Misha is the daughter of P. C. Varghese, a member of Patna Mar Gregorios Orthodox parish under Calcutta Diocese.

The Diocesan Metropolitan, Dr. Joseph Mar Dionysius congratulated Misha for this great achievement.

News sent by: Fr. P.S.Varghese

This is seen as a spectacular achievement under the dynamic and young Ahmedabad Diocese Metropolitan Pulikkottil Dr Geevarghese Mar Yulios, diocesan secretary Fr Joji George and present Moti Khavdi Vicar Fr Philip Varghese.

The church will serve as a beacon to the Orthodox community and value since its proximity to Reliance Refinery (RIL), the largest refinery in world.
The plot is adjacent to six lanes of state highway and well connected with road from all three sides. As Reliance further expands business and executes new projects, the area will thread on a progressive path.

Dr Mar Yulios also celebrated the Holy Eucharist for the Moti Khavdi congregation and led a general body meeting. The meeting also unanimously agreed to procure the land and requested the Metropolitan to help provide the required funds. Dr Mar Yulios readily agreed to aid them financially. It was also decided in the diocesan council meeting that half of the funds will need to be given back to the diocese after collecting them from the congregation members. The Diocese Metropolitan has thus declared Moti Khavdi congregation as a church with immediate effect.

Based on the above agreement, Fr Joji George, Diocesan Secretary, P D Baby, Office Secretary and council member Adv Mathai Mampallil visited Moti Khavdi and inspected the land. After verification and checking of all documents by a local advocate, the committee evinced interest and agreed to procure the land. Registration was completed on the same day at Jamnagar court and the realty owner was compensated.

As per the wish of Dr Mar Yulios, the church members decided to collect the required money to construct a church building at the earliest. The Metropolitan heartily congratulated the congregation and committee members on this achievement.

Tracing the beginning, growth of Mothikhavadi congregation and achievements with a span of a year, the congregation was launched with the maiden visit of Dr Mar Yulios along with Vicar Fr Benjamin Thomas and Fr George Varghese to Jamnagar and Moti Khavdi in December 2010.

As per the guidance and instruction of the Metropolitan, Vicar Fr Philip Varghese took initiative to acquire suitable land to build a church in the nearby area of Moti Khavdi. Due to his persistent efforts, a piece of land approximately over 4,000 sq feet was purchased in the month of November 2011. Earlier, Holy Eucharist’s were held at the St Thomas Catholic Church, Moti Khavdi. The Metropolitan inspected the plot during his second visit to Jamnagar and expressed his deep interest to procure them.

The members also wished success and continuous growth for the Ahmedabad Diocese under the dynamic leadership of Dr Geevarghese Mar Yulios.

News sent by Fr Philip Varghese,

Pulikkottil Dr Geevarghese Mar Yulios, Metropolitan of Ahmedabad Diocese, inaugurated the conference and led the main session based on the theme “Role of Sunday School Teachers in Christian Parenting”.

Fr Joji George, Diocesan Secretary, Fr Manu Varghese Jacob, Vice President, Sunday School, Fr Vineeth Koshy, NCCI Youth Secretary, Fr Varghese Thomas, Vicar, Mar Gregorios Orthodox Valiyapally, Baroda, Sunday School Director P M Abraham took part in the conference and replied to felicitations.

Sunday School Inspectors and about 60 teachers from various parishes from Gujarat Diocese participated in the conference.

The conference was lively with Q&A session. The executive committee meeting of Sunday Schools was also held under the Presidentship of Dr Geevarghese Mar Yulios.

Earlier, the conference began with the Holy Eucharist led by the Metropolitan.

In a week-long visit to the central state last week, Dr Mar Yulios visited various Orthodox parishes and schools in Dewas, Indore, Pithampur and Nagada.

This was the second official visit of the Metropolitan after taking charge as Dicoesan Head in August 2010.

During his visit, Dr Mar Yulios, undertook a review of the activities in the parishes and schools for the forthcoming annual holidays in the region. The Metropolitan also addressed a well-attended ecumenical gathering at Indore.

Dr Mar Yulios has since returned to the Diocesan HQ at Naroda, Ahmedabad.

The first part of the consecration was held on January12, following the evening prayer. The second part was conducted on January 13 after the Morning Prayer. In the newly consecrated church the first Holy Qurbana was conducted and the Metropolitan Dr. Joseph Mar Dionysius was the chief celebrant on the occasion.

A public meeting was organized where in Priests, Sisters and faithful from other denominations were present.

Fr. Geevarghese Ramban from Bhilai, Fr. P.J. Joseph from Thumpamon along with other Priests of the Diocese assisted the Metropolitanduring the varied ceremonies

The Sarni Project started in the year 1985 was an initiative of Late Lamented Dr. Stephanos Mar Theodosius Metropolitan, then vicar Fr. K M Varghese and all the members of St.Thomas Orthodox Church. Though 14 Acres of land was purchased and a Higher Secondary school developed there in, the believers longed for a place of worship. The church services were conducted in an Ecumenical church shared along with other denominations. The church members felt the need of having a worship centre inside the campus. The foundation stone for the new church was laid on the 26th of January 2011.

Pictures

News sent in: Fr. P.S.Varghese

Villagers participate in Hindi convention led by Fr Joby Peter
MP Forest Minister okays Rs 2 lakh grant to build road to Makodia
Various other charitable works for the poor announced

ITARSI, Madhya Pradesh: Makodia Mission was the pet, dream project of LL Dr Stephanos Mar Theodosius, first Metropolitan of Calcutta Diocese. It was due to the singular efforts of this missionary giant that Makodia Mission completed 25 years of service.

The year-long Silver Jubilee celebrations of the Makodia Mission ended in a colourful manner last week.

On 11th December 11, 2011, after the Holy Eucharist by Dr Joseph Mar Dionysius Metropolitan, Calcutta Diocese, a public meeting was held.

Sartaj Singh, Hon’ble Forest Minister of Madhya Pradesh, who inaugurated the meeting, declared a grant of Rs 2 lakh to build the 2-km road to Makodia. As part of the charity measure, about 50 sewing machines were distributed among the villagers. Rs 25,000 medical aid was given to a patient and other charitable works were also announced.

Prem Shankar Varma, President Electronic Board (MP), Santhosh Parik, BJP District President, Bhuvaj Gupta Tahsildar and other dignitaries were present in the meeting.

Earlier, on December 10 evening, Dr Joseph Mar Dionysius led the evening prayers followed by the Hindi convention by Fr Joby Peter, Vicar of St Mary’s Orthodox Church, Bokaro in which about 450 villagers participated in the convention.

About 2,000 people from the nearby villages were provided lunch as part of Love Feast.
Calcutta Diocese Village Mission Project was started by LL Dr Mar Theodosius in 1986 with a mission to cater the needs of the marginalised people of Makodia and surrounding villages.

News sent in : Fr.P.S.Varghese

‘Let us make ourselves worthy to be the spotless gift to baby Jesus’
‘Remain holy, sinless and give ourselves to the Lord’
Celebrate feast of Martyrdom of St Thomas with Holy Qurbana on Dec 21

AHMEDABAD : Pulikkottil Dr Geevarghese Yulios, Metropolitan, Ahmedabad Diocese, has urged the faithful to observe three days fast from December 18-21, with special devotion and prayers to remember St Thomas, great founder Father of Christianity in India.

In a Bull No 89, dated December 7, 2011, issued from Ahmedabad, Dr Mar Yulios has called to celebrate the feast of the martyrdom of St Thomas with a Holy Qurbana on December 21 after 3 days of fasting.

On Christmas and birth of Jesus, His Grace notes that the birth of a child is always an occasion of happiness. “We have always overwhelming joy to watch a newborn. It is the innocence and sinless nature of a newborn that makes us joyous. Christmas recalls the occasion of the birth of our Lord, the second person of the Holy Trinity, who became a child!”

This God-child is fully identical with any other human child (Hebrews 4:15), but remained holy and knew no sin (II Cor 5:21). St Peter describes this child as ‘a lamb without blemish or defect’ (I Pet 1:19).

And the same child would exhort us to remain sinless throughout our lives. This is from where Christmas draws its depth and profundity. Nativity of our Lord is the season that calls us to remain holy and sinless. And the reward of being sinless is the Kingdom of Heaven, the eternal happiness with the angels, saints and all glorified departed.

The Metropolitan notes that we all are inherently happy to give gifts and presents to newborn children. The Holy Bible proclaims Magi from the far-east undertook an adventurous travel to present precious gifts to the new born baby Jesus. What will be the gifts that we would give to baby Jesus this year? Let us give ourselves to the Lord as gifts by being sinless during this Christmas and thereafter.

Just as Psalmist says, ‘The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise’ (Psalm 51:17). Let us give to the baby Jesus a broken and contrite heart that hastens towards holiness as our sincere gift during this Christmas season.

St Paul portrays the Church as without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless (Ephesians 5:27) and let us make ourselves worthy to be the spotless gift to the baby Jesus!

Kalpana

St Mary’s Orthodox Valiapally, Jalahalli is runner up
Dr Abraham Mar Seraphim compliments MGOCSM, OCYM
“You are not the future leaders, you are the present leaders. Let us continue this spiritual journey”

BENGALURU: St Gregorios Orthodox Church, Mathikere has emerged as the best choir among all Orthodox churches in the Bengaluru Diocese and lifted the K O Koshy Memorial Trophy.

In a fierce competition, favourites St Mary’s Orthodox Valiapally from Jalahalli, had to content itself in the second spot as runner up.

The musical extravaganza titled Zamar 2011 was held at the Christ University campus on December 18, Sunday, with leading playback singer K G Markose as chief guest.

In fact it was double whammy for the young Mathikere Church choristers. The previous night they bagged the First Prize in Shantharathri, a contest organised by Youth Movement of Jacobite Church.

As winners, Mathikere Church was awarded the annual K O Koshy Memorial Rolling Trophy and took home a cash prize of Rs 5,000. Jalahalli Valiapally as runner up got Rs 3,000.

The 16-member winning Mathikere Church choir consisted of Anish Cherian, Abraham P John, Shenoy Mathai, Biju Thankachan,Shibu Mathew, Libin, Sino, Cyril, Joji, and Ciji. The female group had Anitha Mathew, Anju George, Anu, Siji George, Soumya and Sibi.

Dr Abraham Mar Seraphim, Metropolitan, Bengaluru Diocese, in his presidential address hailed the hard work by the MGOCSM, OCYM volunteers towards making the competition a success and ringing in the Christmas season.

Earlier, the Metropolitan lighted the traditional lamp to begin the musical programme.

Dr Mar Seraphim wrote on Facebook: “God has made Zamar 2011 a great success. Let all glory goes to Him. On the other hand he used Rev Fr Saji Daniel, Ajith George, Aaron Mathew, MGOCSM and Youth members of Marthahalli Mar Baselios Church and other Bangalore youth members as instruments. And they responded to His call and Zamar 20011 became a memorable one. As the Diocesan Metropolitan, I thank you all for the dedicated service for the success of Zamar. The presence of Mr K G Markose, the priests of Bangalore city, senior members and well wishers of MGOCSM and Youth Movement added beauty to this event. I hope that we will continue this spiritual journey together. I am really proud of the youth of Bangalore Diocese. You are not the future leaders, you are the present leaders.”

In the end it was a great show by all the teams which put in their best efforts. Mention must be made of Bangalore Orthodox Choir with outstanding efforts of choir leaders Johnson Joseph and Roby.

Congrats also to Mar Baselios Youth, Marthahalli which hosted the event. Mathew John and team from their church strove hard to make it a success. K R Puram Church made their debut at Zamar from this year.

With this the curtain has come down on an eventful year-long event of the Diocese which began with Youth Lenten Retreat and included Bible Study Training, Cultural Day, Leadership Camp, Charity Month, Annual Conference, First Annual Sports and rounding off with Zamar.

MGOCSM and OCYM Vice President, Fr Saji Daniel along with office bearers, vicars of all Bengaluru diocese parishes and other spiritual
organisations did a commendable job in conducting the programmes throughout the year. The OCYM & MGOCSM also handed over a charity fund to the Eluru Mission (AP), a charity project of the Diocese on the occasion.

OCYM members feel that the stupendous and flawless event of such a magnitude has definitely raised the bar for next year’s Zamar.

Video

Photos

BRAHMAVAR ST MARYS ORTHODOX SYRIAN CATHEDRAL(KONKANI ORTHODOX COMUNITY) , ITS INSTITUTION AND THE CATHEDRAL STATE LEVEL GROUND WAS THE CENTRE OF ATTRACTION DURING THE STATE LEVEL PRIMARY AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT SPORT MEET HELD AT OUR CATHEDRAL GROUND

BRAHMAVAR: “Sports which evoke emotions play a major role in an individual’s growth. Winning and losing is just a part of the game which needs to be taken in sportsman spirit,” said Udupi zilla panchayat president Katpady Shankar Poojary.

He was speaking after inaugurating the state-level primary and high school students’ sports meet held at SMS Pre-University College, Brahmavar here on Saturday November 26,2011.

He further said that with government aid and help of generous donors such successful sports can be conducted more often. This sports meet has opened a new chapter in the history of Udupi district, he added.

The Sports Meet was organized under the aegis of the district administration, zilla panchayat, public education department of the district and SMS Pre-University College, Brahmavar.

District youth service and sports department assistant director Sitanadi Vittal Shetty delivered the key note address. DC Dr M T Reju, B S Anantha Nayak, zilla panchayat vice president Jyothi S Shetty, former MLA Basavaraj, taluk panchayat president Devdas Hebbar, pre-university education board director S S Shindha, Ashok Kumar Shetty, Karunakar Shetty among other eminent personalities were present as chief guests.

Arjuna award recipient, International sportsman S D Eshan lit the torch. He encouraged the children to participate more in sports which would help them to grow in a healthy manner.

MLA K Raghupati Bhat presided over the function. Bellary entrepreneur Gurme Suresh Shetty hoisted the flag. Brahmavar Sports Club president Dr Prakash Tholar received the honour(the salute).

SMS Pre-university College principal S Noronha welcomed the gathering. Aruru Thimappa Shetty, Sathishchandra Shetty, Susheela Rai compered the programme.

SMS College vice-principal B Srinivas Bhat, physical education director Chandrashekar Hegde, and Madhukar S among others co-ordinated in arranging the sports meet.

Prior to the stage program the dignitaries were welcomed with a spectacular procession. In the sports meet about 4,000 athletes from 34 districts across the state and 1,000 officers including umpires participate.

News sent in: Fr. Abraham Kuriakose

Around, 20 priests from all over the Diocese attended the clergy meet. The Metropolitan took a class on “Good and Wicked Shepherds”.

The Newly Introduced ‘Identity Cards’ for Priests were distributed to all of the clergy at the meet. Election for various posts was held. General Issues and Concerns of the diocese were also discussed.

Dates for various Diocesan programs were also decided. The meeting ended with a General Photo Session.

In the Afternoon, the Diocesan Council Meeting was held.

News sent in: Fr. Abraham Kuriakose