nature of the Church itself. Now that the Mar Thoma Church has members from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, we have the liturgy in Kannada, Tamil etc. That is when the Mar Thoma Church became the Church. Diversity is a part of God’s nature. The Trinity speaks of diversity also. The ethnic church therefore is really a contradiction in terms. If you are saying that this church is only for people from Kerala, then that is not the church of God. Even those who marry outside the Kerala community should be seen as missionaries.
to go out among these people and relate with many people. The bishops and clergy now are caught up with so many things. God left heaven and came into the world and was born in a place which nobody knew of. Nobody knew there was such a place, such a manger; but he was there. When we are related to God, God will give us the courage to do what he is telling us, and we need extra strength from God to do that. In the ultimate analysis, the renewal of the church is not to pack the church building with people, but to pack people with the dynamo of God.
If we ask 99% of the Mar Thoma Christians in the United States, they would say that the purpose of the church is to take care of the people who come from India - both those of the first generation who has their cultural and linguistic roots firmly fixed in Kerala and the second generation who are culturally and linguistically American. The purpose of the church, they would argue, is to keep them all in the church. Chrysostom Thirumeni recognizes that when our people came to the United States, there was a language problem. Most of the people who initially came to America were nurses and their husbands and so the language problem was a reality. The local people were not prepared to accept us. So, there was a need to shepherd our people specially. This is happening even today, in the case of all the Vietnamese people coming here. And then, culture is very basic to human life. Therefore, for these people who came to America, there was a cultural shock; they had to be shepherded. That was something that was meant to be a stopgap arrangement, but we have perpetuated it.
As Chrysostom Thirumeni completes one hundred years, we can only bow our heads before God in deep gratitude for all that this great son of God has meant not only for the Mar Thoma Church but also for the Church universal.
Of special concern to Chrysostom Thirumeni are the younger generation of the Marthomites in the United States. In one or two generations, they will not think of themselves as Indians but as Americans primarily. In that context, what can the church offer them? He agrees that he would be very happy to see that there is no Indian church in America. The people should become a part of the land. They have come to the land that belongs to them; otherwise, they are sojourners. He does not even want the Mar Thoma Church to survive. He would say that the American Church should survive. The Mar Thoma, the Episcopal and other churches should all together and evolve into an American Church. He is not saying, root out all ethnic groupings, but transcend your ethnic limitations. The people should retain their heritage. Bring their resources into the common pool. The Mar Thoma resources should become Episcopalian resources. Finally, Chrysostom spells out his own personal vision and understanding about his ministry. He would say that as a bishop, his primary responsibility is to be responsive to God. What does God want him to do, not what he has decided God wants him to do? Secondly, he must be responsive to the people. Thirdly, there is the need to be responsive to the world, and this is not easy. We will have
MAR CHRYSOSTOM MAR THOMA VALIYA METROPOLITAN – A LIVING LEGACY Rev. Dr. K. V. Simon, Kottayam Mar Chrysostom Mar Thoma Valiya metropolitan is a longterm reigning centenarian bishop of the Christendom. His conversation covers a wide range of issues like theology, mission, pastoral issues and ecumenical relationship. His ministry is extended to a vast majority of people irrespective of religion, caste, creed, colour and culture. He is a bishop with a golden tongue and golden life. His life itself is a powerful sermon. His humour is unique. He is a person with a deep insight, sharp thinking, sincere commitment to mission, and wide outlook to social issues. He has a broader audience within and outside the Mar Thoma church. He is an Indian Bishop, at the same time a minister to the Church universal. Konrad Raiser comments about him in the following words: “It is the most unusual thing for the head of a church to speak so freely about weakness, strength and challenges of the church” He has special concern and compassion for the socially and economically backward people and community. His magnetic personality impresses each and everyone who is in touch with him. A person has commended him as “The Prophet of the Divine Universe”. His unparallel and touching style of speech, broadminded love for humanity is worthy to be praised. He mingles with people of all ages- from children to old age. He has given a new meaning to retirement. Retirement is not a period to be idle, but to be more active, more fruitful and more encouraging to the people around. My personal attachment to Thirumeni is to be noted. My pastoral ministry started with him in his diocese. His fatherly affection, Christian mentoring, and timely encouragement helped me to prosper in the ministry. He solemnized our marriage on April 27 (His birthday). He also dedicated our house. th
As Thirumeni is at the threshold of his centenary, my family and myself offer our sincere prayers and best wishes for the years ahead.
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