At Indiana, Dr Mar Seraphim will be one of the leaders at the 2013 Midwest Region Family & Youth Conference at the Shipshewana Conference and Event Centre, Shipshewana. The four-day conference is being held from July 10 to July 13, 2013,

On May 25, Dr Mar Seraphim along with Ahmedabad Diocese Metropolitan HG Pullikkottil Dr Geevarghese Mar Yulios will jointly solemnize a marriage at the St Gregorios Malankara Orthodox Church Oak Park at Illinois.

Both Dr Mar Seraphim and Dr Mar Yulios had served as Assistant Vicars of the parish under Fr M K Thomas, before their ordination as Metropolitan three years back.

On May 27, Monday, both the visiting Metropolitans will attend a Holy Ordination at Chicago when Alexios Mar Eusebius, Metropolitan of South West America, will ordain Arun Varghese Modayil to the order of sub-deacon at the St Gregorios Orthodox Church, Elmhurst, Illinois.

Dr Mar Seraphim will thereafter move to Dallas, Atlanta, New York, Detroit, Indiana and to Philadelphia and other places where a series of programmes are being planned.

At Detroit, Mar Seraphim will also be leading the feast of St Thomas.

The Bengaluru Diocese Metropolitan will return back to Diocese HQ at Dodda Gubbi, Bangalore East, by July 16.

As you have been following the news — a giant tornado killed at least 90 people, 20 of them children, as it tore across parts of Oklahoma City and its suburbs Monday afternoon, flattening homes, tossing cars through the air and crushing at least two schools. Let us pray for the victims, families, the volunteers, and the rescue workers.

Our dear loving and merciful God-

Loving Lord, we come to you trusting in your mercy and knowing that your steadfast love endures forever. Look with mercy on your children across Oklahoma City who have been harmed and displaced by this giant tornado. Merciful God, hear our cry for your mercy in the wake of this disaster. Grant eternal peace to those who lost their lives. Embrace the children, especially those little ones from the elementary schools, who died in their innocence. Help those who are hurt and cure those who are injured. Reveal your presence in the midst of our suffering. Help us to trust in your promises of hope and life so that desperation and grief do not overtake us. Come quickly to our aid that we may know peace and joy again. Strengthen us in this time of trial with the assurance of hope that we know in the death and resurrection of your Son. Grant your children your strength to meet the days ahead. Allow those families lost their loved ones and their life-long belonging to experience your peace which passes all understanding and new hope in the resurrection. Encourage those who suffer in the destruction of their homes and properties, so that despite the difficulty at hand they may once again stand up and rebuild their future.

Bless all those who extend their helping hands to those in need of food, shelter and clothing, who share their time, talents and resources with others. Inspire more people to be men and women for their neighbors, convinced that the more they are for others, the closer they journey with Your Son. We implore that we, our loved ones and our hard earned possessions, be spared from the threat of calamities, natural and man-made. Save us please from other disasters and devastations if this would be according to Your will and for our own spiritual good. Merciful Father, we command to your loving keeping all who work to bring rescue and relief especially the firefighters, law enforcement personnel, paramedics, medical personnel, and volunteers, all who are helping, Give them courage in danger, skill in difficulty, and compassion in service. Sustain them with bodily strength and calmness of mind that they may perform their work to the well-being of those in need so that lives may be saved and communities restored. Move in those who are able to give aid, that we may be your hands and heart on the earth. Be with all who offer your assistance; may your Spirit uphold them and to face the challenges ahead. Give us the assurance of your presence even in this time so that we can cling to your promise of hope and life shown us through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen

Arun is a student at the Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam for the past four years and will finish his final year at O.T.S after his ordination.

Arun has been in living in US for the past 19 years. He had completed his undergraduate degree in History from Northern Illinois University and worked for a short period of time before heading out to India for his theological studies.

News sent in by: Gladstone Mammen

The family get together of the Priests is first of its kind in the Diocese. It shall be a golden opportunity to spent time together and more over the family members also get a chance to know and interact with each other.

Separate sessions shall be held for Priests, Kochammas & Children. Visit to various centers of Church around Pathanapuram is also planned.

News sent in by: Jerry John Koshy

(1) The Beatitudes (Matt. 5:1-16): The sermon begins with the Beatitudes (the “blessings”); describing the joys of true discipleship, the blessed way of life. The people of God await ‘the rewards of the promises Jesus makes.

(2) The New Covenant (Matt. 5:17-48): Then, as the Son of God whose authority is’ greater than Moses’, Christ proclaims the new law, the righteousness leading toward perfection, to which’ the f\:1bsaic Law and the Prophets pointed. Jesus reveals the deeper meaning of several Old Testament laws, broadening their implications.

(a) “You shall not murder” is expanded beyond the command against physically killing another (Matt. 5:21-’-26). Murder now includes anger, calling someone a fool, and failure to be reconciled with a friend or adversary.

(b) “You shall not commit adultery” no longer refers merely to the unlawful act of sex outside marriage. It now includes lust (Matt. 5:27)

(c) Divorce was allowable under the Old Testament law, but under the New Covenant, divorce is only permissible because of sexual immorality, and remarriage to’a divorced person is not permitted (Matt. 5:31- 32).

(d) “Perform your oaths to the Lord” is the Old Testament law. Jesus instructs us to say “yes” or “no” without taking an oath, and to keep our word (Matt. 5:3~37).

(e) “An eye for an eye”-a graphic way of seeing justice from a human perspective becomes “turn the other [cheek)” and “love your enemies.” Not only must we forsake vengeance, even when it is just retribution; we must treat others as God treats us, with mercy and grace (Matt. 5:38-45),

(3) Spiritual disciplines (Matt. 6:1-7:12): Jesus assumes we will follow three disciplines which help us attain true righteousness (Matt. 6:1-18) and true wisdom (Matt. 6:19-7:12). These, disciplines are a vital part of Christian tradition.

(a) Giving alms, or doing .charitable deeds for the poor, should be done secretly, before God, not before men (Matt. 6:1-4).

(b) Prayer should follow the model of the Lord’s Prayer, which Jesus here reveals to His Church (Matt. 6:5-15).

(c) Fasting should likewise be done for God, not for men (Matt. 6:16-18).

These disciplines help us find true wisdom, which consists of: (1) the love of God and pursuit’ of His righteousness by bringing our treasure (Matt. 6:19-26) as ‘alms to God, our worries (Matt. 6:22-7:34) in prayer and fasting to Him; and (2) the love of human beings and pursuit of righteous reconciliation with them by submitting our judgments of them (Matt, 7:1-6) to God’s severe mercy. For these difficult tasks we need divine discernment and guidance, which God provides to those who follow Jesus’ spiritual rule (Matt. 7:7-12). Thus our natural impulses are redirected toward their proper goal: the righteousness of God in His Kingdom (Matt. 6:33).

(4) Exhortations to righteousness (Matt. 7:13-29): Jesus concludes with exhortations to true righteousness, warnings about hypocritical and deceitful professions of righteousness, and instructions to build on the rock’ of His teachings.

Source: Orthodox Study Bible pp13

Dr Mar Yulios will also visit the North East American Diocese and its Metropolitan head Mar Nicholovos. The 45-day visit to US include visits to Philadelphia, North Carolina, Illinois, Florida and Texas.

Dr Mar Yulios is leading Ahmedabad Diocese with renewed vigour, out-most ideal, foresighted vision and is determined to accomplish his ‘projected’ mission along with spiritual empowerment. The task of setting up an Aramana, St Mary’s International School, a chapel and seminary on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, is foremost on his mind.

As he enters a new phase, Dr Mar Yulios needs the support, cooperation, and more importantly the prayers of all to steer the Church and the Diocese in the right direction.
~ LC

The Metropolitan recently began a new phase by moving to stay at the Diocesan headquarters at Dodda Gubbi Village, Bidarahalli Hobli of Bangalore East Taluk.

Though construction work is still not complete, Dr Mar Seraphim has shifted to the new spot to speed up the incomplete works on an urgent basis. It is expected the work will now take at least two more months.

Rev Fr Bejoy Zachariah has been appointed as the Bengaluru Aramana Manager. The vicar will manage the day-to-day-affairs and will stay with the Metropolitan. Dr Mar Seraphim says that there is plenty of work to be completed for the Aramana to be in full swing. The first phase of the work on the Aramana has been completed. This includes few rooms for Dr Mar Seraphim, the Manager and for few guests who plan to stay there.

A Bangalore Development Fund was set up to mobilize funds for the project. The fund was necessary for the diocese to have its own Aramana, a chapel, an office, guest houses and other buildings.

It may be recalled that due to the magnanimous offer of St Thomas Orthodox Church, Bangalore East, under the then Vicar Fr Mani K Varghese, had donated the Dodda Gubbi plot measuring an area of 22,000 square feet. The property had furnished buildings measuring about 4,400 square feet built up area and a chapel of about 1,500 square feet. The area is located within Bangalore city limits and surrounded by various Christian institutions.

To complete the works, Bengaluru Diocese needs urgent funds. Those willing to contribute towards the Diocese Fund can contact Dr Abraham Mar Seraphim directly on his mobile at +91-78295 61006 or on his email: marseraphim@gmail.com