry. Let us remember his messages and follow his advices. Let us continue our journeys with good memories of our beloved Thirumeni and the assured eternal hope of resurrection and heavenly bliss.

It is the season of Christmas and the New Year once again; hence, it is the right moment to renew friendships, enquire about the wellbeing of the members of our community and share the season’s joy and hope with everyone. Today, faced with the tragedies of our world, feeling powerless as we confront our complex lives, we need inspiration! The Christmas message should lift our eyes from the desolate rubble of everyday life to glimpse the future and the hope that God promises His people.

There are three contrasting realities at this Christmas season: one of hope, festivities, worship, nativity plays, and carol singing; there is second reality of a world filled with crises, terrorism, carnage in Iraq, Syria and other places, refugee crisis, and many individual and ecological concerns; the third reality is the mindless consumerism of buying, spending, and partying.The fact that there is so much conflict in the world, within families, communities, religious groups means that we have no peace and security.

Nations devote more and more scarce resources to ever more intricate weaponry to fight terrorism than to the alleviation of poverty and want in our world. This suggests to us that for some perverse reason our world has failed to truly embrace the message of the angels of peace on earth. There is no protective shield against a determined suicide bomber. How do we present the real Christmas to such a world?

Christmas renews our faith in the promise of peace on earth, and calls us once again to praise God whose glory extends over all creation and beyond all our imagination. Jesus came to us as a child threatened by violence, as a refugee whose family fled to Egypt due to the selfish interests of a king. It is a time, for offering our thanks and praise for the gift of God's love revealed in all human situations. Jesus Christ has given us the great commandment to love one another and calls us to love our enemies. He has called us to seek solidarity with the neglected and abandoned. That is where Jesus is at this Christmas; He is with the homeless and in the refugee camps; He is in the margins of the societies. Let us celebrate the hope of peace despite continuing violence and international terrorism, despite fear and suspicion, hatred and greed, nationalism and globalisation. Christmas tells us of a God who is passionately committed to peace in this world, a God who goes to the greatest extremes of selfgiving to break into this world, but who does so not so much by threat as by lovingly drawing people into His salvific work. He is not a God of anger and vengeance; He is a God of love and infinite compassion. It is a time to recollect that it is Jesus who came in search of us. Christmas season should give us every reason to relax, but often there are pressure points because of the circumstances we are in. some of these are of our own making, and often in a muddled way we forget Jesus is the reason for the season of goodwill. Our faith, prayer, and friendship have much to contribute for removing these difficulties.

It is good to recollect that even the very first Christmas was not without worries and problems.

Mary and Joseph had their own unique concerns.

Joseph was unable to comprehend one so young and beautiful, so pure and as innocent as Mary, his one love, to be with a child of amazing mystery. His mind must have been flooded with head-splitting questions: How could it be? What is the explanation? How will the birth occur?

Who will help in their journey? What will the future bring? Therefore, Joseph had three immediate hurdles to clear at that time: understanding the condition of Mary who is with child; getting to Bethlehem with a pregnant wife for the census, as required by law, and finding a place suitable for the birth of a child. We often do not give enough credit to Joseph. Joseph is a model for us all to face our day to day problems, in becoming an answer to problems, facing others 7

by doing our duties and resolving what seem to be life’s insoluble problems. Some regard these stresses can be relieved by throwing money at them and the total taking charge, of doing things ourselves with our own agenda. A problem shared is a problem solved; at Christmas we have the opportunity to send little packet of worries or bundles of joy to others to share with. We can place our worries and concerns at the feet of our Lord. Mary and Joseph were totally open to God's will, and that relieved their stresses in miraculous ways, with an inner peace and serenity which all of us crave for. It is indeed a good time for sharing our concerns and joy.

Christmas is meant to celebrate the most spiritual act of self-giving the world has ever known.

However, it is now substituted by the largest show of materialism ever witnessed; it is the utter defiance of God's gift by worshipping at temples of materialism in the form of mindless Christmas parties and gifts. Are we caught in the web of this gift-giving and partying to a point where, if we strive to opt out, we will be ostracized by society?

Are we too far diverted from the true meaning of Christmas? Do we able to think of giving nonmaterial, spiritual, gifts at this Christmas?

Christmas is about what it could be and not what it has become today. Be the first to start to break the power of materialism and consumerism that holds us by the jugular vein. We need to start at some point; this season is a good one to start. Let us keep thinking about the gift of our friendships as a starting point. The real friendship is living within the life of the other, the differentiated unity, a perichoretic existence of copying the Trinitarian model.

It is at Christmas that we begin to understand Mary’s song, the Magnificat. Drawn from Old Testament scriptures, the Magnificat speaks of great change. Stanley Jones once described the Magnificat as ‘the most revolutionary document on earth.’ To people denied hope, the Magnificat brings hope. From our comfort zones of life we struggle to appreciate just how much this song means to communities in the poverty stricken pockets of refugee camps, our neighbourhoods and the country. Nor do we appreciate, the fear with which the Magnificat is heard by the tyrannies and powers that degrade and exploit.

The Magnificat challenges our perspectives, and those that are considered often as unchallengeable.

A story is told of a wandering scholar and philosopher, named Mauretus, who was without material means. He became ill whilst travelling in Italy and was taken to a hospital for the down and out. The learned doctors did not recognise him; they discussed his case in scholastic Latin, never dreaming that Mauretus could understand what they were saying in Latin. As one doctor suggested that such a worthless wanderer might be used for medical experiments, Mauretus looked up and reproached them in the words: “call no man worthless for whom Christ died.” This should be our message at this Christmas in the spirit of the Magnificat.

The good news of Christmas season is hope and reconciliation; the good news of Christmas should remind us that God reaches out in love and calls us to love one another. We must try to develop a sense of unity with everyone. It is because of our inflated ego we become restless in taking action against others who have a different understanding. It is important to look for this unity or oneness in the heart of everything.

Therefore, the simple message of Christmas is this: if God has been the Father and creator, then forever at the heart of this universe there has been a giving and receiving, an exchange of love between man and God. In the establishment of this communion between man and God there is no conflict. Therefore, in seeking God we find one another in love. Therefore, there can be no spirituality without and other-centred love. Let us pray the prayer of St. Ambrose: "Let Mary's soul be in us to glorify the Lord; let her spirit be in us that we may rejoice in God our Saviour." The Christmas story is much bigger story than what is going on today – we are bound up in the life and vision of God. God reminded the people of Judah of his covenant with them over and over; and we are reminded of the saving promise fulfilled in Jesus. God loves us. This loving all-powerful, Shepherd-King is on our side. In him, we have hope and a future.

Please accept our good wishes of the season and prayers for the New Year. May God’s abundant blessing be always with you all in the New Year.

The Editorial Board 8

Rt. Revd Dr. Zacharias Mar Theophilus Suffragan Metropolitan: ‘Akashathilaye Bhava’ (Bishop of the Skies) Dr. Zac Varghese, London It seemed like only yesterday that I opened a Christmas card and email from our very dear Zachariah Thirumeni. It therefore, came as an enormous shock to hear of his untimely and unexpected death on 27th December 2015. He was one of the great leaders and visionaries of our church and of our times.

It seemed that from the start he was destined for greatness. Thirumeni was born on 29th August 1938 in the family of Venparampil Mattackal at Niranam. His father was Mr. VK Oommen and the mother was Mrs. Mariamma Oommen. His parents affectionately named him Sunny; he maintained a sunny smiling countenance all his life. His official name was Oommen Koruth. He studied at the Union Christian College, Alwaye, and at the Titus II teachers college at Thiruvalla.

He taught at various schools: the Perumbhavoor Ashram School, St. Thomas school at Mysore, and also at St. Thomas School at Trivandrum. While he was teaching he had a very special divine call for the ministry. He then studied theology at Jabalpur and Princeton Theological Colleges. He was ordained as a deacon and then as a priest in 1966. He was consecrated as a Ramban in April 1980 and as a bishop on 1st May 1980. Therefore, he has been bishop of our church for the last 35 years. These were blessed years for those came in contact with him. He was the first resident Diocesan Bishop of the Diocese of North America and Europe, and was mostly responsible for it is current status and structure.

The title of this obituary is based on a loving nick name that he earned as ‘the Bishop of the skies’ during his spell as the Diocesan bishop of North America and Europe, and his 15 years involvement with various committees and commissions of the WCC. He was travelling all over the North America and Europe, indeed the world for establishing Mar Thoma diaspora communities and establishing ecumenical relationships.

In my collection I have a

photograph of Thirumeni, catching forty winks of sleep on an airport bench, totally exhausted from his work and travels. It is amazing that he also spent the last few hours of his life on this earth in the skies. Even when he was tired and when his doctors advised him rest, he struggled on, his ministry was important than his personal comforts. His untimely death is an irreplaceable loss for the Church and the humanity.

He was also greatly loved and respected by the ‘Focolare’ community, and he was affectionately known as Metropolitan Zacharias to the fraternity of Bishops in this movement and also in the WCC. He was also known as ‘Zacharias the dreamer’ for dreaming of amazing projects and plans; Santhigiri and Tharangam at Aratupuzha are examples of his dreams becoming true or demonstrating that his ideas have legs. He left a wonderful legacy through his amazing contributions. I coined the phrase: ‘A harvest of peace and a festival peace’ for writing a tribute to him in the book, ‘A journey by Faith’, published by the Diocese of North America and Europe in 1998. Let us thank God for this amazing humble servant of God who cared for the poor and the underprivileged though many charitable projects that he started during his servant ministry following the example of his master and saviour, Jesus the Christ.

He was indeed a bright star and a beacon of light to many desperate and helpless people; one of the bright lights has now gone out. He brought wisdom and understanding through his sermons and writings. Zacharias Thirumeni was a man of amazing God-given talents, he spoke with wit, intellect and style; he wrote with ease and a flowing style. He had a poetic imagination and amazing creativity. He also wrote poetry and hymns. His very short articles in the Tharaka under the name, Mar Theo, addressed topical issues of importance with wit, logic and philosophical insights. He was loyal to the great reforming traditions of our church. He tried his best to stimulate the theological understandings, missional, sociological, ecumenical, and ecological responsibilities of the church. He was a great friend of the people, a listening pastor, and a man of strict and compassionate discipline in diocesan administration and ministry.

The Mar Thoma Church and international ecumenical communities are indebted to 9

Thirumeni for his great contributions, and everyone who knew him will miss him greatly.

Thirumeni had an amazing God-given presence, which is difficult to define or explain, and it is something that you felt in his august presence.

May God be praised for all his amazing gift and his boundless capacity for love. Let us thank God for this humble servant of God. May his soul rest in peace.

Dr. Zacharias Mar Theophilus Suffragan Metropolitan – A bishop with an Ecumenical Vision par excellence Rev. Dr. M. J. Joseph, Kottayam

Dr. Zacharias Mar Theophilus Suffragan Metropolitan has been called to his Eternal home on Sunday the 27th December 2015.He has left a legacy for the Church. May God Almighty help us to translate the tenets of his legacy into living tradition of service to the whole humanity.

In an article by a Roman Catholic Theologian, an attempt was made to describe the identity of the Mar Thoma Church by quoting the words of Isaac to Jacob. “The voice of the Mar Thoma Church is of the Protestant, but the hands are the hands of the Syrian Church.”. For him, the Mar Thoma Church has a dual identity. Church historians like Dr. Kaag Bago had pigeon- holed Mar Thoma Church as a strange combination of Catholicism and Protestantism, of conservatism and

radicalism, of traditionalism in worship and revivalism in preaching….All the churches know a little about the tension between tradition and reformation, between Catholicism and Protestantism. But I know of no other church in the world where the tension is greater than the Mar Thoma Church…However in this tension or rather in the ability to comprehend both the Orthodox tradition and the protestant message one may find the significance of the Mar Thomas Church in the families of Christian Churches in the world. In the 349- member Churches under the umbrella of the WCC, the Mar Thoma Church has assumed a new identity of its own through the presence and participation of our Church leaders like Mar Theophilus Suffragan Metropolitan who truly represents the ethos and the identity of the Church in a creative tension. In a festschrift article on his 60th birthday, Justice K. T. Thomas qualified Thirumeni “as a blend of the Old and the New”. This ecumenical trait of Thirumeni is further elaborated by Fr.Dr.K.M.George, an orthodox theologian and an ecumenist of repute as “Theophilus- a friend of God and of the ecumenical Movement” whose gentleness and warmth of friendship have made him a worthy ambassador of the Mar Thoma Church.( See the Festschrift volume under the title, A Journey by Faith, published by the Diocese of North America and Europe on his 60th birthday,1998).His contributions in the Ecumenical circles at the national and global level is indeed great. He was a member of the Executive Committee of the WCC for two terms, 1991-1998 and 1999-2006.His leadership role in the several sub-committees of the WCC and the CCA have been well recognized.

Dr. Mathews George, CCA Executive qualifies him as an Ecumenical diplomat.

Who is an ecumenist?

I would say: those who are concerned with the affirmation of life for all in a borderless world are ecumenists. The Oikoumene vision for the whole inhabited earth makes him restless. In the ecumenical involvement of Mar Theophilus Suffragan Metropolitan one may notice his passionate commitment to the pillars of wider ecumenism. The contemporary ecumenism of today without negating the meaning of classical ecumenism affirms two important aspects of a holistic ministry. They are:-inter-religious ecumenism-searching for a theological understanding of other faiths and ecological ecumenism-envisioning a caring attitude to God’s 10

creation. Santhigiri ashram, the brain child of Mar Theophilus, is where all these three dimensions of ecumenism are given visible expressions in a humble way. Of late his a decade of service to the Chengannur-Mavelikara Diocese, as the Diocesan Bishop, Thirumeni’s secular and diaconal ministry at large is quite visible through the programmes and projects of Tharangaminstitutions.

The dynamic ecumenical leadership of Thirumeni is seen in his active involvement in the Nilackal Ecumenical TRUST as its first secretary. His active leadership in the WCC deliberations from Canberra(1991) to Harare(1998) and later to Brazil(2006) as a member of the Central Committee of the WCC have also left indelible marks on the sands of time.

Ideas have legs: As a practical ecumenist, the incarnation of God in Christ has its ultimate bearing on humanization. This ecumenical vision has found visible expressions through his participation in various bodies of the CCA and the WCC and the World Vision. This concern has found a fitting space at the establishment of Mochana at Manganam, the founding of Asha Bhavan at Pathanapuram and the launching of a Cancer and Palliative care unit at Santhigiri. In a press interview published by the Malayala Manorama on his 70th birthday (29 August 2008), Thirumeni has elaborated the compelling scenes that had prompted him to start these ecumenical forums for the suffering ones. The family trait of Mar Theophlus, as written by a biographer P.T.Kuruvilla, makes good sense. Mattackal family had its dwelling near the bank of a river at Niranam. A river is the highest form of the ecumenical symbol. A river that flows assimilates and absorbs everything with a high sense of comprehension. The river has it borders, but it always overflows. The degree of convergence makes a delta which becomes a sacred space. This family trait which I call “ecumenical”, is widely attested in the life of the bishop by a host of his WCC friends and others in the Festschrift volume, ‘A Journey by Faith’ (edited by Abraham Mattackal,1998). None will dispute the fact that Thirumeni has been the brand ambassador of ecological Ecumenism. The ecological innovations at Santhigiri and the various speeches he delivered and the articles he wrote on ecoconcerns testify to this.

Scanning his Ecumenical thoughts: Our late Metropolitan, Dr. Alexander Mar Thoma Valiya Metropolitan, having acknowledged his leadership and ecumenical potential wrote: “We thank God for the vision and leadership of Mar Theophilus and for the different ways in which God used him to serve His people in different parts of the world.” Rt. Rev. Geevarghese Mar Athanasius Suffragan Metropolitan, who wrote the Foreword to the volume, compares him to Joseph the dreamer. One should recall the words of Dr. P. J. Abdulkalam, the former President of India in this context. “The Dream is not what you see in sleep. Dream is the thing which does not let you sleep”. The dream which Mar Theoplius had in a hotel room at Denmark, while attending a WCC meeting, has been realized in the establishment of Santhigriri ashram.

In the WCC meetings, Mar Theophilus used to remind the Churches that excellence in Christian mission should go with ethics. While reflecting on the wide impact of globalization, he cautioned the churches to remain in vigilance. He added that globalization should not be regarded as sign of unity, but simply as an economic process where ethical values are sidetracked. This has been widely reported in the WCC networks. In the ministry of the Church the pastoral and the prophetic elements should go hand in hand. He has exhorted the world Church for combating the evils of violence, sexism and moral decay.

Disintegration of the family, he pointed out, is a result of a steep decline in spiritual life. (In a message given to the Church in Essen, West Germany). The credibility of the Church as a Eucharistic community rooted in the values of the Kingdom of God should form the basic norm for Christian praxis.

In several of the WCC negotiations, Thirumeni has been holding the flag of peace and harmony.

In a negotiation of WCC in combating ethnic strife at Sudan, bishop was a participant. He was quite consistent with his message for peace and reconciliation. The Church has to get involved in conflictive situations. But the counter culture it represents makes a difference in the total situation.

In an article entitled, “Ecumenical Journey st towards the 21 century”, Dr. Konrad Raiser, the former general Secretary of the WCC, calls Mar Theophilus a “faithful and sensitive member of 11

the Executive Committee of the WCC and one who is fully aware of the hopes and crises which characterize the ecumenical journey towards the 21st Century”. In another article, Dr.Geevarghse Mar Theodosius gives credit to the ecumenical contributions of Mar Theophilus in organizing the Mar Thoma Diaspora communities in North America and Africa.Dr.K.C.Abraham , an Indian theologian of repute, speaks of the bishop as “ an ecumenical leader with passionate commitment to pastoral ministry and is one deeply rooted in the local realities. Dr. Zac Varghese of London adds colorful feathers in the ecumenical cap of Mar Theophilus by describing Santhigiri as “a harvest of silence and a festival of peace”.

Writing about the ecumenical involvement of Mar Theophilus in the WCC meetings His Holinesas Aram I, moderator of WCC, writes: “Rt.Rev.Zacharias Mar Theophilus participates in the ecumenical movement out of his own conviction and not just as a respreesenative of his Church”.

I am also happy to note that Thirumeni had the privilege to serve the Ecumenical Christian Centre, Bangalore as its chairman during 1993-95. I also owe a debt of gratitude to Thirumeni not only as a clergyman of the Church but also as one had the privilege to serve the Mar Thoma Theological Seminary under his care as its principal.

“We cannot do all great things, but we can do small things with great care”.

“The hour of departure has arrived, and we go our ways–I to die, and you to live.

Which is the better, God only knows” Socrates (469-399 BC)

Remembering Kochu Thirumeni Let us thank the Lord for Theophilus Thirumeni.

Dr. P. J. Alexander, Trivandrum In the Thubaden, Theophilus Thirumeni’s name will not be mentioned from next Sunday onwards.

He now belongs to history. What remains is the flavour of his inimitable personality, the fragrance of his unassuming selfless service, and his unique capacity to build friendships and keep them strong.

The call from the Metropolitan at the International Airport in Trivandrum during the early hours of Saturday did not ring any alarm. In fact, we thought that medical help was so close and that Thirumeni, with his usual grit and determination, would pull through – but it was not to be. The Lord wanted him there, and so he left. Let us thank the Lord for all the services of this Good Shepherd.

The last seven days in Muscat were indeed hectic, and he literally died in harness. He celebrated the Holy Qurbana in all the parishes and ministered to the spiritual needs of his flock, reminding himself that it was a visit after a long spell and that he had attend to all the demands on him.

Marthomites have a way with their Bishops: they love them and respect them, but they also overutilize them. Thirumeni did indeed pour out all his physical energy in the distant desert land along with the devout Marthomites. I hear now that, in his busy schedule, he had clean forgotten to take his medicines in time for nearly three days. Some of the parishioners who were travelling with him told me that he was very keen to get back and did not want a day or two in a hospital there or to delay his departure for medical help. It was quite like him; he had promises to keep.

What is it that come upper most to mind as I rue over the cruel destiny that snatched away a Thirumeni who was very close to me and with whom I had planned to do many things for the Church? It is, of course, the unfinished agenda of introducing necessary and urgent changes in the 12

personnel management of the Church. It was one of the themes I had introduced during my talk to the Achens at the Annual Clergy Conference at Charalakunne a few weeks ago. Thirumeni wanted a note on those points on which he thought further action could be planned after discussion in the Synod and the Council. Thirumeni thought that mentoring of the young clergy by select senior retired Achens with outstanding track records was an idea that should be pursued. He also thought that formal evaluation of the service of young Achens would be a good beginning for better man-management. He flashed one of his mischievous smiles on the conclusion of my talk quoting John 12:20 – “Sir, we want to see Jesus” – the irreducible minimum demand of the laity to their clergy. Thirumeni added wryly, “But that is a quest like one for the Holy Grail.” We had a good laugh.

Years ago, Oommen Koruth Achen was the most eligible candidate to be consecrated a Bishop of the Mar Thoma Church. He was trained as a teacher and had in him all that it takes to be a good student and a good communicator. He was so good-looking that I used to call him Kochu Thirumeni even after many younger Achens joined the ranks of the Bishops, and he thus became quite senior. The three of us, including Chandy from Kuwait, born on the last days of August, used to meet to celebrate our birthdays together. It was an occasion for introspection and sharing of the Christian fellowship. The theme that surfaced every time and on which we concluded our brief interlude was: “The Lord is good.” With Chandy leaving a few years earlier, the celebrations became rare, and it came down to exchanging wishes or stepping in for a cup of coffee or a piece of cake. Now I am left alone to think of these two friends who enriched my life so much.

Thirumeni was very fond of me, and I of him. It was at his insistence that Dr. Zac Varghese and I went to the World Council of Churches meeting in Harare, Zimbabwe. It was an exhilarating experience to think of the Christian world coming together on the single theme of Jesus, the answer.

While at Harare, we went on a river cruise on the Zambezi river near Victoria Falls where Thirumeni was the host, and, but for an alert mind of Dr. Zac Varghese quickly dousing a flame that caught the loose cassock of Thirumeni, we would have a different story to tell.

Thirumeni had a dream of combining Indian asceticism with Eastern monasticism, and he thought that Santhigiri was to be a model where Christianity can be inclusive and extending a caring hand to those who are in need wherever they are. He also had visions of Santhigiri transforming itself into a self-sufficient unit caring for the body, mind, and spirit. He scrutinized every detail from the Santhi mount to the herbal garden. He thought that bringing together his contemporaries – praying, laughing, eating, thinking, meditating, resting together – at Santhigiri was bound to enrich the vision of Santhigiri as well as the fullness of life for each.

All these have now to wait for someone to pick up the threads.

Each of the Bishops who have left us has in turn left behind a rich legacy. Theophilus Thirumeni, too, has left behind a unique bequest – a simple, committed lifestyle in the traditional Indian style, enriched by the teachings of the Man from Galilee who promised to transform us in all respects, from ordinary fishermen to those who cared for the lives of people. It is a challenge.

I thank God for this great Thirumeni, for all his unique gifts and sacrifices for the Church. I am sure he is finding much needed respite in His presence.

“Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can.”

-John Wesley ( AD1703- 1791) Our Beloved Zacharias Thirumeni followed this advice

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The Humanity and Divinity of Jesus Dr. Zac Varghese, Sinai MTC, North London We take so many things for granted, but only at rare moments we begin to see the meaning of mysteries. Recently, during an early morning mediation the question came up, when did Jesus know that he was son of God? We often believe that Jesus knew from his childhood that he was son of God.

We read that Mary kept everything in her heart (Luke 2: 51) and she might not have told Jesus about Angel Gabriel, circumstance of his birth, the visits of the wise men and Joseph not being His biological Father. This careful parenting and the resulting lack of knowledge about his divinity might have been important to Jesus to grow up as natural as possible with full human emotions and understanding. But Jesus almost revealed His divinity when He was about twelve years old, when His parents found Him in the temple court, sitting amongst teachers, listening to them and asking searching and intelligent questions which surprised everyone. In answering to His mother’s question: “Son, why have you treated us like this? Jesus answered, “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” For some mysterious reason no one understood the far reaching implication of this revelation, Jesus then quietly returned to Nazareth with His parents and was obedient to them like any twelve year old child, but grew in wisdom and stature.

Years later, when Jesus went to Jordan and took His place among others to seek guidance as to what to do with His life and got baptised by His cousin, John, that He realised that He is son of God. John and Jesus heard the declaration from

heaven that 'He is my beloved son.' Jesus then spent 40 days in the wilderness pondering over this, meditating and praying. If He had that knowledge earlier on, He could not have lived with His family in that carpenter's shop. The early silent 30 years of Jesus' life is equally important in understanding the fullness of Jesus' ministry.

Dorothy L. Sayer’s appreciation of Jesus humanity and divinity is of some help: “If Christ was only a man, then he is entirely irrelevant to any thought about God; if he is only God, then he is entirely irrelevant to any experience of human life.” It is in this reality we see through Jesus what man can be and what God is meant to be.

In the Hindu religion there is a very interesting story about this God realisation of an earthly mother of Lord Krishna, Yashoda. One day when Krishna was playing with his playmates, some of them told Yashoda that Krishna had eaten some dirt. She scolded Krishna by saying, “Naughty boy, why have you eaten dirt? Your friends and your elder brother say you have.” Krishna replied, “Mother, I have not eaten dirt. They are telling fibs and pulling your legs, but if you think they speak the truth, look into my mouth.” She said to Krishna, “If that is what you want, then open your mouth.” When Yashoda looked inside, she saw the whole universe, heaven, stars and galaxies, and earth with its mountains, rivers and oceans. She saw her village and herself inside his mouth.

Krishna immediately realised his mischief and felt that his mother cannot survive in such a heightened awareness and brought her back to her ordinary maternal instincts and she lost the memory of that amazing revelation and took her son on to her lap and kissed him. She was again an ordinary earthly mother, but her heart was full of love and admiration for her little amazing mischievous boy. Many others including Arjuna had that God realisation through Lord Krishna in different stages of his life. The spiritual meaning of the story of Yashoda is important to us as well to appreciate the humanity and divinity of Jesus.

It is in the ordinary living and relationships we sense the infinite love of God; ordinary mundane moments have the potential to become extraordinary moments of divine presence and vision. Mary had many such moments and she too ‘treasured all these things in her heart.’

The divinity of Jesus can also be sensed in the loneliness of His life. There are many hidden tensions of this very special kind of solitariness.

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Lofty thoughts, and expanding views of duty and destiny must have troubled Him, but He had no one to share those thoughts with. Even during His ministry in Galilee, He spent times away from His disciples in prayer. When the multitude thronged and pressed Him Jesus identified the touch of the woman with a bleeding disorder, by saying, “Somebody has touched me”; this is as if He had woken up from a deep sleep or meditation. Yes, it is true that Jesus felt this ‘divine loneliness’ and even the need to keep a divine secret. He kept His two natures in perfect harmony. He not only gave sympathy to others, who needed it, He wanted love and sympathy too from others; Jesus found friendship in John and enjoyed the hospitality of Martha and Mary and other under classes of the society. At the very last hours of His life He reassured Him and others by saying, “I am not alone: the Father is with me.” This shows His vulnerability, lack of self-sufficiency (humanity), but at the same times His total confidence of His dependency on His Father (divinity). But this loneliness of the spirit is worth meditating upon under divine grace; it is in such moments we realise who we are and what we are here for?

Our understanding of God needed to be fully revised when we learn God became man and lived amongst us. He is not the fierce and angry God of the covenants that we often meet in the Old Testament narratives. Now we need to learn through the grace of God how the divine has been translated and transfigured into the human form in the person of Jesus Christ; now for the first time, through Jesus we can fully understand what man should be. Thus in the mystery of the ‘Christ event’ man is re-made in the image and likeness of Christ and Christ is in then in the likeness and image of God the Father. We read this two fold reality in John’s Gospel in number of places.

When Philip asked: “Lord, show us the Father.”

Jesus answered, “Don’t you know me Philip, even after I have been with you for such a long time?

Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.

How can you say show us the Father? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me”(John 14: 8-10)?

What is this all about? God created man in His image for companionship; man rebelled against God and created a world of brokenness at every level and every relationship. Since then man is in conflict with himself and all God’s created world.

The Bible tells the story how God has tried to heal

this fractured world though Abraham, patriarchs, Moses, judges, prophets, kings and finally through Jesus and the Church. Prophetic expectations of Messiah and the real ‘Christ event’ were different; Jewish religious scholarships of the time and hierarchies had difficulties in coming to terms with Jesus phenomenon.

However, in all these instances we see an unrelenting search on the part of God for reestablishing a relationship with man. We see this reality in the stories Jesus told of the lost coin, lost sheep and the prodigal son (Luke 15). God is always out there searching for us and waiting there for us to return to Him. When we do this with a contrite heart, God is always there to forgive us, love us and bless us. We have this eternal promise: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Heb 13: 5). This is an important aspect of our faith; God came in search of us. One of the early Church Fathers, Irenaeus, said that God became a son of man in order that we might become sons of God. It is not possible to comprehend the mystery of the incarnation. Cardinal Hume said, “Mysteries are profound truths beyond the grasps of unaided intellects, yet yielding their riches to humble and prayerful.” When Augustine rebuked a boy on the seashore of his foolish efforts in trying to empty an ocean into a small hole in the sand using a bucket, the boy replied, “And you’re wasting your time writing a book about God, you will never get God into a book.” Our minds are not just capable of comprehending God in all His glory and majesty. St. Paul realised this when he wrote: “Now we see it in a mirror, dimly, but then we see face to face” (1Cor 13:12).

Theologians, down the ages, have tried to give different names (Eutychiansim, Monophysitism and Hypostatic Union, etc.) for the fact the single person of Jesus is both God and man. Although the early Church fathers convened seven Ecumenical Councils to sort out various heresies and faith formulations, the Mar Thoma Church only accepts three Councils of Nicaea (AD 325), Constantinople (AD 381), and Ephesus (AD 431); we accept the Trinitarian affirmations of the Nicene Creed. The Jehovah's Witnesses focus on Jesus' humanity and ignore His divinity. On the other hand, the Christian Scientists do the opposite; they focus on the scriptures showing Jesus' divinity to the extent of denying His true humanity. Jesus’ humanity is about absolute 15

perfection, He was a man who was sinless, but bore our sins for healing us, and He was a God of love and compassion.

It is only in our humble meditations and prayers we realise that in Jesus Christ we have the privilege of standing at the meeting point of human and divine nature. Christ showed us how to put the interests of others before our own.

Jesus the Christ through His life and ministry showed us the ‘human face of God’; what God should mean to us, and what we mean to God. Therefore, when we think of Jesus, we are thinking of a God who speaks to our hearts and mind in a language of love we can understand, a God who appears to us with a human face, wounds and scars. God pours into us His love.

Everyone who loves God ‘abides in God and God abides in Him’ (1 John 4:16). This provides a partnership and shared responsibility; we can no longer blame God for various malfunctions of this world and its brokenness; we have an infinite responsibility for others and our environment.

“In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born, across the sea, with a glory in bosom that transfigures you and me: As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free.”Julia W. Howe (Ad 1819-1910)

O star of wonder, star of night…

Rev. Dr. M. J. Joseph, Devalokam*

The Magi’s search for the manger in Bethlehem Guided by the star-“a large ball of burning gas”in the night sky Simeon the senior citizen’s vision of the star of wonder dwelling on earth Kindle in me a ray of hope for a better tomorrow.

The kinetic energy of the Star leading the Persian astrologers to Bethlehem The hazardous journey of the Gentile- seekers to the Court of the King The nights’ stay of the Magi at the Mar Saba monastery in the Judean desert Kindle in me a vision of the glory of God outside the Law. The identity of the Magi as practitioners of occult arts Their branded name as fortune tellers Their boasting at the Court of the King Herod Kindle in me an appreciation of the truth in diverse cultures.

The enquiry of the Gentile seekers and their interpretation of the Scriptures Their boldness to give a testimony of their reading of the law within their hearts Their ardent desire to worship the King of the Jews with their treasured gifts Kindle in me a vision of the breaking of the religious and cultural walls.

A voice from above whispered in my ears: 16

None has the right to monopolize the Christ Child in the Crib He who owns the text may be ignorant of its meaning He who stands outside the boundary may find a way inside.

Just as a Star is none’s possession, so also Jesus, the Universal Child.

The glory of heaven and earth finding a union at the Cradle The insincerity of the King urging us to disobey the powerful The courage of the wisemen taking a different route Kindle in me the spirit of obedience to God.

*Rev.Dr.M.J.Joseph, ECC,Bangalore.

a

former

director

of

Pastoral Ministry- Some Contemporary Challenges Vicar General Very Revd. K. S. Mathew*

The great array of clergy in our church, who ministered to the people of God in the past with steadfastness, vision and deep commitment involving much sacrifice and pain, is the real force behind the growth of the Marthoma Church.

Presumably an attempt to assess the pastoral ministry today in the light of its glorious past, highlighting its present day challenges in simple terms would be appropriate and pertinent. My ministry is our church for a little over four decades, was mainly in parishes. I have pastured parishes ranging from big cities to rural villages.

With much satisfaction and thankfulness, I can testify that this is a ministry which is building up the Body of Christ, is being built up through this ministry of equipping the saint. As has been already pointed out, the real credit for the growth and expansion of the church goes to the silent and selfless services of those clergy, although their sacrifices and services are yet to receive rightful recognition or appreciation. Certainly the Master whom they served with utter devotion shall finally adorn them with due honour.

What is the most glorious experience in the ministry of the clergy? Is it serving in big parishes, assuming positions and popularity or amassing worldly gains? My humble answer is a definite ‘No’. When you visit a parish which you once served after several years, a member approaches you and says ‘Achen’, your consoling presence was like that of an angel of God in that most tragic and sorrowful moment in my life”.

Another person says “Achen, I became a doctor thanks to your encouragement and motivation” yet another member says “Achen it was while you were leading the worship service in the church 17

that I felt a great change inside me”. “Achen on so many occasions we as a family found strength and sustenance as you preached the word of God”. This daughter of ours was baptized by you and she leads a blessed life now” Such reminiscences which you have never even thought of, form the most glorious past of pastoral ministry. The famous lines of William Wordsworth come to mind“What is the best portion of a good man’s life? His little, unremembered acts of kindness and of love” Sad to say, this glorious and rewarding pastoral ministry, due to several reasons, is fraught with so many serious challenges today, causing deviation and decay in the life of the church as a whole. It is fervently hoped that such an evaluation would not be reckoned as grumblings which usually find articulation from persons who have retired from active service in the church.

Generally speaking, certain common reasons could be pointed out for this decadence happening today. Somehow, there is a serious dearth of role models who could be looked up to as guiding lights for the younger generation to be inspired and to emulate. Certainly there is no short fall of smart and clever persons. But people of integrity and commitment, who can by their value-oriented life and idea appeal to and inspire the young generation, have become a rare commodity now. This is much evident in the area of Christian theology and scholarship as well.

There is an unprecedented absence of stalwarts in theology who are capable of authentically and effectively confronting the tendencies and outcries that rise up against Christian faith in our times. Total absence of the prophetic stance and voice which was perhaps unique to the Mar Thoma Church when compared with other churches in Kerala, is now perhaps absent mainly due to excessive obsession with powers and privileges; this could be pointed out as an additional factor related to the absence of role models.

Ours is a tragic period in human history characterized by the cult of Mammon worship which has thrown to the winds all the gospel values, resulting from the complete sway of neoliberalism, globalization, market culture, individualism and consumerism. This culture does not care for human values of sacrifice, love, justice, truth, simplicity, honesty and the like.

Dehumanization is taking place in all areas of life.

This culture has invaded the church also, adversely affecting its life, ministry and mission.

Prominence is being increasingly given to profit, comforts, luxury, popularity, power and pleasure, thus replacing the kingdom values mentioned above. The words sharing the experience of an active youth member comes to mind “I travelled for two hours with our Achen in his car yesterday.

All through the journey he kept on talking only about his car” A spirituality attuned to this culture of ‘moneytheism’ has become very popular.

Clearly clergy, evangelists and laity alike are knowingly or unknowingly becoming either victims or beneficiaries of this culture.

Certain tendencies which pose challenges before pastoral ministry could be highlighted.

Perhaps the greatest challenge before pastoral ministry is that it has become totally unchallenging. This gloriously sacrificial ministry has become a comfortable and attractive job. Its components comprise a reasonably fair salary with other amenities, security, an overseas parish assignment, a marriage alliance with much financial gain etc.

The arches erected and flex boards displayed in connection with the ordination services signify some great achievement. Pastoral ministry for many is geared to grab an overseas assignment. In such a context, it would be worthwhile to ask introspectively as to whether someone had to renounce and forsake worldly gains and prospects by entering the ministry of the church or that person could attain undreamt of worldly gains, if they had remained in a secular vocation. If the answer is ‘Yes’ to the second part of the question, then it is only natural for pride and arrogance to replace values like humility and simplicity.

Complaints regarding neglect of pastoral care arise aplenty from several quarters today. Busy and crowded programmes invade the important and indispensable space for regular pastoral calls.

When this important and meaningful component of pastoral ministry is neglected, members of the folk go in search of para churches and sectarian groups. This is especially poignant in our times because there is enormous increase in the number of divorces, of old people needing care and love, of the terminally ill, of people battling with so much of stress and strain and are on the verge of committing suicide.

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There is remarkable increase in clergy’s academic qualifications. At the same time there is a diminished interest in the teaching ministry. Even clergy men with high theological training very often say with a sense of pride and satisfaction that he is not interested in theology. They avoid challenges by adjusting themselves to the theology of parish members however perverted it be – and thus avoid the theological confrontation and the most important responsibility of imparting biblical truths and basic doctrines with cohesion, conviction and relevance. Are we in the least disturbed by the simple fact that a major segment of our urban youths do not go to our churches and have found refuge in parachurches?

Ritualism and cultic observances have assumed undue importance in the ministry of many a clergy. There is alarming interest in performance mania, where prominence is attached to vestments, genuflections, chanting, and the like.

To some, liturgy has become almost an idol.

Addiction to Syriac in chanting has gripped many.

All these pose a threat to the spirit of Reformation which gave accentuations to meaningful and relevant worship pleasing to God and liberating humans.

Needless to say, the above mentioned challenges faced by pastoral ministry of our day, if not confronted and adequately dealt with, will have disastrous consequences for the church as a whole. Therefore an awakening to redeem the glory of pastoral ministry is called for. Small groups of concerned clergy and laity, as remnants, should come forward with prayer and commitment to redeem the situation.

Let us once again listen to the question asked by the risen Lord, re-instating Simon Peter, the back-slider “Do you love me more than these?’ Let us also with total surrender take up that commission “feed my lambs; tend my sheep” (John 21: 15-17) *[Retired Vicar General Very Revd KS Mathew was the sabha secretary and he wrote this article for the Tharaka in 2013. Since we are publishing an article from a lay person on the expectations of laity on clergy of the Mar Thoma Church, we thought it would be nice to present a view form one of the senior most priests of our church as well.]

What Lay People Expect from a Priest in the Mar Thoma Parishes of North America and Europe Diocese Attorney Lal Varghese, Dallas [This Paper was presented by Atty. Lal Varghese at the Clergy Conference held at Mar Thoma Church of Dallas, Farmers Branch, Dallas, in 2002; it was also published in the Mar Thoma Messenger Volume XX1 No: 3 July 2002 issue from page 29-31. He was a member of the editorial board of the Mar Thoma Messenger and currently he is the legal counsel of the Diocese and member of Legal Affairs Committee of the Diocese.]

At some point in life, almost everyone needs a priest. Even today, in an ever moresecular world where people live as though God does not exist or believe that God does not play any significant part the way they live their lives, people often find that there are times when they need a priest. No matter how much church ministry changes, some elements remain the same.

For many years, our priests have performed baptisms, dedications, confirmations, weddings, funerals, and holy sacraments. Today, that role remains constant, but today’s context should force our priests to continually re-examine their roles in the lives of the parishioners they serve especially in this diocese to make their ministry more meaningful and a blessing to others.

Our priests are ordained to serve as the pastoral minister of Word and Sacraments in the parishes assigned to them. They should exercise pastoral care and have to bear the responsibility for the discipline of the Congregation. Part II Clause 11 Mar Thoma Sabha Constitution defines the term “Priest” as follows: While being a steward in the Church of Christ, the priest has the special responsibility to shepherd the flock in this world; To participate ardently in the work of the Kingdom of God through the ministry of the Word and administration of sacraments; 19

To witness in the Church, which is the body of Christ and in the name of Christ, involve in the temporal & spiritual growth of the Kingdom of God; He has the responsibility to shepherd the flock of God, to render sacrificial service to the community according to the will of God, to be fervent in the proclamation of the Gospel, to be consistent in the ministry of teaching; and to manifest the dignity of the Christian ministry in the congregation and society.

1.

Priests should render sacrificial service to the parishioners: Our Priests enter and embrace the totality of human life, convinced there is no detail, however unpromising, in people’s lives in which Christ may not work his will. Priests should be willing to stay with people of their parishes’ week in and week out, year in and year out, in the meandering and disturbingly inconsistent lives of parishioners who compose our parishes and congregations. Priests should make his home amongst his people in each parish. He needs to immerse himself in the community of believers whom he came to shepherd, and not standby as an outsider. If priests have made goals or objectives for themselves other than serving their parishioners, their ministries will be failures in this diocese.

2

The events of people’ lives which deserve our priest’s strong and continuing attention: There are certain interruptions in a priest’s work; these ordinary interruptions become occasions of ceremony and celebration: weddings, baptisms, dedications, anniversaries, graduations, and events at which human achievements are honored. These public occasions become milestones in people’s lives, and it should be milestones in our priest’s ministry also. Each time of joy or grief opens people to priests and to the divine realities they represent.

3.

Maintaining communication with parishioners: It is a noble idea to visit the family when there is a birthday, or wedding anniversary, or the anniversary of death of dear ones in the family. If it is not possible to make a visit to the family, our

priests should at least make a telephone call and share the occasion with the concerned person or persons. There can be no excuse for priests for ignoring this task, since communication is an important part of the ministry in an individualistic society. Always be receptive to people, especially when someone leaves a message; please try to return the call within a reasonable period of time. There is no excuse for not returning telephone calls. If you do not return telephone calls, you are loosing the fellowship of one more parishioner in your ministry in that parish. Take advantage of the Internet & email for communicating and interacting with younger generations.

4.

Acknowledging the presence of parishioners in the Parish: A Priest cannot ignore people. If you ignore them, they will ignore you and your ministry too.

People need your attention, just a smile, when they meet clergy in person, and most people, when they attend the worship service on Sundays. Priests should not pretend that they are busy – too many meetings after the church; spare at least 30 minutes with people after the service.

5.

People expect good, rich in content, sermons from our priests: It is not the old times; we are living in a technologically advanced world. We can download lot of sermons from the television and Internet, but we need to hear from our priests good sermons, so that no one should think that they wasted their time on Sunday mornings. Priests need to prepare their sermons, and should do it prayerfully, so that the Holy Spirit can talk to us through them. Make sure that the sermons are brief and concise.

Especially avoid criticizing people who struggle hard to earn their living and bring up their kids in a multicultural society.

While preparing sermons, special events celebrated in this Diocese like Father’s day, Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, World Day of Prayer, Independence Day, Memorial Day etc.–should be acknowledged–and greetings should be made at the end or beginning of sermons.

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6.

Importance of teaching the Bible and our faith and practices: Priests should actively think about having adult Bible

classes, especially to teach the doctrine, faith and practices of Mar Thoma Church.

They should also give emphasis to the liturgical worship of Mar Thoma Church and to the sacraments we observe traditionally in our Church and its meaning during these Bible classes. Most of adults left their native places and parishes in Kerala, at very early age, and probably never had any chance to learn in depth about our doctrine, faith and practices. Such teaching will prevent our parishioners moving to other faiths especially to Pentecostal churches.

7.

More Importance should be given to younger generation: Priests should visit Sunday school classes frequently, and talk to kids. Teens and young couples should be given equal importance, and they should feel that there is a priest who cares for them, which will prompt them to attend church regularly instead of wandering after television ministers, or so called nondenominational churches, which do not follow any pattern of liturgy or faith or practices. They should make an effort to know the names of parishioners.

The young generation should be taught the importance and meaning of the liturgical corporate worship of the Mar Thoma Church. Successful interaction with youths will be possible only if the priests can speak English fluently when they arrive in this Diocese; not to try and learn it during their time here. Do not try to introduce Malayalam classes for making parents guilty of not teaching them Malayalam. It is imperative that a new a priest should be able to converse with all of his parishioners, especially the youth.

8.

Priests should actively take part in the area prayer meetings: Priests should pay careful attention of conducting weekly area prayer meetings. Prayer groups should be divided if necessary, for not having more than 20-25 families in an area, as wished by our late Yuhannon Mar Thoma Metropolitan. Individuals in small prayer groups can interact more freely with each other than large prayer groups with more than 50 families. Combined meeting of the prayer groups and leaders should be convened at least once every month or at least once in three months in the parish. Discussions about parish issues or problems or gossips should not be allowed in the area prayer meetings.

9.

Do not show favouritism or nepotism: Priests should not pay special attention or do favours to those people who helped them learn driving, to find apartment to settle down, and other little favours; please be mindful that others are watching you when you are a newly assigned priest to a parish; whether you are interacting with everyone equally without any favouritism or only giving importance to those who helped you when you were new has the potential to make or break one’s ministry.

When new assignments are given, always try to avoid a parish where priests have close relatives, especially when close relatives attending churches of different faiths. It is important not to stay with relatives, if permanent accommodation is not available on arrival in a parish, stay at a temporary accommodation provided by that parish.

10.

Should have Orientation before being assigned to a parish: Our priests when assigned to a new parish in this diocese should have orientation with the previous priest at least for one week to learn about the particularities of the parish, its members, and other special adaptability issues. They also should have orientation on issues of culture, language, and other special local issues, and customs followed in each parish.

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11.

12.

13.

Need to pay special attention to temporal and ecclesiastical matters: Our parishes and communities assign great responsibilities to priests in temporal and ecclesiastical matters. There are no defined right ways to act and speak or ceremonies and celebrations. It is always good to enquire about traditions and practices. No detail is insignificant: gesture conveys grace, tone of words inculcates awe, demeanour defines atmosphere, and preparation deepens wonder. Priests should be diligently skilful in all of these, especially to suit the needs of our younger generation.

Try to avoid conflicts or resolve conflicts in parishes: When conflict arises in parishes regarding anything, do not join with any groups, be impartial, and be receptive to everyone.

Ask the aggrieved parties to give in writing their concerns or complaints, and if needed do an impartial inquiry, make a wise decision, and close the matter. No further comments or criticisms or after effects should be allowed thereafter in the parish.

Strictly prohibit rumormongering or anonymous letters to the parishioners regarding anything in the parish. Be open to criticisms and be receptive to all people; do not answer to their needs on the phone, but tell them, “I have heard you, let me hear the other side also, and I will definitely make a just decision for the best interest of the parish.” Be polite; our priests need to learn how to talk politely to people especially those who criticize them without any reason, or without knowing the real facts. It is good to learn to say, “thank you.”

Mar Thoma church is a global church: Our church is no longer a church of Syrian Christians in central Kerala alone. It has become a global church, and our priests should accept that fact in their ministry while serving in this diocese.

There will be whites, blacks, Hispanics, and other Asians being joined to our families through marriages. They should be encouraged to attend church services, and should be treat respectfully when they attend our services. God does not have any

distinction between colour and ethnic origin. Our priests should not deal with other ethnic origin people in a prejudicial way. The community around us should see that our church is different from others through our mission and other evangelical works for which Priests should take the leadership.

14.

Pastoral counselling and premarital counselling should be given importance: It should not be taken as

routine things. People need help from clergy, they need to talk to them, and they need someone to listen to their problems, which they cannot share with anyone else, even in the family or in the church. Priests should be able to gain their confidence, and their pastoral counselling will be successful. How else can clergy attain the confidence of each individual in their parish? It is very simple; interact with them with empathy. Most importantly, confidentiality must be kept on personal issues.

15.

Priests should have prior experience in handling a large, diverse parish.

They must be able to bridge the cultural gap that exists between generations of Marthomites in this Diocese. They should also have prior experience in dealing with youth and their problems. This is very important. Priest should know how to relate well with youth, and provide spiritual and mental counselling, according to their needs. Too often, youths are left neglected and uncared for by clergy. This might due to priests’ feeling intimidated of the need to understand youths in their culture and value systems. Prior experience of similar situations would help them to handle 22

these types of situations. Priests should have experience in churches outside Kerala before assigned to this Diocese.

16.

Adaptability to new culture and environment: The effective ministry in this land depends solely on how well our priests can adapt to his new environment and cater to the needs of the people in this land. Priests must be able to adapt to a new culture, value system, and way of life easily and immediately. Too often we’ve seen priests assigned to this diocese and not able to adapt to their new surroundings. This causes their dealings with the parish and its members to suffer.

It will suffocate their ministry. Priests must be able to adapt to the culture of people in this Diocese, and despite one’s opinions/feelings, and provide for the spiritual growth of the people they come to serve.

Priest should not have preconceived biases or apprehensions against the culture in this Diocese, and its people. If so, he is not a suitable candidate to serve here. His ministry will be a failure before he even begins. He must be openminded and be able to work with us. He cannot be judgmental. Youth should not be dismissed so easily (like the current practice), but taken seriously. Priests should be the main driver for increased youth participation in all aspects of the parish. By being able to adapt to any surroundings, priest will become a more capable counsellor, administrator, teacher, and friend.

17. Priests should be at the forefront of cross-cultural relationships: They should facilitate forums, meetings, and discussions with different denominations by building relationships with them. Doing this will help the Mar Thoma Church to build a stronger foundation in this Diocese. Priests also can help to host inter-faith dialogue meetings.

Can we say that we are taking advantage of all that the country has to offer in this Diocese?

In this land of endless opportunities, we can learn so much about others, but it is up to our priests to initiate this cross-cultural relationship building. We cannot simply take benefits from this country, and not to give anything back. If we start by opening up

avenues of communication in the church, the MTC will start to see growth outside its homogeneous Malayalee community. We will then become a true evangelical church in our mission and hold true to our motto of ‘lighted to lighten.’

18.

Priests should be well educated in our faith, practices and theology: Increasingly, more and more young people are asking questions that are harder to answer by our priests.

Questions regarding theology, other religions, and their own spirituality are being left unanswered. Young generation also may ask clergy’s opinion about same sex relationships, and role of women in services. Be prepared to answer their questions, do not take them as silly and laugh it out. Also, many priests are found preaching and practicing new brand of theology that is inconsistent with our faith and practices. Priests should have a comprehensive view about eternity, salvation through Christ, the validity of the Bible, the Trinity, and other theological issues.

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Continuing education and new technology skills: Our priests should be asked to attend at least one to two weeks orientation classes in Kerala, where they should be taught about the adaptability issues to the western culture.

There should be some kind of training and education so that it is mandatory for our priests to attend such classes and retrain themselves to the new issues facing the Church as a whole. They should be prepared through theological education and training to meet the needs of the people in this new age. Whatever education or training, which met the needs of the people in the past, will not meet their needs today, especially in this diocese. They should be equipped to meet new challenges in the ministry, both temporal and ecclesiastical, and be able to use new technology. Our priests should learn both driving and obtain minimum computer skills before they are assigned to parishes in this diocese.

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Code of conduct and dress for parishioners while attending services: Priests should have an eye on the behavior of parishioners both inside and outside the sanctuary while worship service is in progress. The importance should be pointed out to the parishioners of the way they dress while attending worship service, especially when taking part in Holy Qurbana.

Discipline is important for the successful ministry and also to keep the traditions of our faith and practices. When a priest sees behavior or conduct among parishioners, which is not expected in a parish, strict action should be taken.

General body and committee meetings should be conducted in such a way that it is not a platform for wrongly criticizing the Church, its bishops, and priests.

At a wedding, Jesus rejoiced; at a friend’s graveside, Jesus wept. At both occasions, Jesus worked miracles. Jesus sensed these moments as dramas that held people’s rapt attention. Through Jesus’ ministry at these occasions, God became the leading actor. That should be our priests’ role as well, by involving both in the temporal and ecclesiastical matters of the parishioners in this multicultural society. While being stewards in the Church of Christ, priests have the special responsibility to shepherd the flock in this world, to participate ardently in the work of the kingdom of God through the ministry of the Word and administration of sacraments, to be true witnesses in the church; they involve in the temporal & spiritual growth of the kingdom of God. Priests have the responsibility to shepherd the flock of God, to render sacrificial service to the community according to the will of God, to be fervent in the proclamation of the Gospel, to be consistent in the ministry of teaching, and to manifest the dignity of the Christian ministry in parishes and society.

Appeal for Peace in Syria Appeal from Patriarch Gregorios III for Peace in Syria, Iraq, Palestine and the Whole Middle East [The following article is copied from the CTE Newsletter for October 2015] St. Paul describes Jesus as “he who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us, having abolished in his flesh the enmity…[He] came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.” (Ephesians 2: 14, 17) This description corresponds to the desire of all people in the Middle East. Our appeal responds to the injunction of St. Ignatius of Antioch in his Epistle to the Romans, “Remember in your prayers the Church in Syria.” (Romans 9)

Every day brings more news of atrocities and horrific, inhuman crimes, carried out by the variously-named godless groups, while the world remains divided on how to combat this apocalyptic terrorism and criminality, which are sowing terror and causing the global scourge of continual migration, displacement and dispersal in different directions. Pope Francis referred, in his 2015 Lenten Message, to the problem of a “globalization of indifference.” Today we are facing a kind of third world war: let us now therefore work together towards global solidarity.

The present crisis, which has been building up over the last five years, has now spread beyond Syria’s distress and tragedy to become a regional disaster, with repercussions all over Europe and indeed all over the world.

Through this situation each and every human being in the Arab Middle East is threatened: 1. Co-existence between the peoples of the region is threatened!

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2. Prospects for future generations and their faith values are currently threatened!

3. The future of the whole region is in danger: religiously, culturally, educationally and economically… all are threatened!

The International Community has to date proved incapable of defeating takfiris, those barbarous and inhumane extremists - no doubt because some of its members continue arming and supporting them. Yet the whole International Community loudly proclaims that it is impermissible for these criminals to continue terrorising law-abiding citizens and making our God-created world a world of heartbreak, slaughter and mayhem.

Since these current overwhelming tragedies and dangers are crushing our people and their morale, paralysing their Christian spirituality and even shaking their Christian faith, and the faith of every human being of every confession, we have to sound an alarm call to historic and global action. It is the role of Christian leaders to set out clearly the urgency of the situation and to call for peace in the region, and the cessation of violence, terrorism, political chaos, universal radicalization and the exploitation of Arabs and Easterners in the name of a global policy of manipulating the fate of the region’s peoples.

Therefore, in the face of these atrocities, we express our deep pain, and appeal to the Arab world and the whole world, especially the Great Powers, (including the United States, the Russian Federation and the European Union) and other countries of the Americas, Asia, Australasia and elsewhere, and confide to them with great trust our most earnest plea, and the cherished expectation and hope of millions, that they will stop the wars that have flared up in our Middle East, particularly the wars in Syria and Iraq.   

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The influx of weapons to all sides must be stopped.

Syrians of all parties and confessions must be in the vanguard of the peace process.

Human rights, dignity and religious freedom ought to be guaranteed according to international standards.

Support the governments of those countries that have been fighting terrorism and fight alongside them to

achieve victory together, and after that, the peace and security of the whole region.

Only peace can stem the flow of emigration which is sapping all our communities. Otherwise, the fire of violence and terrorism will consume the world, East and West, and unparalleled religious conflicts will erupt, heralding a world war.

We are grateful to members of the International Community for welcoming tens of thousands of Syrian citizens and other asylum seekers arriving in their countries. Pope Francis emphasized during his visit to the Holy Land in May 2014, that there are two keys for peace in the region and in the world:  

A comprehensive peace agreement to end the war on Syria.

Justice for Palestinians (i.e. a resolution of the Palestinian Arab-Israeli conflict.)

It has been sixty-seven years and more since the conflict began, since when it has caused many wars and crises (more than twenty) and has constituted one of the most important reasons for the emigration of Christians and others. At present neither Israel nor any Arab country can enjoy safety and stability. Since therefore peace in Syria and Palestine is key to peace in the whole region, we need a kick-start towards resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. There is an urgent need for greater stability to enable us to create a forum for dialogue and reconciliation.

In conclusion we must emphasize that no bombs or weapons can defeat ISIL and make peace but only a common voice of the Church and a common voice from a coalition of the International Community, without excluding any country. The Churches of the Middle East in their different denominations need encouragement from their fellow Christians in Europe and the whole world to continue to fulfil, by their presence and witness, their role, vocation and mission in the Middle East. In making this appeal, we, as a pastor and spiritual leader, are fulfilling Pope Francis’ call to be workers for peace! With this conviction we want to go out into the world and down in the annals of history and so fulfil the Beatitude of Jesus, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God." +Gregorios III Patriarch of Antioch and All the East of Alexandra and of Jerusalem 25

Christian Concerns about benefit sanctions [The following is copied from the CTE monthly newsletter; it is time our community also thought of social and political issues affecting millions of people in this country, and our talented children should join in debating societies in schools and universities and think of the infinite responsibilities as citizens of the United Kingdom. It is credit worthy to note that one of our members, Mr. V. M. Abraham, got involved in the local council politics and became a Mayor of Chesham.

Some of you might have seen Miss Tanya Abraham on Television talking about voting trends and intentions of various groups of people during the general election. They are good role models to follow. It is time that we encourage and value such involvement.]

A coalition of national Churches and charities has criticised the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) over its refusal to undertake a full review of the benefit sanctions system. The DWP has issued its overdue response to the Work and Pensions Select Committee inquiry into benefit sanctions, but has failed to commit to a review as recommended.

The Select Committee, the Government’s own advisors, the Social Security Advisory Committee, charities and Churches have all called for a full independent review of the regime. These groups have highlighted the extreme hardship caused, the inconsistent and unjust application of sanctions and the lack of evidence that they encourage people into work.

The Baptist Union, Church in Wales, Church of Scotland, Methodist Church, United Reformed

Church and charity Church Action on Poverty have called for an immediate suspension of sanctions against families with children and people with mental ill-health. They say the DWP’s response does not go far enough and have called again for a review.

“In refusing to undertake a full review, the DWP is stubbornly ignoring the calls of parliament, expert advisers, Churches and charities. Most importantly, it is condemning people, many of whom have also spoken out eloquently against the inhumanity of the current practice, to unjust and pointless punishment,” said Paul Morrison, Public Issues Policy Adviser for the Methodist Church.

Responding to the DWP’s announcement that they will trial a ‘yellow card’ system, Mr Morrison added: “If a court is working to a bad set of laws for a bad set of reasons and making bad and unreliable decisions, it’s not the sentencing policy you look at. ‘Yellow cards’ will reduce the number of sanctions, which is welcome, but won’t address the fundamental problems that occur long before the decision to sanction has been made. That’s why we need a full independent review” Even if a benefits claimant is able to demonstrate that they cannot afford food due to being sanctioned, most people will still not become eligible for a hardship payment or loan for a further two weeks and, once eligible, it will take a further three days before payment actually arrives.

Dr Richard Vautrey, a GP in Leeds and deputy chair of the BMA's General Practitioners Committee, said: “GPs are increasingly seeing people who are suffering serious consequences as a result of the current benefit sanctions system.

Vulnerable people can be left with no money to pay for essentials such as food and heating and this can then have a damaging impact not only on their physical and mental health but also the health of family members, including children, who depend upon them. Government policy directly puts the health of patients we care for at risk. Immediate action should be taken to end these punitive actions.”

In March this year, the Churches published a report showing that nearly 100,000 children had been affected by sanctions in 2014 alone and that 26

people with mental health problems were being sanctioned at a rate of more than 100 per day. As a result of their campaign more than 2,000 people wrote to their MPs asking them to support a review of the system.

The report told stories like that of Martin*(not the real name), aged 60, who missed an appointment with the job centre because his wife died suddenly. He was sanctioned for six weeks, leaving him with nothing to live on and in a state of confusion as his wife had previously handled most of their joint paperwork. He came to the local church for help and charity Acts435 helped him with his living expenses until he could come to terms with the new shape his life had taken.

Bishop Angaelos gives address on refugee crisis at World Council of Churches Church Leaders Consultation in Munich 29 October 2015 His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom, spoke of the challenges and opportunities of the

“The Government claims that sanctions help people into work, but the evidence for this claim is practically non-existent,” added Mr Morrison.

“However, there is plenty of evidence that sanctions cause hardship, suffering and hunger.

Any system that seeks to ‘change people’s behaviour’ by using hunger as a weapon is immoral.”

current refugee crisis at a World Council of Churches Consultation in Munich, Germany, jointly hosted by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria (ELKB), the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) and the World Council of Churches (WCC).

During his address, Bishop Angaelos said: “We are not only witnessing the immense displacement of vulnerable people fleeing war-torn countries, but a dehumanisation and a loss of dignity of those people…they do not leave their countries unless they feel that they no longer have a viable presence there. We need to look with a new heart, to encourage our states and governments, and all who make decisions, to look at these people as more than mere statistics.”

Speaking of ways to address the crisis, he went on to say: “This epidemic that we are seeing needs to be addressed collaboratively, across the Church and across religions, nation states, organisations, and international bodies.

This crisis is larger than any one person, state, religion, or organisation, and so we need to encourage one another to move on 27

in active collaboration. Without a streamlining of our efforts, we will see a wastage of both human and material resources.”

In conclusion, Bishop Angaelos gave a message of hope: “As Christians we believe that there is always hope; this is a great opportunity for us all to be light in an abject darkness, and a light that can and will make a difference.”

In speaking about the consultation shortly after his address, Bishop Angaelos said: “This is a welcomed initiative of WCC and its member Churches to bring Church leaders together from across Europe and discuss the implications both, in the Middle East and in Europe, of what we see unfolding at the moment.

It is widely agreed here that there is a major and complex situation in the Middle East, and that Christians and others are facing immense pressures, living in great risk because of the conflict that is occurring around them.

As I have been saying all along, the complexity of the unfolding situation in the Middle East necessitates a coordinated and collaborative response encompassing nation states, as well as religious and nongovernmental organisations and bodies.

While this is a great challenge, it is not one that cannot be met if we work together to safeguard those most vulnerable.”

Taking part in the consultation were 35 bishops and Church leaders from 20 countries, and representatives from a variety of Churches across Europe.

The programme included presentations and discussions surrounding values and perspectives in the public sphere, along with discussions of possible future strategies and steps for action to assist those affected by the crisis.

Global Chrisitian Forum An historic consultation of church leaders, drawn from 56 nations, to focus on intensifying "discrimination, persecution and violence" against Christian communities around the world has called on churches globally to pray, support and be in solidarity with those suffering persecution due to their faith. The consultation, themed "Discrimination, Persecution, Martyrdom: Following Christ Together. The consultation was an initiative of the Global Christian Forum and supported by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christin Unity (Vatican), the World Evangelical Alliance, the Pentecostal World Fellowship, and the World Council of Churches. It was held in Tirana, Albania, 2-4 November. The historic gathering was the first time in modern history that every stream of global Christianity had joined together to listen and learn from Christians who experience discrimination, persecution and violence. In a two pronged response the leaders:  offered “repentance” for times when churches had “persecuted each other and other religious communities in history”; and,  urged churches “to urgently strengthen the solidarity of all Christians” in the face of discrimination, persecution and martyrdom in the 21st century.

In a greeting from the Vatican, Pope Francis said, “I think with great sadness of the escalating discrimination, and persecution against Christians in the Middle East, Africa and Asia and elsewhere throughout the world. “In various parts of the world, the witness to Christ, even to the shedding of blood, has become a shared experience of Catholics, Orthodox, Anglicans, Protestants, Evangelicals and Pentecostals,” he said. The consultation also called on governments to “respect and protect the freedom of religion and belief of all people as a fundamental human right.” In a public message from the consultation participants called on:  



Christians to pray for those who are discriminated against and persecuted; Christian organisations at regional, national and local levels from all traditions to learn, pray and work together for the persecuted; Churches to engage in dialogue and cooperation with other faith communities, and be watchful and fearless in the face of discrimination and persecution.

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Questions submitted to the CTE Presidents at the CTE Forum meeting in August 2015 Forum delegates were invited to submit questions for the Presidents. From these, eight were chosen (where possible we combined similar questions) and the Presidents at Forum chose one each.

1. What is the relationship between the work that we do together locally (eg in foodbanks and night shelters) and the ‘higher level’ discussions between denominations? How do you think mission and unity relate to each other?

2. Is Eucharistic sharing part of your ecumenical vision, and if so, what would you do to achieve it?

3. How can you encourage your regional leaders both to commit fully to building strategic relationships with partner churches at county/Intermediate level, and to providing resources for that to happen?

4. What should the prophetic voice of the churches be in a world of refugees, asylum seekers and war?

5. Should we seeking full, visible Christian unity, or is it more important to preserve the diversity of traditions within the Body of Christ?

6. How can we deepen ecumenical spirituality?

7. How would you encourage your local congregations to engage with other denominations and traditions?

8. If you could change one thing about the Church, what would it be?

When pain is pleasant Ashwin Abraham remembered by Geena Ajay This time when I touched his chubby cheeks there were no giggles or laugh. I knew this was not a pretend sleep, which he did usually to trick me. His hands were cold as ice and his face was bright as a sun. He went to a place where there is no pain. While I mourn his loss today and miss him dearly, I know that Heavenly Father called him home because he had a greater work waiting at heaven.

Ashwin (7years) was the elder son of Jenu and Linda, his brother is Aron (4years). We were planning for his birthday to be celebrated on January 2nd. But now I understand that our Lord has a better plan to celebrate his birthday in a painless place.

On February 1st 2014 we found out he was suffering from advanced brain tumour, treatment commenced with a surgery, where doctor predicted he may lose his vision or hearing. But God’s amazing grace was with him. His surgery was a success. Throughout the troublesome hospital stays and chemotherapy treatment, he never lost his hope. This year in September, his cancer spread into the spine and that made things very difficult to manage.

Ashwin led an amazing life right up until the very end, accomplishing things that made a huge impact on everyone around him. For some of us losing him like this is hard because we felt so strongly that if anyone could beat cancer it would be him, he may not have beaten cancer in the sense that most of us could see it, but he did.

Ashwin beat cancer because of the way he handled living with cancer. He was pleasant even during difficult times. He was a polite young boy who enjoyed everything life offered. Life and all that goes with it can be over before we know it. He was an amazing boy, but our loss has been heaven’s gain–his body is gone, but his spirit remains with us all. In his short life he taught us through his journey many things: unconditional loving, facing things positively, and many more.

My dearest Ashwin, I bid you farewell for now, but I am sure in Jesus Christ that I will see you again in the shore of Canaan.

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Christian toy retailer, Mr. Gary Grant seeks to 'honour God' Mr. Grant is one of the speakers for the 34th Mar Thoma Family conference. Please register your place for the conference at the Hayes Conference centre from 26th to 28th August, 2016. (Contact: Mr. Dileep Cherian: Cherian.dileep@gmail.Com)

News & Reports Nazareth Mar Thoma Church

Worship at St. Maelruain's Church Tallaght, Dublin 24, Ireland, Tel: 00353 15471416

Episcopal Visit Report

The founder of the UK’s largest independent toy retailer has spoken about his Christian faith and how it impacts all areas of life, including his business.

Speaking to the BBC, Gary Grant said that, as a result of his faith, The Entertainer gives 10% of its profits to charity, doesn't open on Sundays, and doesn't stock Halloween goods. Gary traces the continuing success of the retailer to the Lord's goodness, quoting 1 Samuel 2:30: "Those who honour me I will honour".

As scheduled, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius Episcopa arrived in Ireland on 24th August 2015 and spent three days in fellowship with the members and the office bearers of Nazareth Mar Thoma parish. The land greeted Thirumeni with its lush green grass and autumn leaves.

On Monday, August 24, 2015 Thirumeni celebrated Holy Communion service at Cork Prayer group at 6.00 PM. Around 60 people attended the communion service.

Nazareth Mar Thoma Church was honoured to host our Diocesan Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius Episcopa on Tuesday August 25, 2015. Thirumeni celebrated Holy Communion in Malayalam and more than 125 people attended the service. Rev. Philip Varughese (Vicar), Rev. Jameson K, Mr. Thomas P.John, and Mr. Sibi Philip assisted Thirumeni in the service. Following the service, Parish Secretary Mr. Joji Abraham P.Jacob did the announcements. Mr. Joji Abraham welcomed Thirumeni to the great city of Ireland and thanked him for his visit and he praised the bishop for his seven years of loyal service as a Diocesan Bishop and bid him farewell as this may be his last visit to Ireland before his transfer to India.

Theodosius Thirumeni and Evg. Aniyankunju Pullad (Asst. Secretary, Mar Thoma Voluntary Evangelists’ Association, Thiruvalla) delivered the devotional message.

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Thirumeni concluded the service with prayer and followed by Kaimuth service. Thirumeni encouraged a meet and greet session during the fellowship meal. Thirumeni visit has been a blessing for the whole parish. We the Mar Thoma community in Ireland would like to thank our Diocesan Thirumeni for his Episcopal visit.

The Vicar, the executive committee and the members of the parish extended their deep gratitude to Thirumeni for his visit to Ireland and his leadership to the Diocese and the church as whole. We pray that may the Lord Almighty showers his blessings upon Thirumeni for his continuing ministry and leadership.

Joji Abraham P.Jacob Parish Secretary Email: dublinmtparish@gmail.com

“It has been said that though God cannot alter the past, historians can; it is perhaps because they can be useful to Him in this respect that He tolerates their existence.�

(Samuel Butler Ad 1835- 1902) What would historians say about Zacharias Thirumeni?

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ECHO Family

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