THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN YOUTH MOVEMENT 71st ANNUAL CONFERENCE

BIJU V. PANTHAPLAVE

An enlightening theme for contemporary youth, sincere and
resourceful leaders, dignified arrangements, inspiring presence of
bishops and priests , motivating camp-site and infrastructure- all
made the 71st international conference of the Orthodox Christian
Youth Movement held at M G M English Medium School, Kottarakara on
Aug 30, 31 and Sept 1 a grand success.

About 500 delegates turned up from the different dioceses of India
and abroad on the very morning of 30th Aug 07. After the
registration and the flag being hoisted , the bishops and other
chief guests were lead in a procession to Mathews II Nagar , the
venue of the annual pilgrimage . The inaugural session started
with the prayer song followed by the welcome speech by
Fr.Koshy John the vice president ,O C Y M. H G Dr.Yuhanon Mor
Meletius , the president O C Y M insisted on the power of
outliving which is the result of spiritual life. The energy stored
through such
gatherings should help us to overcome the temptations in the world ,
he added.

H B Paulose Mor Meletius, the catholicose designate called upon the
youth to face the challenges with God's grace and dedication to His
will. His Beatitude exhorted the youth to strengthen the walls of
the church. The chief guest Mr.Jose Baby, Deputy Speaker brought our
attention to the globalised misconcept that amassing wealth is the
present motto of man. He wanted the youth to grow with social
consciousness and commitment .

The hosting diocesan Bishop, H G Mathews Mar Epiphanios Thirumeni
delivered the words of blessings. Smt.Aisha Potty M L A, Fr.K T
Varghese,Fr. Nelson John , Fr Dr V M Abraham , Mr.G Samkutty , Mrs.
M John and Fr John T Varghese felicitated on the occasion.

The after-noon session , followed by a delicious lunch , started
with Ice breaking session led by Mr. Jacob Mani, Kasargod. Swamy
Aswathy Thirunal of Ekalavya Asram TVM then took our consciousness
to the age old Indian traditions , gurus, scriptures and
incarnations including Lord Jesus Christ and analysed the
contemporary relevance of the theme.

The evening was both inspiring and thought provoking when the
Bishop President addressed the delegates and introduced the
theme `Perspectives of Outliving'.

The talent night was memorable with the esteemed presence of Captain
Raju, famous cine artist , and Mr.Jerry Amal Dev, well-known music
director.The cine artist advised the youth with paternal affection
to keep the mother church and its traditions safe and strive to
maintain them to be handed over to posterity .His recollections of
his childhood and the "compulsory childhood rites" motivated the
youth to enrich the church.

Jerry Amal Dev regreted that the religious songs are being replaced
by romantic songs . Even the tone and rhythm are not fitting to
religious rites . Even in church services, the quality of divine
music has been swallowed by the "sound explosions". The night was
lively and joyful with the variety presentations by the delegates .

The second day of this annual youth assembly commenced with morning
prayer followed by the Bible study and meditation led by Fr. Jojy K
Joy.The youth experienced the communion of body,mind,and spirit
through the yogic exercise led by Fr.Dr.Jacob John .

Different aspects of the theme such as the scriptural relevance of
outliving, outliving in the changed contexts of political, social
and economic scenario,and outliving the post-modern spiritual
renewal movements were explored by Fr.Dr.Mathew Baby(OTS
Kottayam),Dr.Varghese George (Marthoma college ,Thiruvalla ) and
Rev. Fr. Dr Edward George, Muvattupuzha )respectively.

A creative analysis and lively discussions on the various aspects
of the theme were effectively completed in the group discussions
followed.The leaders of each group staged their reflections.
Mr.Rajan John (D Y S P TVM)was the moderator. In the business
session Fr.Spencer Koshy,General secretary introduced the new
projects of the Movement .

H G Dr. Yakub Mar Iranius Metropolitian took the delegates through
the scriptures to the silent streams of retreat. The participants
prepared themselves for the Holy Communion.

The final day of the conference started with Holy Qurbana. Then the
proud and splendid valedictory session commenced with the warm
reception to the chief guests. Hon. Oscar Fernandez (Minister of
Labour and Employment) and Blossom Fernandez. The chairman of the
Hosting committee Rev Fr John Chacko welcomed the guests.HG
Dr.yuhanon Mor Meletius brought the different issues faced by the
youth of India especially in Kerala to the notice of the Minister.
His Grace commented on the pains taken by the hosting committee and
thanked them with loving words.

In his inaugural address Hon. Minister pointed to the Govt's
attempts to improve the work conditions in India and promised all
helps to settle the professional education issues in Kerala. Sri.R
Balakrishna pillai, former Minister formally inaugurated the
Emigrant Cell , a novel project of the O C Y M to help the
NRI's and job seekers. The conference was made alive with the
printed pages of a souvenir as HG Mathews Mar Epiphanios released
it.

The handbook on the theme `Perspectives of outliving' was
released by
Fr Johns Abraham Konat.

The Movement took it as a great pleasure and privilege to honour the
recently elected church leaders Fr Dr johns Abraham Konat (Priest
Trustee)Sri M G George Mothoot (Lay Trustee )and Dr George Joseph
(Association Secretary). K Y Biju, Central Secretary conveyed the
best wishes of the Movement .

Former office bearers of the Movement Fr Ninan P Koriakose (Vice
President) Fr Varghese Varghese (Gen secretary)and Biju V
Panthaplave (Treasurer) were duly honoured on the occasion . Mr.P K
Thomas Central Secretary recollected their valuable services to the
Movement and the President Bishop presented them with mementos. Rev
Fr Thomas Mathew , Sri Ghevarghese Yohannan (Chairman of M G M
School) and Raju Kooromvila spoke on the occasion. The General
Secretary Fr Spencer Koshy expressed the thanks of the movement to
all those who helped to complete this great event successful. With
the prayer and benediction the annual youth assembly came to a close
with the prospects of joining hands for the growth of the church and
with the hope of meeting for the next assembly of the Movement.