Dear friends,
     It is time to go beyond discussions, and to do some in-depth study
and research on the various issues we identified. We are looking for
people with a vision and commitment to cooperate with us in this
attempt. If you like to participate in one such study, please let us
know. Tell us what your area of interest is. You will be working with
others with similar interest, and will eventually present your
findings to the group. With the approval of the group, we will make
your findings available to a wider public using the print media and
other online magazines and groups. We will also be able to organize
better and more effective action plans based on the researches.

Regards,
       Moderators

Dear All,
I am Korason Varghese, from New York, currently serving as the Lay
Trustee of the American Diocese and the Editor of the "Diocesan
Voice". I am very pleased to join the group and firmly believe that
Almayavedi can make a profound change.
Sincerely,
Korason Varghese

Hello,
My name is Manoj Thomas and I reside in Houston, TX. I am a member of
the St.Thomas Church in Houston, led by Very Rev. Gheevaghis Aroopala
Cor-Episcopa.

I am glad to see a forum like the Almaya Vedi take wing online. I hope
and pray that intitiatives such as this will lead our Church into a new
age of renewal and regeneration. While our faith is Orthodox, our
Church seems to be stagnating in its own wealth, size and dependence on
self. For our Church to be spiritually relevant for future generations,
a new direction of prayer, teaching,  Godliness and right priorities
are needed. I look forward to contributing to this effort in anyway
possible.

Thanks and God Bless.

Manoj Thomas
Houston

Read in this week's edition of Malankara Nazrani
a special report of Almayavedi's Meeting on Feb.19.

http://www.malankaranazrani.info/NazraniOnline/Index.htm

Dn. Gregory Varghese has contributed some excellent ideas and
suggestions.
The major problem with us in his view is that our people do not
recognize the global mission and purpose of the church. Our church
remains a museum to 'preserve' the faith rather than a body to
cultivate the living tradition of Orthodoxy.
He suggests improvement in the overall parish experience and in turn
an improvement in the Diocesan administration.
The parishes should play an integral role in the improvement and
edification of the immediate community. The whole hearted labor and
love the parish shows to the surrounding community should lead to
conversion - an idea currently alien to the Indian Church.
The need for liturgical translation is also necessary for healthy
parishes throughout the world.

Koshy Kuruvila points out that our church gives no preference to our
children (Orthodox) to the institutions notably for Engineering and
Medical colleges. "The sad side of the story is that in Kolencherry,
myself and a muslim applied, but the muslim boy got the seat!. On
the contrary, if you apply in any Muslim/Hindu institutions, they
obviously would give preference to their student."

Thomas Jacob, in response to the request of the Almaya Vedi
secretary, makes some excellent suggestions about our faction fights
in the church.
The major problem behind the faction fight is the present tendency
of seeing the Catholicate, established/re-established in
Malankara in 1912, as a continuation of the Catholicate in Tigris.
He suggests that we should be able to see the establishment of the
Catholicate in Malankara as a natural evolution of the ecleciastical
hierarchy here _ from Archdeacon to Mar Thomas Metropoltan to
Malankara Metropoltan and finally the Catholicos.
He further suggests that we should explore the option of
establishing Patriarchates at the Metro cities of Mumbai, Chennai,
Kolkata and New Delhi under the Holy See of the Catholicos based in
Kottayam, and to establish one diocese each for each Indian State.
He suggests that amendments may be brought in the constitution of
the Church to sever all links with the Antiochean Patriarch and to
establish the Malankara Church as an autonomous and autocephalous
one, and the Church may be renamed as The Orthodox Church of India.

	 Charly Varughese, in response to the request of the Almaya
Vedi secretary, points out a couple of anomalies.
1. The 4 Bishops who were accepted from the Jacobite side were not
approved by the Malankara Association. Their names were not even
submitted for approval of the association. This is unconstitutional.
2. Our Church accepted 2 Priests from the Catholic Church as they
were, without re-ordaining them.
Charly also makes a few suggestions: Bishops should not have private
property. Bishops should be present within their own diocese most of
the time. A bishop needs to seek the approval of another bishop to
enter his area, and should remain in contact with him.
He also states that H.H. Catholicos have to take the necessary
action against the responsible persons for the Catholicate College
incident.

      John Kunnathu has listed the major points in Mundukuzhi achen's
book. The main points are:
1. Our Church is too conservative in implementing changes in the
observations of worship services, teaching, preaching and practicing.
2. We are afraid of introducing plans, projects and activities
that do not change our faith, traditions, doctrines, dogmas and
disciplines, but, renews and revives, our spirituality and ethics.
3. The process of elections of bishop candidates has not been
commendable in recent years.
4. It is a shame that we Christians who preach and teach love
and peace can't come together, especially with those who have the
same faith, order, doctrines, dogmas, discipline and so on.
5. Our church is not vibrant enough to keep our members within
our fold without being caught by Pentecostal and other groups.
6. There is no formal and organized effort or concrete agenda
to solve the spiritual, physical and mental concerns of the members.
7. Job offers at our Church-owned schools, colleges and other
institutions based on bribery rather than qualifications and
denominational preferences.
8. A good number of our members have no interest or concern to
learn the various aspects of our Church. Lack of Biblical and
theological understandings and faith drive them to go from one group
to another.

We thank each and everyone for their contribution. We earnestly
request you to read all these, and ponder them from diverse
perspectives.

Now we need to come to a consensus of what among these are the most
fundamental problems or issues. Once we do that, then we can
choose the issues one by one for further study and discussion.

We are also seeking volunteers who would be willing to do further
researches on any of these issues. If you like to do such a research
in any of these issues, please let us know.

Regards,
   Moderators

Dear friends,

      We have had 35 new members this week. We warmly welcome each
and everyone of you, and thank you for joining our family. Special thanks to all
those who were willing to introduce yourselves. Among the new members, we have
the metropolitan of New Delhi Diocese, His Grace Job Mar Philoxenos. Thirumeni,
we are greatly humbled by your good will to join this group. We look forward to
receiving a lot of guidance and admonitions from your grace. We also warmly
welcome Deacon Gregory Varghese from New York.

Messages of support

We are glad to have received a message of support from the founder/moderator of
ICON group. Thanks for the support. Let us all work together to bring about a
renaissance in our church!

Concerns about this group

A message that appeared in MOSC group comments that "malankara
almaya vedi is one of the worst reactionary organization in our
church and that we must work hard for their failure. The previous
malankara association meeting they organized dharnas and other
violent activities. They are a bunch of Marthomma affiliate people."
And a moderator of MOSC commented, "I recently seen they have filed
a case for asset verification of our Late Catholicose.  Request all
members to state in plain their opinions. Violation of the Christian
spirit in my view is unacceptable offence."

We do not claim that Almaya Vedi is the only true and right way, or
whatever it has done in the past are right. However, one may be well-
assured that this is a group of people who earnestly wish for a new
life in our church. Almaya Vedi has taken this initiative of this
internet group, MORM, to bring it out to open, and to establish a
more productive relationship with the church. MORM is a window of
communication between Almaya Vedi and the world outside. One may not
only participate in the activities of Almaya Vedi through this
forum, but also criticize its policies and activities.

Kurien Varghese from Kuwait asks, "Do we want to bring out all those
issues into the open and discuss not knowing who the real members of
this forum are? How can the moderators guarantee that the members of
this group are from the Malankara Church and the discussions are
for enhancing our church and its activities and not to bring the
dirt into the open? We have several forums on the net, majority of
them talks about the issues in the church especially the fight
between the two factions. I hope this forum will be different."

Dear Kurien Varghese, thanks for this thoughtful message. We want
our church to be a fully transparent body. We should have absolutely
nothing to hide from anybody. If there is dirt, it should be
exposed. Covering it up is not a solution. Our goal is to become a
church without any dirt at all, and to achieve that goal, the dirt
has to be exposed temporarily, so that it can be removed.

Dn. Gregory Varghese from New York writes, "I hope this group can
maintain a high level of discussion, at the same time remaining
mindful of the sensitive nature of many issues relating to our
church". That is exactly what we like to do.

Contributions

We thank each and every member who contributed ideas and suggestions
this week. They include Thomas Jacob from Thiruvananthapuram, Koshy Kuruvila
from UAE, Dn. Gregory Varghese, Charly Varughese and John Kunnathu from USA.

Hope we will have another week of fruitful discussions.
     With warm regards,
                Moderators

ALMAYA VEDI Magazine

(Official Publication of Akhila Malankara Orthodox Almaya Vedi)

Pl. Visit:
http://www.malankaranazrani.info/Almaya%20Vedi/almayavedi.htm


Joice Thottackad
Kottayam, Kerala

Shaji Varghese, New Jersey, USA

Hello everyone
I'm Shaji Varghese currently settled in US , NJ .. My mother parish is
St George Orthodox Church Parathode Kottayam .. Heard lot  about you
guys ..But actually like to know more. Hope  this involvement will
give me more understanding. If not favouring anyone or if not fearing
any one like some of the other internet forums I will try to contibute
my views

Best Wishes
Shaji Varghese
New Jersey

I like to contribute another article from one of our senior clergy members, Rev.
Fr. K.G. Philipose. He wrote this message expressing his dream of the American
diocese of our church in 2002 December, when he became the diocesan secretary.

ICON Message 4384
From: Fr. K. G. Philipose, Secretary, American Diocese
Date: Tue Dec 3, 2002  9:03 pm
........................................................

This is a humble attempt to present very concisely my vision and a
comprehensive master plan for the future of American Diocese.

Our diocese being in a land of opportunity is blessed by God
with tremendous potential and resources. The greatest asset is
our people and our future depends on how we set our priorities
towards our diocese targeting our youngsters; they are our
back-bone. Our  MGOCSM members show great enthusiasm in many
projects and a few of them showed interest in ministry. The new
administration is very much eager to steer our efforts to take
this diocese to a level that we can be proud of. In that effort,
the council will work closely with the diocesan metropolitans,
His Grace Mar Barnabas and His Grace Mar Nicholovos. We are in the
process of developing a 25-year plan, a five-year plan and a budget
to implement such a comprehensive plan.

We need a vision and a master plan to accomplish such a vision
or dream. Where there is no vision, there the people perish
(Proverbs 29:18). God brought us here as a part of His saving
plan as the descendants of St. Thomas Christians and our vision
/ mission as a diocese is to keep our faith which we have
received from our forefathers and to hand it over to our
children and their future generations. We are a part of a global
Orthodox Church 1950 years old with rich faith and traditions.
We have to be a vibrant and a witnessing church to be alive. This
is not a theory, but a life practiced every minute by all
members of the diocese with one focus to live as CHRISTIANS. Our
faith is nourished and strengthened in community life (family,
parish, diocese, and church). Let us be serious because we are
here not to be a one-generation church, but for many centuries
and millennia to come.

Let me give some details of the master plan for our diocese. The
first part of our master plan is strengthening our constituent
parishes. We need a strong foundation to have a strong diocese.
Buildings and structures should be built on a strong foundation.
The diocese becomes strong when the parishes are strong. This
involves bringing all our achens together under the diocese and
the diocesan Metropolitan, the achens taking proactive role as
parish leaders listening to the needs of parishioners, and
helping them grow and get strong. During the last 25 years, we
were like "one step up and 10 steps back". From now on we must
go forward not looking back. Every parish with an achen's
leadership has a priority: protect the interests of the parish
maintaining our discipline/constitution, cherishing our faith,
and strengthening our fundamental core values.

We need to locate every member of our Church living in various
parts of this country and it is our responsibility to cater to
their sacramental needs. We have several parishes with limited
number of members in some cities (having other parishes) while
others starve for an achen in those locations. This is a complex
situation and we need to brainstorm and find solution so that
those who need an achen may have access at least few times a
year. Our diocese face yet another serious problem: we have
approximately 35% church members who dare not to become members
of any US parish; however, these people have no problem getting
their sacramental needs fulfilled because our church leaders in
Kerala are lining up to help these US residents and US citizens.
The power of ALMIGHTY DOLLAR!

Communication at all levels and between all levels is important.
We need to develop our listening skills. We need to study and
evaluate issues objectively and not promoting personal agenda
and personal vendetta. The diocese has to rise up from our
current managerial style, avoiding favoritism or patronization,
and enforcing strict discipline and guidelines. New policies and
procedures have to be in place for conflict resolution and
nobody should be above the law. Working together, consensus
building, building bridges (and not walls) will be given
priorities. Consistent, reliable, and accountable policies will
be in place. The new diocesan administration has to decide it
will not go to courts to resolve issues.

While we generate a diocesan directory, we need to create a
skills depository listing our members' talents, educational
achievements, and professional skills. We need to use our
members' skills and channel it for the benefit of others in the
diocese. Think about our own bank or credit union channeling our
financial resources to those who need it. Counseling and other
humanitarian services are of great significance.

Need to unify one book for each service books such as Holy
Qurbana, prayer books, hymn book, etc. Need to update our
English Qurbana - language, tunes and rhythms. Need a department
to work on publications and public relations. We need to have
more reference books to assist our Sunday school teachers. We
have an organized OVBS, but time to think about updating the
workbooks and new songs.

Need to develop a Diocesan web site linking it to our mother
Church and all parishes of the diocese. The web site should be
maintained and updated by our members who can render such
technical assistance. The web site should be used regularly for
updates and also for communicating to the secretary or any other
office-bearer regarding a relevant matter.

We need to have one main Library and Archives department and
several libraries at different regions. Religious education for
our church members is another significant project.

Training our youngsters and preparing for pastoral ministry
should be a top priority. It will be ideal to use our seminaries
in Kottayam and Nagpur; however, it does not seem appealing.
Having our own seminary here in the near future does not seem
practical. So we have to use available resources such as St.
Vladimir Seminary in New York with our own housing and chapel
facilities. Need to create a better working relationship between
our diocese and St. Vladimir so that our seminarians can get
credit for their services to our parishes and get field
experience as well.

Our church always had monks (priests and lay people) and
promoted monastic vow and life accordingly. We need to think
about protecting the interests of celibate priests and lay
people and study the feasibility of organizing at least two (2)
monasteries (one for men and the other for ladies) in this
country.

We need to develop a comprehensive plan for clergy and their
services - an equitable compensation package, a centralized
salary scheme, transfer, and retirement. Need to think about
full time priests and offer competitive compensation package to
attract our youth to ministry. Mandatory retirement at age 70
and use the service of retired priests as needed. We have to
develop refresher courses, public speaking courses, other
training courses, and seminars to keep our achens contemporarily
prepared.

We need 3 regional diocesan centers for 3 regions - Northeast,
South, and Midwest/Central/Western and a Diocesan
Headquarters. We need search committees to conduct detailed
studies to locate these centers and headquarters. Each regional
center should have a facility to house an Office, 3-4 bedrooms,
Library, a Counseling center, and a Meeting hall. We should
think about a 4th Center for the Western region at a proper
time. The Headquarters should have the diocesan office with
reception area, office rooms, and conference rooms, assembly
hall, library and archives, Sunday school/OVBS department,
MGOCSM department, St. Mary's Samajam department, Public
Relations/Publication department, Counseling center, Liturgical
department, Conference/Seminar Development department,
Metropolitan's aramana, Guest quarters, and a future Seminary.

USA is three times larger than India and our diocese has six (6)
Council members and three (3) Trustees of the Board. The Supreme
Court of India recommended implementing women participation in
voting and administration and currently the voting age is 18.
Besides, the US Constitution prohibits discrimination of all
kinds. We have to give women and youth participation in our
governing bodies at diocesan and parish levels. It is high time
to think about increasing the numbers to accommodate these and
also more regional participation. We have to amend our Diocesan
Incorporation and petition the Managing Committee and the
Episcopal Synod to amend the Constitution or allow us to
implement these relevant changes.

We need to strengthen regional conferences conducted every year
and a Convention every 3-5 years. The Convention
should be well organized and planned to be held at different
metropolitan cities in rotations and there should be no regional
conferences in that particular year. Diocesan Assembly may be
convened during the conferences and annual conventions, which
also may be convened at different regions on a rotational basis.

The council intends to meet regularly with updates sent to
diocesan representatives. The diocesan representatives will act
as diocesan liaisons having an active role in the diocesan
administration. Finances will be handled properly and audited by
independent auditors besides our internal auditor. I will be
personally accountable for every penny coming in and will be
reported penny for penny in proper statements.

It seems there is no accountability when it comes to visitors
from India. It is troublesome since there are more questions and
fewer answers. It is important that we promote charitable
contributions. Applications should come to the diocesan office,
and funds should be dispersed from a common fund for charity.
Any visitor for a specific project with specific itineraries
should be handled through the diocesan office with the knowledge
of the diocesan metropolitan.

The diocese needs finance for the smooth functioning of several
projects according to the master plan. We need regional centers
as well as headquarters. It may seem insurmountable, but it is
achievable if we focus our efforts for the glory of God and for
the benefit of our church. We are blessed abundantly by God. Let
us count our blessings. We came to earth empty-handed and we
will leave empty-handed. So let us set apart 10% of our earnings
for the Church/Diocese/Parish. We will be amazed at the
results. What is humanly impossible is divinely possible. God
will bless us manifold and our future generation will be a
blessing to us and for our Church. UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE
FALL!

We have a bright future ahead of us. Let us think positive and
uphold each other in our prayers. Please pray that God may use
the Diocesan Council and me for the Glory of God. Please send
your feedback (as your secretary, my e-mail address is:
secretaryachen@ yahoo.com); your input will be incorporated when
finalizing our master plan. Please pray for Bava thirumeni,
Barnabas thirumeni, our thirumenis, our parishes, our achens and
deacons, all the members of our diocese, and all the faithfully
departed ones. May God Bless us all!

Wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous
New Year!

K. G. Philipose achen
Diocesan Secretary
American Diocese

In response to your message I would like to convey the following for
your kind attention.


1. MOSC has considered 4 Bishops from the Patriarchis side (One is
returned).  According to our Church constitution The Malankara
Association has to approve the Bishop candidates and why did not our
Church submit the names of those Bishops to the 2 previous
Assiciation meeting?


2. Our Church accepted 2 Priests from the Catholic Church.  They
both married as a full priest and joined with us and we did not re-
ordinate tham as we are acceting the appostolic ordination of the
Catholic church.  according to our tradition A Priest cannot get
married after becoming a Priest.  So why did we accept those priests
to our church?  Is our Church an Inn to get in for any person for
his needs?


3. The MOSC has to strictly take a firm decission to ban our Bishops
to own properties .


4. Bishops should be accessable in their diocese and strictly give
directions to not to absent more than 2 weeks from the own diocese
and it should restrict to maximum 2 times in a year .


5. It should be informed to the corresponding diocesan Bishop prior
to the visit of a Bishosp from another diocese to the geographical
authority of any other Bishop.


6.  Any visiting Bishop should be accessable at any time by the
corresponding diocesan Bishop so the whereabouts of the Bishop
(Exact Location address and Landing telephone number along with
cellphone should be provided.)


7. H.H. Catholicos have to take the necessary action against the
responsible persons for the Catholicate College incident.

It will be highly appreciable if you can add these items for the
kind attention of the Holy Synod.

Charly V. Padanilam, Houston, USA.

Dear Moderators

   I am glad to note that you have called for a meeting of the members of MORM,
to garner points for submission to the next Synod Meeting.

   I have the following point for your consideration:

   Church policy for admission to our institutions:

   My experience is that our church gives no preference to our children
(Orthodox) to the institutions notably for Engineering and Medical colleges. 
For example, if an Orthodox member and a non-christian apply for a position or
admission to our colleges, our church will give preference to the non-christian.
This attitude must be changed and the church must reserve seats for our
children.  In my case, I did not get an admission for MBBS even at a payment
seat.  I have approached the Pushpagiri where they offered me a seat a 50%
discount (BUT ONE CONDITION THAT ME AND MY FAMILY HAVE TO JOIN THEIR CHURCH). 
Nevertheless, I did not take up the offer and managed to get a seat in
Karnataka.  The sad side of the story is that in Kolencherry, myself and a
muslim applied, but the muslim boy got the seat!.  On the contrary, if you apply
in any Muslim/Hindu institutions, they obviously would give preference to their
student.

   My point is that we support our church with immense financial contribution for
various matters but they do not consider the development of our children and
members.


   Regards

   Koshy

The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church should explore the option of establishing
Patriarchates at the Metro cities of Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and New Delhi. The
Patriarchates should come under the Holy See of the Catholicos based in
Kottayam.

  With sub-national identity becoming the order of the day, it is advisable to
establish one diocese each for each Indian State. Of course, there can be a
single diocese for the northeastern States. These dioceses in each region _  say
north, south, east, and west _ should be brought under the respective
Patriarchates.

   This, I hope, will go a long way in establishing the identity of the Malnkara
Church as a pan-Indian Orthodox Church.

   The Synod _ of course the Malankara Association also _ may think about
electing and consecrating a Metropolitan each for the new dioceses.

   Appropriate amendments may be brought in the consitution of the Church to
sever all links with the Antiochean Patriarch and to establish the Malankara
Church as an autonomous and autocephalous one. The Church may be renamed as The
Orthodox Church of India.

   The present tendency of seeing the Catholicate, established/re-established in
Malankara in 1912, as a continuation of the Catholicate in Tigris should be
discouraged. We should be able to see the establishment of the Catholicate in
Malankara as a natural evolution of the ecleciastical hierarchy here _ from
Archdeacon to Mar Thomas Metropoltan to Malankara Metropoltan and finally the
Catholicos.

   These suggestions may be placed before the Holy Synod.

   Thomas Jacob,
   Thiruvananthapuram

HG Job Mar Philoxenos, New Delhi

Dear Moderators,
I am happy to be a member of MORM. But I doubt how far I can
contribute for the Forum.
Mar Philoxenos
..........................................................

Thomas Jacob, Thiruvananthapuram

I'm Thomas Jacob. I belong to Mavelikara, now settled in
Thiruvananthapuram. I'm Assistant Editor with The Hindu,
Thiruvananthapuram. Would like to be actively involved in the
activities of the organisation.

Dear friends,

Almaya Vedi is having an emergency meeting this Sunday at Kottayam to
discuss the matters we are going to submit to the consideration of the
upcoming Synod.

We are requesting immediate assistance from the MORM members. Please
post your valuable thoughts of what you would like to see happening in
the church.
                            Thomas Chandy
                              Secretary, Almaya Vedi

Dear All,

I hope this group can maintain a high level of discussion, at the same time
remaining mindful of the sensitive nature of many issues relating to our
church.

All our readers must recognize the global mission and purpose of the church.
If our church remains a museum to 'preserve' the faith rather than a body to
cultivate the living tradition of Orthodoxy, our labors will be fruitless.

Since this is a group aimed towards the laity, it is important to instill in
our people the importance of parish life, for the parish is the face of the
church to our people.  I would like to see discussion grounded in improving
the overall parish experience in the Indian Church, and in turn an
improvement in the Diocesan administration is of utmost importance.  The
parishes should play an integral role in the improvement and edification of
the immediate community.  The whole hearted labor and love the parish shows
to the surrounding community should lead to conversion - an idea currently
alien to the Indian Church.  The need for liturgical translation is also
necessary for healthy parishes throughout the world.

Please keep these ideas in mind.

Gregory Semassan.
New York

Last week I posted a quotation from the book, "Our Church" by Very
Rev. Thomas Mundukuzhy. Here is a list of issues in our church as
presented in that article.
.................................................................

1. We do not enjoy the fruits of this institution, our church,
sufficiently.

2. We neglect and ignore the essentials in the name of ORTHODOXY.

3. Our Church is too conservative in implementing changes in the
observations of worship services, teaching, preaching and practicing.

4. We don't see action and life in the all avenues and fields
that we are supposed to?

5. We are afraid of introducing plans, projects and activities
that do not change our faith, traditions, doctrines, dogmas and
disciplines, but, renews and revives, our spirituality and ethics.

6. We can't inform and instruct all in written documents
regarding the stand and positions of our Church about intriguing
issues such as abortion, sexual orientation, interrelationship with
other denominations, so on and so forth.

7. The process of elections of bishop candidates has not been
commendable in recent years.

8. It is a shame that we Christians who preach and teach love
and peace can't come together, especially with those who have the
same faith, order, doctrines, dogmas, discipline and so on.

9. Our Church does not have a strong Publications Department.

10. Our church is not vibrant enough to keep our members within
our fold without being caught by Pentecostal and other groups.

11. There is no formal and organized effort or concrete agenda
to solve the spiritual, physical and mental concerns of the members.

12. Job offers at our Church-owned schools, colleges and other
institutions based on bribery rather than qualifications and
denominational preferences.

13. A good number of our members have no interest or concern to
learn the various aspects of our Church. Lack of Biblical and
theological understandings and faith drive them to go from one group
to another.

14. We have a good number of highly educated retirees. After 55,
they have lots of time, but not much to do. They waste their time,
talents, and energy.

Dn. Gregory Varghese, NY, USA

My name is Dn. Gregory Varghese.  I am currently residing in
Crestwood, NY undergoing my Theological Studies at St. Vladimir's
Orthodox Theological Seminary, working towards a Masters in Divinity.
I was ordained in 2001 under His Grace Mathews Mar Barnabas.
.....................................................................

TS Daniel, Surat, Gujarat, India

Member of Mar Basselios Orthodox Church, Surat,Gujarat.  Originally
belong to St. Mary's Valiya Palli, Vakayar, Konni.

Would like to keep abreast of developments in Kerala and elsewhere.

I am a little concerned on the objective of this yahoo-forum.  One of the
moderators in the last posting mentioned 'we are trying to identify the real
issues in our church'.

Do we want to bring out all those issues into the open and discuss not knowing
who the real members of this forum are?  How can the moderators guarantee that
the members of this group are from the Malankara Church and the discussions are
for enhancing our church and its activities and not to bring the dirt into the
open?  We have several forums on the net, majority of them talks about the
issues in the church especially the fight between the two factions.  I hope this
forum will be different.

Kurien Varghese
Kuwait.

Koshy Kuruvila, UAE

My name is KOSHY KURUVILLA. I am currently living and working in the
United Arab Emirates. I am a member of the Orthodox church here in
UAE and Kerala.  I am from Tiruvella.  I would like to take part in
any constructive discussions held in the group and will register my
opinion accordingly.

Regards
  Koshy

....................................................................
Cherian Varghese, Mumbai

I am Cherian Varghese, from Mumbai. I am from the Mulund Parish in
Mumbai. Our church is dedicated to St. George. I am also from the
Bhandup Prayer Group. We have a chapel dedicated to St Mary under
the ageis of our Parish.

I wish this group would provide the catalyst for the schism in our
church to heal and we become one.

Regards

.........................................................
Aby Paul, NY, USA

My name is Aby Paul.  I am a member of St. George
Orthodox Church of Westchester, Port Chester, NY, USA.
  My family parish in India is St. Peter's and St.
Paul's Orthodox Church, Kurinji, Ernakulam.

...........................................................
P.N.BENJAMIN- Panavelil, Bangalore

I hail from Mallappally - Vattasseril Thirumeni's native place. I
also belong to the first Syrian-Anglican Church which originated
from the Thekkepalli (presntly known as the KAATTUPALLI) where
the Mar Thoma and the Syrian Orthodox (Malankara)Church worship once
a month respectively. I,d like to know more about Thirumeni as I left
Mallappally some four decades ago. I am now settled in Bangalore.My
forefathers belonged to the Vadekkepalli(North) which was built by
them. It is recorded in the Indian Church history.

P.N.BENJAMIN- Panavelil
Coordinator
Bangalore Initiative for Religious Dialogue(BIRD)
...............................................................
Kurien Varghese, Kuwait

I am Kurien Varghese, member of St. Gregorios Indian Orthodox Syrian Church,
Kuwait. My home parish is St. Mary's Church, Pulikeezh, Tiruvalla. I am the
Headmaster of Kuwait Sunday School, the largest Sunday School in Malankara
Sabha, with 840 students and 51 teachers.

Mani P. Sam points out the following issues in our church:

1. Rules and regulations do not apply to all people in our church in
the same way.

2. Some (or all) of the organizations funded by the church do not
have transparency in financial dealings.

3. Some of our organizations are taking advantage of certain rules
regarding minority institutions.

4. Community quota seats in our educational institutions are sold by
people with vested interests.

5. The officials of the church organizations lack skills of
management, and are short of ethical values.

6. People occupy positions of authority indefinitely without any
term limit.

7. Positions of authority in the Church do not have a retirement age.

8. Members of monastic orders have personal assets or bank accounts,
and the Church does not any system in place to take care of the retired Bishops,
priests, and sextons.

9. Sexton's is not a stipendiary position like that of the Vicar.
Sextons are not required to have any minimum educational
qualifications or any training on liturgy, music, theology, human
relations, book keeping, and other administrative matters

10. Women do not have equal representation and voting rights in all
matters of the Church and are not allowed to occupy all administrative
positions.  In fact one vote per adult subscribing member is not implemented.

Reji Rajan contributed the following:

11. Our faith has shrunken to a set of religious routines that do
not mean very much to us.

12. The church does not cater to the needs of our world of
information revolution by providing a strong basis to build up our
lives. The church does not teach its faith effectively.

13. Our parishes have become club houses of social gathering.

14. The organization and administration of the church is not
transparent and accessible to ordinary people.  So they do not have
a sense of belonging.

Thomas Varghese assumes two issues:

15. We not have adequate strategies to defend and help adapt our
faith and traditions to the various communities throughout the world.

16. The Diocesan administration of the Malankara Orthodox Church is
not satisfactory.


Comments from Moderators: Thanks so much for taking your valuable
time to suggest these issues. Now we request all the members to

1. Add more issues if you have.

2. Also you may seek further clarification from the members who
brought the issues.

3. Some of these issues may look like a misunderstanding of the
author, and you may want to correct the author. If you think a
certain issue is really not an issue, but only it looks like an
issue to some people, please post your argument clearly in the
fewest possible words.

We are trying to identify the real issues in our church. Your
contributions are welcome. When you make an argument, list your
reasons to make your point.

Let us have another fruitful week of discussion!

Regards,
        Moderators

Dear friends,
          We have had an exciting week in our forum.

Our Membership

In the very week of its birth, it has grown to have 65 members. We
believe that it is a tremendous growth in size. We earnestly request
each member to introduce at least one more person to this group. We
thank each and every member for joining this group. Special thanks
to all those who were willing to introduce themselves. If you
haven't introduced yourself yet, you are welcome to do so at any
time. Whenever you feel like you want to express a comment, just
jump in, introduce yourself, and say what you have got to say.

Messages of support

We received messages of support from two other internet groups: MOSC
and GSC. We really appreciate this support. We want to state again
that this group is not in competition with any other group. On the
other hand, we want to work together with all the other groups and
organizations that strive for the growth and well-being of our
church. We have requested the support of the other groups as well.
Hope they all will understand and support us.  We encourage all our
members to be members in the other groups as well. Please take time
to read the past discussions in all these groups, and come up with
creative ideas of what we can do now to bring about a renaissance in
our church.

Concerns about this group

Two of our members expressed a concern about this group. Let us
address them first. Itoop Korah, a moderator of MOSC group wrote "I
hope by Renaissance you mean going closer to God, rather than
getting involved in politics."  Reji Rajan from Houston wrote, "I
hope the intention of renaissance is to finally make our church
better; not to create a new faction. (None of us know for sure what
our actions might bring, but I hope the intention is not to create a
faction.)". We think we understand the concern of both of our
members. We want to make it clear that our ultimate objective is the
unity of the whole humanity. We believe that it is God's will that
all people in the world be able to live together in peace. Ours is a
creative and constructive movement which mends broken relationships.
Our objective is to create bridges and not walls. This can be seen
in our inclusive approach. We understand that the word "Politics"
has a good meaning and a bad meaning. We definitely don't want to
involve in politics in its bad sense. But in its good meaning, "the
art or science of governing a body of people", politics is something
we want to get involved in.

Contributions

We received several constructive ideas and suggestions from Mani P.
Sam from Chennai,  Reji Rajan from Texas, USA, and Thomas Varghese,
New York, USA. We also thank John Kunnathu, Texas, USA for posting the
thought-provoking article from Very Rev. Thomas Mundukuzhy.

We thank each and everyone for their active participation in our
group this week. We request the continued participation from
everyone in the coming week.

Regards,
         Moderators

KOSHY KURUVILLA, UAE

My name is KOSHY KURUVILLA. I am currently living and working in the
United Arab Emirates. I am a member of the Orthodox church here in
UAE and Kerala.  I am from Tiruvella. I would like to take part in
any constructive discussions held in the group and will register my
opinion accordingly.

Regards

Koshy
........................................................

Cherian Varghese, Mumbai

I am Cherian Varghese, from Mumbai. I am from the
Mulund Parish in Mumbai. Our church is dedicated to St
George. I am also from the Bhandup Prayer Group. We
have a chapel dedicated to St Mary under the ageis of
our Parish.

I wish this group would provide the catalyst for the
schism in our church to heal and we become one.

Regards

New issue of Malankara Nazrani
http://www.usmalayalee.com/Nazrani/Index.htm

I feel that we have a strong basis of faith in our church, but our
faith has dwindled into a set of religious routines; with not many
people knowing what is going on or what it all means. So many people
either have little faith and are using the church as a place for
social gathering or as a club house. Others blindly follow rituals
without thinking or knowing what they are doing. Both these sets of
people are very vulnerable to other outside religious influences.

We live in a new world of information revolution and people need more
convincing reasons to believe. The church needs to teach effectively,
its faith. Also the organization and administration of the church
should become more transparent and accessible to ordinary people, so
that they feel a sense of belonging.

Finally I hope the intention of renaissance is to finally make our
church more better; not to create a new faction. (None of us know for
sure what our actions might bring, but I hope the intention is not to
create a faction.)

May God help us all to see and do what is right.

Regards,

Reji Rajan.

"The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present."
- Abraham Lincoln

Reji Rajan, Houston, TX USA

I am Reji Rajan, an engineer/software systems analyst based in
Houston, USA. I am a member of the St. Gregorios Orthodox church,
Houston.
...............................................................

Thomas K Varghese, White Plains, New York.

Thank you for inviting me to join the group. I am a member of St.
Thomas Orthodox Church, Yonkers,the mother church of the American
diocese.

I would love to see discussions on the following subjects:

-     Strategies to defend and help adapt our faith and traditions to
the various communities throughout the world.

-    The Diocesan administration of the Malankara Orthodox Church.

God Bless

Thomas Varghese, New York

ALMAYAVEDI magazine is releasing a Special edition on St.Geevarghese
Mar Divannasios (Vattasseril Thirumeni) on the 72nd rememberance day.

Those interested in associating with this endevour may get in touch with Akhila
Malankara Orthodox Almayavedi, PO box 572, Kottayam 686001,India.

I like to contribute an excellent dream of what our church can be. It is from a
senior clergy of our church: Very Rev. Thomas Mundukuzhy. What follows is a
quotation from his book entitled "Our Church" (pages 84 --91). He calls for a
radical change in our outlook of the church and its mission.
...........................................................

"Change is the sign of the season. Quality is the talk
of the day and the need of our time. A number of
suggestions, comments, ideas and observations have
been presented by several in recent times to bring
about quality-oriented activities, services and
programs in our Church.

We live in an action-oriented, value-evaluating era.
Our Church, the Body of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ, is our employer. We are all its employees and
customers, sons and daughters. Do we all enjoy the
fruits of this institution sufficiently? If not, what
is the root cause? Are we being neglected and ignored
in the name of ORTHODOXY? Is our Church too
conservative in implementing changes in the
observations of worship services, teaching, preaching
and practicing? Do we see action and life in the all
avenues and fields that we are supposed to? What is
wrong with introducing plans, projects and activities
that do not change our faith, traditions, doctrines,
dogmas and disciplines, but, for newness and revival,
only enhance and influence our spirituality and
ethics? Why can't we inform and instruct all in
written documents regarding the stand and positions of
our Church about intriguing issues such as abortion,
sexual orientation, interrelationship with other
denominations, so on and so forth? Our Church
administration is episcopal in character and
democratic in principle. With the firm hope and
expectation of extending our Christianity-old Indian
Orthodox Mission, and of expanding our Catholicate
Vision, the following centrally principled,
decentrally activated, practical and working
suggestions are presented with a three-dimensional
focus -- the Center, the Diocese and the Parish -- to
inspire additional voices to implementation.

CENTRAL

1. THE SUPREME HEAD: His Holiness the Catholicose Cum
Malankara Metropolitan, the Supreme Head of Our
Church, shall be the focal point of all our
activities. His Holiness shall stay at the Catholicate
Palace (Devalokam Aramana), most of the time fasting,
praying and administering our Church as The GOOD
SHEPHERD, preserving the status, dignity and divinity
of the position. His Holiness shall be approachable by
everyone, but should not be too cheap. Arrangements
shall be made to visit His Holiness at the Aramana
with prescribed and announced time schedules. There
shall be a multitude of dedicated scholars and
advisers including Cor Episcopas, Rembachans, other
clergy members, and laymen to set up the many programs
and projects affecting daily activities, as well as to
aid the administration of our Church as a whole. His
Holiness' Secretariate shall be filled with able and
capable Officers and Cabinet Members. His Holiness
shall visit each Diocese in Kerala once or twice a
year, each Diocese in India may be once a year, and
each Diocese outside India once in a while -- all with
the consultations and very early systematic
arrangements between the staff of His Holiness and of
the Diocesan Metropolitans. Funerals of laymen shall
be directed to the parish priests; and of clergy, to
the Diocesan Metropolitans. His Holiness shall only
lead the funeral services of Metropolitans. So also
weddings and other parish ceremonies shall be
conducted by the local clergy, not the Catholicose
(except communal weddings) or Metropolitans (except of
the deacons). Such understandings and arrangements
minimize misunderstandings within the community,
especially among the less privileged members of Our
Church.

2. MISSIONS AND MINISTRIES: His Holiness should have
at least five sets of MISSIONS and four kinds of
MINISTRIES systematically instituted and operated:

MISSIONS

A. INTERNAL MISSION: For Mission with in Our Church.

B. ORIENTAL ORTHODOX MISSION: To work with the other
four Oriental Orthodox Churches.

C. PAN-ORTHODOX MISSION: To work with the Eastern
Orthodox Churches.

D. ECUMENICAL MISSION: To work with the local
ecumenical groups and with the World Council of
Churches.

E. EVANGELICAL MISSION: For Missionary Works.

MINISTRIES

A. TEACHING MINISTRY: For Religious and Secular
Education.

B. HUMAN MINISTRY: To Work for the Last, for the Lost
and for the Least.

C. ADMINISTRATIVE MINISTRY: To Deal with
Constitutional and Hierarchical affairs, and

D. SACRAMENTAL MINISTRY: To Deal with the Sacraments
of the Church.

(Refer the first few pages of this chapter for details
of these Missions and Ministries)

ALL THESE NINE DEPARTMENTS SHALL WORK TOGETHER UNDER
THE CLOSE LEADERSHIP AND DIRECTION OF THE SUPREME HEAD
OF OUR CHURCH.

3. ELECTIONS AND SELECTIONS: The process of elections
of bishop candidates has not been commendable in
recent years. Canvassing and balloting have become
very political. If there are more than the needed
number of candidates, there shall be an educated
procedure to evaluate their qualifications, such as
their proficiency in the Ministries and
Administration. Lately, there have been many
elevations to the position of Cor Episcopa. The Church
has to define their qualifications, responsibilities,
vestments, number in each Diocese, etc. There are
several other positions that lack definition,
requirements and qualifications. Such matters have to
be rectified.

4. UNITY: The whole world has been coming together in
unity: communists with non-communists, Israelis with
Palestinians, Protestants with Catholics, Hindus with
Muslims, atheists with believers. It is a shame that
we Christians who preach and teach love and peace
can't come together, especially with those who have
the same faith, order, doctrines, dogmas, discipline
and so on. His Holiness shall send an encyclical to
all the parishes declaring three days of fasting,
prayer, and vigil to observe for the sole goal of
achieving peace with the members of the Patriarch
party, to become a mighty force together; to unshackle
the hearts and minds and lives of those who stand
against peace; to realize the importance of such
unity; and to enjoy the beauty and sweetness of
liberty and freedom within our own indigenous and
autonomous Church.

5. UNIFORMITY: It is hard to find services and
observances conducted in the same way in any two of
our parishes. The lack of concrete and prescribed
directions and instructions and training make such
differences inevitable. While the substance and
content may be the same, the way is different -- the
conducting of the seven sacraments, Church
consecrations, ordinations, observations of fasting,
passion week services, etc. Even if we can use the
Economy of our Church at certain occasions, it would
be much better to have uniformity in everything. From
His Holiness all the way to the sub-deacons, we see
such differences in observances and vestments. We must
have a complete new beginning at our Seminary, which
shall spread all over within a prescribed time period.
Ordinations only after proper seminary training will
eventually have the effect of uniform practices. How
about making our worship services more attractive,
meaningful and personal by having the whole
congregation say the responses, with directed pauses?
How about chanting the Lord's Prayer and Creed? The
choir using a simple musical instrument like a
keyboard makes the service more attractive with the
whole congregation singing together. Those who do not
receive Holy Communion shall be given the Blessed
Bread (BRUKSA) like all other Orthodox Churches. The
Parish Executive Committee as well as our Church
Managing Committee shall receive Holy Communion
together before they take over their new
responsibilities. They should also be trained with the
Constitution of our Church and the Church's Seven
Commandments. Only strict directives from the CENTER
will make all these happen.

6. SIZES AND RESOURCES: The number of parishes in a
Diocese shall be around sixty, to make annual
Metropolitan visits possible. The resources of such
parishes shall altogether meet the needs and demands
of the Diocese, including salaries and allowances for
all concerned. If feasible, transfer of Metropolitans
shall also be implemented for a change to all, and
there is no moving expense involved in such a
transfer.

7. SPIRITUAL ORGANIZATIONS: The Offices of the
Spiritual Organizations like Sunday School, Youth
League, Mar Gregorios Orthodox CHristian Student
Movement, Prayer Groups, Martha Mariam Samajam, etc.,
shall closely work with the Secretariate of the
Supreme Head of our Church, to coordinate activities
with up-to-date methods, means, and measures to reach
and touch in enlightening and instilling the faith in
all members.

8. SACRAMENTAL NEEDS AND CHURCH UTENSILS Our
monasteries, Convents, Mission Centres, and other
Institutions shall be utilized to make Communion Wine,
Vestments and all such Sacramental Needs and Church
Utensils. The Central Administration shall coordinate,
lead and guide all such institutions with training and
assignments. (We should not be swayed by lobbyists to
prevent such undertakings.)

9. REVISIONS AND RE-CREATIONS: Our worship Services
and Spiritual Activities shall be revised under the
close supervision of a very responsible Liturgical
Commission. The Publication Department shall print and
update all such items --Liturgy Books, Prayer Books,
Sacramental Books, Funeral Services, Ordination and
Consecration Books, Fast and Feast Day Service Books,
Lenten and Passion Week Service Books -- within a
certain period, for general use, considering the
language, length, content and so on, so that at least
our next generation shall be able to enjoy such
changes. To pray and worship, services don't have to
be very long; the language doesn't have to be very
hard; and the content doesn't have to include
anathemas, curses, and many repetitions and
adjectives. The quality aspects of our worship
services, teaching and practices shall be modernized
and reintroduced to attract our members as well as
others -- young and old and male and female -- for
more participation and involvement. More boys shall be
trained in each parish every year to serve at the
altar, and girls shall be encouraged to recite the
Psalms and to read the Old Testament Lessons.

10. PUBLICATIONS : The use of the written word for
sharing thoughts is very important. Our Church must
have a strong Publications Department. There are
instances that we have to use books published by
others, even by the Protestants, for our daily prayers
at home. We have knowledgeable and dedicated writers.
We should have full-time staff working at the
Publications Department, to analyze and meet the many
demands and needs of our faith-seeking hungry
questers. Budding writers shall be encouraged with
awards, and scholarly authors shall be attracted
through royalties, rewards and remunerations. Official
publications of our Church History, Faith, Order,
Disciplines, Doctrines, Dogmas, Comparative Religions,
shall be a must for the proper propagation and
expansion of our Orthodox mission and Catholicate
vision.

11. UNPROSELYTATION: There were no Roman Catholics in
Malankara before Menezis. There were no Protestants
amongst us before those so called missionaries
arrived. The Malankara Catholic Rite stole a good
number of our members. The Church of South India. and
the Marthomites added more to their groups. Now the
biggest threat is Sabbath Mission, Brethren, and
especially, Pentecostal Groups and Jehovah's
Witnesses. They all proselytize our members every day,
hour and minute. I wonder what these lazy, crazy and
hazy people are doing among our members, when there
are millions out there who have never heard of Jesus
Christ and the Ministry of Salvation. We have to wake
up and do what ever is needed to stop this madness. We
need a big MISSION within our Church to keep the
members within our fold and to oust the intruders,
through teaching, preaching, training and so on for
more fellowship, attendance, morality, fasting,
praying, confessing, and receiving Holy Communion on a
permanent basis. The Protestant Voices of interruption
within our Church shall also be subdued and
disciplined. The Internal Mission has a big
responsibility in this direction to instill, enlighten
and arouse every one.

12. VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS: We have a good number of
highly educated retirees. After 55, they have lots of
time, but not much to do. They waste their time,
talents, and energy. The Church shall make use of
their intelligence, wisdom and capabilities to utilize
the rest of their lives for the benefit of all through
voluntary organizations with needed training.

13. BASIL PRIZE: Plans, rules and regulations shall be
developed to award prizes in several categories, in
the model of the Nobel Prize, in the name of St. Basil
the Great, i.e. , BASELIUS, the title designate of the
Supreme Head of Our Church, Bhava Thirumeny, to
encourage Our members in exemplifying various aspects
of life achievements.

14. IMPLEMENTATION: The implementation of these
projects, programs, plans and ideas is the key. Most
people welcome sound changes with a sweet medium. His
Holiness, the Metropolitans, Clergy and the Members
have to work together shoulder to shoulder to achieve
these goals. We always hear that there is no
directions from the center for enthusiasm; there is no
formal and organized effort or concrete agenda to
solve the spiritual, physical and mental concerns of
the members; there is lack of loving, diplomatic and
tactical hierarchical approach with the makers and the
breakers; excuses quoting Church litigation; joining
sides with family conflicts and individual strife; and
criticisms about job offers at our Church owned
schools, colleges and other institutions based on
bribery rather than qualifications and denominational
preferences. Laziness, inaction, conflicts,
ideological deficiencies, differences between talks
and actions, communication gaps, interference of sound
doctrines and practical life, are some of the other
complaints leveled against the hierarchy. A good
number of our members have no interest or concern to
learn the various aspects of our Church. Lack of
Biblical and theological understandings and faith
drive them to go from one group to another. Many of
them are just onlookers rather than partakers.
Ignorance of our stand, negligence in Bible Study,
Prayer, Fasting, Confession, Holy Communion,
Fellowship, Tithing, Marriage Alliances without
considering the faith of the families, financial and
employment opportunities, eagerness to indulge in
emotional and superficial activities along with
inclination for prophetic and miracle-centered
involvement; are some of the pitfalls we see among our
members. We have to have concrete plans and projects
to solve such weaknesses through scrutinized
implementable measures and methods. The centers and
the hierarchy have to stick to their principles to
achieve the goals.

15. ANNUAL EVALUATIONS: Arrangements shall be made to
have Annual Reports containing the highlights and low
beams from each parish to the Diocesan Metropolitan,
and from each Diocese to the Catholicose Cum Malankara
Metropolitan, for evaluations (SWOT ANALYSIS:
STRENGTH, WEAKNESS, OPPORTUNITIES AND THREAT) and
feedback through the Managing and Working Committees.
The Holy Episcopal Synod shall make appropriate timely
measures, methods and decisions to keep the standard
of our Orthodox Church and its Catholicate in this
modern, technological world.

DIOCESE
Each Diocesan Office shall be a miniature replica of
the CENTRAL OFFICE. The Diocesan Metropolitan and the
staff, comprised of well-trained personnel, shall
promote all the projects and programs of the CENTRAL
OFFICE, such as the visits of His Holiness and the
Diocesan Metropolitan, the Missions and Ministries of
our Church, Elections and selections of Metran and
other candidates, the endeavors for Unity, Uniformity,
Church Administrations, Spiritual organizations,
Revisions and Re-Creations, Unproselytations,
Volunteer Organizations, Basil Prize Endowments, etc.
They shall be orchestrated and implemented at the
Diocesan level to the maximum. All our Church
Publications, Sacramental Needs, and Church utensils
shall be distributed to the Parishes through the
Diocesan Offices. The Metropolitan shall stay at the
Diocesan Headquarters most of the time fasting,
praying and administering the Diocesan Affairs with
the help of well-equipped Office Bearers and
Assistants. The condensed and compiled Annual Reports
of the Diocese, based on the Reports of the Parishes
and the Performances of the Dioceses, shall be sent to
the Central Office for evaluations, appraisals and
feedback.

PARISH
The parish shall be the nucleus of all the Missions
and Ministries of our Church. There shall be Eucharist
Services on all Sundays and Feast Days. The members
shall be trained to come on time, participate from the
beginning to the end, and say responses with pauses;
get involved and participate in all activities and
organizations; learn the faith, order, discipline,
dogmas, doctrines. disciplines and the Constitution of
our Church; enjoy visitations, preaching, teaching,
sharing, caring, bearing, praying, fasting and
meditations; and to confess and receive Holy Communion
on a regular basis. All Spiritual Organizations shall
make use of the maximum benefit at all available
opportunities. The Parish, if large, shall be divided
into areas to conduct Prayer Meetings and other
Spiritual gatherings. By having a SCOUT or GUILD, the
youngsters can be prompted to actively participate in
Anniversary Ceremonies, Metropolitan's Visits,
Catholicate Day, Sunday School Day, and other
important occasions. Budding writers shall be
encouraged to publish. There shall be a LIBRARY at
each parish with enough resources, including Church
Magazines and other current publications. A STALL
would help distribute current publications,
sacramental needs and Church utensils. Boys shall be
trained to serve at the altar; girls, to recite Psalms
and read Old Testament Scriptures. Voluntary
Organizations consisting of the RETIREES shall be a
big boost to maintain the standard and upkeep of the
Parish. The cemetery shall be kept neat and clean with
the help of the Voluntary and Spiritual Organizations.
Selections of best candidates for Missionary Works and
Priesthood begin in the Parish level. Defending our
faith and propagating the Good News of Jesus Christ
shall be part of everyone's daily life. Picnics and
Pilgrimages help us learn and entertain. Church
Records should be kept well and Annual Reports
consisting of the activities of the Parish shall be
sent to the Metropolitan's Office promptly for
assessment, evaluation and feedback. The Vicars should
lead and guide the parish in all these endeavors very
carefully and efficiently, and the parish shall treat
the Achens by taking care of their needs. All should
enjoy the fellowship and shall keep up the good spirit
throughout."

Fr John Brian Paprock, Madison, WI USA

Honored to be invited and to help Thirumeni's vision be realized. I
am an American, lowly student of Mar Gregorios, Orthodox priest in
service to Holy Transfiguration Malankara Orthodox Mission in
Madison, Wisconsin USA. We are part of the Mission Society of St
Gregorios of India founded and directed by HG Thomas Mar Makarios.
your servant,

Fr John Brian, Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission
Madison, Wisconsin 608.236.9622
.............................................................

John Kappil, Langhorne, Pennsylvania  USA

Thanks for the invitation to join the MORM. I am John Kappil from
Langhorne, Pennsylvania  in USA. Member of Sts. Basilios-Gregorios
Orthodox Church in Central Jersey and also a Sunday School teacher.
My home parish is St. Stephen's Cathedral, Pathanamthitta. Looking
forward to see and share new ideas to strengthen our Orthodox Church.

Best wishes
John Kappil, Pennsylvania, USA