Orthodox Spirituality 1
Lessons in Orthodox Christian Spirituality ~ First of six pre-Nativity
lesson sermons

This homiletic sermon uses scriptures appointed by the Malankara/Syrian
readings for the beginning of preparation for Holy Nativity - the
Annunciation of Zachariah and the Conception of John the Baptist. Father
focuses on spirituality in religion and how looking at these Gospel stories
with symbols, metaphors, etc. can help us in our personal spiritual
development. Includes The beginning of the Gospel of Luke, Isaiah chapter
41, and the beginning of Peter's 2nd Epistle.

This sermon lesson in Orthodox Christian Spirituality given on Sunday
November 16, 2008 by Fr John Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox
Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD: http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
http://frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xm
l

LISTEN ONLINE HERE:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2008/11/orthodox-spirituality-1.html


Developing Orthodox Christian Spirituality is penetrating into the mystical,
the normally unseen, the supernatural, the metaphoric, the symbolic - then
applying the wisdom, knowledge and understanding to our lives.  Father John
Brian will be using the preparation for Holy Nativity, with its unique
scripture stories, to teach about Developing Orthodox Christian Spirituality


Last week's lesson "Begin Orthodox Spirituality" and the previous week's
lesson on "Spiritual Foundation" lay some groundwork for this teaching.

>>> Begin Christian Spirituality
On this Dedication Sunday, this homiletic sermon uses scriptures appointed
by the Malankara/Syrian readings for this beginning of the lectionary year.
Father focuses on the how we are separated from God in Genesis and how God
has brought restoration to us by including examination of Isaiah chapter 55
and John 10:22-38. This sermon lesson in Orthodox Christian Spirituality
given on Sunday November 9, 2008 by Fr John Brian Paprock at Holy
Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin. LISTEN ONLINE
HERE:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2008/11/begin-christian-spirituality.html

>>> Spiritual Foundation
Grounded in both this world and the spiritual world, the power of tabernacle
and temple, church and chapel are strong spiritual foundations in this
world. On this Foundation Sunday, this homiletic sermon uses scriptures
appointed by the Malankara/Syrian readings for this beginning of the
lectionary year. Father focuses on the encounter of God in the temple in the
prophecy of Isaiah Chapter 6, the references to the tabernacle in Exodus
chapter 33 and chapter 40 as well as the Liturgical Gospel of Matthew
(chapter 16).
This sermon given on Sunday November 2, 2008 by Fr John Brian Paprock at
Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin. LISTEN
ONLINE HERE:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2008/11/spiritual-foundation.html


+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Parish
621 N. Sherman Avenue, Suite B3
Madison, Wisconsin - Sundays 9:30am
608.242.4244 ~ transfiguration@...
www.maruroopa.blogspot.com
www.angelfire.com/wi/inroads/transfig.html
o HEALING LIFE o DEEPENING FAITH
o ENRICHING PRACTICE o REFRESHING SPIRIT

Now our Church is stepping in to the political game with firm steps
and this should have to take some times before. I am congratulating
everyone and especially Dr. George Joseph for the wise step.

We suffered a lot by the political game of HB Thomas I with his
partnership with the communist party and some UDF leaders. When we
asked the Nehru stadium for our function in Kottayam, the Municipal
body rejected the permission with an explanation that the stadium
will only used for sports events and not for any other meeting, but
they cleverly forgot that the political meeting of the Communist
party used the same stadium a few months before. They thought that the
MOSC is a dead Lion, but they realized that they are wrong. The goal
that the municipal ruling front kicked to our court has retaliated
and kicked back with an unimaginable strength. The communist party
smelled the power of retaliation of the MOSC and strongly condemned
the action of the party members for supporting the decision of the
Municipal ruling party decision for not granting the permission.

The party leaders revised their decission and offered the same
stadium for the meeting but our leadership rejected that offer as we
have the strength to stay without the mercy or sentiment of a
political party.  We are the deciding the future of the political
party and they are not the deciding factor of our Church movements.
Now we showed the real spirit of the blood, the bioling blood of the
Children of MY Malankara Orthodox Church.

Tomorrow a vote of confidence motion against the present Municipal
chairperson of the Kottayam Municipality is going to take place based
on their decision to not to grant permission to MOSC to conduct the
meeting in Nehru stadium. I am happy in that action whether it is
passed or not. Let the LDF and UDF know that we the MOSC was keeping
silent when we were tortured since long time and we know how to beat
back when it is necessary.

Congratulation and praying for the success in the vote of confidence
motion as well as the "Maha Sammelanam." The Lord is with our Church.

This "Rally" and the vote of confidence motion against the Municipal
chairperson is an icon to all the political parties and to the Puther
kurishu fraction.

Charly V. Padanilam, Houston, TX.

Today, five church hierarchs claim the title of Patriarch of
Antioch, three of whom are in full communion with the Pope of Rome.
(These three head autonomous churches that are part of the Catholic
Church; though they are in communion with the Holy See, they are not
the part of the Latin Church, but are instead Eastern Catholic
Churches.) All five see themselves as part of the Antiochene
heritage and claim a right to the Antiochene See through apostolic
succession, although none are actually based in the city of Antakya.
This multiplicity of Patriarchs of Antioch as well as their lack of
location in Antioch, reflects the troubled history of Christianity
in the region, which has been marked by persecution and internecine
struggles since the Islamic conquest. Indeed, the Christian
population in the original territories of the Antiochene patriarchs
has been all but eliminated by assimilation and expulsion, with the
region's current Christians forming a small minority.

Depending on how history and the canons of the Church are
interpreted each Patriach's claim to the original See of Antioch can
be sustained with proof as follows:
If Flavian II was Patriarch until his death then it means that

the Melkite, Greek Orthodox and Maronite Patriarchs are the
continuation of the original See and Severus was not Patriarch at
any time and thus the Syriac Catholic and Syriac Orthodox Patriarchs
are not the continuation of the original See.



source:WIKIPEDIA

George T.

Kuwait

Source:THE HINDU

‘Orthodox church denied its rights’

Over a lakh people expected to attend the meeting


---------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------



KOTTAYAM: For the first time after the declaration of the 1995 final
verdict in the church case, the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church has
decided to come out in a show of strength demanding justice from
those in authority and implementation of the provisions of the
verdict.

Talking to mediapersons at the Catholicate Palace here on Thursday,
Catholicos-designate Paulos Mar Milithios said the public show of
strength scheduled for Sunday was meant to draw the attention of all
to the reality behind the church controversy (between the Malankara
Orthodox Syrian Church and the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church).
The Orthodox church had sought only the implementation of the final
verdict of the Supreme Court in the case. All issues that had
cropped up after the final verdict should be resolved on the basis
of the final verdict, he said.

According to him, the Jacobite church was a new one with a fresh
constitution and as such it had no claim over the properties and
institutions of the Orthodox church which was governed by the 1934
constitution that was recognised by the Supreme Court. On many
occasions, he said, the Orthodox church was denied its legitimate
rights, the latest being the police action against church members a
few weeks ago. Making it clear that the Orthodox church was not
ready to give in to the claims of the Jacobite church on the
ownership of Thrikkunnathu Seminary, he said those who made claims
should make it clear why they had not produced the documents on
ownership in the court so far.

The church would like to see a permanent solution, but it should be
on the basis of the final verdict of the Supreme Court, he said.

The church leaders alleged that Minister S. Sarma had interfered in
the Thrikkunnathu Seminary issue against the legitimate rights of
the Orthodox church. Such politically motivated interventions had
denied the church the justice it deserved, they said.

They said the meeting would reflect the sentiments of the people
against the authorities who refused the church its legitimate
demands. Malankara Association secretary George Joseph said they
expected a gathering of one lakh members at the public meeting.


George T.

Kuwait

The Biography of Kadavil Paulose Mar Athanasius "Karmasheshiyude Kathal" written
in Malayalam by Dr. M. Kurian Thomas & Joice Thottackad and published by MOC
Publications is a very well researched book and has been
written with the help of historical documents.

Apart from the biography of Kadavil Thirumeni, the book also gives a clear
picture with regard to the beginning of Thrikkunathu Seminary - its
reasons
and the people who worked behind it.

This book depicts facts about the history of Thrikkunathu Seminary. The
seminary was set up as per the decision of the Holy Church and not
according
to the will of one or two persons. It was decided to have a Seminary for
the students from North Kerala and they found a place in Thrikkunathu near
Alwaye and another for South Kerala students in Parumala. Since
Thrikkunathu
falls under the jurisdiction of Angamaly diocese its diocesan metropolitan
Kadavil Paulose Mar Athanasius was in charge of running the seminary.

You can read the whole book at the following link.
http://www.malankaraorthodox.tv/Kadavil/Kadavil%20Biography.pdf

Dr. M. Kurian Thomas & Joice Thottackad have put in lot of efforts and
have
researched many a historical documents for this biography. The official
publication department of our church MOC publications are the
publishers of
this book which further proves the authenticity of this effort.

It is quite incidental that this book has been published at the time when
there are lot of talks about Thrikkunathu Seminary and people going around
with 'wills'. I am sure for people who would like to rely on facts, this
will be a good reading. The Seminary was not a private property that
it can
be given to a person by one's own will.

Kadavil Paulose Mar Athanasius Thirumeni passed away in Nov 1907. The
Catholicate in Malankara was not established until 1912 so the
reference to
the Antiochian Patriarch in this book is similar to the reference
St.Dionysius (Vattasseril) made in his Madhoupadesha Sarangal which was
written prior to 1912. St.Dionysius himself in one of his court deposition
after the establishment of Catholicate, on questioning him with regard to
his reference to the Antiochian Patriarch in Madhoupadesha Sarangal, has
said that if he had to write the said book now (on the day of
deposition) he
would have written it differently because at the time of writing the book
there was no Catholicate established in Malankara and the Antiochian
Patriarch was considered to be the spiritual head of the Church. So
readers
just don't jump into conclusion on the basis of what was written 100 years
ago. Take into account the facts that took place after.

Dr. M. Kurian Thomas & Joice Thottackad - You have done a great job. May
God bless you abundantly to bring out similar publications in future
so that
the world knows the truth behind gossips and rumors.

Philip Ayyamplackal, Auckland

SCOBA and SCOOCH Hierarchs Celebrate 8th Annual Prayer Service for
the United Nations

The Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the
Americas8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10075

PRESS RELEASE
November 12, 2008

SCOBA and SCOOCH  Hierarchs Celebrate  8th Annual Prayer Service for
the United Nations.

New York, NY - On Thursday, October 30th, Hierarchs of the Standing
Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA)
and of the Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches in
America (SCOOCH) celebrated the 8th Annual Prayer Service for the
United Nations. His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of
the Diocese of the Armenian Church (Eastern), welcomed His Eminence
Archbishop Demetrios of America (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese), the
Chairman of SCOBA, assembled Hierarchs, Clergy, Ambassadors and
Dignitaries of the UN Diplomatic Corps and laity to the Saint Vartan
Armenian Cathedral, the traditional site when the service is hosted
by an Oriental Orthodox Church.

Archbishop Barsamian presided over the Vespers Service, which
included liturgical chanting by Armenian, Coptic and Ethiopian
Choirs.  The Vespers marked a significant milestone in the life of
SCOBA, as for the first time, Bishop Mercurius of Zaraisk
(Representation of the Moscow Patriarchate) participated in the
Vespers as a full Member of SCOBA. Additionally, there were present
Archbishop Mor Cyril Aphrem Karim of the Syrian Orthodox Church,
Archbishop Vicken Aykazian of the Armenian Church (who is also
President of the NCC), and   representation from the OCA.

His Excellency, Ambassador Negash Kebret, the Permanent
Representative of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia to the United
Nations addressed the assembled faithful.  Following the conclusion
of Vespers, led by the Hierarchs and the Diplomatic Corps, over 200
of the Clergy and Faithful attended a reception in the Kavookjian
Hall.

http://www.scoba.us/news
SOCM News Bureau

Dear all

This is to inform everyone that a group of orthodox youth in
kalamassery has launched Chaitanya Blood Donors Society in the form of
a non profit service society, for the purpose of donating blood to the
needy. before the formal launch of the society, we need a database of
around 100000 people for the effective acheivement of the intended
goal. i request all the members to kindly fill out the form and help
us to acheive the goal to serve the humanity. also, i request all to
kindly forward the mail to all your friends, so that we can serve the
humanity without any difference in cast, relegion..

God Bless
Koshy John

"This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ
Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief." 1
Timothy 1:15


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service society]

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--

The result of the new bielection in Thiruvalla to the civic bodies are
against the UDF as well as against the LDF.

People find the wrong leadership of both LDF and the UDF and that made
many to not to vote for any and others voted for BJP.

The Malankara Orthodox People in Kerala from Thiruvalla casted their
votes to the ballot of BJP too and that made the reverse of the result.


--- In MORM@..., "george_cthomas" <george_cthomas@...>
wrote:
>
> In the recent byelections to civic bodies BJP came to second place in
> Thiruvalla constituency .Minister Mathew T.Thomas's party was pushed
> to third place.
>
> George T.
>
> Kuwait
>

Oru Sammelanam Enthineyanu Soochippikkunnathu
?

by

Sakher

Pl. Visit
http://www.malankaraorthodox.tv/sakher/Achan%201.pdf

Joice Thottackad
Kottayam, Kerala



       Connect with friends all over the world. Get Yahoo! India Messenger at
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Jose uncle is leaving from Abu Dhabi after 40 years of expatriate life in
the Gulf. He is one of the senior most member of Abu Dhabi St. George
Cathedral. A loving kind, admiring and God fearing personality, He is a
living orthodox church encyclopedia

After taking Masters in Public Administration, worked for Kerala State
Electricity Board for two years and later reached Abu Dhabi. Served
the UAE
Armed Forces for 29 years. Is one of the founder members of St. George
Orthodox Cathedral, He is the first secretary of the Orthodox Youth
Movement
unit in UAE. has served as the member of the Managing Committee,
Secretary,
Trustee, Auditor, Teacher of Sunday School at different periods. Has
served
as the General Convener of the Silver Jubilee Celebrations Committee.
Serving the Altar for more than half a century. Presently working as a
free
lance journalist, Editor of Orthodox Herald and Voice of Orthodoxy
(both web
publications) Writes regularly articles in ICON and the contemporary
periodicals in addition to weekly devotional thoughts in SGOS and SOCM.

We, the younger generation who came to Gulf in the recent past are able to
understand the early stages of Abu Dhabi and our Cathedral history from
Jose uncle. We always get amazed about his memory power. He can say the
date and time of each and every important milestone of our church viz.
date
of permission from Abu Dhabi Govt., laying of church foundation stone etc.
at any time. I think he is working more than 15 hrs per day in
internet for
the online publications related to our church. We can see him online even
very late at night. When I am preparing this article, he is online. We Abu
Dhabians will have a great gap due to his transfer of residence. He is a
good teacher. If we have any doubt regarding our faith, even any word from
Malayalam to English , just call or Mail him, he will reply immediately .
Most of the publication from Abu Dhabi church was through Jose uncle.
We are
not satisfied if he didn't see the proof before publishing anything here.

Jose uncle's Publications

A Commentary of Holy Qurbana - A meditative study of the Holy Eucharist
Lost Sheep and the Shepherd - Meditative studies
H.G. Dr. Paulos Mar Gregorios - Biography
H.H. Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma - Biography
Mathews II and Parishes in UAE - History
Puthencavu Kochu Thirumeni - Biography
In search of the foot prints of the Savior
Of the world - A
travelogue in Malayalam.

Translations from Malayalam to English

Honey Verses (Sayings of St. Gregorios of Parumala)
St. George (Extracts from the book, History of the Martyrs)
Nazareth God's vine yard - History of Nazareth Convent, Kadampanad
In the Sacrificial paths of God's mercies - Biography of V.Rev. K.I.
Philip
Ramban
H.H. Moran Mar Baselios Augen I, Catholicos - Biography
Saga of a Sage - Biography of V. Rev. Mylapra Mathews Ramban
St. Gregorios of Parumala - Biography
H.G. Philipose Mar Theophilus - Biography

We wish him all success in all his future endeavourers and do pray God
Almighty to grant uncle and aunty good health and long life. May God
enable
Jose Uncle to continue his writings and guiding the younger generation
through Orthodox faith

By

Reji Mathew Meenadom
Abu Dhabi

In the recent byelections to civic bodies BJP came to second place in
Thiruvalla constituency .Minister Mathew T.Thomas's party was pushed
to third place.

George T.

Kuwait

Patriarch, Das Kapital, Politics, Oriental Orthodoxy etc.



Some expect the Patriarch of Antioch to change is attitude after
reading Das Kapital from the communists in Kerala.



This reminds me of a story I heard about fake currency notes in India
a while ago.



A person printed fake Indian currency note worth Rs.15/- each. He took
it to a shop and bought cigarettes worth Rs.5/- and gave the shop
keeper one Rs.15/- note. The shop keeper was surprised but accepted
the same. Later he returned the balance by way of two notes worth
Rs.7/- and Rs.3/- totaling to Rs.10/- I leave it to the readers to
interpret the rest of the story.



If you have to live according to simple Christian principle you don't
have to read Das Kapital or the Oriental Orthodox faith. The Holy
Bible in itself is more than enough.  This is not to denounce my faith
in Oriental Orthodoxy.



Even though Karl Marx lived most of his life in poverty the present
day communists are bourgeoisie. As such in what way will it matter in
a bourgeoisie presenting a book to another bourgeoisie?



Jesus says in St. Matthew 15:14, Leave them; they are blind guides. If
a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit."



The Indian Orthodox church had has and will have people who believe in
communism than any other churches in Kerala.  The various social
welfare programs the church has undertaken is the best example.
However they have never been affiliated to any communist party.



Puthencruz society does not have any grudge against UDF. They have
more people belonging to their 'faith' in UDF. They just pretend they
are against UDF and for name sake they have the Alwaye lathi charge to
highlight to express their anguish. Has anybody bothered to find out
the reason for the lathi charge?



The Puthupally Patriarchal Centre, entry into Thrikkunathu seminary
are only a very few favors the Society got during the tenure of UDF.
There are many more which are not known to the public.  To get their
work done they will be goody goody with the ruling front.  This will
change around like HG JGregorios said, "we would like to be always
with the ruling front".  With the recent visit of HH the coffers are
full and they can put an end to many an investigations and also start
'piece machines' which has already started in Thrissur,  Kandanadu &
Angamally dioceses to begin with.  One can imagine if the police/CBI
investigations against the atrocities of KEFA are brought to light,
this society will cease to exist. But this is where we call "God's own
country", because God is always benevolent and ready to forgive' so
the real culprits will never be caught.   The minister they praise the
most is the Home Minister who is notorious to cover up many a criminal
activities and as he controls the police investigation they will keep
him always pleased with his requirements. Those who does not please
him will suffer.



May be the Peshitha version of St. Luke 16:9 " I tell you, use worldly
wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you
will be welcomed into eternal dwellings." must be interpreted
according to the convenience of the society members.



If Sister Abhaya's case is still under CBI investigation, one can
imagine what will be the fate of Malankara Varghese's case.



Philip Ayyamplackal, Auckland

I have read the posting about the fractional fight, the Patriarchal
visit and the protest program of our Church. I am wondering about all
those activities are staging in the name of a Patriarchies in
Antioch.  Why should we brothers need to fight for the namesake of
the Syrian person?

When I am hearing the fractional fight and the advises for peace I am
really feeling to laugh.  I know I am not the only one who feels it.
But the Majority of our members who knows the real fact will laugh

This fractional fight starts with the political opportunism of few
people who are fascinated by the titles and that sugar coated with
some other spiritual stories. Fortunately or unfortunately I know
some of the real fact of that.  No one can make a re-unification of
this fractions in our Church and not only that but I also feels many
groups are forming in our Church same as the old Karunakaran group
and Antony group in Congress party and Achuthanandan group and
Pinarayee group in Marxist party.

If the Puthan Kurishu fraction and MOSC sit on a round table for a re-
conciliation talk; will Patriarchis, St. Thomas or St. Peter be a
subject of discussion?  NEVER.   But the subject will be about who
can get the Titles of the spiritual fathers and who can get the post
of the Almaya leaders.  That only will be the subject and with out
making a compromise on that subject no one can bring a re-
conciliation agreement and that is not going to be possible and that
is why the people who knows the reality saying that a re-union with
puthan kurishu party is not at all possible.  Then why should we need
to play the games and these mimics' parades? Those only a waste of
time and waste of money.

The Patriarchies want His supremacy, Many want to become the
Catholicos in India, and many want to be the Sabha trustee and
secretary of the Church.  More over to this all the clergies those
are not married want to be the Bishops except very few.  So instead
of playing the part of a drama it will be better to get rid of the
Puthan kurishu and put an end to this mockery games.  Then we need to
see only the dramas of our inside people and that is also
not "sahikable".  We the laymen have no choice except to
shout "Keejay" to all these un orthodox and un-Christian activities.
These activities may inspirit the people to think the AK-47 story and
the journey of the Bishops in the aircraft over Atlantic river are
having some sense. Up to an extend we cannot blame anyone if they
think so.

The offerings that the faithful people depositing in the boxes are
spending for court cases and some others and that is the only result
of all these. If the leader Thomas I of puthan Kurishu playing
Gundayism then take the money from our box and play an anti gundayism
and put an end to that.  It may be more practical because the Govt.
is also not recognizing the court order. Instead of sinning the whole
time of a generation it will be better to put an end in a short time.

Now the Thrikunnathu seminary game is coming and the Marxist party
already planned to shake hand with puthan Kurishu leaders.  They
entered the cemetery in last two years illegally with the support of
the Government that they purchased by money and propaganda. We can
see the game of puthan Kurishu in this year too.

Charly V. Padanilam, Houston, TX




--- In MORM@..., Mgk Mgk <mgkkly@...> wrote:
>
> Friends,
>  
> Record this in ur mind. Both Kakshi's will split. That's our
history. There is no future for Orthodox Church in India.
>  
> Bava Kakhi will split with the death of the present Patriarch. Next
Patriarch wont be this innocent to accept the claims of Baselius
Thomas 1st. Further, also this group dont have any legal support on
churches built in India before 2002. They will loose grip with the
execution proceedings.
>  
> Metran Kakshi will split if it changes the basic structure of the
1934 constitution on the rights of Patriarch in this church. At
present, the constitution undoubtly say Patriarch is the hierarchial
head of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (subject to
autonomous rights of Catholicos). Note that, Supreme Court has
accepted this constitution.
>  
> Both are connected with the Patriarch. Unity is the only solution. 
If any future is there for us and for our church, the church  has
to unite under One Patriarch and One Catholicos. Do or die.
>  
> Mgk
>  
>

1. A Spiritual Springtime for American Orthodoxy

http://www.theorthodoxchurch.info/blogs/articles/2008/11/spiritual-springtime-fo\
r-american.html


2. St John the Almsgiver

http://www.theorthodoxchurch.info/blogs/articles/2008/11/st-john-almsgiver.html


3. 'The zeal for thy House has Consumed Me-

By
Prof E S John, Australia

http://www.theorthodoxchurch.info/blogs/articles/2008/11/zeal-for-thy-house-has-\
consumed-me.html

George
Allapuzha

Spiritual Foundation

Grounded in both this world and the spiritual world, the power of tabernacle
and temple, church and chapel are strong spiritual foundations in this
world.

On this Foundation Sunday, this homiletic sermon uses scriptures appointed
by the Malankara/Syrian readings for this beginning of the lectionary year.
Father focuses on the encounter of God in the temple in the prophecy of
Isaiah Chapter 6, the references to the tabernacle in Exodus chapter 33 and
chapter 40 as well as the Liturgical Gospel of Matthew (chapter 16).

This sermon given on Sunday November 2, 2008 by Fr John Brian Paprock at
Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD: http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
http://frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xm
l

LISTEN ONLINE HERE:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2008/11/spiritual-foundation.html


Last week's sermon:

+++ God Does Forever New: A Paradox of Wealth and History
The period between the Festival of the Cross and the prelude to Holy
Nativity of Christ - the Incarnation - is a time particularly suited for
contemplating the paradoxes of following the Way of Christ. Homiletic
sermon, using the scriptures appointed by the Malankara/Syrian readings for
this Sunday after the Festival of the Cross: Luke chapter 18:18-27 and end
of 1 Corinthians chapter 5 wit a reference to Isaiah 43. This sermon given
on Sunday October 26, 2008 by Fr John Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration
Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.
LISTEN ONLINE HERE:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2008/10/god-does-forever-new.html


Other recent sermons:

+++ Reasonable Paradox
Homiletic sermon, using the scriptures appointed by the Malankara/Syrian
readings for this Sunday after the Festival of the Cross: Luke chapter 16
and 1 Corinthians chapter 1 ~ given on Sunday October 12, 2008 by Fr John
Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison,
Wisconsin.
LISTEN ONLINE HERE:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2008/10/reasonable-paradox.html


+++ Paradox: From the Cross to Incarnation
Homiletic sermon, using the scriptures appointed by the Malankara/Syrian
readings for this Sunday after the Festival of the Cross: Liturgy - Mark
2:23-28; Acts 7:2-5; Romans 8:1-11; Other services - Matthew 5:13-16;
Matthew 18:23-25; Isaiah 54:1-8; Genesis 42:18-22 ~ given on Sunday October
5, 2008 by Fr John Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission
Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.
LISTEN ONLINE HERE:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2008/10/paradox-from-cross-to-incarnation.htm
l


+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Parish
621 N. Sherman Avenue, Suite B3
Madison, Wisconsin - Sundays 9:30am
608.242.4244 ~ transfiguration@...
www.maruroopa.blogspot.com
www.angelfire.com/wi/inroads/transfig.html
o HEALING LIFE o DEEPENING FAITH
o ENRICHING PRACTICE o REFRESHING SPIRIT

Old Historical Documents about Thrikkunnathu Seminary.

Kadavil Paulose Mar Athanasius' Biography by Dr. M. Kurian Thomas & Joice
Thottackad.
Official Publication of MOSC.


Pl. Visit

http://www.malankaraorthodox.tv/Kadavil/Kadavil%20Biography.pdf
http://www.malankaraorthodox.tv/stgregorios/book release.mp3
Joice Thottackad
Kottayam, Kerala



       Get perfect Email ID for your Resume. Grab now
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The zeal for thy house has consumed me
By E.S.John, Australia
King David was zealously aspiring to build a Temple for God to dwell
in among the people, but was not allowed because of his hands
spilling a river of blood that was the foundation stone of erecting
an Israelite empire or kingdom, despite God was not in favour of
having a king, as the Almighty wanted to lead His flock by Judges
whom He used to choose from time to time. God's presence till the
time of King Solomon, the son of David building a permanent building
in Jerusalem was compensated by the tent of the Tabernacle that had
to be carried during their exodus journey from Egypt to
Palestine. "They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly sanctuary;
for when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God,
saying, "see that you make everything according to the pattern which
was shown you on mountain", Heb.8: 5. Moses made the tabernacle
according to the design given by God on Mount Sinai, while He dwelt
with Moses for giving the Ten Commandments. Brooding over the
presence of God and a permanent worshipping place for the Lord, King
David's passionate desire of building a House for the Lord and
worshipping Him sincerely found its expression in this verse, "For
zeal for thy house has consumed me, and the insults of those who
insult thee have fallen on me", Ps.69: 9. Though there was no
methodical instructions how to worship God while giving the 10
commandments, it was implicit that how and where the worship had to
be done. Moses' five books delineate such things meticulously.
  Pattern and form of worship
The Ten Commandments are the moral sides of the day to day
worshipping style of God, not the practical sides of worshipping
style or form in toto. How to set the venue for worship and what all
necessary accessories that are associated with it are all explained
in the other creeds and laws. If there was a technological aspect of
how to make the venue and worship God in the OT period, there is also
a definite worshipping method in the NT period. Some copycat churches
propagate and multiply their numbers by dynamiting the apostolic
method of celebrating the Holy liturgy, the bloodless sacrifice, and
the first such pattern of service was written by St.James, the name
of which is known as st.James' Thaksa, the brother of Jesus. The only
difference is that the blood sacrifice is replaced by a web of
bloodless sacrifice. Hence the design of the building in a set
pattern and celebrating the sacrifice is the core element of the
worship of God. If the High priest of the OT period was allowed to
enter the Holy of the Holies only once in a year, the NT period
priest is able to go the third holy place any time, as the veil is
torn apart by the tearing of the veil of Jerusalem temple by the
death cry of Jesus on the cross Heb.9: 1-10. "For if that first
covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion for a
second…..In speaking of a new covenant he treats the first as
obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to
vanish away", Heb.8: 7-13.
This is thus proved basically that there is a set covenant formulated
by the builders of the church. Such set rules or manuscripts though
were written was not incorporated together with the bible, the
subsequent wreckers of the early faith make it as an opportunity for
mushrooming the numbers of the sects by misinterpreting the bible,
despite the early faith is imbedded in the bible in very mysterious
ways. The biblical treasures are hidden in a subtle way for the
terrestrials, or in other words for the nominal or wayward or cultic
Christians.
We can ascribe two reasons for not maintaining the codified set rules
like that of Moses' Pentateuch for the NT Christians, firstly, they
were under the impression that the Lord would come to collect them
during their lifetime, secondly, they also were not sure that bible
would be printed and truck loaded in every corner of the world or
could be presented in a match box size or in internet web, so that
everyone could read and deal it in their own way. The bible was
treated with full respect by the mainstream churches till yesterday,
but it doesn't bring any respect or acceptance by some sects that
either keeps it under their armpits or in between the thighs or
wherever they like to. I had once two room mates, one a Marthommite
and the other a Catholic, Reeth. The Marthommite friend showed a
portion from the bible during the course of their hot arguments of
the scripture; the Reeth friend got the bible in a fury and just
threw it against the wall. There was no physical altercation because
both of them were relatives. The Catholics don't encourage or
venerate the bible reading because they give infallibility to the
Pope, whereas the extreme Protestants' infallibility approach of the
bible mislead them to their own undue destinations.
The beauty of the Orthodox Church is that they give infallibility to
the church that is the Body of Christ, despite the so-called
centrists' one leg in the right canoe and the left in the other one
during the cultural revolutions of the cultic Christian sects.
Nothing is more important than the number of followers each
denomination can add by hook or by crook is the war cry, so that
their power can be displayed in the different realms of socio-
economic platforms that fetch money and weight from the political
system. There is no more real apostolic church now, Lk.18: 8; we have
venues of heterogeneous worships that consists of Pharisees,
Sadducees, zealots and Herodians who have paved the way for the
crucifixion of the Lamb. There are amalgams of heterogeneous worships
that are not a model of the early church anymore. The food that we
eat are of hybrid products; the plants we have are of crossbreed
species, the people we intermingle are of hybrid ethnicities and
races and the worship that we offer to God are not pure like Abel's
but of Cain's. Despite the centrist church claim that its modus
operandi is the same as of the early church, the heretical elements
from the left and right have defiled it on various ways. God reveals
only fractions of mysteries to the seers from time to time, however,
all prophesies will have to be fulfilled, though everything is in the
capsule form is hidden in the scriptures.
The Holy Church
The church is holy because it is the abode of God with His children.
The journey to the church starts from the miniature church, the
family that is outwardly is a trinity, father, children and mother.
The Holy Spirit who apparently represents the mother of the Christian
family cares, nurtures and indwells within the whole members of the
family. Just as the holy Trinity is inseparable, the members of the
family are also inseparable because of them being electrified
together with the fire of love, Jn.17: 11, 21. As the church is holy,
it is considered that each member that is the brick of the building
is also holy. Holy Catholicose means that the status or position is
treated as holy, whether the person holding the position is holy or
not. "…you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the
household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and
prophets, Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole
structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the
Lord; in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of god
in the Spirit", Eph.2: 19-22; 1: 14; col.1: 17-20.

  Because Jesus is the head and the flock the body, we are expected to
be holy. This symbolic holiness of each member is attained through
the sacraments that the Lord prescribed through the priesthood which
has the authority of forgiving the sins of the repenting flock. Just
as the Aaronite priesthood of the OT prescribed the imperativeness of
worship and its raiment, utensils and vestments, the items and the
venue used for the bloodless sacrifice, despite a difference in the
ingredients, also is same and sacred. As a prelude to the bloodless
sacrifice of the New age, the eternal High priest Melchizedek( Jesus)
king of Salem brought bread and wine; he was priest of God Most High,
and He blessed Abraham, the Father of faith, Gen.14: 17-24; Heb.6: 19-
7.3. Since then as a token of his gratitude Abraham gave a tenth of
everything to God. Because Jesus has given His Body as our bread and
drink, we offer everything and ourselves, not the tithe only, for the
service of God in our worshipping places and also among our fellow
beings. We may do such things to an extent for the temple sacrifice,
but the most important is not the sacrifice alone, but also all our
dealings that are done justly and truthfully towards God and our
brethren. "I desire mercy, and not sacrifice, you would not have
condemned the guiltless, Mt.12: 7; Ps.50: 23.
Symptoms of the New Age
Parish Assemblies
Despite there have been sacrileges, corruptions, money games,
blasphemes and power games in our worshipping places, the modern age
that has no respect for justice, values, truth and faith is the
uncrowned monarchs of our religious venues due to the blinding of our
inner eyes. The difficulty is that these carnivorous desecrations
that have driven away the Holy Spirit from the vicinities of our
churches and monasteries are the real obstacles for our improvements.
I have either read or heard about one of our bishops who participated
in a Holy qurbana in a Byzantine Orthodox churches talked to somebody
who was in the church after the worship. A woman immediately dashed
forward and asked thirumeni to go outside and talk because they have
the strict discipline of not speaking any personal matters or seeking
queries where they celebrate the holy mysteries. We all had such
traditions once, but they are all out of date since the beginning of
new theological encroachments. God's Holiness should be venerated
always and everywhere. But tragically the law makers have proved
themselves as law breakers. When I was a young adult, I remember to
have witnessed an episode that brought the local Congress party
members into the church for a branch meeting due to the unexpected
raining, but immediately was stopped by a Marxist Communist member of
the church. It sounded as if God belonged to the Congress party.
General Body meetings
In my youth days we used to have meetings in the parish assembly
halls, but all these auditoriums now are for food caterings and
public theatres that bring money and popularity for the church. In
such a scenario, the parish meetings have become a part of the Holy
of the Holies, claiming that the sacrosanct meetings are a part of
our worship; thus the church has become a place of these meetings and
a fortress for the vicar for inducing scare tactics, saying that the
parish meetings are all part of the worship. The clergy that
attribute holiness to these meetings inject fear into the minds of
the devotees, so that the vicar and his cronies can do anything that
they want. The fear of God has vanished away from the clergy and the
so-called believers, as they think that a decorated church and
celebrating festivities in a grand and elaborate way conjure up God
for their own advantages. They pre-plan all what they want to decide
and the meetings are stage managed in tune with their previous
arrangements; hence a sane person tremble to go for a General Body
meeting that usually propagate holy hooliganism. The inside of the
place also where holy credentials and puja indispensability are kept
are lately decorated like pagan worship places, like electric
decorations, colourful frills or thoranams that block the Heavenly
luminosities and decorated Christmas trees with Christmas gifts and
the raiment of Christmas father who give gifts benevolently and
taking photos and displaying the valuable roles of each self-assumed
heroes in sports, camps, choir and many other public and social
activities, making an impressions that the `holy' cosmetics are
venerated where the golden urn holding the manna, Aaron's rod that
budded, the tables of the covenant and the mercy seat were placed
once, Heb.9: 1-5.

In spite of claiming that the church is holy, all sorts of cheap
jokes and vulgarities, character assassinations that make acrimonious
scenes are the usual pattern of these meetings. A determined minority
that hijacks the vulnerable ones by threats and false statements
bring many of them to their knees. They pervert the truth
deliberately by twisting with sugar-coated statements. The audited
Accounts are many times proven to be a procession of falsities and a
procession of fraudulent super computer gimmicks that could tarnish
the genuineness of certain individuals and elect their own bravados
for running the parish affairs. Such scenarios are artificially
created, so that they could do defame certain persons. The religious
Ministers' ejaculations these days are that let the senior people
retire, like in the days of King Rehoboam, and the youngsters take
charge of the parish for better management, making a false veil that
the computer is a Heavenly invention. The Computer technologies are
helpful, provided the data that are fed are not falsified.

  Many of today's clergy, together with their associates, doesn't
hesitate to go to any extent and prowl upon the innocent ones by
pointing out their victim's personal, family and social dealings that
seemingly create a black aura, as if they were all angels of light.
Many priests hire the youth and electrify them with all sort of new
versions of modern spirituality and religiosity. This type of
political and real estate spirituality has really sedated the church
that sends out the committed youths and their family members to the
periphery or to the other religious wolves of charismatic venues. If
the fear of the Lord has disappeared from the clergy and the flock,
who can salvage the shpherdless flock. Litigations, scuffling,
feuding and conflicts are the outcome of such acrimonious situations
which have struck the last nail on the coffin of the Apostolic
churches. Personal gratification that mortifies the body of Christ is
the last sign of the doomsday religiosity.
Righteousness of God
God is a righteous Judge, Ps.7. Righteousness and justice are the
foundation of thy throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before
thee, Ps.89: 14; 7: 11. There is not absolute truth or justice in our
parish decision- making venues. Cronyism from the top to the bottom
is the order of the day. Truth is mooted and falsity reigns because
of power struggle of a minority that craves in grabbing the power
like that of Absalom. The judge allows a lobbying minority to make
sway everything in line with the vandalisers, making God as an alien
to our hierarchical spiritual order. As it has become a Sunday club
that fosters for thriving the business interests and cosmetic
celebrations of rituals and festivities, all our meetings should take
place in the church halls, not within the church, due to the
desecration of the holy name of God. We used to have nercha,
oblations, during the festival days; this is now replaced with
catering food and pompous decorations and music in the style of
political platforms and elections.
Parish or hierarchical Elections
The church or parish has become a duplicate of the political system
that horse trade for power and position in an unethical and monstrous
way in countries which go in tune with the culture and background set-
up of the particular nation in question. The carnivorous taste of
power that whet jealousy and head weight is as old as Cain and Abel.
It is a sad situation that the body of Christ also has become a prey
of political black magic. This sort of election propaganda and group
polarization that wipeout all our moral and religious fervour has
proven to be a deadlock for the progress of spiritual life and its
cultivation. Unity of mind in Christian love is the salt and butter
of our breathing; if that is infringed upon without any moral values,
it is a sign of degradation of religion which used to impart
spiritual knowledge to an extent to its followers.

The clergy and laity work together for this spiritual suicide that
devastates our inner strength and moral fibre. Borrow the good side
of the voting system, because we have already assimilated within the
gamut of the political hierarchy, but don't become a carbon copy of
the secular mechanism that is not allowed to stimulate religiosity or
godly appetite because political system is devoid of spirituality of
any particular religion, as there are different religions and castes
and ways of worships. Morality and religiosity are the common
denominators of religion and politics, not any faith or creed of any
religion. Our day to day running of the parish with this sort of an
amalgam of anything heterogeneous is not a healthy climate for
inculcating human relationship that is the grease of our sound
existence. We borrow any filth that can help the money-making venture
for the parish and also bring glory for ourselves. Instead of
religion becoming a role model and educating the secular system, it
is a pity that religion has become an identical twin of the ruling
hierarchy. The religious places have become a copycat culture of
business enterprises and eating and drinking merriment cafes that
also is authenticated by inappropriate biblical verses that sound
like `devil quoting the bible', the reason for youth and women power
to be highlighted and edified, Is.3: 12.
If we follow Jesus, we have to fight against, firstly, the leaven of
the Pharisees, Sadducees, Zealots and Herodians, then, secondly only
against the invading Caesar. We become a prey of Caesar when there is
disunity among us. But it is certain that one who girds with the
weapons of this formula, one will lose his head. Jesus whipped out
such business zealots that encouraged these sorts of soul-killing
trades from the Temple ramparts during the last week of His
crucifixion. The cosmetic piety that hides a multitude of sins for
the sake of satisfying the lust of the flush, though one knows the
normal way of religious life, is the art of the people with the
leavened bread, Mt.16: 11. Jesus sold off His life for the last crime
He did by evicting the Shylocks from the Temple. Hatching any plot,
saying blatant lies and pulling the legs of the fellow worshippers is
a style of our parishes or church meetings during these days of money-
harvesting turbulence. But it is only a tip of the iceberg, what is
underneath below has no measure or weight or depth. In such an
adverse climate, it is better to stop such elections and go back to
the culture of the early church that used to select people by casting
lots, Acts.1: 26. No more time left to waste our spiritual resources
that cannot be enhanced in this age of apostasy.
Zeal for the House of the Lord
The real seal and zeal is the holiness of the Lord who broods in His
House for giving the spirit of the Spirit of God. One has to serve
the Lord with complete zeal and passion that sheds light everywhere
around. The church and its hierarchy should swim against the social
currents and save those who are lost in the social intercourse of the
spirits, pagans, fanatics, agnostics, atheists, humanists and
spiritual perverts. When Jesus drove out all these Temple adulterers,
the apostles were thrilled by the psalmist's zeal for the House of
the Lord, Jn.2: 15. "Jesus entered the temple of God and drove out
all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables
of the money changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He
said to them, "It is written, `My house shall be called a house of
prayer'; but you make it a den of robbers", Mt.21: 12-13.
It has really been denigrated as a place of robbery because we have
killed the real spirit of worship. We made it unholy through the
vanity celebrations and business interests that bring money and
pervert the true spirit of chaste faith. Those who intend to go to
hell after their death should celebrate their birthdays and wedding
anniversaries and other pagan celebrations in this life because we
don't get another chance as there is no room for any enjoyments in
the place where wailings and gnashing of teeth are our inheritance.
We bury the dead with musical bands and long funeral processions
because we also celebrate together at the same time their birth
celebrations by angels and the faithful departed ones in Heaven where
their virginity continue in luminous gaiety and mirth for ever. One
who longs to have an eternal birthday should abstain from all sorts
of superfluous enjoyments here. The contemporary writers of Jesus
wrote that Jesus never laughed in His life because of His
overburdening with the sins of humanity. Instead of sharing and
working for the emancipation of the afflicted ones we celebrate in
the church all such banalities that are lately imported into our
spirituality menu.
While we celebrate such ephemeral prayers after the worship that ask
for a happy exit from this plane, is it necessary to pray for a merry
birthday when Jesus' birth, death, resurrection  and ascension  that
carved each individual's salvation is assured, provided we also move
in that orbit? Have our clergy that say "wish you a happy birthday
after the Holy Eucharist" condescended down to the level of street
merry makers who sing Hurray, `He is a jolly good fellow'? Female and
gay clergy that are added to the list of abominations of desolation
of the Holy Spirit are the final -day saga of the end of the dying
planet that is benumbed by climate change, global warming and other
geriatric symptoms, Mt.24: 15. The list for the abominations of
desolation of the Spirit of God is vast and unending. The first sign
of the final day scenario of finishing of this planet is a sign of
the real estate spirituality of the knocking off time of this
planet. "…there will not left here one stone upon another, that will
not be thrown down", mt.24: 1-2.
Real estate spirituality
There is no Holies or Holy of the Holies now. This is about the
forewarning of the demolition of the Jerusalem temple that was built
in high splendor of elegance and captivation by depositing gold in
between the bricks. It took 46 years for building the third Temple
for the Jews, whereas for Christ only three days. Our body is the
temple of worship; clean it up first before we start our worship in
the church, Cor.3. If we want to keep the temple clean, cleanse our
body, mind and spirit.  We also face the same old scenario now; but
we are demolishing the church buildings and build big mansions for
renovations sake and better modern look, destroying the design and
antique architecture of the gothic structure. This mania for real
estate spirituality is a contagious disease because of competitions
and craving for fashions and cosmetic appearance and also for
personal gains. Look or appearance is a sign of modernity and
snobbery that we can't help it due to the minting of excess fossil
money by hook or by crook.
The same dubious time of Jesus has already blossomed now. Only a slim
minority care for the physical or worshipping purity or holiness of
the House of the Lord. Only the bishops were allowed to sit in the
Basilica or they were only empowered to bless the devotee with a
cross in the bygone days, but things have changed dramatically
because of the crossbreed theology from the four quarters of the
world. Just as the Jewish hierarchy earned good name and high-profile
status by the desecration of the Lord's House, the super-tech era
that consumed all the higher values of life and spirituality is
thriving by defiling the Holy name of God and His House, highlighting
that the church hierarchies are the gatekeepers of Heaven for any
Nick and Harry. But for believers, it is a testing time of
uncertainties and multiplicities of standards. Those who live ahead
of their times in today's carnivorous world, are put under immense
pressures, torments and tortures by the Judases who do anything for
30 silver coins. "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet
believe", Jn.20: 29.

Dear Readers,

Will a proposal in this forum make any positive move?  But keen to
know the opinions of others. The primary subject of the conflict is
the "Throne". Let us adore the "Thrones", St. Peter's and St.
Thomas'. For IOC, HH Patriarch is the spiritual leader. The "HH
Catholicos" and the "HB Catholicos" quandary can be solved through
the following steps.

1. Let HH Patriarch be always our spiritual leader.
2. Let both the HH and the HB retire and take rest.
3. Let the new HH be the senior Metropolitan of the present
Jacobite group.
4. Let present Assistant Catholicos HB Milithios continue.
5. Select another Metropolitan from Jacobite group to be in line
for Assistant Catholicos.
6. Dissolve both the associations and elect a new one.
7. Shuffle the Diocese Bishops and Vicars.

If this happens, with in a few years our church will be long ahead
than other churches in kerala.
Will evils in both the group agree this?

Regards

Mammen H
Kuwait

Dear Achan
Barkamore

Thanks for the reply to my posting. I am from Cheppaud (Cheppad). Yes
as you said in your posting, "I believe that if the division is
divine it will remain forever" and "There is only one church and no
divisions.No factions." I do too agree with you.

But putting all blames on Syriac Orthodox Church and its hierarchy is
not the way for the unity. If they did a mistake, then there is a
reason for that too and that might me the mistake of other side.

So when we talk about peace and reconciliation, please expose the
wrongs of both sides else just support one side but avoided
humiliating the other side.

Once aging thanks for the reply and let us all pray for a peaceful
settlement of this issue in our lifetime.

Please remember me and my family in your Holy Qurbono

In HIS Love
Chevalier Thomas Daniel (Reji)
http://www.socmnet.org
http://www.stgeorgecheppaud.org

--- In MORM@..., George Daniel <bennyachen@...> wrote:
>
> I always read the postings of Chev.Thomas Daniel and I believe he
is from Cheppadu.We have to remember that there is no so called
Universal Syriac Orthodox Church.I don't have any interest in church
politics.We have biased church history.Everybody makes history for
their own benefits.If Mar Thoma Church says that their church is
founded by St.Thomas , that is also correct.If we genuinely analyze
Indian church History we understand that St.Thomas converted some
families and never gave a name to our christian church in
India.Malankara Orthodox Church never wanted to cut the relationship
with the H.H.Patriarch.The only thing we insisted that the
relationship should be constitutional.We had peace in the church till
1972.the church was one.Right after that some priests wanted to
become bishops and they started destructive problems in the
church.This is the truth and nobody can deny that.The church
authorities couldn't take effective or compromising decisions
>  during this time.We created division ,dissension and disunity in
the church.I believe that if the division is divine it will remain
forever.I believe that a believer who reads Bible everyday and prays
everyday will never be after this nasty politics."Even though I
forget my mother I will never forget Antioch", how can you digest
this type of slogans.There is only one throne and that throne belongs
to The Lamb(Revelation).We don't have to fight for these thrones
rather we have to fight to attain salvation through our Lord Jesus
Christ.A large number of people are leaving our church.Are we not
concerned about this?We have to think seriously about this.We attack
each other by our word,writings and acts.Why don't we stop this?Pray
for our church.We have to choose either fight and destroy ourselves 
or unite and grow.There is only one church and no divisions.No
factions.God bless.
> Benny achen
> South Florida
>

An Article about St. Dionysius of Vattaseril by George Joseph (Association
Secretary, MOSC)

Pl. Visit
http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentVie\
w.do?tabId=9&programId=1073753693&contentId=4694968&contentType=EDITORIAL&articl\
eType=Malayalam%20News


Joice Thottackad
Kottayam, Kerala



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research of the issues in our church.

       If you have a friend who might like to join us, please encourage and help
him/her to join, or send that person's email address to us, and we will be happy
to send an invitation.

      We are looking for volunteers to do researches on specific topics and
issues related to the church. If you like to participate, please let us know.

Regards,

         Moderators

St. Dionysius Orthodox Study
Forum organized a Seminar on Cultural Colonialism in the Socio - religious
context at MGOCSM Student Centre in Kottayam, Kerala on Oct. 22 at 3 pm

The forum president H.G Dr. Yakob
Mar Irenaios presented the topic. H.G Dr. Thomas Mar Athanasios, Prasarbharathi
Chairman Dr. George Varghese, Dr. Girish and Dr. M. Kurian Thomas spoke on the
occasion.

H.G. Kuriakose Mar Clemis and H.G
Dr. Zacharias Mar Theophilose were also present during the seminar.

Rev. Fr. M.C. Kuriakose gave the
vote of thanks and said that, this is the first of a series of seminars that is
being organized under the auspices of SDOF.

Visit the following links to know
more about SDOF and its programmes.

http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/sdof/
http://www.malankaraorthodox.tv/sdof/seminar%20news.pdf
http://www.malankaraorthodox.tv/sdof/Seminar/index.html
http://www.malankaraorthodox.tv/radionazrani/index.htm


Joice Thottackad
Kottayam, Kerala

A Christian Nun, A virgin lady is being raped by the anti social
elements in the name of the religion.  The state government is
supporting that crime with silence and showing green flag to those
fundamentalist criminals.  It will happen in India now because the
top most criminals are turning as politicians and they are becoming
ministers in the Government and that is the present wonderful
phenomenon of our so called traditional "Arsha Bharatham".

The victim is a Nun of the Catholic Church but does it an exemption
to other Christian denominations to keep silent? This great question
mark is in front of all the Christians as well as other faithful
religion because every one believes in God and the brutal act against
an innocent female is not justifiable by any religion.  Even the
religion of Acharya Rajaneesh cannot justify it.

How far did our spiritual leaders listen about this brutality?  "You
should not keep silent if someone is denied justice." That is the
teaching of the Christianity.  Is it just for preaching only or is it
for bring in to being in practical life?

Every human being who born from a mother need to raise his or her
voice to get justice to that Poor nun who submitted her life to God,
otherwise there is no use with your tong. Then the "stones may raise
the voice against these brutality acts in India."

Which political party condemned this acts? Who did anything in
practical against these acts? The population of Christians in India
is only 2.3%, which is not countable in election for any political
party to get in power and that is also splitting to the baskets of
different political parties.

So the Christians in India are divided in the name of the
denominations and split into several groups and the majority is
ignoring the teaching of the truth of the Christianity and getting
the punishment one by one.

Now I am dreaming and praying to God the almighty to send St. John
once again to this earth to call the name " Sarppa Santhathikalee" to
the face of all the Christians those who are the namesake Christians
and fighting each other for the titles with a sugar coat of faith.

Charly V. Padanilam, Houston, TX.

I do not know the Eccleastical power game in Malankara.At presnt there
are three Catholicose in Malankara.Two are pseudo in my  opinion, as
there are no title of Catholicose in the history Of RC Church(pope) and
As well as there is Only Mafriana under Patriarch(syria).The Truth is
often crucified and buried,But It will rise and prevail in the
end.Truth will never Die but Rise and Prevail always.

Church Is the Place of divine worship and it is earthly temple of God.
Those who are playing game with churches are From devil and not from
God."You have been raised to Life With Christ ,so set your hearts on
the things that are in heaven ,where Christ sits on His Throne...."
"Keep your minds fixed on things in Heaven not on things here in earth."
(Galthians3:1-2)Here above lies the truth.
May Almighty God help us to see the Truth and Stand for the truth


Thomas Samuel
Kenya

The Malankara Orthodox church estabilsed by St.Thomas ans syrian
Orthodox Church established by St.Peter are two sister Churches.
St.Peter calls Church in Babylon as Sister Church (1 Peter 5:13)
How Come Some people mislead and confuse public by teaching that Syrian
orthodox Church is Mother and the head Partriarch is the Father?
Those teachers are not following any apostolic principles / rules and
teachings.
Please also refer to St.Paul teachings based on 1Corinthians 1:11-17
and chapt.3: 6-9 and 22-23
If we follow these Apostolic priciples/teachings Unity is possible with
peace and harmony.

Thomas Samuel
Nairobi

"The Book is a new hope for the Malankara Orthodox Church" . The book
contains a great Vision for the Orthodox Church" – Rev Fr T J Joshua

`Orthodox Church of the East in the Twenty First Century: Challenges
and Opportunities'


Orthodoxy Beyond Limits Forum created history by releasing the first
Church Management/Administration book titled `Orthodox Church of the
East in the Twenty First Century: Challenges and Opportunities'. This
might be the first management study guide/ reference book written in
the two thousand years of history of the Malankara Orthodox Church.

The releasing ceremony was held on 27/10/08, at the YWCA hall,
Mavelikara, Alleppey District, Kerala, South India. His Grace Thomas
Mar Atansious Metropolitan of Chengannur presided over the function.
Rev Fr T J Joshua gave the Key note address. Mr Thomas Kuruvilla
introduced the book. Felicitations were made byFr Mathai Vilanilam ,
Adv K K Thomas and Fr Alexander Vattakatu . Mr Jacob Mathew delivered
vote of thanks.

Around Two Fity Members Attended the Function.

H G Thomas Mar Athansious Metropolitan

His Grace began the speech by congratulating the author on bringing up
the Fraud Claims of Reethu issue. His Grace stressed on the need for
protecting the Catholicate of the all East. He also pointed out the
need for revamping the media policy and the need for human resource
training.


Fr T J Joshua

Fr T J Joshua asked the question "Why you are an Orthodox Christian?"
He said that the book clearly briefly mentions the answer for the same.

He also added that the author has not given a blind criticism but had
provided a great hope for the Orthodox Church.

The book must be seriously considered as a study material and
reference guide by the Church leadership and all those relevant and
practical suggestions must be implemented.

The author has made genuine attempt to brig his

"Mr George Alexander has written the book not for achieving any
position in the Church and also for not any financial gains, but it
has come out of the true love for the Church"

A Part from the Foreword written by Fr T J Joshua

"Here a is book which demands the attention and serious consideration
of all the members of the Orthodox Church and more especially of those
who hold position and responsibility in the Church. These are not
random thoughts of a carefree mind but reflections and proposals of a
person who sincerely and seriously think about the Orthodox Church,
about its policies, programmes and prospects. The author is in touch
with the developments and trends in the Orthodox tradition through
website and other media."

Shri Paul Manalil

"If this book was written fifty years back the very face of the
Malankara Orthodox Church should have been a different one. The Church
should have reaped many benefits out of it."


George Alexander (Author)

The author stressed on the fraud claims of the Malankara Catholic
Rite. He said that the Orthodox Church must be able to deal with the
fraud claims of the Reethu only then we will be able to feel proud.

He also criticized MGOCSM for giving more importance on building flats
and deviating away from the basic objective. He questioned the
connection between the basic motto of MGOCSM ie Study, Service and
Worship and its connection with constructing flats. He also added that
construction of flats must be given secondary importance. If MGOCSM
had invested the money and interest in preparing the new Orthodox
Study Bible rather than in flats, they would have published the Bible
earlier.

If MGOCSM did not act accordingly the Orthodox Church will soon become
the 'Church of Old Age'

Author also questioned the genuine nature and commitment of Indian
Christian Orthodox Network (ICON) for censoring the author with regard
to the Malankara Catholic Rite Issue.

George Also added that book will create miracle for the Orthodox
Church if only the Church leadership positively respond to the book.
The ultimate aim of the book will be not providing benefits to
Orthodox Christians alone, but activities of the Church must provide
benefits to all sections of the society regardless of caste, age sex
and denomination. George also thanked each and everyone who has toiled
behind the book.


The Following dignitaries attended the Function

His Grace Thomas Mar Athanasious Metropolitan (Chengannur)

Fr T J Joshua (Faculty and Former Vice-Principal, Orthodox Theological
Seminary)

Elavukattu Geevarghese Ramban

Shri Paul Manalil (Chief Sub Editor-Manorama)

Fr Matahi Vilanilam (Secretary – Mavelikara Diocese)

Adv KK Thomas (Church Managing Committee Member)

Shri Thomas Kuruvilla (Sub Editor- Malankara Sabha Pathrika, Faculty
Dept of Malayalam- SB College)

Shri Koshy P Abraham (Church Managing Committee Member, YMCA Sub
Region Chairman, Alleppy)

Fr Alexander Vattakatu (Vicar- Karthigappaly St Thomas Orthodox Cathedral)

Shri Jacob Mathew (Participatory Forest Management Specialist, Dept of
Forest, Kerala)

Prof G John ( Church Manging Commtte Member, Faculty Dept of Chemistry
- Catholictae College)


For Snaps Kindly Visit

http://www.theorthodoxchurch.info/blogs/news/news.html

George
Alleppy

We all know that our people of Thiruvalla constituency requested
both UDF and LDF during last assembly elections to consider an
Orthodox christian as candidate.but they considered only marthomites.
this shows that marthomites are more powerful than us even though
our people may be majority among christians in central travancore.

whenever elections are declared our church leadership declares that
we are following equidistant policy to all political parties whereas
marthomites and jacobites negotiate with political parties and get
their church members selected as candiates.

Our church is only focusing on court orders.but without support from
politicians court orders cannot be implemented.


We should change our attitude,we should negotiate with political
parties for Orthodox candidates in constituencies where our people
are majority.

George T

Kuwait


" <johneyjac@...> wrote:
>
> Dear Joice;
>
> Months back our church officially announced that we are excluding
> ministers from church's official meeting. But how far we are
> following this decisions. Recently also after so much incidents,
> kerala transport minister was invited to Mavelikkara Aramana
> inaguration.This is reported on Deshabimani with importance.
>
>  Tiruvalla is a constituency where majority are orthodox church
> members. But being a minister and member of this constituency he
or
> his predecessors has not done anything for orthodox church in this
> troubled periods. Also we think that chuch has not made any
> compulsion upon the assembly members of central travancore ( where
> Orthodox church memebers are majority among christians) regarding
> this matter.
>
> Mean time the other faction is influencing assembly members and
> ministers of Eranakulam constituency for their gains.
>
> So what this Assembly Members & Ministers from central travancore
is
> thinking  is that even if they are not doing anything for our
church,
> they will get our votes and they are getting it also.
>
> Joice, I Hope that you will bring this matter to the notice of
church
> authorities.
>
> regards
>
> Johney
>