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

Alma College To Unveil Sculpture in Memory of Bishop Makarios
ALMA COLLEGE NEWS
April 29, 2009

http://www.alma.edu/about/offices/publicrelations/pinecone/features/archives/200\
9/04/16/memorial_sculpture

ALMA, Mich., USA — Alma College will unveil a figurative sculpture that
represents the spiritual ideals of the late Bishop Thomas Mar Makarios during a
dedication ceremony at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 16, 2009.

Bishop Makarios was a much-beloved professor of religious studies at Alma
College who passed away in February 2008. In his 25 years at Alma, he introduced
students to Indian philosophy and culture and helped develop the Alma India
Program, which has a relationship with the Mathen Mappilai Memorial Public
School in the village of Ayroor in the state of Kerala.

Many Alma students have performed volunteer work at the school over the years.
In addition, the Bishop was a prelate of the Malankara Orthodox Church of India.
He was founder of the American Diocese and the first Metropolitan Bishop of
Canada, UK and Europe, and South Africa.

Following his passing, an Alma College campus committee selected Michigan artist
Mark Chatterley to create a campus sculpture that memorializes the Bishop's
impact on the faculty and students of Alma College.

"Mark Chatterley's figures have a very timeless, universal feeling to them,"
says Carrie Parks-Kirby, faculty artist and committee member. "Even though he
never knew or met the Bishop, he took our descriptions and came up with a
sculpture that is very fitting and descriptive of our former friend and
colleague."

The sculpture depicts a central figure with wings standing, arms raised and
palms together in a prayerful gesture. The wings, at close inspection, are made
up of figures that get progressively smaller.

"This beautiful work of art provides a fitting and enduring reminder of the
Bishop's legacy at Alma College, in his beloved church, and in the world
religious community," says Alma President Saundra Tracy.

"It's a beautiful image for a leader of a church and teacher who impacted so
many individuals," says Parks-Kirby. "The sculpture is not a likeness of the
Bishop but represents his spiritual wisdom, love and leadership of the people
around him."

The clay sculpture cast in bronze will be located at the center of the Alma
College campus along a sidewalk amidst a grove of evergreen trees.

Alma College is a selective liberal arts college committed to academic
excellence and development of responsible leaders. Alma's undergraduates thrive
on challenging academic programs in a supportive, small-college environment
emphasizing active, collaborative learning and close student-faculty
interaction. The College offers coursework in 28 majors, plus pre-professional
programs in law and medicine.

In addition to India, Alma College also offers international study and research
opportunities in Australia, Austria, Ecuador, England, Germany, Italy, New
Zealand, Peru and Scotland.

In Midwest America, only one other Indian leader has a dedicated public statue:
Mahatma Gandhi in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

CONTACT:
Mike Silverthorn, Director of Public Relations, Alma College, (989) 463-7327, 
silverthorn@...

Resurrection Problems

This homiletic sermon discusses the present tense of Christ's resurrection and
our problems with it, using the beginning of Hebrews chapter 3 to gain spiritual
insight.

This sermon lesson given on Sunday, May 3, 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.xml
LISTEN ONLINE HERE:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2009/05/resurrection-problems.html


Other recent sermons:

Resurrection Wholly

This very short sermon is a continuation of the previous sermon "Wholly
Resurrection" on the issues about the promised bodily resurrection.  This sermon
lesson given on Sunday, April 19, 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.xml
LISTEN ONLINE HERE:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2009/04/resurrection-wholly.html


Wholly Resurrection

This sermon is on the issues and distortions about the promised bodily
resurrection. Vampires and zombies - issues of violence create popular
distortions of the most sacred moment in Christianity. This sermon lesson given
on Sunday, April 12, 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.xml
LISTEN ONLINE HERE:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2009/04/wholly-resurrection.html


The Blind Truth of Being

This homiletic sermon is on the healing power of light and our ability to see
it. The story of the blind man is told at the end of Lent. This sermon is
another lesson in Orthodox Christian Spirituality using the readings of the
Malankara-Syrian Orthodox lectionary: John Chapter 9 (with references to Mark
10:46-52 and Matthew 9:27-31) and Ephesians chapter 5. This sermon lesson given
on Sunday, March 29, 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.xml
LISTEN ONLINE HERE:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2009/03/truth-of-being-blind.html



For more articles and sermons, visit
www.Frjohbrian.blogspot.com

PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD all sermons:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xml

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Get "A Little Spiritual Help" twice a week
Subscribe: spiritualhelp-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiritualhelp/

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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

Jesus Said to his Disciples that THE Kings of pagan have power over their
people,and the rulers claim the title" Friends of people"
But this is  not the way it is with you. The Greatest among you must be like the
lowest/smallest  and the leader must be like the servant.(St Luke 14:27-28)
Jesus Did not appoint or authorise one single or particular person among his
disciples as the head of visible church.Jesus Christ is the head of Visible and
Invisble Church(colossian 1:18).Apostle Paul and Peter  considered/claimed
themselves as servants of God.In the early church Peter,james and john were
known as Pillars of Church(galatians 2:9).
The Presentday primates and church leaders are behaving like Kings/monarchs and
title they are using are  not from God or biblical.

THOMAS SAMUEL

With the blessings of Rt Rev Chor Bishop Kyriakose Thottupuram of
Chicago(Director- OBL) the OBL Forum has introduced toolbar. You can download
the tool bar form the home page of OBL for free of Cost. The Tool bar is
customized, with one click readers can visit the OBL News articles and other
sessions. Ancient Faith Radio Channel is added in the tool bar for 24hrs online
Orthodox music, speech and religious sermons. You can add more online music
channels according to your wish.
Download All New Tool Bar Here
http://www.theorthodoxchurch.info/Home.html

Email Notification
You can also subscribe all updates in OBL via email now. Submit your email id
and get all latest info in the World of Orthodoxy.
Submit here:
http://www.theorthodoxchurch.info/blogs/news/news.html

George Alex
Head - Department of Public Relations- OBL
Boaz John- Project Manager- OBL

Kerala
South India

Orthodoxy Beyond Limits Forum honored Shri Paul Manalil (famous writer & social
activist) on achieving the prestigious Kerala Sahtya Academy Award for his Book
`Keralathile Bahsha Nunapakshangal' (Language minorities in Kerala) which was
written in the Malayalam Language. On behalf of Right Rev Chorbishop Dr
Kyriakose Thottupuram (OBL Director) and Mr. Lejith George (Chairman-OBL), Mr
George Alexander (Head Public Relations-OBL) presented the Russian Icon of the
Mother of God to Shri Paul Manalil at the International YMCA Centre
(Kerala-South India) on 3rd April 2009. Mr Thomas Kuruvilla (Sub Editor-
Malankara Sabha Patrika-Monthly newspaper of the Indian Orthodox Church) was
present on the occasion. Presently Shri Paul Manalil is working as the Sub
Editor of Malayala Manorama (Leading South Indian Daily). Shri Paul Manalil has
also written and edited a nuber of books. He is an active member of the Indian
Orthodox Church and has represented the Church in several national and
international forums.

Snap:
http://www.theorthodoxchurch.info/blogs/news/2009/05/obl-honors-shri-paul-manali\
l-on-his.html

George
Kerala
South Indian

In Honor of Beauty, Gardens and Mothers

This Mother's Day sermon discusses the spiritual meaning of mothers and then
moves to our connection to beauty... and gardens, using the beginning of Hebrews
chapter 11 to gain spiritual insight.

This sermon lesson given on Sunday, May 10, 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.xml
LISTEN ONLINE HERE:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2009/05/beauty-gardening-and-mothers.html


Other recent sermons:

Resurrection Problems
This homiletic sermon discusses the present tense of Christ's resurrection and
our problems with it, using the beginning of Hebrews chapter 3 to gain spiritual
insight. This sermon lesson given on Sunday, May 3, 2009
PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD: http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
http://frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xml
LISTEN ONLINE HERE:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2009/05/resurrection-problems.html

Resurrection Wholly
This very short sermon is a continuation of the previous sermon "Wholly
Resurrection" on the issues about the promised bodily resurrection.  This sermon
lesson given on Sunday, April 19, 2009
PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD: http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
http://frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xml
LISTEN ONLINE HERE:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2009/04/resurrection-wholly.html


Wholly Resurrection
This sermon is on the issues and distortions about the promised bodily
resurrection. Vampires and zombies - issues of violence create popular
distortions of the most sacred moment in Christianity. This sermon lesson given
on Sunday, April 12, 2009 PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
http://frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xml
LISTEN ONLINE HERE:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2009/04/wholly-resurrection.html



For more articles and sermons, visit
www.Frjohbrian.blogspot.com

PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD all sermons:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xml


**SPECIAL NOTE OF THANKS**
I would like to thank everyone who has offered prayers and condolences at the
death of my father 40 days ago. I was very moved and touched for the care and
concern shown.  I have taken great comfort in knowing so many have been praying
for him and my family during our time of sadness - even as I have felt the joy
in the celebration of the Risen Christ, our hope, our light, our salvation.  It
is with profound gratitude that I thank God for His promises and you for your
kindnesses.  A servant, Fr John Brian


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

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Get "A Little Spiritual Help" twice a week
Subscribe: spiritualhelp-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiritualhelp/
Also on Facebook

Inauguration of The South West Diocese of America of the Malankara Orthodox
Syrian Church.


The Inauguration of the newly formed South West Diocese of America of the MOSC
and the official reception for the New Bishop of the Diocese H.G. Alexios Mar
Eusabios will take place at the University of Houston campus on 13th June
2009,which is at the last day of the 1st camp of the new diocese. Church leaders
including the Sabha secretary Dr. George Joseph and political dignitaries will
attend the meeting.

All the arrangements are doing under the leadership of the Ad-hoc
committee,which Rev. Dr. Fr. C.O. Varghis is the convener, V. Rev. Geevarghese
Arooppala Cor episcopa, Rev. Fr. P.M. Cherian and Dr. Zachariah Thomas (Mg.
committee member) are committee members appointed by the H.H. Catholicos. The
Ad-hoc committee consulted with the Vicars of the parishes in the new diocese
and charted out the program of the inauguration of the South West Diocese of
America. The Head Quarters of the Diocese will be in Houston temporarily and the
permanent location will be finalized later.

Different committees are formed as follows:

Gen. Convener: Dr. Zachariah Thomas.

Reception committee: Chair. Rev. Fr. P.M. Cherian.
Coordinator: Charly V.Padanilam.
Members: Shaji Pulimoottil, Ninal Vettinal, Varghese Kuriakose,
Abraham Eapen, George Thomas.

Publicity Committee:- Chair V. Rev. Geevarghese Arooppala Cor Episcoppa.
Coordinator: Sujit Samuel.
Members:- Jobi Jacob, ,Benson, Eldo Peter, Thomas
Mathews, Jacob John
Finance committee: Chair: Rev. Dr. C.O. Varghis.
Members: Vicars and Trustees of the three Parishes in Houston.

Food Committee: Chair . Rev. Dr. C.O. Varghis.
Committee members: E.K. Varghese , Varghese Manjadiyil, M.P. Varghese,
O.T.Varghese.

H.G. Mar Eusabios will arrive in Houston on 30th of May, 2009 and celebrate the
Holy Qurbana on 31st May at St. Thomas Orthodox Church in Stafford and on 7th at
the St. Stephens Orthodox Church, Houston and Inaugurate the Sunday School
Anniversary of the St. Stephen's Orthodox Church.

The details shall be published later.

Charly V. Padanilam, Houston , TX.
Co-coordinator,  Reception committee.

Dear brethren,

The April 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

The following is an objective report on the present condition of the Mavelikkara
diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Church. The whole diocese centre has been
facing problems since its existence. There are number of problems and issues
with the administration of the diocese.

It's high time the new Council should have taken charge, but nothing has
happened. As per the rule the council members and the diocesan secretary is
selected for a term of five-years. Nut still the old council and the diocesan
secretary continue with the diocese. The new council had been selected one month
prior to the inauguration of the diocesan building, but they have not yet
started functioning, it remain just in papers.

The accounts of the diocese are not properly maintained. There is no
transparency in accounts as well as for the amount of money spend fro different
activities. The account with regard to construction of the new diocesan building
is not yet settled in a proper manner.

Even the visit of the Supreme Catholicose Patriarch of Armenia Karekin II to the
diocese centre was not at all conveyed to the council members. The horrible
reception provided to the Patriarch itself was disrespect to the whole Church.
No proper converge was given in media.

Administration of the diocese is so pathetic that and majority of the priests
and lay men are not interested to access the diocese centre. Normally meetings
of Spiritual organizations like Marthma Mariyam Samgam, Siunday School etc are
held at respective diocese centre. Here in Mavelikkara no meetings are held
because there is no one in the diocese centre to attend guest. There is no one
even to provide a cup of water to the visiting guest. Hence many depend upon the
St Pauls Mission Centre or the Haripad Mission Centre for their need.

The Metropolitan of Mavelikkara is not at all accessible for the members of the
Church. The Metropolitan is rarely found in the diocese centre.

The Secretary of the diocese is a senior Priest, but that remain only in papers,
the office of the secretary has been hijacked by a young priest who is now
assisting the Metropolitan.

The member of the Church in Mavelikkara Diocese lack a lot of spiritual care
hence Malankar Catholic Rite and Pentecostal groups are flourishing.
Metropolitan of the Malankara Catholic Diocese has become a prominent figure in
society. Mavelikkra is place were there are more of Orthodox Christians than nay
other Christian group. Still we are not able to make any prominent presence in
the society.

These are some of true and pathetic conditions of the Mavelikkara diocese of our
Church. Many people had great dreams about this diocese, but now it seems to be
a shattered glass.

Important Note: This report is very much objective in nature and it is not to
hurt or harm anyone personally. I have been forced to prepare this report. I
don't have any direct connection to the diocese, but many people have been
speaking on this matter for a quite long period of time. Hope this will provide
some insights about the present condition of the Mavelikkara diocese to the Holy
Synod and to the Church leadership. Hoping for the very best.

Regards
George
Alappuzha
Kerala
South India

The Brahmavar Orthodox Community In India (A Report)
By Subin Varughese
`Brahmavar' is a name that should make every Orthodox Christian in India happy
and proud; it is there the Orthodox Syrian Church of the East first opened a
mission for the Latin Rite Roman Catholic converts to the Orthodox Church in
India. It is very important to make an analysis on the present conditions of
this Community.
The Beginning and Reunion to the Mother Orthodox Church from Roman Catholicism
In the year 1889 Fr Alvarez and Fr Nurono along with 5000 Roman Catholic
Families reunited with the Orthodox Syrian Church of the East in India. In the
same year itself Fr Alvarez was ordained Metropolitan of Goa and Ceylon with the
name Mor Julios by Metropolitans Dionysius Pulikkottil and Mor Athanasius Paulos
and St. Gregory of Parumala, the Metropolitan of Niranam. The ceremony was held
at the Old Seminary, Kottayam, Kerala, India
It is very important to note that those days the Indian Orthodox Church had a
large number of believers in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and in the Tiruchirappalli area
of Tamil Nadu.
The rift between Orthodox Syrian Church of the East and the Syrian Orthodox
Patriarchate after the year 1912 affected the Brahmavar Christians deeply. In
1923 Metropolitan Julios Alvarez passed away. The Metropolitan had a very sad
and terrible end to his life. The Roman authorities tortured and mistreated him,
and when he died, he was buried in a municipal cemetery with no episcopal
funeral. The Orthodox Church did have a presence of influence to give him a
priestly funeral. His mortal remains were ignored by the Church because of the
turbulence experienced by the Orthodox Church as a result of the litigations and
rift between the two factions of the Church. For several years it remained in
one of the Municipal Cemeteries of Goa till it was recovered by the late
Catholicos of the East His Holiness Basilios Marthoma Mathews I. At present the
mortal remains are well preserved in one of the Orthodox Churches in Goa.
The Brahmavar community considers Metropolitan Julios Alvarez to be a saint.
The Present Situation
The Brahmavar Christians had followed Latin Rite of worship till 1980. Later
Hieromonk Dr. N.J. Thomas translated the Syrian Liturgy into Konkani language
along with other prayers of the Church. Parenthetically, it is interesting to
learn that FR. N. J. Thomas was ordained for the Latin Rite Orthodox Christians
(former Roman Catholics) in Tiruchirappalli. Presently there are four parishes
in Brahmavar. There are a number of priests from their own community. Presently
there are nearly 700 Orthodox Christian families in Brahmavar.
They know that they are `Syrians' They memorialize the Catholicos of the East in
the First Diptych, apart from that they are unaware of the Orthodox Church in
Malankara, though they are an integral part of the Church. In all aspects they
stay away from the forefront of the Indian Orthodox Church. The Brahmavar
Orthodox Christians also run a College and a School.
Challenges Ahead
The Orthodox Church must give high priority and importance to the Brahmavar
Mission. It is high time the Church think about the future of these Christian
Community.
Threats from Malankara Catholic Rite: Malankara Catholic Rite (An Eastern
Catholic Rite in India) has an eye on the on the Brahmavar Christians. They have
plans to build a new diocese in the Shimoga area, focusing exclusively on the
Brahmavar Orthodox Christians. The Malankara Catholic Rite will definitely aim
at the Brahmavar Orthodox Christians
A good amount in the Church budget must be allotted to the total development of
the Brahmavar Orthodox Christians. They must be given chance to involve more
deeply in all areas of the Church of Malankara (the major geographical area of
the Orthodox Church of the East). It would be better to raise their status to a
diocese and a full time bishopric can be erected for their spiritual and
administrative needs. Help must be given to their overall development. Spiritual
organizations of the Church like Orthodox Christian Youth Movement, Mar
Gregorios Orthodox Students Movement, Martha Mariyam Samagam (Women's Fellowship
of the Church) must extend their activities to the Brahmavar community. These
organization must give importance to deliver Holy Mass in Konkani Language.
The Brahmavar Christians not like them being addressed as Brahmavar Mission.
These Christian Community and their first leader Metropolitan Julios Alvarez had
undergone large number of problems, physical and mental torture, but they held
and still hold strongly on to the holy Orthodox faith. The existing people never
wanted to return to the Roman Church, but wanted to remain within the Orthodox
Church. It is to be always noted that the Brahmavar Church is not at all a
result of any mission of the Malankara Orthodox Church. But they came into
existence as a result of the search of a number of committed truth-seekers who
found Orthodoxy as the continuation of the apostolic church.
Let the Good Lord give the courage and strength to the Brahmavar Community. May
God bless the Leadership and members of the Indians Orthodox Church to bind them
and to help them to follow the true Orthodox Faith of Jesus Christ, the Son of
God.

This article was originally written in the Malayalam Language by this writer
(Vice-Chairman-OBL) after his visit to Brahmavar in the year 2007.

Supported and Promoted by the Department of Public Relations –Orthodoxy Beyond
Limits (OBL)

Source : www.theorthodoxchurch.info

As we are prone to sickness,we ought to pray for one another's quick recovery;
it doesn't mean that we have to make any prayers only on anyone's birthday that
is in contravention against the doctrine and teaching of the Orthodox faith, the
reason for not celebrating the birthdays till about 3 decades back. Our duty is
to follow the commandment.
1.Since we are violating the commandment not to celebrate the birthday, the holy
Qurbana celebrated on that day may not be heard because it infringes the Mosaic
commandment of 'don't take my name in vain'. Saul , the first king of Israel,
set apart the fatty animals for giving sacrifice to the Lord against the
commandment of God not to bring any booty from the Amakalites for a sacrifice to
the Lord. Since he disobeyed God he was severely punished and the evil spirit
thus haunted on him led to his and his son's suicidal death.
2. Most of the global population is under the carnage of so many maladies that
have caused by our own avarice and wickedness. The high-tech life that is the
haven of disparities and the resulting exploitations have converted the
electronic global village as a place of untold human sufferings due to the
inhuman behaviours and cut throat transactions. It is the ripe time for the
shepherds to sacrifice their life for the flock, instead of celebrating the
birthday and other occasions of individuals, pray for the suffering humanity and
give some money through fasting and frugal living during every day of the year.
It is a crime to squander our time and money for our own pleasure and individual
gaiety by birthday and wedding anniversaries.
3.As Jesus took His birth in the manger among the lambs and suffered, our
birthday is inviting suffering by our sacrifice. Our birth is not important to
anybody because no one is indispensable in this plane of life. If we don't do
our assigned duty of sacrifice, God will employ somebody else to do His set
task. we are not important because we are only a breath. There is no need of
remembering a breath that is only an insignificant passing wind. Don't take any
ownership because God is the owner of everything and everybody. Felicitating our
birthday or 'sapthathi' becomes a sign of ego that is a rebellion against the
Creator. This is the reason for not celebrating our birthday since the beginning
of time, that is for the last 6000 years.
4. Wishing birthday to the shepherd is equivalent to giving our benedictions to
the spiritual Father. The spiritual Fathers who are the ambassadors of God give
us life spiritually; how can we validate by giving wishes and benedictions to
them backwards? It is like putting the cart in front of the horse.
Anything excess is bad.The routine sacraments are enough for shepherds and the
flock; birthday remembrance is an excess that is to be deleted from our
religious life. Unless such  irreligious and pagan customs are obliterated from
our spiritual life, I fear that we invite the  evil spirits into our spiritual
life and spiritual venues. Wishing birthday wishes that invite some underhand
benefits from the hierarchy and vice-versa is to be banned and discouraged from
the body of the church. This is a pagan ritual; otherwise it is to be
authenticated and validated by a Kalpana from the Head or the Holy Synod of the
Church.

E.S.John, Australia

Ref: The Brahmavar Orthodox Community in India (A Report)
       By Subin Varughese       [MORM] Digest Number 834 dated 05/16/2009

I fully agree to all points and suggestions in this article. But the following quoted here from that letter is not wholly true.

"It is to be always noted that the Brahmavar Church is not at all a result of any mission of the Malankara Orthodox Church. But they came into existence as a result of the search of a number of committed truth-seekers who found Orthodoxy as the continuation of the apostolic church".

There was a Brahmavar mission from 1903 to early 1940's. It was started by Rev. Dn. K J Alexander, Kanianthra and was followed up by Rev. Fr. Parambil Koshy of Thumpamon and others.

A Roman catholic priest Fr.Julius with his followers joined our MOSC on their own decision. We accepted them and MOSC consecrated him as H G Alvares Julius as our Bishop of Goa and Ceylon. He wanted our Syrian Christian missionaries to work among the community to make them understand our Syrian rites and prayers. On his continuous plea MOSC at last found out Rev. Dn. K J Alexander ready to go and work among them. Thus for the  MOSC in Kerala the Brahmavar mission came into existence with Dn. Alexander as its first missionary. He along with Fr. Noronah of their own community worked among them in the first decade of the last century. Fr. Noronah continued their Latin Qurbana and Dn. Alexander, the mission work. Later Dn. Alexander was doing his higher studies in the Calcutta Bishops College, when in 1911; he was called back by his mother parish, St. John's church Mepral. He discontinued his mission work in Brahmavar to become vicar of the Orthodox segment of Mepral parish along with Fr. Abraham Poothicote for the Patriarch segment[1]

 MOSC then appointed Dn. Parambil Koshy as missionary in Brahmavar in 1912. He was consecrated as a priest in 1915 by Vallicattil H G Mar Geevarghese  Philexinos. He served the Brahmavar mission for 32 years.  He was succeeded by Fr. Kuriakose, Fr. Geevarghese, Vettiyil Annamma and others. True that with the return of H G Julius Alvares to Goa and his persecution by the Catholic Church and his demise, the Brahamavar community and our missionaries working there lost their leader. Our church cases added to our worries. Vattaseil Thirumeni was finding it very difficult to find the time and means to fight the church cases.  Thus  MOSC was forced to marginalise this mission work for some time.[2]

 The Pathanapuram Dayara in 1980 took up the challenge. Rev Remban Dr. N J Thomas  was deputed to be in charge of the Orthodox Christians in Brahmavar area. The school started as a primary school by Dn. K J Alexander had by that time become a High school. Some of its teachers there were from the same Christian community. The girls were educated by Koshy Achen in the Balikamadom E G H S Thiruvalla. Fr.K J Alexander of Mepral parish looked after the welfare of these students from Brahmavar during their stay in Thiruvalla They got teachers training and were appointed as teachers in this school. Rev. Thomas Remban developed it into a College.[3]  

Now this area comes under the Madras Diocese. A separate bishopric can be thought of some when later. Youth Movement, MGOCSM, Marthamariam Samajam, Bala-Balika group should all be encouraged. The local parish leaders and the concerned Bishops in charge of such movements should take the imitative. Let us hope that it will all be done soon.    

.

Top 25 Audio Sermons by Podcast & Webplay from
Spiritual Reflections of Fr John Brian
www.frjohbrian.blogspot.com

After going over statistics of podcasts and webplays, there were a few
thatwere downloaded and played on the internet more than the others of the 200
audio recordings available since 2006. There are always requests for transcripts
of the sermons, but since they are mostly extemporaneous, even notes for them
are rare. If you would like to transcribe any of these (or know of someone who
would like to help with this), please contact us.

Which is your favorite? Is there a sermon that you have listened to more than
once? We would love to hear from you.

This email: Top sermons - 16 through 25

16. Bishop Among the Departed Clergy - 02-24-08 #1132
frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2008/02/bishop-among-departed-clergy.html

17. New Year, New Day - 01-01-06 #1009
frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2006/03/new-year-new-day-sermonhomily-january.html

18. Do Not Neglect the Very Things of Salvation - 01-20-08 #1131
frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2008/01/do-not-neglect-very-things-of-salvation.html

19. Every Place You Are The Temple - 11-11-07 #1117
frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2007/11/every-place-you-are-temple.html

20. With Trinity Help. 06-08-08 #1148
frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2008/06/with-trinity-help.html

21. More Than Animal Nature - 03-30-08 #1137
frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2008/03/more-than-animal-nature.html

22. Mar Makarios 40day Memorial Tribute - 04-05-08 #1138
frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2008/04/mar-makarios-40day-memorial-tribute.html

23. Why We Need The Altar - 11-12-06 #1054
frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2006/11/why-we-need-altar-homelitic-sermon-by.html

24. God Sees, Come and Show Yourself - 01-13-08 #1130
frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2008/01/come-and-show-yourself.html

25. Between a Rock and a Hard Place - 11-05-06 #1053
frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2006/11/between-rock-and-hard-place-sermon-by.html

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For more articles and sermons, visit www.Frjohbrian.blogspot.com

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Madison, Wisconsin - Sundays 9:30am
608.242.4244 ~ transfiguration@...
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Mor Gabriel Syriac Orthodox monastery wins back land

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - One of the world's oldest functioning Christian monasteries
has won a legal battle to have land it had owned for centuries restored to it,
after a Turkish court ruled on Friday it could not be claimed by the state.

The dispute over the boundaries of Mor Gabriel, a fifth-century Syriac Orthodox
monastery in eastern Turkey, had raised concerns over freedom of religion and
human rights for non-Muslim minorities in Turkey, a predominantly Muslim country
and European Union aspirant.

In a statement, the Syriac Universal Alliance (SUA), a leading Syriac group
based in Sweden, said a Turkish court in Midyat had reversed an initial decision
by the land registry court to grant villages some 110 hectares (272 acres) of
monastery land.

But it added another three cases relating to the monastery's former land
remained open, two of which had been postponed.

The row began when Turkish government land officials redrew the boundaries
around Mor Gabriel and the surrounding villages in 2008 to update a national
land registry.

The Syriac Orthodox monks said the new boundaries turned over to the villages
large plots of monastery land and some designated as public forest.

The case became a rallying cry for Christian church groups across Europe, and
had been postponed several times.

Syriacs are one of the oldest communities in Turkey and still speak Aramaic, the
language of Jesus Christ. But they are not officially designated a minority in
Turkey like the Greeks or Armenians, so have no special protection under the
1923 Treaty of Lausanne's provisions for non-Muslim minorities.

The ruling AK Party government has said it has expanded the rights of
minorities. But the EU and U.S. President Barack Obama, during a trip to Turkey
in April, have urged Ankara to do more to promote religious freedom.

http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-39823220090522

Spiritual Reflections of Fr John Brian

Top 25 Audio Sermons by Podcast & Webplay

This email: Top sermons - 6 through 15

After going over statistics of podcasts and webplays, there were a few that were
downloaded and played on the internet more than the others. 200 audio recordings
have been uploaded to the internet since 2006.

Which is your favorite?  Is there a sermon that you have listened to more than
once?  We would love to hear from you.


6. God Made You For This Day - 06-01-08 #1147
frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2008/06/god-made-you-for-this-day.html

7. Why Pray for the Departed - 02-15-09 #1182
frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2009/02/why-pray-for-departed.html

8. Baptizing Babies into Fullness - 12-03-06 #1056
frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2006/12/baptizing-babies-into-full-members.html

9. Orthodox Christianity: Introduction
a. Part 1 of 2 - 05-28-08 #1146
frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2008/05/orthodox-christianity-introduction-part_31.html
b. Part 2 of 2 - 05-28-08 #1145
frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2008/05/orthodox-christianity-introduction-part.html

10. Miracles and Angels Await - 11-19-06 #1055
frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2006/11/miracles-and-angels-await-homiletic.html

11. What holds the church together? - 07-30-06 #1040
frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2006/07/what-holds-church-together-sermon-by.html

12. Preparing for Our Resurrection - 04-20-08 #1141
frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2008/04/preparing-for-our-resurrection.html

13. Silly Foolish Children of God - 09-10-06 #1045
frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2006/09/silly-foolish-children-of-god-sermon_12.html

14. Necessary Weakness - 03-23-08 #1136
frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2008/03/necessary-weakness.html

15. Fulfilling the Gospel as God Made Us - 05-18-08 #1144
frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2008/05/fulfilling-gospel-as-god-made-us.html


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There are always requests for transcripts of the sermons, but since they are
mostly extemporaneous, even notes for them are rare. If you would like to
transcribe any of these (or know of someone who would like to help with this),
please contact us.


For more articles and sermons, visit www.Frjohbrian.blogspot.com


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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
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o ENRICHING PRACTICE o REFRESHING SPIRIT

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Apostolic Visit to Greece - 2009

From 16 to 22 May 2009, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas went on
an official visit to Greece, as the guests of the Greek Government and the Greek
Orthodox Church. His Holiness was accompanied in this visit by His Eminence Mor
Philexinos Mathias Nayis, Patriarchal Assistant, His Eminence Mor Daniel
Kourieh, Metropolitan of Beirut, and two monks: V. Rev. Fr. Mata Khouri, and Dr.
Georges Khouri. The main purpose of the visit was to congratulate the new
archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Church: His Beatitude Irenemos, and to renew
the relationship between both the churches.

For more details:- http://socmnet.org/Apostolic_Visit_Greece_2009.htm

On May 17th 2009, the new Syriac Orthodox Cathedral, St. Jacob of Nsibin in
Sweden was consecrated and sanctified.

People started to arrive as early as ten o'clock in the morning, two hours
before the ceremony would start. At 11.30 AM the church was full. Monks and
priests started to arrive. The Catholic and Protestant churches in Sweden were
also present. Also many people from the Swedish state and different
organizations were present to share the joy.

Everyone was excited and had looked forward to this day from the first moment
they started building the church. Also Suroyo TV was present to air the whole
event live.

For more details:- http://socmnet.org/St_Jacob_of_Nsibin_Sweden.htm

Develop Spiritual Readiness

This sermon discusses the problems with being ready for spiritual life, for
spirituality and spiritual readiness, focusing on the end of John chapter 17 -
Jesus prayer for His disciples before being arrested.

This sermon lesson given on Sunday, May 24, 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.xml
LISTEN ONLINE HERE:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2009/05/develop-spiritual-readiness.html

Other recent sermons:

In Honor of Beauty, Gardens and Mothers
This Mother's Day sermon discusses the spiritual meaning of mothers and then
moves to our connection to beauty... and gardens, using the beginning of Hebrews
chapter 11 to gain spiritual insight. This sermon lesson given on Sunday, May
10, 2009
PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD: http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
http://frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xml
LISTEN ONLINE HERE:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2009/05/beauty-gardening-and-mothers.html

Resurrection Problems
This homiletic sermon discusses the present tense of Christ's resurrection and
our problems with it, using the beginning of Hebrews chapter 3 to gain spiritual
insight. This sermon lesson given on Sunday, May 3, 2009
PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD: http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
http://frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xml
LISTEN ONLINE HERE:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2009/05/resurrection-problems.html


For more articles and sermons, visit
www.Frjohbrian.blogspot.com

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**SPECIAL NOTE OF THANKS**
I would like to thank everyone who has offered prayers and condolences at the
death of my father in April. I was very moved and touched for the care and
concern shown. I have taken great comfort in knowing so many have been praying
for him and my family during our time of sadness - even as I have felt the joy
in the celebration of the Risen Christ, our hope, our light, our salvation. It
is with profound gratitude that I thank God for His promises and you for your
kindnesses. A servant, Fr John Brian

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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
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The New Metropolitan of the new South West American Diocese, H.G. Alexios Mar
Eusabios arrived in New York on 25th May 2009.

H.G. Mar Eusabios will arrive in Houston on 30th of May.  The Ad-hoc committee
will receive the Metropolitan from the Airport and will come to St. Thomas
Orthodox Church in Stafford.  After Luthinia and prayer H.E. Mar Eusabios will
consecrate the temporary Bishop palace.

H.G. Mar Eusabios will celebrate Holy Qurbana at St. Thomas Orthodox Church on
31st June, at St. Stephen's Orthodox Church on 7th June and will attend the
South West diocese camp at University of Houston Campus.

The official reception and the Inauguration of the new diocese will conduct on
30th June after the Holy Qurbana at the Houston Hall in the University of
Houston. Religious, Political and Social dignitaries will attend the public
meeting. The Metropolitan of the North East Diocese H.G. Mathews Mar Bernabas
will inaugurate the new South West American diocese.

Texas first Lady Mrs. Anita Perry, Houston Mayor Mr. Bill White, Indian consular
General Hon. Sanjiv Arrora, President and Chancellor of the University of
Houston Dr. Renu Khathor, councilors, clergies and representatives of the sister
Churches etc. will attend the meeting to witness this historical event.

It will be a blessed event and I would like to invite all of you for the
meeting.

Charly V. Padanilam,
Convener, Reception committee.

The Inauguration of the South West Diocese of America in on 13th of June, 2009 .
It is mentioned as 30th June by mistake and kindly do the correction.

The Inauguration of the new diocese and reception to the New Bishop will be on
Saturday the 13th of June, 2009 at the Houston Hall in the University of
Houston.

Sorry for the mistake and kindly note the correct date.

Charly V. Padanilam, houston, TX.

Orthodox Spiritual Reflections of Fr John Brian
Top 25 Audio Sermons by Podcast & Webplay - Part III

Top FIVE sermons with some Honorable Mentions
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2009/05/top-five-audio-sermons-of-fr-john-brian.h\
tml

1. Aspiring to Spirit for Inspiration - 06-15-08 #1149
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2008/06/aspiring-to-spirit-for-inspiration.html

2. Dear Sweet Unlovable You - 09-02-07 #1107
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2007/09/dear-sweet-unlovable-you-september-2007.h\
tml

3. Where When How to Be of Christ - 06-22-08 #1150
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2008/06/where-when-how-to-be-of-christ.html

4. Eleventh Hour Apostles - 06-29-08 #1151
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2008/06/11th-hour-apostles.html

5. Blessings of Transfiguration - 08-10-08 #1155
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2008/08/blessings-of-transfiguration.html


Honorable Mention

+++Popular Resurrection Sermons+++
>> No More Chains - Easter - 04-08-07 #1088
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2007/04/no-more-chains-easter-2007.html
>> Through Resurrection. Everything - 04-27-08 #1142
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2008/05/through-resurrection-everything.html
>> Dull Minds and Empty Hearts - 05-21-06 #1028
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2006/05/dull-minds-and-heavy-hearts_24.html

+++Praised by Listeners+++
>> Born Again and Again 01-22-06 #1004
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2006/03/born-again-and-again-sermonhomily.html
>> Keeping Focus 04-09-06 #1020
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2006/04/keeping-focus-sermonhomily-recorded.html
>> Power of Women 11-27-05 #1006
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2006/03/power-of-women-sermonhomily-november.html

+++Just Beyond the Top 25+++
Mystery at the Death of St Mary
Part 1 - 08-17-08 #1156
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2008/08/mystery-at-death-of-st-mary-part-1.html
Part 2 - 08-25-08 #1157
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2008/08/mystery-at-death-of-st-mary-part-2.html

PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD all sermons: http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
http://frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xml

There are always requests for transcripts of the sermons, but since they are
mostly extemporaneous, even notes for them are rare. If you would like to
transcribe any of these (or know of someone who would like to help with this),
please contact us.

For more articles and sermons, visit www.frjohbrian.blogspot.com
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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
o HEALING LIFE o DEEPENING FAITH
o ENRICHING PRACTICE o REFRESHING SPIRIT
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H.G. Alexios Mar Eusabios is arrived in Houston on Saturday the 30th May, at
2.35 p.m. and received at St. Thomas Orthodox Church in Stafford.

A large crowed of Church members and clergies from Houston, Dallas, Austin and
San Antonio were present at St. Thomas Church. The reception of H.G. Mar
Eusabios through red carpet and Dr. Zachariah Thomas, Managing committee member
received Thirumany with Bouquet and V. Rev. Geevarghese Aroopala Cor Episcopa
with the lighted candle.

H.G. Mar Eusabios did the luthinia and after the prayer Thirumny did a short and
impressive speech that showered the strength and spirit to the crowed.  H.G.
Eusabios mentioned that the prime aim and wish of H.G. is to show Jesus through
the life and H.G. appealed to the clergies and everybody to prepare to show
Jesus Christ through own life.

After the speech H.G. blessed the participants and and left to the temporary
Bishop palace and did the consecration of the temporary Bishop's palace. 
Thirumeny inaugurated the Sunday school anniversary of St. Thomas Church. Mar
Eusabios will celebrate Holy Qurbana at St. Thomas Church on 31st May.

H.G. Mar Eusabios will celebrate Holy Qurbana and Inaugurate the Sunday school
anniversary of St. Stephens Orthodox Church on 7th June. H.G. Will Conduct the
Holy Qurbana at St. Gregorios Orthodox Church, Houston on 14th May 2009.

The Official Inauguration of the New Diocese will be on 13th June 2009 at
University of Houston after the Holy Qurbana.  The Holy service will start at 7
a.m. and the Public meeting will start at 10.30 A.M. after the holy Qurbana.

Charly V. Padanilam, Houston, TX.
Convener Reception committee.

Christians Gather for Peace Prayer in Holy Land

The Christian communities of Jerusalem will gather this weekend to launch a
campaign to promote prayer for reconciliation, unity and peace in the Holy Land.

The first prayer event will take place Saturday evening in Jerusalem at the
Syrian Orthodox Church of St Mark. It will be held in Aramaic and presided over
by Archbishop Mar Swerios Malki Mourad, the Syrian Orthodox patriarchal vicar
for Jerusalem.

The campaign is titled "Extraordinary Prayer of all Churches for Reconciliation,
Unity and Peace, Beginning in and Proceeding From Jerusalem."

"All Christian communities of Jerusalem and all Christians everywhere in the
world are invited to take part in this great intercessory prayer to the Father
for our time," a statement on  the event's Web site notes.

The campaign intends to host a prayer event once a month in various Churches,
but encourages all Churches in the world to dedicate an hour each Saturday to
praying for peace in the Holy Land.

"For the Christian, the division of the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ,
profoundly conditions the general lack of peace," the organizers explain. "The
Mother Church of Jerusalem calls, therefore, the whole Church to an
extraordinary action of prayer for the grace of reconciliation, unity and peace,
beginning in the Holy City."

For more information:
http://www.prayerreconciliationunitypeace.info/en/home

Source:
ZE09052901 - 2009-05-29
Permalink: http://www.zenit.org/article-26025?l=english

Standing Conference of the Oriental Orthodox Churches in America holds spring
meeting.

New York - Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Eastern), attended a meeting of the Standing Conference of
the Oriental Orthodox Churches in America on Tuesday, May 18.

The meeting, held at the Archdiocese of the Syriac Orthodox Church in Paramus,
N.J., was led by Standing Conference chairperson Archbishop Barsamian and hosted
by Metropolitan Mor Cyril Aphrem Karim, the head of the Syriac Archdiocese of
the Eastern United States.

It was also attended by other clergy of the Eastern Diocese who are members of
the Standing Conference, including the Very. Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, the Very
Rev. Fr. Vahan Hovhanessian, and the Rev. Fr. Tateos Abdalian.

Participants discussed programs for youth, the development of a brochure about
Oriental Orthodox Churches, and an effort to strengthen the presence of Eastern
and Oriental Orthodox churches in Washington through the creation of a special
joint commission.

In addition, participants began to make plans for this year's Orthodox Prayer
Service, the annual gathering organized under the auspices of the Standing
Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas and the Standing
Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches, to give Orthodox Christians an
opportunity to come together for worship and to learn more about each other's
culture and heritage.

Last year's prayer service was held at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral. The
gathering included worship and a program focusing on the United Nations
Millennium Development Goal to stamp out poverty and inequality.

Also under discussion was the upcoming Roman Catholic Church and Oriental
Orthodox Churches Dialogue, scheduled for September 30, 2009, and the
proceedings from the last international Roman Catholic and Oriental Orthodox
Dialogue held in Rome in January.

Before adjourning, participants prayed together and shared news from their
respective churches.

Photo of Primates who attended the conference

http://www.reporter.am/go/article/2009-05-28-standing-conference-of-the-oriental\
-orthodox-churches-in-america-holds-spring-meeting

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

There was only one language before the Babel confusion that made a total commotion which served as the birth of many languages. Many changes took place during the course of human history because of our faithlessness and avarice; divorce is another example that explicitly proved the hard-heartedness of people, so also anointing the first king of Israel against the wish of God who used to guide the Israelites through the judges. Playing the role of god has adversely affected the history of mankind in a very detrimental way. We don’t know the language that God spoke to Adam, Noah and Abraham. Abraham was previously known as Abram the Hebrew, Gen.14: 13. The reason for calling him as ‘Hebrew’, assumingly could have been on account of him living in the place called Haran or migrating out of his native place called ‘Or’ of the Chaldeans and asking him by God to leave that place and journey towards the Promised Land. There is also a possibility that the word Hebrew might have been derived from ‘Abram’. We have to leave it to theologians and biblical scholars to do research work on the question of the language that was used for communication till the time of the Babel tongues which multiplied the original lingua-franca.

Heaven’s language:
Is there a spoken or written language for Heaven? How the Lucifer legion did please God by their melody? Has that musical language got a system of semantics? Was it a Heavenly language that God and Adam and Eve used to converse prior to and after the fall? Was it the language that unified the languages on the day of Pentecost, and continued for some time under the name, ‘speaking in tongues’ as the direct sign of the working of the Holy Spirit of the early church? Could the fallen race speak that language till the day of Babel confusion? Logic says that they were not allowed to communicate in the language of the devas because what is aerial, celestial and terrestrial has a set demarcation that bar the earthlings to have a direct communication, unless allowed by the Almighty. There is obviously a link, in thought or word form, that connects the celestials among themselves for communication. The following verse affirm that ‘thought form is not the medium of the upper planes, though that may also used. “And I know that this man was caught up into paradise –whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows- and he heard that cannot be told, which man may not utter”, 2.Cor.12: 3-4.

Just as there is a physical body, 1.Cor.15: 40, there is a Heavenly body or inner or spiritual man who converse through a spiritual medium. Similar to the terrestrials who communicate in a human language, the spiritual being also has a medium that connect among the spiritual beings of the cosmos. “We know that the whole creation has been groaning in travail together until now ; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies”, Rom.8: 22-23. As long as we are chained within the mortal body, we don’t hear the language of the spiritual medium. “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet saying, ‘write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches
.Rev.1: 10-11; 11: 15. This proves that there is a Book of Life and other books, Rev.21: 27; 20: 12, that contains everything what has happened and what is going to happen in the future. Thus it is obvious that the book of Revelation is a copy or an edited form of what are given in the Divine books, despite these is hidden for the earthlings directly. St.John heard the glorification of twenty-four Heavenly elders, praising ‘glory, glory, glory of the Lord of hosts, Rev.4: 4-11, proving that there is a celestial language that is used for glorifying God and other communication, Rev.14: 3; 15: 3. The Ten Commandments were written by Divine hand, not by human one.

Music:
It is said that “Music is the language of the Devas, gods”. All the instrumental music of the world is inscribed under the seven musical notes or notations, just as the gymnastics of English literature is done by using twenty-six English alphabets. How the vibrations of this music can appeal our senses and sensibilities that send the listeners into a fury of euphoria? Vocal music also is an emanation of our inner self that echo the vibrations of Heavenly music which is everlasting. “Heard melody is sweet; those unheard are sweeter”, Shelly. All what we see and heard are the manifestations of Heavenly images and voices, Heb.9: 23. “Music is the food of love”. Thus the musical melody that is the media of worship is an echo of the Heavenly love and praise because everything that is good emanates from the Infinite heights. Even if the crude words that we use has a root in the cosmic plane, owing to the fact that all the celestial and terrestrial planes are always bathed by an avalanche, at the same time silent, of infinite music and speech, Ps.19, proving that nothing in this world can exist by itself. Everything that we see and hear is relative; the only absolute one is the Almighty. Instrumental or vocal music is an emanation of an immanent, inner force that circumvents everything that is beyond our grasp or reach. The Godly worship therefore is the process of identifying ourselves with the infinite beauty that conveys the inner soul that everything that worship beauty is good and edifying.

Dangers of melodious music:
Despite music is the lingua-franca of Heavenly worship, the adoration of music that perhaps can lead to a sidelining role of desecrating the name of God is an explosive predicament which dragged Lucifer and the legion to have the equal status with the Almighty. The old Testament period echoes the rows of priests standing in lines and singing during the worship times is replaced by the laity of the sub-cultural products make it as a scene of wild music frenzy of the latest music mania, reflecting again the days of the disgraced Lucifer. As the ego creeps into the religious venues very easily, the instrumental music worship has come to a cease in the New Age that gives opportunities for a reclusive lifestyle by “going into your room and shutting the room and praying to your Father who is in secret”, Mt.6: 6. The prayer becomes the medium of communication with the Almighty by shutting ourselves in our inner self and allow vibrating our soul to be linked with the upper planes. The social worship that shows the unity of mind, Acts.4: 32, needn’t have to be exhibited the seeming unity of music that never happens because of the worshippers gather together from different strata of social backgrounds and different religious frame of mind and genetic strands. Experience has proved that most of the worshippers are mere onlookers or lullaby dancers, while the choir is making hilarious music. The choir worship can produce only superficial worshippers, not the genuine ones that participate with the Divine heights.

Musical Languages:
There are some musical languages that can touch our soul and heart because of their intrinsic melody that is the inner make up. Latin, Syriac, Bengali and some other languages come under this category. Classical Karnatic music that elevates the soul to a mystic serenity is an ecstatic experience of the inner being. Many Syriac- language worshippers who learn the songs in their childhood have a sentimental attachment that wanes away by parish strife and frictions and personal ambitions have a skin deep and likely a sincere attachment to the mother church. During the current musical strides and extravaganzas of high-tech hooligan musical magic that knowingly or unknowingly takes away the devotees to a multifarious level of astral gimmicks, no musical instrument can enhance our religious potentialities to a higher pitch. What is sensuous is peripheral and cosmetic in the religious plethora of mysterious luminosity; we don’t know whether it touches the astral or spiritual side of our being. The languages that have a soothing effect of the ear are not likely to have a soul-lifting experience of the Spirit.

The importance of language in our worship:
It is not the language that plays an important role for the spiritual upliftment that brings inner peace and harmony which we experience in our worship and life. “As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard; therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman”, 1.Sam.1: 12-18. Hannah, the mother of Prophet Samuel, was fasting and communicating to God with her heart, not with her tongue. This sort of silent and grieving solicitation is the true prayer that moves mountains, not the orchestral gymnastics which only nullify the sanctity of the worship. Jesus sweated blood at the time of His prayer in the garden of Gethsemane, yet there was no positive or relieving answer because it was His pledge to redeem mankind from the sloth of sin. Prayer is a mission in one’s life that may not always have any materially-benefiting response. Prayer and glorifying God in any language is our lifeblood that gives strength and vitality for our spiritual breath. “Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him
.he will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street
”, Is.42: 1-4. The reason for Jesus to retreat to the mountains or hills was to communicate with the Father in solitude because there are no serene dimensions among the madding crowds for transporting ourselves into the Divine sphere of tranquility.

Role of mother tongue in worship:
Just like the progress towards the knowledge of God through the earthly agents is “matha>pitha>guru>daivam( mother>father> teacher>God), the mother tongue plays the role of the mother who nurtures and cares during the infancy period in making an individual best for his society and for the city of God. All the good things that are imbedded in our inner system during our childhood period cannot be erased easily in our later life because the mental structure and affinity that has developed during the childhood period is the personality of man. The mother tongue of the children who are born to the Malayalee parents in the English-speaking countries is English, not Malayalam. It is their birth right to use the mother tongue in their worship because most of their parents are capable of speaking and understanding English eloquently. Give them a fair go to the children to acclimatize themselves to participate freely and harmoniously in our social and religious web of life. If the child is the father of tomorrow, we have to equip themselves to exhibit their talents and worth, so as to bear the torchlight of our faith to the children of day after tomorrow.

Those who are born and brought up in foreign countries and undergone baby sitting therapies, especially in Western countries, find it difficult to cope with the Malayalam worship and its monastic culture. Despite we have been participating in this mystic culture for a long time, how many soul winners have we produced so far from our soil? Malayalam service is a safety valve for most of our Malayalee priests who don't like to make any preparations in a new language for their devotees, whereas they are keen to go for their own higher studies and improve their academic qualifications. Besides, some Malayalees boycott English liturgies because they like to make cosmetic worships in their own mother tongue, as they don't have grown up children who may rebel against the mode of our worship and the 'achayan culture' that make 'full of sound and fury signifying nothing' effect.

Most of those who are living in the Western Countries can understand and converse in English language; then why don't we celebrate the sacraments in English, so that our youngsters who are the torch bearers of our church and culture may be benefited substantially and may not become a burden later in our life. Those who don't have any far sight or foresight make much ado about nothing and shed crocodile tears for our church and its members, when the unexpected happens. 'Namukkum kittanam panam' has become the language of our outlook in life. These are the people who feel the pinch when either their children becomes a nuisance to them and the society or they migrate to other churches that multiply their number with out any toil because fools like us work for them. I like to attend the Malayalam service every time, but for the sake of my children I don't like to live as a sentimental fool.

I taught my children to read and write Malayalam language; they may be able to understand a bit, but they can't cope with our colloquial and literary language for our worship and communication. How many of the Malayalam-speaking Sunday club adherents can comprehend the spiritual and literary meanings of the translations of C.P Chandy sir who translated most of our worship into literary Malayalam? One can't hold the harness of our children by birthday celebrations or choir acrobatics or youth group outings. Give food for the soul if you want to make spiritual progress in this age of post-religious spiritual doom, instead of money spirituality that is shallow and skin deep cannot save our new generations. Those children who always live in the extended families that speak Malayalam may likely to be able to cope with our Malayalam worship to an extent; but when they mingle with the local population; our hard-earned home culture evaporates out automatically.

Good sermons or Sunday school lessons in one's mother tongue can really build the foundation of one’s faith and religious morality. Giving sermons and Sunday school classes in one's vernacular, whether English, Teligue, Tamil, Hindi or Malayalam, are helpful for the tender minds to grasp the pure values in their childhood period, rather than imposing something alien to them later. I wrote about 5 years back that the church hierarchy should do spade works in translating all the prayers in the indigenous languages under the supervision of a Metropolitan, but the culture of internal conflicts and intrigues within the church devastate everything that is holy. If we don't do it, we only multiply the 'lost sheep of Israel' as the day passes on.

We have become mere charlatans to use superlative languages in boasting and highlighting everything that is material and mundane. Try to translate all our sacramental and worship books in local languages that help the child to build a sound and good base. The language divide is one of the main reasons for the sheep leaving the church, despite there are many other reasons that become the joint chorus for the ignominious exodus. The celebrants and their retinues think that all who listen to them have become the elects of the Spirit all of a sudden. Our modus-operandi is like the herbal physician who replied that his patients didn’t come back to him, as they were all cured by his single doze of medicine. “Physician, heal thyself first”.

Our clergy find it easy to do the ceremonies in Malayalam, hence they do it in that language; even if there are English versions they deliberately dump our young ones to oblivion by continuing the worship in Malayalam. How can these young dynamites sit in a place for two hours, a great part is wasted in presenting the announcements in a dramatic and joking ways. The birthday and wedding anniversary prayers, choir , the cosmetics for collecting money, and similar other paraphernalia consume so much of time and the young illiterates in Malayalam remain there like stone statues for these two hours. If they come for the matins, it takes 3 hours to exhibit our showcase spirituality. In some parishes, the Vicar is there for their lifetime because they organize and rule over their parishes at their whims and fancies. A three-year term should be the tenure for a Vicar to be in the same parish.

The flock or the society consists of males, females and children. Giving emphasis to any particular section is suicidal. Shedding crocodile tears for the youth is a lip service for getting their support for power politics that includes parish election, camps, picnics, choir and sports. Jack of all trades, but master of none. They are forcibly made ripe artificially before they become mature, and they soon leave the church when being caught in the crossfire of internal politics. The church is for worship, not for pedestrian style acrobatic, cultural programmes or show businesses that are wasted lots of money in the secular and club lives. Why should we squander money and time for the unwanted sections which destroy the very essence of spirituality?