The conference will take place at a brand new Lakeside Holiday and Conference Centre, Whitemoor Lakes, Barley Green Lane, Alrewas, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS138QT.
www.whitemoorlakes. org.uk

The Theme ‘AT THE CROSS ROADS: Changing Contexts, Challenges and a Christian Response’ will look at our life at the cross roads in this fast changing contexts in relation to social, economic, political and religious life. The theme was evolved from the bible verse Jeremiah 6:16 where the Lord is asking us to stand at the crossroads and look; ask for ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it.

For further information and to express your desire to attend, visit http://www.orthodox familyconference .co.uk/
Email: iocfc12@gmail. com
Phone: 07814032269

For contacts
Dr. Thomas Jacob [Remmy] (London)
O7814032269 / 02084070025
remmyrenu@hotmail. com

Mr. Baiju Kuriakose (Birmingham)
07903736235
Baiju2@hotmail. com

Dr. Ajay Mathews (Canterbury)
07786233800 / 01233612356
ajaymat70@yahoo. co.uk

Dr. Sandeep Mathews (Manchester)
07855452510
vmsmathews@gmail. com

Promotional video clips 1 2

News sent in: Jayan Varghese

The theme of the conference was “Marthoman Heritage – Lessons of understanding”.

The Conference that began with flag hoisting immediately after Holy Qurbana was led by renowned scholar, orator and Church historian Fr. Dr. M. O. John. He has served as professor in Orthodox Theological Seminary and is currently a resource person in United Theological College, Bangaluru.

Fr. Dr. M O John elucidated the rich heritage of the Indian Christians who cherished the legacy of the Apostle St. Thomas and also threw light on the developments that led to the installation of Catholicate in India. He is also the chief editor of Malankara Sabha Deepam.

The conference was presided over by the Cathedral Vicar and UAE Zone President Fr. V C Jose and was attended by Fr. Saji Abraham of Al Ain and Fr. Abraham John of Sharjah along with other dignitaries.

A moment of silence was observed in respect of the departed soul of Late Lamented HG Job Mar Philoxenos who was the beacon of OCYM UAE Zonal Committee. Tributes were also paid to renowned scholar and writer Mr. Sukumar Azhikode who had left for his heavenly abode last week.

Yuvadarshanam, the first visual magazine of its kind with the activity reports of the OCYM units in UAE enriched with visual effects was released on the occasion.

Assistant Vicar of the Cathedral, Fr. Cherian Jacob welcomed the delegates and UAE Zonal Secretary Thomas T Mathew proposed the vote of thanks.

Jibu Kurien of St. Gregorios Orthodox Church, Sharjah was elected as the OCYM UAE Zone Secretary for the year 2012 and was handed over the OCYM flag.

Prizes were also distributed to the winners of the various competitions organized under the aegis of UAE Zonal Committee.

Fr. Johnson Punchakonam coordinated with the media team in Abu Dhabi to web stream the conference live through www.orthodoxtv.in, which enabled more than 3300 viewers worldwide to be part of the sessions led by Fr. John. The webcast was also available on Malankara orthodox TV with the coordinated efforts from Joice Thottakad.

Pictures

News sent in: Reji Mathew Meenadom

There will be evening prayer followed by devotional speech everyday at 6.30 PM. Dn. Sujit Thomas and Tenny Thomas will be the main speakers on these days.

Program
Monday, Jan. 30, 2012
6:30 PM Evening Prayer
7:00 PM Devotional Address
Speaker: Dn. Sujit Thomas (Diocesan FOCUS Director)

Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012
6:30 PM Evening Prayer
7:00 PM Devotional Address
Speaker: Mr. Tenny Thomas (PhD Student, Columbia University)

Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012
6:30 PM Evening Prayer
7:00 PM Holy Qurbana
8:30 PM Dinner

The Church is located at 175 Cherry Lane, Floral Park, NY

For more information:
Very Rev. Dr. P. S. Samuel, Vicar (516-355-0003)
Rev. Fr. Gregory Varghese, Asst. Vicar (914-413-9200)

News sent in: Mathew Mathen

The theme of the conference is “Marthoman Heritage- Lessons of Understanding”.

More than 300 delegates from all Indian Orthodox Churches in UAE are expected to attend this Zonal Conference, including various Social and Church Dignitaries. The conference will commence with the flag hoisting, after the Holy Qurbana.

An eminent speaker and renowned scholar in Church History;Fr. Dr. M.O John will be the key note speaker at the conference. Fr. Dr.John, the former lecturer of Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam is a resource person in Serampore University. He is also the publisher and chief editor of Malankara Sabha Deepam.

Cathedral Vicar and the President of OCYM UAE Zone, Fr. Jose Chemmanam; Assistant Vicar Fr. Cherian K. Jacob; Cathedral Managing Committee and OCYM Managing Committee for the year 2011 and 2012 along with the conference sub-committees and other OCYM members are striving hard for the success of the conference.

The Programme will be webstreamed LIVE from the Venue on www.orthodoxtv.in from 10.00 AM onwards.

News sent in: Reji Mathew Meenadom

Malankara Association 2012
Malankara Syrian Christian Association
March 7 2012, at 1:00 pm
at Catholicate College, Pathanamthitta
Members Preliminary List published

A. Kalpanas of His Holiness

1. Kalpana No. 427 / 2011
2. Kalpana No. 475 / 2011

B. Guidelines and Instructions

1. Form A & B
2. Constitution Amendment
3. Intimation Form
4. Guidelines

C. Preliminary List

1. Adoor-Kadampanadu
2. Ahmedabad
3. Angamaly
4. Bangalore
5. Bombay
6. Brahmavar
7. Calcutta
8. Chengannur
9. Delhi
10. Direct Control
11. Idukki
12. Kandanad East
13. Kandanad West
14. Kochi
15. Kollam
16. Kottarakkara-Punalur
17. Kottayam
18. Kottayam Central
19. Kunnamkulam
20. Madras
21. Malabar
22. Mavelikara
23. Nilackal
24. Niranam
25. North East America
26. South West America
27. Sultan Bathery
28. Thrissur
29. Thiruvananthapuram
30. Thumpamon
31. UK-Europe Africa

It was the Metropolitan’s first visit to Cherry Lane Church since assuming his position as the Metropolitan of the Northeast American Diocese.

The vicar, Cor-Episcopos Dr. P. S. Samuel and the assistant vicar, Fr. Gregory Varghese welcomed the Metropolitan Mar Nicholovos to the parish

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

A wide range of food stalls and a naadan thattukada will showcase the best of home cooked Syrian Christian cuisine and North and South Indian dishes to appeal to all who attend the harvest fiesta. Exhibition stalls including a naadan roadside stall and book stalls within the church premises will attract the attention of the spectators with the eye catching displays of their wares. A special area will be set up with games and contests for children.

Eminent social and cultural personalities will be the main speakers in the general meeting that will begin at 5:30 p.m. This will be followed by a cultural program with songs by idea star singer contestants, Comedy skits, Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattom and a singari melam for the grand finale.
Harvest Festival will be held under the leadership of the vicar Fr. T.J. Johnson, assistant vicar Fr. Biju Daniel. General convener Babu Varghese and general convener P.G. Mathew.

The Harvest Festival is a timely reminder to all Christians of all the good things God gives them.
The theme for this year’s harvest festival will be the renaissance of an agricultural culture and cultivating a spirit of sharing and generosity.

News sent in: Manoj Thomas

Under the leader ship of Vicar Fr. Saju Philip a committee has been formed to overlook the harvest festival 2012 with Binu Chempalayam as General Convenor, Joint Convener Mr. James Varghese and Finance Convener Mr. Alex P George. The committe will be also assisted by Church Trustee Mr. Honey P Kurien and Secretary Mr. Thomas P Koshy.

A public function will be held on the same day at 10.30 AM which will be adorned by social, cultural, political and religious luminaries locally and from India. A variety of programme will be performed by church members of different ages and group to thank Gods outpouring over our lives and on our church. The event will be adorned by well known south Indian Cine playback singers to add more colour for the joyous atmosphere.

The proceeds generated through the harvest festival will enable the church to financially bless the poor and for the development needs of our nascent parish. To commemorate the event a souvenir with history of Malankara Indian Orthodox Community in Kuwait and their till date activities will be published.

‘’It was only the other day that I got to know that the Orthodox church was available in India. I knew there were Protestant and Catholic churches,’’ he said.

Maminev, attached to the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP), was among some 40 Russians who attended a unique Christmas celebration at the Mar Baselios Mar Gregorios Malankara Orthodox Church, Sreekariyam, on Saturday. The Russian Christmas falls on January 7 and the Honorary Russian Consulate here joined the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church to organise special prayers for Russian nationals at KKNPP and their compatriots in Thiruvananthapuram district.

‘’Everything was great. In future also, we hope to come to the Church, on special occasions like Easter, for prayers. We can’t come every day because of the distance,’’ Maminev said.

Young Antony Smirnov from Ryazan said he missed his parents who celebrated Christmas back home, but described the Indian Christmas a pleasant experience. ‘’This is not the first time I’m celebrating Christmas away from home. Before coming here, I lived three years in Panama,’’ he said.

The past one month, the lanky youth has been working as translator at a private resort at Poovar. ‘’Back home, Christmas is a national holiday. We come out to the streets. There are games and social activities,’’ he said.

Inside the 25-year-old Church, a tiny crib was set up in a corner. At the far end, the ‘Madbaha’ gleamed in gold and red and above it was a fresco of a benevolent-looking Christ descending from the clouds.

Church vicar Fr George Varghese led the service. ‘’We had to arrange it at such a short notice. We couldn’t even inform all our churches,’’ he said.

Honorary Russian Consul Ratheesh C Nair said that the consulate was planning to hold more elaborate celebrations from next year onwards.

Courtsey: Indian Express