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#1662 From: MORM@...
Date:: Sun Feb 1, 2009 12:57 pm
Subject:: File - Monthly reminder
MORM@...
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Monthly Reminder


  Dear friend,
       Thanks for being a member of the Malankara Orthodox Renaissance Movement. 
We are a support group of those people who earnestly wish for a renewal in our
church, and together, let us strive to make a renaissance in our church and in
our world.

      You may contact us at  almayavedi@..., and send a message to the
group at MORM@... .You may also post a message directly on the the
site of the group by going to http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/MORM/.  Feel free
to write to us anything you want to tell us. However, everything you write may
not be posted in the group. We are trying to have a focused discussion and
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

#1661 From: "Chev. Thomas Daniel" <ThomasDanielReji@...>
Date:: Fri Jan 30, 2009 5:38 pm
Subject:: Christians must show world that unity is possible, pope says
thomasdaniel...
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Christians must show world that unity is possible, pope says

By Cindy Wooden
Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- United in their baptism and their faith in
Jesus, Christians have an obligation to show the world that
differences in language and culture do not have to lead to division
and violence, Pope Benedict XVI said.

"The world needs a visible sign" of unity, the pope told members of
the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue Between
the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches.

The pope met Jan. 30 with the commission members, who represent the
Catholic Church and the Armenian Apostolic Church, Coptic Orthodox
Church, Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Syrian Orthodox Church, Malankara
Orthodox Syrian Church and Eritrean Orthodox Church.

Each of the churches involved in the dialogue brings the richness of
its own traditions along with a commitment "to overcome the divisions
of the past and to strengthen the united witness of Christians in the
face of the enormous challenges facing believers today," the pope
said.

While united spiritually as disciples of Christ, he said, Christians
also are called to be united visibly as one church.

"We need only cast our minds to the Middle East -- from where many of
you come -- to see that true seeds of hope are urgently needed in a
world wounded by the tragedy of division, conflict and immense human
suffering," the pope said.

Source: http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0900456.htm

#1660 From: "Chev. Thomas Daniel" <ThomasDanielReji@...>
Date:: Fri Jan 30, 2009 4:02 am
Subject:: THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES
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THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES

Jan 15, 2009 - Following the meeting of the Executive Committee of
the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) on 15 January, the members
of the Standing Committee of the Oriental Orthodox Churches in the
Middle East, met in the evening at the Armenian Catholicosate of
Cilicia, Antelias (Lebanon).

H.E. Metropolitan Bishoy and H.G. Bishop Mark represented the Coptic
Orthodox Church, and H.E. Metropolitan George Saliba and H.G. Bishop
Daniel represented the Syrian Orthodox Church. His Grace Bishop Nareg
represented the Armenian Orthodox Church. The General Secretary of
MECC also attended the meeting.

In the first part of the agenda they discussed the relationships of
the Oriental Orthodox Churches in the region with the MECC and the
World Council of Churches, and the status of theological bilateral
dialogues. In this context they discussed the implications of the
visit of His Holiness Aram I to the Vatican on the life of the
churches in the Middle East. In the second part, they discussed two
forthcoming meetings. One, the Oriental Orthodox and Roman Catholic
theological dialogue to be held in the end of January, and two, the
meeting in May 2009 of the Heads of the Oriental Orthodox Churches in
the Middle East, H.H. Pope Shenouda III, H.H. Patriarch Zakka I Iwas,
and H.H. Catholicos Aram I.

#1659 From: shaju joseph <joseph_shaju@...>
Date:: Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:57 pm
Subject:: Circus in Thrikkunnath – Some queries to HG Mor Divannasiuse Thirumeni ( Manjanikkara)
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Respected Mor Divannasiuse Thirumeni ( Manjanikkara)

 

       Hope you are in good health and noticing the events happening in Malankara Sabha especially in Thrikkunnath Seminary. I am very much aware

that you are the metropolitan of Simhasana church so you are directly under the Bawa in Damascus. You are not a member of the synod in Puthen Kurisu society

also you can not attend the synod meetings in Damascus. You are  not directly involving in matters like Thrikkunnath.But your assistant HG Geevarghese Mor Athanasius,who is in a similar position,  is involving in  these matters.

May be he is having more free time.

 

      Thirumeni  you might have noticed that  Maphriyana Thomas I Bawa is conducting  a circus every year on 25th of January. Actually he started it from 2005 only.

 I have some queries regarding this  and I think you are the right person to clear it. I could ask these questions  either to Chevalier Kadavumbhagom Bibi or to Chevalier 'Cheppaud' Reji.Both are the main personalities behind Viswasa Samrakshakan . Hope you are aware that the language they use against IOC members. If they come to know that I am a member of 'Methran kakshi' then they may show their true colour and abuse me with the same words they are using in the official publication of the society church.

 

So as a scholar in church matters pls answer my queries

 

First  visit the site

http://malankaraorthodox.tv/Thrikkunnathu%20Seminary/Kappa.html

 

 It shows how our beloved Bawa did 'dhoopa prarthana' in Trikkunath seminary.Now I will conclude my queries as follows:

 

1. Why Bawa put Kappa during prayer at tomb ?

 

2. Can a Episcopa wear Kappa over the Black one ?

 

3. Head cover which is part of the Kappa of a Bishop is not needed ?

 

4. You can notice that after started the prayer , bawa was searching for some items and asking others about it. What exactly he  is looking for? Is it a new tradition of prayer ?

 

5. Why did he  wear Gold chains during that time ? Then removed

 

6. During the prayer we can see that Bawa was totally upset and could not concentrate in prayers.Mechanically doing things .

 

Sorry , I dont have to rise the quries but you can see every thing in that video. I could say he had a hidden agenda in his mind. Is it right?

 

Thirumeni please clear my doubts?

 

Yours faithfully

 

Shaju Joseph



#1658 From: Thomas Chandy <thomasattuthuruthel@...>
Date:: Thu Jan 29, 2009 8:18 am
Subject:: Women Representation
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 I agree in part and  disagree in part with the points raised in the posting of Mr Padanayakan regarding the women representation in the Church.
The women in our Church are our Mothers,Sisters,Daughters and our respective wives.If their presence in the Church bodies will contaminate the Church,the same applies to our homes as well.The present "political"powers that be in the general bodies of the church may be scared of the balance of power shifting in the event of women given the voting rights.
I do not understand how the clergy will be able to carry out  their secret unholy agenda with the support of women,against the wishes of the men in the same assembly.There is no dearth of men in our Church who are more loyal to their parish priest/Bishop than to the God!First let us change the attitude of such people before we can blame women in general.
 
Historically women had no place in the administration of the Church.In those days women were confined to their homes ,deprived of education,little knowledge of the world outside the four walls of their homes.Things have changed now.Women are omnipresent now.They can contribute to better administration of the church by their views.
In some of the Churches where women have participated in the parish assemblies,many members who were unruly in the earlier GBs have started behaving themselves and GBs are held more peacefully-which is certainly a positive happening.
I agree with Mr padanayakan to the extent that the powers that be in the Church hierarchy has accorded some privileges to females due to their influence on the family coffers.Especially in the outside Kerala Dioceses,and still more particularly in dioceses outside India,the chief wage earner of the family is the lady .Hence if they are not kept in good humour,the coffers of the church will suffer.
 
But my view is that our mothers,sisters,daughters,and respective wives should have their say in the administration of the Church.I would even go to the extent of suggesting that 33%reservationon should be given to women in the church decision making fora.There are many Panchayaths and Municipalities in Kerala which are better run by women than they were under malstewardshipip
 
Thomas Chandy


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#1657 From: jose_imd
Date:: Thu Jan 29, 2009 6:14 am
Subject:: Re: Thrikkunnathu Seminary
jose_imd
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Hi,
I appreciate you for your keenness in observing. Let me add that you
should have spelled H.B's name more correctly by removing the letter -
r- from the word Mafriana. The More suitable term 'MAFIAna' for these
kinds of mafia business of those wolves wearing the robes of sheep
would have been more appropriate. The corrupt person notorious for
land scandal etc and removed from Kerala Ministry- Mr.T.U.K was
always on his right hand.
Similarly as pointed out by a friend of mine who watched the video of
the controversial episode that during the prayer drama, HB was kept
asking for something (some material) from his fellow lieutenants
through hand gestures. Then a soldier standing close to him repeated
the same gestures to others. It seemed he was desperately expecting
some material brought from outside during the drama and that would
have changed the course of the story. What was he asking for, any
guess? (The video is still available in malankaraorthodoxtv  web site
of Mr. Thottackad, those who missed it can verify again.)
Warm regards,
JOSE, STOP, Doha.


--- In MORM@..., Thomas Chandy
<thomasattuthuruthel@...> wrote:
>
> One more January 25/26 has passed when Alwaye appeared to be a town
where the insurgents laid siege.What for?Just for satisfying the
false prestige of Thomas I Mafriana to enter Thrikkunnathu Seminary
where he is not legally entitled to enter.If HB is so desirous of
offering prayers at the tomb there in all that is required is to
formally request the Catholics for permission and prayers can be
offered jointly at the tomb of the 4 Bishops of whom at least 3 are
common to Orthodox Church and Jacobite faction.
> But the events of 25th Jan has proved that the real intention was
not prayers,but to score a vanity point.
> As HB and a few others entered the Seminary,there were fireworks
from all four sides of the seminary.Is that the way we offer prayers
at the tombs of Bishops?How is it that the Kukkilion Makkalilappan
used for theDhoopaprarthana of Episcopas?How is that Kappa is worn
without the white robe under it?
> Actually ,HB Thomas I has disgraced the Bishops whose mortal
remains are laid to rest at Thrikkunnathu Seminary
> In order to satisfy the vanity of one person the town of Alwaye is
being turned into a Garrison of security forces.Saner people in
Jacobite faction are not interested in this farce as evidenced by the
turnout of less than 500 people coming at the time allotted for the
Jacobite faction.
>  
> Thomas Chandy 
>
>
>       Add more friends to your messenger and enjoy! Go to
http://messenger.yahoo.com/invite/
>

#1656 From: alice john <john_aliceau@...>
Date:: Wed Jan 28, 2009 11:28 pm
Subject:: Women's Voting rights
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Dear Mr.Charly Padanilam and many other believers,

You spoke well, it is the last sign of the Lord's coming. When the abomination of desolation, Mt.24: 15, female ordination that lead to gay priesthood embraces the Bride, the Orthodox church, everything will rush for a devastating end. A handful of our women, together with the support of some male chavenists, try to grab the power of the Lord's House and hand it over to the anti-christ who is at the doorstep. When the man of false countenence who belong to the sect of one that doesn't allow women to worship in the worshipping venues, he will put hooks into the nostrils of our nominal christians who shed crocodile tears for women and indulge into their salvation process.

When you talk of one body, one baptism, one faith, one resurrection, what do the faith adulterers mean by these abstract concepts and ideas that they desecrate for their material /worldly affinities? If the materialists claim equality in everything that come in par with the secular set up, they should employ some lawyers and lobbyists, as one woman chauvinist is pondering over to send the Head of the church, and send a copy of the memorandum to God, asking the reason for moulding Adam first from the yellow clay and Eve later from his rib, or they  should charge sheet God  at least for His injustice in not forming them simultaneously from the same clay. If ‘Adam wove and Eve span theory’ could run the humanity since its beginning, how come permitting women to be the co-participants in God’s house all of a sudden now? Yes, there is an appointed time for God in the execution of His justice upon humanity; this is the reason for this apostasy that a handful of militant women could achieve, just as one apostle of 12 could kill the innocent Lamb. Now the church echelon is responsible for explaining the way they concluded to have their decision of allowing women to attend the parish/church meetings and then change the 1934 Church Constitution for granting full voting rights that certainly will be the embryonic stage for bargaining the clergy status for women, as it happened in other churches. There are certain questions remain unanswered.

1. Were the Holy Synod bishops each prompted by the Holy Spirit privately and individually to come to this historic decision, just as the 318 bishops who formulated the Nicene Creed were privately and personally imbibed by the Holy Ghost or have they had the conversion experience of st.Paul at the Road of Damascus? Or this is only a majority decision that goes in par with the secular jurisprudence?

2. In every Marriage sacrament we read Ephe.5. The celebrant dictates and the couple obey the Pauline creed, “Wives, be subject to your husband, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church., his body, and is himself its Saviour. As church is subject to Christ, so let wives also be subject in everything to their husbands”, Epe.5: 21-24. Or explain, has God changed His law? “…In pain you shall bring forth children, yet your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you? Gen.3: 16; 1.Tim.2: 15. If the Christ is the Saviour of the church, husband is the saviour of the wife, even in physical terms for her biological developments.  Are we going to stop reading the Pauline and Petrine epistles from our sacraments from now on, validating that the faith builders were male chauvinists who continue pervert the faithful adherents of the church?

 

3.Today’s equality in parish/church decision-making is tomorrow’s female ordination and consecration, like the similar imperative step by step bargaining process that eventuated in other global churches.

4.If the hierarchy is not rewriting the liturgy and other worshipping books of the church, as happened in other global churches, what action is going to take against the derailed clergy members, female protagonists and their cronies that include the male fermenting elements of the chaste apostolic faith, stirring up the Malankara Orthodox Church members for a sedition?

5. Just as the Anglican Church is divided into fragments after the female clergy that is the cradle for the gay clergy, does the Holy Synod speculate the formation of other churches from this once Holy Body of Christ?

6. Does the Holy Synod believe despite they preach, that there is only one Bride which is the Orthodox Church that continues as the apostolic church waiting to receive the Bridegroom at the close of the age?

7. There are bishops and priests who go in their own way of teachings, preaching and sacramental performances that goes in contravention against the Orthodox Church’s doctrines and practices. What actions have been taken against the bishops and priests who preach a multi-faith agenda that validates the salvation of mankind, irrespective of a believer who hails from any religion? Does the Holy Synod believe in a multi-faith agenda? If no timely action has been taken against in the beginning itself, the faithful come to a conclusion that the women’s co-participation that is a product of previous church inactions in various situations is also a copy of a secular decision.

8. If Eve could become the devil’s accomplice, we have to teach the members that this move of women’s participation in the parish/religious venues is a thrust from Satan who has to rule the entire world for 7 years that goes in tune with the book of Daniel and Revelations. It is our duty to teach the followers that the cataclysmic changes, faith bashing and the injection of poison into the body of Christ and humanitarian crises that make this life as veritable hell are the beginning of an end of an aeon that dawns into a celestial age of bliss and ecstasy in an infinite upper plane.

9. My request, therefore, to the Holy Synod is to rescind the Kalpana that authenticate women to attend the meeting as observers. If this sedition is not nipped in the bud, this will be the groundwork for the extinction of the Orthodox Church that is already an endangered species.

10. Have we consulted with the other Orthodox churches with regard to the change of our stand on the issue of women’s participation in our meetings?

11. As the way they threaten, the sedition members have no right to provoke the profane sentiments of other Martha Mariam or other members of the Indian Orthodox Church. Actions should be taken against those members who take the apostolic faith into their hands and seek personal vendetta to tarnish the image of the church.

12. Every faithful member should abide by the faith that we follow, and write as individuals or groups to the Holy Synod, mass media of any form, with a request to stand against the current ill -wind that blast, causing the irreparable damage to the very foundation of the church, family and society at large. If the family is disintegrated, it will affect even the Heavenly planes. Each parish should leave no stone unturned in defending the faith of the sacrosanct church that stood against the tides of time, since its beginning through persecutions, false teachings and delusions of all kinds. Apostasy is a cancer that inflames and kills every cell, ultimately causing a painful death of the church.

13. The arguments by the radicals that buying rights by paying money are obnoxious episodes which are categorically against the free offer of salvation through the Grace of God. I have been writing against this money spirituality for a long time; it has now proved that the political spirituality of money religiosity can work like a boomerang. Understand, dear sisters, that rights, freedom, liberty are abstract thoughts that have no real and true application in life. Man cannot liberate himself from the tentacles of life, nor can woman  live a divorced life from man. Man has no rights, only needs that require selfless love and sacrifice. When married life become a contract of rights and freedom, not one body lifestyle, such people claim rights in the spiritual venues and destroy their salvation by challenging God and His earthly ambassadors. Though Judas himself was a God’s agent on earth, he bartered it for money and fell as a prey of the devil. King Saul segregated the fatted cattle herd for sacrifice at the Altar, but driven out into the mouth of the dragon that destroyed his salvation on account of his disobedience.

14. Dear Brothers and sisters, don’t become a prey of this profane class war that started in Eden by Eve becoming an accomplice of the diabolical forces, and has the potential multi-billion megaton power of devastating our life and this earth for ever. If you want to know more about such topics, read all my books, articles, messages and theses. Fake copies of one church, body, into thousands is a sacrilege that no woman should take sharing the responsibilities with man and Satan because woman is the embodiment of love, sacrifice and non-violence.  Salvation without husband is impracticable, as they are the co-inheritors of Eternity. “Treat them with respect, because they also will receive, together with you, God’s gift of life, 1.Pet.3: 7. No body, without head. As we preach there is only one body in a wedded husband and wife family, and he is the head and she the body, hence the voting right is strictly for man, the head of woman. The Holy church has nothing to do with any temporal powers; the scare tactics used by some feminists who neither give regard to their husbands nor the mother church that feeds them with spiritual food, give no  regard to its faith and sacraments that can afford to give salvation in the Land of the Living, Ephe.6: 10-12. You can intimidate and bring down God’s ambassadors to their knees with your money and scare tactics of taking legal actions in the land of ephemeral uncertainties, but will you succeed legally the same self-deceit hypocrisy in the land of eternal darkness where Beelzebub is in supreme command? Good luck, go ahead with your irreligious plan of achieving the equal rights in the parish, but can you buy your equal rights, with your money, beyond the grave because some women claim that they give more money to the parish and the clergy for running the parishes.

15. Holy Fathers, yielding to any pressure group that even has a hidden agenda of self-glory, destroying the sanctity and pure faith of the church which is holy, catholic, apostolic and one is a thing that grieves the Spirit of God. Our earnest request, therefore, is to reverse this Kalpana that is likely a hindrance to receive the Lord with apostolic faith at His descent.

E.S.John, Australia



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#1655 From: Thomas Chandy <thomasattuthuruthel@...>
Date:: Tue Jan 27, 2009 5:07 am
Subject:: Thrikkunnathu Seminary
thomasattuth...
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One more January 25/26 has passed when Alwaye appeared to be a town where the insurgents laid siege.What for?Just for satisfying the false prestige of Thomas I Mafriana to enter Thrikkunnathu Seminary where he is not legally entitled to enter.If HB is so desirous of offering prayers at the tomb there in all that is required is to formally request the Catholics for permission and prayers can be offered jointly at the tomb of the 4 Bishops of whom at least 3 are common to Orthodox Church and Jacobite faction..
But the events of 25th Jan has proved that the real intention was not prayers,but to score a vanity point.
As HB and a few others entered the Seminary,there were fireworks from all four sides of the seminary.Is that the way we offer prayers at the tombs of Bishops?How is it that the Kukkilion Makkalilappan used for theDhoopaprarthana of Episcopas?How is that Kappa is worn without the white robe under it?
Actually ,HB Thomas I has disgraced the Bishops whose mortal remains are laid to rest at Thrikkunnathu Seminary
In order to satisfy the vanity of one person the town of Alwaye is being turned into a Garrison of security forces.Saner people in Jacobite faction are not interested in this farce as evidenced by the turnout of less than 500 people coming at the time allotted for the Jacobite faction.
 
Thomas Chandy 


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#1654 From: "padanayakan" <charlyvp@...>
Date:: Mon Jan 26, 2009 12:45 pm
Subject:: The eyes of the Jackals is always on Hen.
padanayakan
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The power ball game.

Now a days it is a fashion among the clergies is to plead and raise
the voice for the voting rights and female ordination in our Church
and few are competing to be the number one in this practice.  Is it
because they love the Church and like to bring it up with these
formations?  Never

The idea begins with the intension to carryout their selfish agenda.
If the females are present in the general body the President can
create a sympathetic or sentimental feeling situation and that can
catch the attention of the females.  So they can establish their own
agenda and can enjoy the female support.  If anyone raises an
objection against the wrong agenda of any clergy, the remedy to that
they created is to stamp those people as rebels or "Vazhakkaly". So
one of the hidden agenda of the clergy for pleading the women rights
and female ordination is hidden planning for their benefit. The
females are also earning member and that made the leaders to plead
for the female rights as they can benefit financially if they can
please the females, as it is easy to manipulate the females.

We are hearing many secret stories in connection with the services to
females about many, irrespective of the title and female ordination
may open a new area for those stories and I am not touching that part
now as one another Church is burning with many stories in connecting
with their Priests, alter boys and their nuns.

Nothing is going to progress in church affairs if the females are
awarded the voting rights, ordination or un necessary
representations. The Church already has the directives about
positions of the females in consideration of the duties of an
Orthodox female in the family life. The majority of the females in
the church are not seeking any voting rights or representation then
why are some leaders raising their voice to become a spiritual
revolutionary leader? Is it because they love the church more than
others?

The after effect of the female representation and voting rights will
be only the monetary benefit of the leaders and the result for the
ordinary family will be a chance for a family problem and that also
will be a benefit to the clergy to act as councilors and the result
of that will be horrible than your imagination as we already heard
about the result of few counseling.

"The eyes of the Jackal will always be on the Hen."  Beware this.

Our ancestors were wise and were having vision about the Church and
that is why they drew the correct directions, if we deviate from that
that will dig the trench to bury our faith.  This is the reality but
people will come out to manipulate this system because that should
happen as the Holy Bible teaches us that will happen when the end is
closer.

May God bless the revolutionist with wisdom and straighten them with
true faith and beliefs.

Charly V. Padanilam, Houston, TX.

#1653 From: "John Brian Achen" <frjohnbrian@...>
Date:: Mon Jan 26, 2009 7:25 am
Subject:: Dirty Snow Judgment - Insides by The Outside?
frjohnbrian
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Dirty Snow Judgment
Insides by The Outside?

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/2009/01/dirty-snow-judgment.html

This is a sermon continuing the theme of living with others in God's love -
focusing especially on
1 Corinthians 4:5 - "Therefore do not judge before the time, until the Lord
comes and brings to light the hidden things of darkness and reveals the
thoughts of the hearts; then shall every man have praise from God."

This sermon is another lesson in Orthodox Christian Spirituality using the
readings of the Malankara - Syrian Orthodox lectionary.  This sermon lesson
was live and extemporaneously given on Sunday, January 25, 2009 by Fr John
Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison,
Wisconsin.


Recent sermons:

Human Harmony - Spiritual Blessing - "To this end we follow Christ"
This is a homiletic sermon of 1 Peter 3:8-15 including the meaning of Ticket
(the Ethiopian Orthodox Holy Day honoring the Ark of the Covenant at
Epiphany) and living with others in God's love. This sermon is another
lesson in Orthodox Christian Spirituality using the readings by the
Malankara - Syrian Orthodox lectionary. This sermon lesson in Orthodox
Christian Spirituality given on Sunday January 18, 2009 by Fr John Brian
Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.
LISTEN ONLINE HERE:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2009/01/human-harmony-spiritual-blessing.html

Reflection in Water - Epiphany Renewal - The Elements of Being
This is a reflective sermon on the meaning of Epiphany, Water as a state of
being. By participation in God's love in the elements of being, the
sacraments and the cycle of the year. This sermon is another lesson in
Orthodox Christian Spirituality using the story in Matthew chapter 3 and
other readings by the Malankara - Syrian Orthodox lectionary. This sermon
lesson in Orthodox Christian Spirituality given on Sunday January 11, 2009
by Fr John Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel,
Madison, Wisconsin. LISTEN ONLINE HERE:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2009/01/reflection-in-water-epiphany-renewal.
html


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#1652 From: "Fr. John Kunjukunju" <fatherjohnkk@...>
Date:: Thu Jan 22, 2009 7:32 pm
Subject:: RE: Digest Number 796
fatherjohnkk@...
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Dear all,
I am saddened to hear the news of passing away of H G Eusebios thirumeni. Though my association with him was too short and minimal, I had two relationships with him, first I belong to Thumpamon Diocese and so he was my bishop and second, he was related through my wife, same family, and as the President Perangattu Kudumbayogam. He used to visit my father-in-law, even setting aside hectic schedules, very often and pray for him when he was sick. He was a great Christian Warrior who always stood frankly for the truth of Gospel and justice. Without looking at the face he considered all equal before God. His flare to live a model Christian is not a secret. He selflessly devoted his whole life for the Church and Gospel. The Church lost a great soul and yet, we have one more mediator in the presence of our Lord and Savior. 
 
When he last visited Philadelphia, enquired the whereabouts of Perangattu family members and we met him at St.Gregorious Church and thereafter I met him at Aramana as and when I went to Kerala. But we cannot prevent the will of God; we can only pray. "Kohaneik Anih..."

May his soul rest in peace.


Thankyou and God bless you !! Johnachen




Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2009 11:18:54 +0000
From: To: MORM@...
Subject: [MORM] Digest Number 796

Messages In This Digest (1 Message)

Message

1.

H.G. Philipose Mar Eusebius entered into eternal rest

Posted by: "Joice Thottackad" joicethottackad@...   joicethottackad

Thu Jan 22, 2009 8:36 am

21 Jan 09: Metropolitan of Thumpamon diocese H.G. Philipose Mar
Eusebius entered into eternal rest at 11:05 PM today.His Grace was
admitted in the Muthoot Hospital, Kozhencherry for the last few days.
The mortal remains of His Grace will be taken to Basil Dayara Chapel
this night and will be kept there. The funeral will be at Basil Dayara
Chapel, Pathanamthitta on Friday 11:00 AM.

Joice Thottackad

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    #1651 From: "Joice Thottackad" <joicethottackad@...>
    Date:: Thu Jan 22, 2009 3:05 am
    Subject:: H.G. Philipose Mar Eusebius entered into eternal rest
    joicethottackad
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    21 Jan 09:  Metropolitan of Thumpamon diocese H.G. Philipose Mar
    Eusebius entered into eternal rest at 11:05 PM today.His Grace was
    admitted in the Muthoot Hospital, Kozhencherry for the last few days.
    The mortal remains of His Grace will be taken to Basil Dayara Chapel
    this night and will be kept there. The funeral will be at Basil Dayara
    Chapel, Pathanamthitta on Friday 11:00 AM.
    
    
    Joice Thottackad

    #1650 From: "Chev. Thomas Daniel" <ThomasDanielReji@...>
    Date:: Tue Jan 20, 2009 6:49 pm
    Subject:: January 2009 edition of Shroro is now online
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    Dear brethren,
    
    The January 2009 edition of "Shroro - The Syriac Orthodox Christian
    digest" http://www.socdigest.org is now online.
    
    Your dedication to the faith has given birth to "Shroro", and your love
    and interest has made the tremendous growth in this magazine leading to
    its immediate success.
    
    We ask that you pray for us, so that we may better serve our
    community's interests in coming years.
    
    Shroro Editorial Board
    http://www.socdigest.org

    #1649 From: "John Brian Achen" <frjohnbrian@...>
    Date:: Mon Jan 19, 2009 7:02 am
    Subject:: Human Harmony - Spiritual Blessing
    frjohnbrian
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    Human Harmony - Spiritual Blessing
    "To this end we follow Christ"
    
    This is a homiletic sermon of 1 Peter 3:8-15 including the meaning of Timket
    (the Ethiopian Orthodox Holy Day honoring the Ark of the Covenant at
    Epiphany) and living with others in God's love.
    
    This sermon is another lesson in Orthodox Christian Spirituality using the
    readings by the Malankara - Syrian Orthodox lectionary.
    
    This sermon lesson in Orthodox Christian Spirituality given on Sunday
    January 18, 2009 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/2009/01/human-harmony-spiritual-blessing.html
    
    
    Recent sermons:
    
    Reflection in Water - Epiphany Renewal - The Elements of Being
    This is a reflective sermon on the meaning of Epiphany, Water as a state of
    being. By participation in God's love in the elements of being, the
    sacraments and the cycle of the year. This sermon is another lesson in
    Orthodox Christian Spirituality using the story in Matthew chapter 3 and
    other readings by the Malankara - Syrian Orthodox lectionary. This sermon
    lesson in Orthodox Christian Spirituality given on Sunday January 11, 2009
    by Fr John Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel,
    Madison, Wisconsin. LISTEN ONLINE HERE:
    http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2009/01/reflection-in-water-epiphany-renewal.
    html
    
    Resolution for the New Year "I will participate in God's Love"
    So many people make New Year resolutions to improve life. How about making a
    few to improve spiritually this year? Participation in God's love means
    several things. This homiletic sermon is another lesson in Orthodox
    Christian Spirituality using Isaiah chapter 26 and the third chapter of St
    John's Epistle as appointed by the Malankara - Syrian Orthodox readings.
    This sermon lesson in Orthodox Christian Spirituality given on Sunday
    January 4, 2009 by Fr John Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox
    Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin. LISTEN ONLINE HERE:
    http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2009/01/resolution-for-new-year.html
    
    
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    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

    #1648 From: "John Brian Achen" <frjohnbrian@...>
    Date:: Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:52 am
    Subject:: Death anniversary of former Catholicos
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    THE HINDU ~ Online edition of India's National Newspaper
    Saturday, Jan 17, 2009
     
    Death anniversary of former Catholicos

    Staff Reporter

    KOLLAM: The third death anniversary of Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews II will be observed by the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church at Mount Horeb Ashram at Sasthamcotta from January 18 to 26.

    Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews II served the church as its bishop for 52 years and 15 years as Catholicos of the East.

    Catholicos-designate Paulose Mar Milithiose will hoist the church flag on January 18 to launch the death anniversary observance services. It will be followed on the first two days by various competitions for students.

    A women’s conference will be held at 10 a.m. on January 21.

    The commemoration meeting to be held at 10 a.m. on January 23 will be inaugurated by Water Resources Minister N.K. Premachandran.

    Former Vice-Chancellor of Sanskrit University K.S. Radhakrishnan will deliver the keynote address.

    There will a retreat on January 24. The next day, Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy will launch a web site on Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews II. On January 26, the death anniversary day, the services will be led by Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan Baselios Mar Thoma Didymos I.

    http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/17/stories/2009011751900300.htm


    #1647 From: "John Brian Achen" <frjohnbrian@...>
    Date:: Tue Jan 13, 2009 8:35 pm
    Subject:: Reflection in Water - Epiphany Renewal
    frjohnbrian
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    Reflection in Water - Epiphany Renewal
    The Elements of Being
    
    This is a reflective sermon on the meaning of Epiphany, Water as a state of
    being. By
    participation in God's love in the elements of being, the sacraments and the
    cycle of the year.
    
    This sermon is another lesson in Orthodox Christian Spirituality using the
    story in Matthew chapter 3 and other readings by the Malankara - Syrian
    Orthodox lectionary.
    
    This sermon lesson in Orthodox Christian Spirituality given on Sunday
    January 11, 2009 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/2009/01/reflection-in-water-epiphany-renewal.
    html
    
    
    
    Recent sermons:
    
    Resolution for the New Year "I will participate in God's Love"
    So many people make New Year resolutions to improve life. How about making a
    few to improve spiritually this year? Participation in God's love means
    several things. This homiletic sermon is another lesson in Orthodox
    Christian Spirituality using Isaiah chapter 26 and the third chapter of St
    John's Epistle as appointed by the Malankara - Syrian Orthodox readings.
    This sermon lesson in Orthodox Christian Spirituality given on Sunday
    January 4, 2009 by Fr John Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox
    Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin. LISTEN ONLINE HERE:
    http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2009/01/resolution-for-new-year.html
    
    
    How to join the Fellowship of Light:"...and in Him is no darkness."
    Reviewing the secular year that is passing and integrating experiences can
    be helpful in spiritual development. This homiletic sermon is another lesson
    in Orthodox Christian Spirituality using the first chapter of St John's
    Epistle as appointed by the Malankara - Syrian Orthodox readings. This
    sermon lesson in Orthodox Christian Spirituality given on Sunday December
    28, 2008 by Fr John Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission
    Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin. LISTEN ONLINE HERE:
    http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2008/12/fellowship-of-light.html
    
    
    
    
    
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    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
    
    Get "A Little Spiritual Help" during the week
    Subscribe: spiritualhelp-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiritualhelp/

    #1646 From: "georgy12345" <georgy12345@...>
    Date:: Sat Jan 10, 2009 5:22 am
    Subject:: Orthodox Christmas- Snaps around the World
    georgy12345
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    Watch the snaps of Orthodox Christian Celebrating Christmas around the
    world.
    
    http://www.theorthodoxchurch.info/blogs/news/news.html
    
    
    George
    Head- Dept of Public Relations
    Orthodoxy Beyond Limits Online Forum
    www.theorthodoxchurch.info

    #1645 From: "John Brian Achen" <frjohnbrian@...>
    Date:: Wed Jan 7, 2009 6:36 am
    Subject:: A Little Spiritual Help
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    For "A Little Spiritual Help" join a new yahoo group - email list sponsored
    by our mission this month.
    
    "A Little Spiritual Help" is for
    
    HEALING LIFE,
    DEEPENING FAITH,
    ENRICHING PRACTICE, and
    REFRESHING SPIRIT
    
    This service will be mostly helpful quotes and useful notes for a little
    spiritual help on our journey. The sources will be mostly Christian from
    Apostolic and Orthodox traditions, but contemporary and other sources may be
    used.
    
    The intention of this list is for there to be "spiritual help" in the form
    of new posts on most Wednesdays and Fridays, which are considered days of
    introspection and meditation in Orthodox Christianity. However, spiritual
    help is available always and everything posted will be available in the list
    group archives - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiritualhelp/messages
    
    The first two posts for "A Little Spiritual Help" have been:
    010209 The Transcendent
    010709 Love of Goodness
    
    This group is supervised by Fr John Brian Paprock, Orthodox priest who
    serves a multi-ethnic mission parish and as a chaplain for local hospitals
    and hospice care. He has been a pastoral counselor for many years, working
    with diverse people with diverse problems and life difficulties.
    
    However, anyone may submit short quotes for inclusion and help. The shorter
    the better, but spiritual helpfulness and inspiration are most important.
    
    May the Lord bless and keep each of us in His light and Love. May He bless
    this simple endeavor to be a help to those along the way.
    
    Please pray for this effort, for the moderators.
    
    Subscribe: spiritualhelp-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiritualhelp/
    
    
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    Madison, Wisconsin 53704
    Sundays 9:30am ~ 608.242.4244
    transfiguration@...
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    #1644 From: Mgk Mgk <mgkkly@...>
    Date:: Tue Jan 6, 2009 4:43 pm
    Subject:: Christmas Message from Patriarch of Alexandria
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    My Beloved Children in the lands of immigration, Clergy, Laity.

    It gives me joy to congratulate you on the glorious feast of nativity
    and with the start of the New Year. We pray that it is blessed and
    joyful in the life of each of us.

    The birth of the Lord is full of deep spiritual contemplations; we
    hope that they may be a lesson to us all, having its effect and
    results.

    Firstly, he came down to us, to visit us, reconcile us and save us.
    One of the fathers the saints said: "With sin there was contention
    between man and his creator, and since man could not ascend to God
    and reconcile with Him, God came down to man." Yes, He came down and
    continues to knock on the door of the human heart so it may open for
    Him.

    In His coming down, He "made Himself of no reputation, taking the
    form of a bondservant.and being found in appearance as a
    man."(Philippians 2: 7,8) He did not desire to frighten us with
    His divinity, but attracted us with Him humility. He also attracted
    us with His love, as He went about doing good. And this is another
    lesson for us.

    In his nativity, He was born in an amazing simplicity; He did not
    come down upon the wings of the Cherubim, engulfed by a choir of
    angels
    . Instead HE was born from a poor orphan virgin, who was in the
    care of a simple carpenter. His birth was in a manger, on a day not
    known to anyone, but was proclaimed to some shepherds, and then
    visited by three Magi representing the estranged Gentiles..It is a
    mixture of simplicity and humility, which was a third lesson for us
    to be far from outer appearances.

    The Lord Christ lived an alienated childhood far from being famous.
    A part of this childhood was threatened by the sword of Herod, and in
    a part of this childhood, He was a stranger in the land of Egypt,
    although He blessed it. As for His youth days, we do not know
    anything about it. And the little that the Jews gave Him was "the
    carpenter's son."( Mathew 13: 55)

    When He started His ministry, He lived for more than three years
    without a position of leadership in the Jewish community. The little
    that He was known by among His beloved was "Teacher." He did not
    possess a house for the ministry, He did not even have a place to lay
    His head (Luke 9:58). HE sometimes preached from the mountain, or in
    the wilderness, or the fields, or upon the sea shore..

    His strength was in His personality and not in any appearance that
    surrounded m; loved by the people and envied by the leaders, but He
    was a source of love to all, being compassionate upon everyone in
    need every sick person and upon those tormented by evil spirits.

    He had disciplined who wee also simple; and E filled their heart
    with love, filled their minds with knowledge, granted them His Holy
    spirit, and also granted them gifts.

    This is The Christ whom we celebrate His Birth, and we are proud
    that His Name has been called upon us. Blessed is the day of His
    birth and may we also celebrate His characteristics as well.

    Finally, be all well and healthy in the Lord, absolved from His Holy
    Spirit
    .

    Pope Shenouda III
    Pope of Alexandria and
    Patriarch of the See of St. Mark
    Feast of Nativity 2008


    #1643 From: "John Brian Achen" <frjohnbrian@...>
    Date:: Tue Jan 6, 2009 5:38 am
    Subject:: Resolution for the New Year - beginning of year sermon
    frjohnbrian
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    Resolution for the New Year
    "I will participate in God's Love"
    
    So many people make New Year resolutions to improve life. How about making a
    few to improve spiritually this year?
    
    Participation in God's love means several things. This homiletic sermon is
    another lesson in Orthodox Christian Spirituality using Isaiah chapter 26
    and the third chapter of St John's Epistle as appointed by the Malankara -
    Syrian Orthodox readings.
    
    This sermon lesson in Orthodox Christian Spirituality given on Sunday
    January 4, 2009 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/2009/01/resolution-for-new-year.html
    
    
    
    Recent sermons:
    
    How to join the Fellowship of Light:"...and in Him is no darkness."
    Reviewing the secular year that is passing and integrating experiences can
    be helpful in spiritual development. This homiletic sermon is another lesson
    in Orthodox Christian Spirituality using the first chapter of St John's
    Epistle as appointed by the Malankara - Syrian Orthodox readings. This
    sermon lesson in Orthodox Christian Spirituality given on Sunday December
    28, 2008 by Fr John Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission
    Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin. LISTEN ONLINE HERE:
    http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2008/12/fellowship-of-light.html
    
    Incorporating Incarnation" ~ A Lesson in Orthodox Christian Spirituality
    This homiletic sermon uses scriptures appointed by the Malankara/Syrian
    readings for the preparation for Holy Nativity. Father John 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 end of the third chapter of the Gospel of Luke and the
    beginning of Isaiah chapter 11 as well as Romans chapter 4. This sermon
    lesson in Orthodox Christian Spirituality given on Sunday December 21, 2008
    by Fr John Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel,
    Madison, Wisconsin. LISTEN ONLINE HERE:
    http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2008/12/incorporating-incarnation.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

    #1642 From: "georgy12345" <georgy12345@...>
    Date:: Sun Jan 4, 2009 4:39 pm
    Subject:: Orthodox Christian Updates
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    January-2009-First Issue
    
    Link:
    
    http://www.theorthodoxchurch.info/blogs/news/2008_12_01_archive.html
    
    * Russian Orthodox mission has first service in Belf...
    * Nativity Encyclical of the Serbian Orthodox Church...
    * His All Holiness Bartholomew I: Turkish bureaucrac...
    * New church to be built in Tetovo - the first in 80...
    * IOCC and Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Help Peloponne...
    * OCA Holy Synod of Bishops meets in Washington, DC,...
    * New Chairman Appointed for Orthodoxy Beyond Limits...
    * Enthronement of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah-...
    * His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah enthroned at St....
    * Announced for Enthronement of His Grace Bishop Dan...
    
    George Alexander
    
    Head-Public Relations Departent
    Orthodoxy Beyond Limits Forum
    Alleppy

    #1641 From: alice john <john_aliceau@...>
    Date:: Thu Jan 1, 2009 11:17 am
    Subject:: Coin's other side
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    Coin’s other side

    By E.S John, Australia

    Man who is created with two hands and two legs has a sole purpose for the Creator to make in His own image and likeness, despite God can do any work without any hands and legs. The difference between man and animal is that man is two-footed and animal four-footed, and the power of speech given to man for the control of animals and universe also is an exclusive right and privilege that exhibit that he is the highest creation of the created order. Just as animals cannot communicate in lucid language to the steward of this planet, man is also restricted in talking to God in our everyday life, though he can do it at a higher level of his extrasensory solitude. We hear God’s speech when we are mute, so also man is able to listen to animals even if they can’t speak in clear language; barking or bellowing surely convey something. Psalms 19 reminds us that silence is the language of the created order and universe. “Be still, and know that I am God. I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth”, Ps.46: 10.

    Despite man and animal have digestive and reproductive systems, the exclusive power of speech given to man is for the glorification of God’s exalted position, and the hands given to man is the completion of our worship of God at the Altar and by giving our service to God’s handcrafted creatures, our brethren. Seemingly, this is the reason for Jesus short listing the Ten Commandments under the two headings of worshipping the Creator by glorification and helping our brothers by our charity works. God has no tongue but ours; God has no hands but ours. “Your need is greater than that of mine”, Philip Sydney, is the lifeblood of our philosophy. If there were no other human being on earth, we also would have walked and lived like animals that walk on four feet, hence the existence of other homo sapiens is a great gift given to us by God; consequently we ought to serve others is a law that is replete with a sacrosanct self-interest self-motive.

    Functions of the tongue and hand

    The hand and tongue given to man have been taken as the weapons for a class war after his epic fall from grace. The masculine man tries to bring woman to his control by the use of his strong muscular hand that has been a cause for family feud and distress, whereas woman’s sharp weapon of tongue that goes deeper into the heart which is fathomless is the organ that can either create a harmonious or acrimonious venue whether at home or elsewhere. “We men rule the world, and our womenfolk rule us”, is the exasperate utterance of Bismarck, the iron man of the world. He was a sick hen in front of his wife; then what to speak of men’s role in this corrupt age of secular equality which is distinctly different from natural equality of complementing role functions given in the Divine law that govern the universe, Is.3: 12. The tongue that bites circulates poison all around within no time, not the hand that bruises locally heal up eventually. The tongue is the deadliest of all the weapons of mass destruction.

    The first commandment was given to Adam before the creation of Eve, and there is no proof that God had ever spoken to her before the fall. Adam obeyed the commandment implicitly and didn’t dare using his tongue to question or argue about it in timelessness, whereas Eve’s counter questions and baffling answers to the infernal guard made a magnetic effect that lured her to grab the forbidden fruit which forbid her to touch the fruit from the tree of Life. Using her tongue that gave the magnetic communication to the hand was the reason for the first man’s and his partner’s plunge into the abyss. The tongue and hand that differentiate man from animals, therefore, have been disallowed her to recite the celebrant’s role at the Altar and touch the Holy Mysteries, the Eucharist, the fruit from the Tree of Life. The tongue and the hand that she used for counterargument and plucking the fruit has been the real tragedy that vibrate upon each human being since then.  

    Special considerations and financial encouragements are given by Governments to the male to join in the teaching workforce today, so as to enable them to boost the morale of the downtrodden boys who lost the vision of their roles due to the tacit passivity of the role model status of the majority female teachers and girl students, thereby boys losing their masculine roles that play a vital role in protecting the family and society. Maternity is for caring and nourishing the family for its growth and welding with the fire of love, and paternity for earning a good name that protect and insulate the family from any evil effects which may befall on the family in the social intercourse of life.

    The tongue is the most used weapon that either can create a miniature heaven or hell. “If any man thinks that he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this man’s religion is vain, Jas.1: 26…So the tongue is a little member and boasts of great things. How great is a forest set ablaze by a small fire… and the tongue is a fire. The tongue is an unrighteous world among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the cycle of nature, and set on fire by hell….From the same mouth come blessing and cursing…Jas.3: 5-18.”

    Tithe

    Many people claim that they give the tithe and are blessed abundantly by earthly rewards. It is a great sacrifice that they setting apart and giving what is due to God of the Old Testament period, forgetting that there is no mention of the tithe by Jesus or the apostles. The Beatitudes suggests to give 100%of our belongings to the person who sues us, Mt.5: 40, and John the Baptist recommends to give to the needy if only one needs the other 50%, Lk.3: 11. The early Christians sold all that they had and submitted themselves and everything to the apostles; Annanias and Saphira died instantly on account of keeping the 50% for them. The widow and her two penny is the model of Christian worship and charity; first she offered herself at the Temple, secondly she put all her possessions at the Temple treasury.

     

    Not only that the early Christians sold everything and made themselves as mere paupers, but also they had the unity of mind that helped them to worship the God who has no place on earth to hide His face. Non-possessiveness is the supreme quality that helps us to unlock our hearts to a pauper God of Omnipotent, Omnipresent and Omniscient, just as children who have nothing in this world can easily socialize whole-heartedly with other children of any ethnic origin, caste or creed. A humble and simple heart that kindles the fire of pure and higher love is the greatest possession in this world. The unity of one heart and one soul, Acts.4: 32, is the quality of Christian love that drive out the passion of possessiveness.

    Offerings of the New Age

    No obligation to give the tithe in this age of mercy, but we are indebted to give ourselves first to God and then to our brethren, so also all what we have, despite we don’t have anything in this world except the stewardship because ownership of everything belongs to God. The same is the reason for the hindrance of the wealthy into the land of the living. Therefore, nothing is ours on this earth that is revolving and rotating on its own imaginary axis, having no fixities and defenities in itself. Sell all our possessions and give it to the poor is the language of the NT age, Mt.19. Give to one who ask is the order or quality of this age, Lk.6: 27-38, because ‘Freely you have received; freely you give’ is the modus-operandi. Jesus who liberated us from the yoke of Satan is the only possession for us in this world; He is a gift of the Father who loves the world. Not only that He emptied Himself His equality with the Father, but also He became our food that earns our permanent residence in the highest place in the galaxy. Acquire the celestial food by selling the earthly food is the logic of salvation, just as Jacob bought his birth right by selling the bowl of soup. If belly teaches all arts, empty half our belly and give the rest of the food to the needy, so that we earn our celestial food by the sacrifice of the moth-eating food which perishes, Jn.6: 27.

    Charity Collections

    Just as Jesus had a charity fund, Jn.12, the apostles also didn’t prescribe for the tithe; st.paul collected contributions, not the one tenths, for the saints. ‘If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven”, Mt.19: 21. “On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that contributions need not be made when I come…..to carry your gift to Jerusalem”, Cor.16: 1-4. Almsgiving and charity gifts are as old as life itself, Mt.6; 1-4; Elk. 11: 41. Cornelius, a devout man, who feared God with his entire household, gave alms liberally to the people, and prayed constantly to God, Acts.10: 2. There is no hard and fast rule in giving; the sky is the limit of the suffering people. Our body, wealth and the whole household comes under the category of our possessions that are to be dispensed with for the love of the Almighty. Complaining against giving and receiving has no meaning. “Or do you begrudge my generosity? So the last will be first, and the first last, Mt.20: 15. The reason for many people to go to inter-continental places and serve the poor and the marginalized ones is due to the love for God that impels them to sacrifice themselves for others.

    Jesus’ self-sacrifice

    There was no worldly possession for Jesus to give to others, other than the part of alms given by some loved ones for feeding at least the twelve disciples who were the retinues which used to follow Him always. But He also shared from the spiritual food that He had, Jn.4: 32, such as enlightening others by healing the sick, feeding the multitude while they ended up in uninhabited places, consoling the broken-hearted and chastising the hypocrites and sowing the seeds of the kingdom of God. He proved Himself as the Son of the living God by the reclusive lifestyle and helping the storm-tossed ones that are caught up under the slavery of Satan. Hadn’t Jesus cut a way through the Devil’s aerial realm of Oyar by His precious blood,  Ps.24, a way to Heaven is still eternally impossible for man to achieve at any cost. His aim to open a gateway to Heaven by cutting through the realm of Oyar that was the only narrow path left for man to go through to the abode of the Most High was achieved by the sacrifice of the unblemished one. Despite His crucifiers were not aware of the then closed eternal door to Heaven, to kill the Lamb after getting the unearthly help for the chronic victims of Satan was an ungrateful act of treachery that was played upon the Holy One.

    The Saviour’s passive role

    The self-centered ones assumed that the miracles that He performed were with the aid of the demons. They had thought that if they didn’t lay their hands upon Him, He might establish a kingdom of Beelzebub by annihilating all of the Jewish hierarchy that was trying to fight against and defeat the Roman bondage. Giving tax to Caesar was a pretext of appeasing the conqueror who might help Jesus in finishing off with the Jewish hierarchy. Jesus was in between the deep sea and the devil due to the inability in not divulging out His Divinity openly because His anonymity was a shield for Him; otherwise the Devil wouldn’t have crucified the Son of Man who ought to liberate mankind at one point of history. In order to compensate His anonymity He served them with Heavenly and earthly food. They wanted miracles that were the food of the prophets of the OT life. Despite He served them with the food of the miracles, they were not happy due to the fact that  they were yet run by sensual instincts, thinking that black powers was the art of His success. As they were the slaves of the passions of the flesh, neither the inner nor physical food provided by the Lamb was palatable to them.

     

    He offered His Heavenly service to a bunch of ignorant lot of His own ethnic race that often proves to be a universal cudgel which works against the providers. Betrayal by one’s own kindred is always a universal truth. Betrayal and ingratitude comes from within the same group or family. The spouse betraying the spouse, son treating the father treacherously and the daughter fighting against the mother and the mother-in- law ill-treating the daughter-in-law and vice-versa are all naked truths that cannot be genetically modified by easy means. “Diamond cuts down diamond itself’ and the dog eats dog’s flesh is a fact that cannot be modified by known methods because hatred and ingratitude are the basic outcomes of the forbidden fruit which work in the form of sexual magnetism of love and hate passions simultaneously. This is the reason for Jesus’ statement, “A prophet is not without honour save in his own town”. They didn’t believe in Him, the reason for Him not making any miracles in Capernaum, His father’s birth place. A saint is a saint only if we look at him from a distance. A servant doesn’t find the greatness of his master, so also a wife of her husband and vice-versa.

    Ingratitude

    The core aim of ingratitude is the selfishness that makes a metal frame of protection from outside forces. The breeding ground of ingratitude is from our own close circles. The Canaanite woman had the humility of accepting the crumbs from the master’s table with gratitude. Jesus cleansed ten lepers, but only one of them came to express his obligation of giving thanks to the cleanser. “Was no one found to return and give praise God except this foreigner? Where are the nine?” Lk.17: 11-19. This sort of lifestyle exacerbates the relationship of family members who are reaping the harvest of the fossil money by going abroad, after leaving their spouses and children. Unless they give the expected share quite regularly to the peripheral recipients, their own family members will rise in rebellion against their own kiths and kinds and become dead enemies for life. This is a paradox of life that even spouse or children themselves will betray one another due to the excess of artificial money of the modern age. As a consequence of the excess minting of fossil money that has manufactured dysfunctional families has become a painful sore to the society. The nuclear and also in many cases the extended families are the prototypes of  manufacturing dysfunctional families that fall into the snares of the Devil very easily.

    Over protection

    Self love that begets ingratitude is the gateway for the protection of the nuclear family. Thanks to the progress of Family Planning that can curtail the family size with one or two children who enjoy all types of high-tech blessings due to the exorbitant income of money, at the same time the parents who also try to enjoy the marital lifestyle with all available extravaganzas overprotect children by giving anything that please them, so that they make it as a chance to alienate them from their un-wealthy relatives who expect many things for the service they rendered them previously. Alienation is a wise tool of giving overprotection to their own children. Overfeeding with obese food and medical and food supplements and medical treatment are only a couple of maltreatments that the ignorant parents always feed with their young ones. Without understanding anything about genetics and spirituality the parents push and pressurize their children to get the highest scores in their examinations that should achieve them to get a covetable job and position in society.  The parents who don’t realize the body chemistry, metabolism psychology or physiology push and overfeed them for better scoring of marks that needs private tuitions, making them unfit in body mechanism and normal social life. I said so much to convey that we cherish an anti-social life, due to the fact that once we become self-sufficient in life. We ignore the people who helped us to build our foundations. Ingratitude thy name is man!! Such bunch of people first shows their bitterness to God and then to man. This is a paradox of life that proves that human beings are no better than the apes.

    Jesus, the way of salvation

    The Saviour owes anything neither to His family nor any other human beings. He came down by offerings Himself as a self -sacrifice that carved out our salvation. We owe everything that includes our breath and blood to Him. Not only that he earned us an eternal place in the Heavenly mansions but also helped us to be liberated from Satan’s bondage that crippled us spiritually and physically for ever. Chronic sicknesses that are the infections of the demonic forces could be healed only by spiritual medications. Jesus cured the physical and inner infirmities of the multitude and Adam’s race by evicting the infernal forces who preyed upon the spiritual outcasts for 4,000 years. Nobody other than the unblemished Lamb could take an immaculate conception in a virgin, could pray for the crucifiers who crucified for no guilt of His own, resurrect by bursting open the sepulcher seal on the third day and ascend to the Infinite heights. If this is the sufferings for the salvation of mankind, the help of freeing the sick and the lame from the slavery of Satan and feeding the multitude with nourishing food and keeping firm in their faith are worth for our earthly life. The spiritual nourishment of providing His living Body and curing the physical ailments and providing the earthly food are His free gifts to us.

    Other side of the coin

    The other side of the coin is the ingratitude that exhibits against Him plagues against man for his spiritual progress. Jesus’ heart was cut apart due to the thanklessness of the people whom He loved so dearly. Jesus’ kindred thought as alleged, “He is beside himself”, Mk.3: 21, and wanted to drag Him away from public life. “For even his brothers did not believe in him, Jn.7: 4-5, consequently they said to Him, “Leave here and go to Judea that your disciples may see your work you are doing”.  As the Jews wanted to kill Him, His brothers wanted to escape from the aftermath of the bloodshed that might create detrimental problems for them.

     

    The Jews wanted to kill Him because they thought that He was a traitor. He came down to save us, but they disowned Him due to their spiritual blindness that they imagined that their earthly positions would be in jeopardy. King Herod was a cunning fox that bought the Jewish kingship by bribing Caesar and wanted to keep it at any cost. He would lose his position if Jesus became the king. Pilate, though he knew that Jesus was innocent washed of his hand for his position as Governor of Palestine and the surrounding provinces.

    Thus, the trinity of power mongers wanted to crucify the immaculate Incarnate for their own earthly glory. The sinless One called Herod as a cunning fox because it was not a false statement. Judas’ betrayal from the inner sanctum was a heinous treachery; thus he was called as Satan. The greatest man on earth doubted the Master’s identity. The denial of St.Peter added the pain of the wounds of ‘Prajapathy’, making an outcast in His own household. “If one asks him, ‘what are these wounds on your back’? He will say, ‘the wounds I have received in the house of my friends’”, Zech.13: 6; 7: 11-14.  Despite He came down to His own kindred, He was done away with maliciously, notwithstanding, He paid back our debts by carrying the burden of our own sins and praying for our infirmities to be forgiven by sitting at the right hand of the Father.

    Role Model Status

    I cry for my helplessness to live as a follower of our role model because of the stains of my shortfalls, as I go in tune with the call of the flesh. If Jesus is our role model, we have to do all what He had shown to us by the pain of His flesh and feelings. When people treat us maliciously, do we have the intention and courage to forgive and pray for their ignorance and foibles? When our own household members ill-treat us for no faults of our own, do we have the courage and determination in forgiving and praying for the faults of them. We find excuses and try to fight against them. Knowing well that the family feuds that the fossil money creates are havocs, do we try to solve the problems by the tacit methods of patience that our Saviour used? When our neighbors and daily friends turn against us and abuse for what we haven’t done against them or anybody, what tools do we have to employ in neutralizing the boiling acrimonious situations?

     

    The righteous people always will have dead enemies who are employed by the hit man, Satan? Satan’s friends become the enemy of virtuous people. The fight against Satan is equivalent to a world war in real terms for an individual. Don’t think that God always will give us victory in earthly terms, similar to once what David did to Goliath. Life is a defeat and wins war that occasionally frustrates our good intentions thirst for virtuosity.  What Jesus did always was good, but most of the times the reactions from them was adverse and acrimonious to Him and His mission. What we do is that we identify with righteous people and claim that our stand is perfectly ideal and try to over-impose our idiosyncrasies over others. Jesus is God and we are frail human beings with a bundle of flesh that exhibit our contradictions and shortcomings.

    Despite our saviour was always right, He didn’t want to subdue and defeat them by falsities and unwanted arguments. His retortive method of answering had thrown the hecklers into utter disarray. Not only that He carried the yoke of Adam’s sin and nullified them by His own blood but also forgave all what they had done against Him maliciously. We also have two main roles in our life, firstly to share the burden by sacrificing our life for others; secondly the fallout that we suffer for the help we have rendered to them is to be treated as our prime duty in life which has some inherent side effects. Unless we have the patience of undergoing sufferings and sacrificing our life for others, we end up like Saul, the first king of Israel.

     

    People claim that so many good things were done for certain people, but not reciprocating in the way that we have done to them. If the recipient responds well, know that the timely help was sincere, otherwise for selfish helps given to others may crop up problems from the other side. Jesus’ enemies were mainly the onlookers who want to destroy His mission, but most of the times our enemies are the recipients themselves. Benevolent giving reaps up rewards, insincere help for establishing our authority over others will have backlashes. Jesus’ mission that helped the outcast and the storm-tossed was His selfless service, but the enemies who stood against His sincere service were totally besieged at the end. However, it is not easy to erase from our thoughts for the ingratitude and the resultant torture that others cause for our free and benevolent service rendered for others.

     

    The head side of the coin of Christian life is the pure and true worship of God with our whole heart and strength and the tail side is the righteous life of Christian endurance. Instead of highlighting our service to others, think that we have done something that God had made us as the instruments for some timely service. We don’t have anything to claim because we give to others what have been given to us as a gift. It is only a transfer of service that we have got from God. A selfless service always will be recognized, as we worship our Rescuer who parachuted down into the abyss for lifting us up. Don’t waste time against our thankless friends who are, after all, a bundle of flesh that is weak. The Christian endurance that goes through fire and flood is the way to salvation. “No thorn, no crown”. “When you have done all that is commanded you, say, ‘we are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty’”, Lk.17: 10. Having blind faith in the redemptive mission of Jesus and the culture of forgiving and forgetting like a child is the starting point for the Marathon race of our salvation. “Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it”, Lk.18: 17.



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    #1640 From: "John Brian Achen" <frjohnbrian@...>
    Date:: Tue Dec 30, 2008 3:42 pm
    Subject:: FW: New Year, New Day - Sermon/Homily
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    From: Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church [mailto:transfiguration@...]
    Sent: Tuesday, December 30, 2008 9:40 AM
    To: 'madisontransfiguration@yahoogroups.com'
    Subject: New Year, New Day - Sermon/Homily

     
    New Year, New Day - Sermon/Homily 
     
    A sermon of Rev. Fr. John-Brian Paprock recorded Sunday, January 1, 2006 at Maruroopa Palli (Holy Transfiguration Malankara Orthodox Mission Chapel) in Madison, Wisconsin USA
     
    RSS (podcast) download all sermons
     
    Over 15,000 times, over 150 sermons and talks from "Spiritual Reflections of Fr John Brian" have been downloaded, podcasted or listen to on-line since 2006.  To God be the glory - pray for His servant, Fr John Brian.
     
    Happy and Blessed New Year to you and all your loved ones. 
     

    +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+

    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

     
     

    #1639 From: "John Brian Achen" <frjohnbrian@...>
    Date:: Mon Dec 29, 2008 8:32 am
    Subject:: Fellowship of Light - end of year sermon
    frjohnbrian
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    How to join the Fellowship of Light:
    "...and in Him is no darkness."
    
    Reviewing the secular year that is passing and integrating experiences can
    be helpful in spiritual development.
    
    This homiletic sermon is another lesson in Orthodox Christian Spirituality
    using the first chapter of St John's Epistle as appointed by the Malankara -
    Syrian Orthodox readings.
    
    This sermon lesson in Orthodox Christian Spirituality given on Sunday
    December 28, 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/2008/12/fellowship-of-light.html
    
    
    
    Recent sermon:
    
    Incorporating Incarnation" ~ A Lesson in Orthodox Christian Spirituality
    
    This homiletic sermon uses scriptures appointed by the Malankara/Syrian
    readings for the preparation for Holy Nativity. Father John 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 end of the third chapter of the Gospel of Luke and the
    beginning of Isaiah chapter 11 as well as Romans chapter 4. This sermon
    lesson in Orthodox Christian Spirituality given on Sunday December 21, 2008
    by Fr John Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel,
    Madison, Wisconsin. LISTEN ONLINE HERE:
    http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2008/12/incorporating-incarnation.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

    #1638 From: "Chev. Thomas Daniel" <ThomasDanielReji@...>
    Date:: Sun Dec 28, 2008 3:36 pm
    Subject:: The December 2008 edition of "Shroro is now online
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    Dear brethren,
    
    The December 2008 edition of "Shroro - The Syriac Orthodox Christian
    digest" http://www.socdigest.org is now online.
    
    Your dedication to the faith has given birth to "Shroro", and your love
    and interest has made the tremendous growth in this magazine leading to
    its immediate success.
    
    We ask that you pray for us, so that we may better serve our
    community's interests in coming years.
    
    Shroro Editorial Board
    http://www.socdigest.org

    #1637 From: MORM@...
    Date:: Thu Jan 1, 2009 12:31 pm
    Subject:: File - Monthly reminder
    MORM@...
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    Monthly Reminder
    
    
      Dear friend,
           Thanks for being a member of the Malankara Orthodox Renaissance Movement. 
    We are a support group of those people who earnestly wish for a renewal in our
    church, and together, let us strive to make a renaissance in our church and in
    our world.
    
          You may contact us at  almayavedi@..., and send a message to the
    group at MORM@... .You may also post a message directly on the the
    site of the group by going to http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/MORM/.  Feel free
    to write to us anything you want to tell us. However, everything you write may
    not be posted in the group. We are trying to have a focused discussion and
    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

    #1636 From: Mgk Mgk <mgkkly@...>
    Date:: Fri Dec 26, 2008 2:45 pm
    Subject:: INDIAN Orthodox
    mgkkly
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    Thanx for the interest shown to our mails.
     
    We all know that there are difficulties for unificication of all the Orthodox churches in India. But dont think that is not possible. We are confident. There is no other solution to this because it's not possible or that easy as some say, to divide the church properties. Every one has sentiments towards the old churches. Take the example of Kadamattom Church. Who ever goes out of that church loose the identity. This is the same situation in all churches that has an age of more than 60-70 years. People have developed some sort of sentiments towards the churches built by their forefathers.
     
    Why cant there be a new constitution for our church if all are ready for a unification? A constitution that supports all the concers of all the three Orthodox fractions...
     
    Why cant there be a new election for a new 'Niyukthan' after "Militious Thirumeni" from both the fractions?. Why cant we include 'Thoziyoor fraction' by giving an autonomous diocean status in the new constitution?
     
    For all these we need to have a determined leadership. If it wont come from clergy.. it has to come from lay. Only if all the Jacobites unite, we can proudly call our church as "INDIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH'.
     
    Mgk for UNITED ORTHODOXY 



    From: Mgk Mgk <mgkkly@...>
    To: MORM@...
    Sent: Monday, December 22, 2008 10:14:07 AM
    Subject: [MORM] United Orthodoxy

    Friends,
     
    Earnestly WE like to see our Orthodox Church united in India. Those who support my view write to me ur views and ideas on unification - unitedorthodoxy@ gmail.com
     
    Mgk and JJ





    #1635 From: "Chev. Thomas Daniel" <ThomasDanielReji@...>
    Date:: Thu Dec 25, 2008 6:13 am
    Subject:: Wish you all blessed and merry Christmas
    thomasdaniel...
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    Dear brethren
    
    I'm the bread of life the Lord said. I got down from heaven to earth
    to feed humanity. The Father sent me a Word without body. As farmer
    Gabriel planted me. As a prosper earth Mary's womb accepted me and
    priests are serving me at the Alter Halleluiah.
    
    A little beautiful dove is bearing the old eagle. She is holding him
    and praising with lovely songs. You, the rich Son, liked to live in a
    poor nest. You; who gave voice to harps wanted and quietened like
    infants; give me to sing for you. Give me Lord to sing for you with
    the harps that give the angels' melodies.
    
    Glory to that Voice who became figure (body) and to the Word of God
    who body Ears heard him, eyes saw him, hands touched him and the
    mouth ate him. Senses and body-parts give thanks to the one who came
    and gave life to the whole body. Mary held a silent child who in him
    all kinds of voices were hidden
    
    Wish you all blessed and merry Christmas
    
    Chevalier Thomas Daniel (Reji) & Family

    #1634 From: "Chev. Thomas Daniel" <ThomasDanielReji@...>
    Date:: Thu Dec 25, 2008 5:58 am
    Subject:: Christmas message from Catholicose Aboon Mor Baselious Thomas I
    thomasdaniel...
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    Christmas message from Catholicose Aboon Mor Baselious Thomas I
    
    CHRISTMAS  THE CELEBRATION OF LIFE
    
    Let's thank god for giving us an opportunity to commemorate the birth
    of Jesus Christ our savior. Christmas is the time of happiness and
    celebration all over the world. The celebration has become a business
    for the people in the modern world. In the midst of celebrations, the
    spiritual meaning of the birth of Jesus Christ has often been
    forgotten. In true sense, Christmas is the celebration of Life. The
    birth of Jesus Christ reveals the life giving God's involvement in
    history. Verses John 10.10 gives the great message of birth of Jesus
    Christ. "I have come that they might have life, and they might have
    it more abundantly." In this verse lord has given us the purpose of
    His coming. Jesus Christ was born in this world to give His life for
    all.
    
    Life is an important subject in the Holy Bible it is used more than
    35 times in the gospel of St. John. In the holy bible, life is
    considered as the gift of God because the base of nature and life is
    God himself. In Old Testament God is represented as a living god.
    (1st Samuel 17: 26 to 36) The concept of living God clearly assures
    us the fact that God provides life. Only God can provide life and
    sustain it.
    
    The incarnate birth of Jesus testifies that the living God dwelt
    among us. The living God of Old Testament is completely seen in
    Jesus. Jesus Christ makes the subject more clear in St. John 14:6 "I
    am the way the truth and the life"
    
    Jesus Christ provides life by fighting against all the evil forces.
    The purpose of god's kingdom is re-construction of life. The ministry
    of Jesus Christ displays that all the obstacles were taken away to
    keep life in its fullness. St. Like 4:18, 19 clearly gives the
    message of the birth of Jesus Christ and that all facts that object
    life is revealed and given to men.
    
    The Christmas celebration of this year is an invitation for all of us
    to be a part in Gods ministry for providing life .Many lives are
    being aborted due to the reformation of world economy and
    consumerism; it is the main hindrance for the prosperous growth of
    man's life in this modern society. This truth reinforces that
    abortion is an act against God himself.
    
    Today not only is man's life but also nature's existence in danger.
    We must work hand in hand to put into practice the important purpose
    of the birth of Jesus Christ. Let a Christian's duty be celebration
    of life. The Christmas celebration of this year challenges us to keep
    life prosperous which is given by god. Along with that let us pray
    for the people who lost their life in Mumbai terrorist attack and
    other crisis in this modern world.
    
    Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
    
    H.B. MOR BASELIOUS THOMAS IST
    Catholicose Of India & Metropolitan Trustee
    Jacobite Syrian Christian Church

    #1633 From: "Chev. Thomas Daniel" <ThomasDanielReji@...>
    Date:: Thu Dec 25, 2008 5:34 am
    Subject:: Christmas message of Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas
    thomasdaniel...
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    Christmas message of Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas
    
    BY THE GRACE OF GOD
    
    Ignatius Zakka I Iwas
    Patriarch of Antioch and All the East
    Supreme Head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church
    
    No.E255/08
    12-December-2008
    
    Apostolic Benediction to our beloved Metropolitans and to our beloved
    spiritual children: the Reverend Vicars and the Parishioners of all
    our Malankara churches and congregations in the Arabian Gulf Region,
    Europe, Australia and Singapore.
    
    By the Mercy of God, we have once again come to the Feast of the
    nativity of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and we have great joy
    in sending you this message on this blessed occasion. At the birth of
    Jesus, the wise men came from far off places by suffering all the
    pains of the difficult journey to see him and to get blessed by this
    child who is born as the Saviour of the world. "They saw the child
    with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then,
    opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and
    frankincense and myrrh" (Matthew 2:11). At this Christmas time we
    also have to submit to Him the most valuable that we have. But He is
    God and He came to this world in search of the lost sheep  the human
    kind. St. Paul says "Do not be conformed to this world but be
    transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is
    the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect" (Romans
    12:2). So the most valuable and acceptable gift that we can offer Him
    is nothing other than ourselves  our soul and our entirety. When we
    submit ourselves to Him, we shall follow His path truly and
    sincerely. Thus we will be transformed to the true image of God. As
    we celebrate this Christmas, let us rededicate ourselves to Him and
    turn to be the true followers of Him. May the baby Jesus grow through
    our lives and we be the bearers of Him.
    
    Our dearly beloved, we pray that May the coming New Year also be a
    year when through each of you, the qualities of Jesus Christ are
    being truly revealed to the world, and testifying Him through your
    lives. Then, through each of us the world will see the light of God
    and receive the peace of Christmas. We wish you all a Merry Christmas
    and an evermore blessed New Year. This celebration may bring peace
    and spiritual happiness to your churches, homes, and to all your
    endeavours.
    
    We extend our Apostolic Blessings to you. May the Grace of God be
    with you all through the intercession of St. Mary the Mother of God,
    St. Joseph the Righteous and all the other Saints. Amen.
    
    Copy of the Apostolic Encyclical is available at
    http://www.socmnet.org/Bull_HH/08_255_HHs_Xmas_Message.pdf
    
    ** Reproduced with permission from the Patriarchate. The encyclical
    has been addressed to each Archdiocese as appropriate.

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