Shortly after our Madison mission became part of the Mission Society of St.
Gregorios of India (which is a mission effort of the Malankara Orthodox
Syrian Church) in 2001, a young Malayalee from New York complimented our
mission efforts and then detailed all of the issues confronting the
Malankara Orthodox Church. After that, he asked: "What did you find in the
Malankara Orthodox Church that made you join it? My question is a sincere
attempt to learn more about the vast treasure of my Church, which sadly many
of my own brethren have failed to see."

The response was found among email archives. It has been updated and edited.
And posted as an article online:

An American Faces East: My Journey to the Mission Society
By Fr John Brian - Madison, Wisconsin USA
http://maruroopa.blogspot.com/2008/04/american-faces-east-my-journey-to.html

Excerpt:
"Two such lights for me were Metropolitans Paulos Mar Gregorios and Thomas
Mar Makarios. The soil, the good ground of the Malankara Church, which
brought forth such bishops, must be fertile soil indeed. Although you may
say there is drought-like conditions, through Mar Gregorios Thirumeni's
writings I see fertile ground and trees with deep roots waiting to blossom,
waiting to be nurtured to bring forth fruit for all humankind. I bear
witness to the sowing, planting and nurturing efforts of Mar Makarios
Thirumeni in that garden. I see Christ tilling the soil, gently touching
young leaves and sprouts, encouraging new growth and weeding the gardens..."

+*+*+*+*+
Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Parish

621 N. Sherman Avenue, Suite B3
Madison, Wisconsin 53705
Sundays 9:30am
608.242.4244
transfiguration@...

www.maruroopa.blogspot.com
www.angelfire.com/wi/inroads/transfig.html

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