Dear Moderator,

This is in respnose to Dr.Alice Vettichira's comment on the health
situation in Kerala. I really appreciate Dr. Alice. This is the first time a
Doctor from our forum is bothered to at least make any comment about this
devastating situation.

We are not short of Jacobite doctors in America. If money and fame are the
only incentive to get attention of a doctor to a very devastating
situation in our own motherland, it is very deplorable. Our FORUM should dare
these blessed doctors to do what they can to face this alarming situation.

Let me as a concerned Malayalaee and a Jacobite Christian, request you doctors
to attend our Family Conference at Dallas on July 26 - 29 and address our
families about this epidemic and the "do's" & "dont's".

Dr. Alice suggested not visiting Kerala. You know, it is not always
possible to avoid our planned travel. But, what prevention can we take in our
travel is what you should suggest.

We all know we are over a Billion in population. A few thousands lost is nothing
to the politicians. But every relative lost is unbearable for us. Let us
together pray and put our energy to overcome this situation.

THIS IS THE GREATEST CALL ON YOU AS A DOCTOR: DO WHAT YOU CAN, FOR YOUR
MOTHERLAND!  WE NEED YOUR HELP.

Please help.

Philip Scaria
ID# 0908

There's been a TON of misinformation on this document about the structure of the
Catholic Church.  Pope Benedict never said that salvation is only in the
Catholic Church.  The news media has distorted this to an unbelievable fashion.

Let me quote from the answer to the second question, "It is possible, according
to Catholic doctrine, to affirm correctly that the Church of Christ is present
and operative in the churches and ecclesial Communities not yet fully in
communion with the Catholic Chruch, on account of the elements of sanctification
and truth that are present in them."

From the answer to the third question, "It follows that these separated churches
and Communities, though we believe they suffer from defects, are deprived
neither of significance nor importance in the mystery of salvation.  In fact,
the Spirit of Christ has not refrained from using them as instruments of
salvation....."

Let's deal with the document, not from what the media says.

Thomas

========================================================
From the desk of the Moderator:

Please sign your messages with member ID. If not having a member ID, please send
your details including contact number to
moderators(SOCM-FORUM-owner@yahoogroups.com) and obtain a member ID before
posting any more messages in SOCM. Thank you for your cooperation.

OUTLOOK  [issue dt. 30th July  2007]


NEW-AGE CHRISTIANITY --- PENT UP BAPTISM

'Impersonal' mainline churches are losing their laity to a surge of zealous
Pentecostals

by John Mary

To call it an exodus would be an exaggeration. But the Catholic church in Kerala
as well as mainstream oriental church denominations—like the Jacobites and
Marthomites—are witnessing an alarming erosion of their following. Many in the
flock seem to be drifting towards new-age Pentecostal churches and prayer
fellowships, as the bishops and priests look on helplessly. No figures are
available but the Catholic clergy estimates that such desertions, if unchecked,
will earn the Pentecostal church more followers in Kerala than the mainstream
ones by 2020. That's something for a state that has a 60.5 lakh Christian
population—the highest in the country.

Why are the faithful fleeing? The mainline clergy once used to accuse
Pentecostals of stealing their flock. That doesn't hold true anymore. Very few
return any more after they cross over—so it is no longer impulsive or
money-driven. "Personalised evangelism" is the buzzword among those who preach a
brand of Christianity that is at times a frenzied alternative to the established
church. Says a Catholic schoolteacher in Kollam, whose family recently embraced
the Indian Pentecostal Church of God: "The priests once kept the Bible beyond
our reach. Now, it's with us—we read it and understand for ourselves. We prefer
a personalised, democratic Church to the conventional ones that are unwieldy."

The phenomenon of mainline church members joining what many priests dismiss as
crazed sects who display their faith at streetcorner meetings speaks of a slow,
generational change in the mindset of church-goers. Catholics, bred on the tenet
that the Immaculate Conception of Virgin Mary is sacrosanct, haven't had any
difficulty in embracing the Pentecostals who shun the dogma.

Many feel the mainline church isn't doing enough to address the socio-economic
and emotional needs of the modern times. Its stock-in-trade holy mass,
sacraments, sermons and printed prayers don't charm all. As Y. Joseph, a
government employee who spends more time with a prayer fellowship now than his
official Marthomite Church, notes, "Mechanical prescriptions don't appeal to a
soul sunk in despair, be it financial, social, familial or professional." Adds
Col D' Souza, a Catholic who's with the Nava Srishti International, an
inter-religious assembly founded by a former IAF pilot-turned-sanyasin: "It's
time the Church did some introspection on its failures."

Father Paul Parathazham, a sociology professor at the Papal Seminary in Pune,
who surveyed "flock stealing/flock desertions" in 2002, says the Church should
be "perturbed" by the phenomenon. His study located three reasons for the
near-exodus: the absence of Christian fellowship in mainline churches, an
inability to "experience" God and decreasing exposure to the scripture. The
report prompted the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India to issue a set of
guidelines—it conceded the symptom of the "unmet religious needs of the
faithful".

The Conference felt the answer to the problem was making prayers more
spontaneous, appealing and personalised. The Catholic church has also sought
initiation of the bcc—Basic Christian Community—movement through family units
for closer interaction.

If a section of the clergy sneers at migrations, Fr Parathazham's survey reveals
that 83 per cent left in times of personal crisis when they were deprived of
emotional support—or lack of pastoral care.

This, many priests believe, is forcing them to seek absolutist answers in the
Protestant groupings, rooted in puritanical morality. Says Fr Parathazham: "The
mainline churches are open-ended, thus not absolutist in their attitudes."

Fr C. Joseph, a canon law expert and priest at Thiruvananthapuram's St Joseph's
cathedral, says the Church couldn't care less for those who embrace Pentecostal
groups for pecuniary benefits and overseas funding. "We have no counter-strategy
in such cases where you see delirium and limb-shaking at intense psychedelic
sessions," he says. "The situation is grim, though." Concurs Fr Paul Thelekkat,
spokesperson of the Syro-Malabar Church: "I'm afraid it all looks like a kind of
opiate. The Church cannot entice believers through gimmicks."

But the gimmick seems to be working. Be it in coastal Poonthura in the
Thiruvananthapuram district or Chattanchal in Uduma in Muslim-dominated northern
Kasargod district, Protestant Pentecostals are setting up evangelist outposts.
The Indian Pentecostal Church of God and the Assemblies of God, which the
Vatican may reckon as "groups"—not churches—are growing. Eapen Thomas, the
treasurer of the Indian Pentecostal Church of God, says they have about 2,500
small and big churches in Kerala.

Apart from established Pentecostal churches, the most proliferating are
independent fellowship groups that regularly congregate at homes. Its members
are unhappy with mainline churches but not fully integrated with the Pentecostal
establishment. One such group is the Heavenly Feast, which is popular among
neo-converts from Catholicism since it permits members to wear jewellery unlike
the more austere Pentecostals.

But the Pentecostal progress has had its repercussions. The Hindutva brigade,
which finds the Pentecostal streetcorner hallelujahs and barbs on Hindu gods
offensive, have often retaliated. Joseph William Cooper, a bishop in the New
Jerusalem Universal Church, a Pentecostal fellowship with its headquarters in
Marietta, Ohio, was attacked and injured during a ministry near
Thiruvananthapuram in January '03. Such was his zeal that Cooper told Ohio
newspapers that his hand was "healing nicely" from the machete cut he received
in Kerala and "if the Lord wants him to return, he'll still go back" to India.

So, where does the established church go from here? There are many who feel that
the trend of desertion is just a passing phase and that the misguided flock will
soon return. But certainly the Church needs to do some rethinking. As Prof Jacob
Chandy, a Protestant with the Church of South India, puts it, "The clergy are
old-fashioned and uneducated when compared with the congregation. The laity no
more vibe with the clergy, who live in a different world, uttering the same old
prayers. Their prescription to the faithful is—obey, pay and pray!"


Source:
OUTLOOK, The Weekly News Magazine
issue dt. 30 July 2007

http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?fodname=20070730&fname=Kerala+%28F%29&sid=1

"When the soul is disturbed by anger, confused by drunkenness, or sunk in deep
depression, the intellect cannot hold fast to the remembrance of God no matter
how hard we try to force it. Completely darkened by the violence of the
passions, it loses totally the form of perception which is proper to it. Thus
our desire that our intellect should keep the remembrance of God cannot make any
impression, because the recollective faculty of our mind has been hardened by
the rawness of the passions. But, on the other hand, when the soul has attained
freedom from these passions, then, even though the intellect is momentarily
deprived by forgetfulness of the object of its longing, it at once resumes its
proper activity. The soul now has grace itself  to share its meditation and to
repeat with it the words 'Lord Jesus', just as a mother teaches her child to
repeat with her the word 'father', instead of prattling in the usual way, until
she has formed in him the habit of calling for his father eve


n in his sleep. This is why the Apostle says: 'Likewise the Spirit also helps
our infirmities; for we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the
Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with cries that cannot be uttered'
(Rom. 8:26). Since we are but children as regards perfection in the virtue of
prayer, we have need of the Spirit's aid so that all out thoughts may be
concentrated and gladdened by His inexpressible sweetness, and so that with all
our being we may aspire to the remembrance and love of our God and Father. For,
as St. Paul says, it is in the Spirit that we pray when we are taught by Him to
cry without ceasing to God the Father, 'Abba, Father' (Rom. 8:15)."

St. Diadochos of Photiki.

--------------------------------------------------------------

"He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully
will also reap bountifully."  2 Corinthians 9:6

Thank you for the very informative postings and the web links (Dhoopa Prarthana
for the dead).  Would appreciate if you could give information on Dhoopa
Prarthana in Qurbana and in all our prayers.

Zacharia Mathews Chalakuzhy
Montreal, Canada
# 3302

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I have sad news. One of the 23 missionaries to Afghanistan was executed. He was
a Korean pastor from Summul Church at Bundang, South Korea.

It is sad that the forces of evil are winning. It is sad that Islam
is the fastest growing religion in the world, and yet it is bent
to hate and violence as shown in Afghanistan.

Please pray for the other 22 Korean Christian believers. Maybe,
it is God's will that they perish so that many Muslims will realize
that Islam is a lie.

In Christ,
Joseph Yosuk Lee
Church Member
Sarang Community Church at Seoul, South Korea
Cerritos Presbyterian Church, Artesia, California
Korean Central Presbyterian Church, San Francisco, California

Prayer Requests:

Please pray for my mother, father, and younger brother Richard
that they will worship our Jesus as their Savior and Lord. Please
pray that they will also realize that money is temporal while money
invested for God's glory is eternal.

Dear Sajy Thannikottu,

Its heartening that there are still people who crave for unity in the church(or
unity between two churches!!)  But i take your postings as a sincere one from a
person who really wants unity.

Iam sidelining the fact that you are keeping mum in ICON regarding this 'unity'
( don't avoid the fact they are also equally important and need to discuss this
subject). And the one mail which came last week in ICON from you was highly
critical of the Jacobite church.

Iam also forgetting the fact that talks of 'unity' spring up in SOCM forum only
when the MOSC meets a stalemate in the civil courts.

Its not a big secret that talks for unity cannot start as long as there are
court cases. How can you start talking on peace moves when there are over 200
civil suits pending in various courts regarding the status of individual parish
churches!!!

So the first step to start any peace talks should be the withdrawal of the civil
cases pending before the courts. Nobody but MOSC can do this since they are the
ones who have initiated those cases.

Now you can always say that its not in your power to make MOSC to withdraw the
cases... True... But then how can you proceed with peace talks.

The fact is MOSC leadership will never stop the legal proceedings. Its the trump
card of the ruling elite in MOSC. Just like the BJP pulling out the Ayodya issue
just before any elections, the devalokam leadership (wheather the old one or the
new one)will keep the church case live to suit their purpose. Its the most sure
way of keeping in power and throwing a blanket over their misdeeds or to kill
any sort of dissent in MOSC.

So wheather you try it or not there will be no end to the church cases as long
as the MOSC leadership accepts the fact that the church case can do them no
good...

Its always good to think what the "final judgement" of 95 have given MOSC...
Nothing.. It started another 12 years of cases,whose curtains went down last
april... So a case which started in 1975 ended in 2007 without giving MOSC
anything extra other than whatever they where having in 1975. True.. MOSC could
meddle in a few churches belonging to the Jacobite Church. But that have more to
do with the bishops switching sides than the church case..

So, it is for the MOSC leadeship to decide wheather a totally useless case
should be continued or not...

Once they see the light they can always withdraw the cases and create a very
amicable situation were peace discussions can start very sincerely...

I think even individuals or groups also can influence the MOSC leadership on
this. Why can't you write or talk to your leadership to withdraw the cases so
that a very amicable situation is created for peace talks to start.

I had sincerly hoped that atleast some of the ICON members would add the
withdrawal of cases as a foot note to the mail they had sent to their Sabha
secretery/ lay trustee/ priest trustee regarding the
rat fever in kerala. Nobody seems to have done it. Is it because they consider
this 100 year old epidemic anything less than the month old rat fever.

Past almost ten years i have observed the church case from very close quarters.
I can tell you one thing for sure... Iam 37 now, God willing if both of us are
alive after 30 years we would even then be talking on the same lines.. without
an inch forward or backward... .Isn't that why we are shelling out crores to
conduct the cases. MOSC from the coffers of parumala seminary and we from
donations of thousands of people.

So let the MOSC leadership stop this mindless legal wraglings. After that let
there be talks...

rgds

Baby Gleeson Zachariah
St: george Jacobite Syrian Church
Arakunnam.
# 0891

PS: In one of the posting you had stated that the generation after seventees is
not interested in church cases. From what i have observed its not true for the
Jacobite Church. Wheather its true for the MOSC iam not a competent person to
comment.

Dear Moderators,

Though I am currently in New York  , I am regularly following the write ups in
your postings .

While I am one of the persons from the early lot of  advocates for Unity in our
Church, I keep a low profile these days ,appreciating others' efforts in the
direction.

While Dr.Georgekunju, M/s.Saju Paulose,Shinu,Sajy,Thannikottu Pathikan,James
K.John,et.al to mention a few  are contnuing  the healthy discussions through
their regular postings in this Forum, some of our good friends are taking the
issue as a personal  battle to settle scores.

Those strongly recommending divisions reminds me of  the old story  of King
Solomon   ordering a disputed child  to be cut into two pieces and distributing
the same to both the  claimant  ladies ; and thus findiing and deciding  the
actual mother.

In the present scenario  matters are going from bad to worse, with each party
claiming three horns for their prize- catch rabbits.  Instead of beating around
the bushes  and getting nowhere, if some sensible  persons of both the factions 
join hands in  good faith  and have meaningful discussions , even now it should
not be late for fruitful results.  Both the parties have no shortage of learned 
and eminent personalities capable of taking up such tasks  instead of  prolonged
litigations  and  wastage of  valuable funds.

However, egoes will have to be forgone and a strong desire  developed. Quote:  "
UNITY  IN   LOVE  &   CHRIST  FIRST , THEN  UNITY IN  CHURCH  WILL  FOLLOW ".

With due respects,

Junas (  of Mumbai  )
ID # 1022

The 'Unity' of Muslims/Christians and 'disunity' of Hindus !

This line is very interesting. You know the Latin Catholic will not enter to
Syrian catholic church, these two will not enter to Marthoma church, these three
will not enter to penthacost church, these four will not enter to Salvation army
church, these five will not enter to 7th day Adventist church, these six will
not enter to orthodox church, these seven will not enter to Jacobite church,
..like this there are 146 castes in Kerala alone for Christianity, each will
never share their churches for Christians ! Wonderful One Christ, One Bible, One
Jehova.What a unity !

Among Muslims, Shia and Sunni kill each other in all the Muslim countries. The
religious riot in Muslim countries is always between these two. The Shia will
not go to Sunni mosque, these two will not go to Ahamadiya mosque, these three
will not go to Sufi mosque, these four will not go to Mujahiddin mosque.like
this it appears there are 13 castes in among Muslims, Killing /
bombing/conquering/ massacring/ each other ! The American attack to the Muslim
land of Iraq is fully supported by all the Muslim countries surrounding Iraq !
One Allah, One Quran, One Nebi.! Great unity !

For Hindus 1280 books, 10,000 commentaries, more than one lakh sub commentaries
for these foundation books, 330 million gods, variety of aacharas, thousands of
Rishies, hundreds of languages,still everyone goes to the SAME TEMPLEwhether
unity is for Hindus or in others and never quarreled each other for the last ten
thousand years in the name of religion

---forwarded message---

-------------------
C S Samuel, Kumarakom
Kottayam

member ID -2352

Greetings to All

Dear Sajy, all the attributes for the one church you described is
there is in SOC. We have one Patriarch, one Catholicose,… one
constitution, one association ( we can proudly say it is not run
like any political party meeting either, please check with anybody
what all was happening in IOC associations/ elections- I do have
first hand information, which will not make none of you proud nor I
am interested to discuss either.

Please understand the history of the church properly (Even a few
like KK John achen still speak as he mailed in Icon on 24/07).  It
was always IOC which have initiated a partition by claiming
autonomy, autocephaly, creation of Throne of St Thomas.. etc. SOC
may be minority according to you, may be poorer in financial assets,
may not be having the political leverage.. but still united with the
mother church. We may had many short falls in the past, especially
administerial, which is getting corrected under the able leadership
of our Patriarch and Catholicose. We tried to correct it staying
inside the church and not by declaring independency forgetting all
the past and going to courts. So if you are a true advocate of Unity
first tell the IOC leadership (who consider a constitution above
Bible teachings in regards with Sabha case) of all these and about
the necessary actions to bring peace in all the churches, immediate
reopening of all the churches with an administerial rights for the
majority of the parishioners. That will be the initial point for
bringing Christian Love and respect which can lead to Unity coming
back to mother church. Yes unity is the right solution but not with
a change/ amendment of the fundamental faith.

Can you tell me how many churches are still remaining closed where
IOC is having a majority? Your question of the last two posts will
get answered there itself because almost all the Jacobite faithful
have been already kicked out of those churches where IOC is having
majority and have established their own small parishes without any
support from their mother parish. But I still recommend if any of
these closed churches is having an IOC minority and is wishing to
stay apart as an independent IOC parish, SOC should help them for
the same.

Why you cannot respect the majority of a church pothuyogam if IOC is
advocating the majority for the decisions of your association
elections? Why not respect the rights of Partriarch if to respect
the rights of Catholicose/ MM? Why promote distorted histories to
validate the positions of Thrones and autonomy?

A brotherly advice for you. Every time you chant "Kuriyelayison",
thank our Patriarch and his predecessors for teaching our
forefathers the true faith and orthodoxy. Every time you think of
writing a criticism against SOC catholicose – remember that it will
not do you any good, (yes I am referring to your last mail in Icon)
because he is an anointed one by the Patriarch & because he is a
respected and beloved for a million SOC faithful, whose tearful
prayers and willpower alone led to the revival of SOC faith and
tradition which was almost getting crushed/ dictated by IOC with all
the wrong reasons. I don't intend to carry on the discussion with
you on this topic for the same reason.


May God bless us all.

Your brother in Christ.

Shinu Jesus Abraham
St. Mary's Church, Thrukothamangalam
Member ID # 2908

Todays Gospel

Grace, Mercy and Peace of our Lord Jesus be with you and your loved ones!

"The LORD protects honest people, but destroys those who do wrong. " Proverb
10:29

Assuring you our prayers
Vachanam Team

Dear All
Barakmore / Shlomo

"SOCMNet.org" and " The Travancore Syriac Orthodox Publishers " is now jointly
working on publishing its second book  "Martyrs, Saints & Prelates of The Syriac
Orthodox Church, Volume I" authored by Rev. Fr. K. Mani Rajan, M.Sc., M.Ed.,
Ph.D

This book is a collection of biographies of martyrs, saints, doctors and
prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church.  Although a few books are available in
Malayalam, there is a felt need for biographies in English based on Syriac
traditions and research literature. This work is an earnest attempt to meet this
demand.

Th author, Rev. Fr. K. Mani Rajan is the Vicar of St. Mary’s Syrian Simhasana
Church, Arthat, Kunnamkulam, Kerala, India.  He is a lecturer at St. Joseph’s
Training College, Mannanam, Kottayam.  He was a CERC Research Fellow at the
University of California, Riverside, U.S.A. during 1990-93.  Before assuming his
position at St. Joseph’s Training College, he was a teacher at Kendriya
Vidyalaya, Kochi.

In addition to Martyrs, Saints and Prelates of Syrian Orthodox Church, he is the
author of Queen of the Sacraments (1991), The prayer book of the Syriac Orthodox
Church (1993), Perspectives in physical science teaching (1999), A treatise on
form and style of thesis and dissertation (1999) and Science of Science
Education (2004).  He has authored a chapter in Secondary Education:  The
Challenges Ahead (2002) published by NIEPA, New Delhi. He has published about a
dozen articles in journals and has presented half-a-dozen papers at national
conferences.  He has authored, compiled and edited a few other books in
Malayalam and English.  He has attended American Educational Research
Association (AERA) meetings at Chicago (1991) and San Fransisco (1992).

To partake in the sponsorship of this project, please contact us on following
email ID with your postal address and contact telephone number
Email: SOCM-FORUM-owner@yahoogroups.com

We request you all to keep this project in your daily prayer.

Many thanks for your usual support to SOCM and all its activities.

Be with us and be part of us.

In HIS Love

On behalf of SOCMNet & The Travancore Syriac Orthodox Publishers
Thomas Daniel (Reji)
http://socmnet.org

Reading: From the Gospel according to St. Luke 14: 7-11

Dear and Respected Brethren,

In today's reading our Lord introduces a parable to us, to emphasize
that humility is to be followed in our daily lives. Our Lord
explains the greatness of humility through the parable. The people
of those days as well the current era give prime importance for the
costly dress and ornaments during the festive seasons and they wear
them as much as they could during the occasions of weddings etc.
Such people will be longing to have recognition from others for
their costly dresses and ornaments. So naturally they would prefer
to have prominent places so that others would make note of their
appearance and other sets up.

People of these days forget about the power which might exalt them
and try to occupy the position of the supernatural power to obtain
the recognition and popularity by hook or crook. A wrong
understanding that money could buy positions and recognitions have
been deep rooted among us. And such a false and undesirable attitude
guides in all walks of our lives.

King Solomon the wise tells that the fear of the Lord is the
instruction of wisdom and before honor is the humility. (Proverbs
18:33) Again King Solomon tells in Proverbs "Before destruction the
heart of the man is haughty, and before honor is humility." Let us
think how far we do justice to the above verses everyday. Do we keep
the fear of the Lord before our words, deeds and thoughts everyday?
Do we give heed to the instructions of the Holy Spirit in us before
our thoughts, deeds and words? In our daily lives, are we not
hurting the feelings of others in a way or other, though our words
and deeds? If we have fear of the Lord, do we like to go ahead as we
like? Even for the religious matters we are selfish and we are doing
what we like. If we could wait for a second to listen to the Holy
Spirit in us, we could avoid a great fall into the deep pitch. Let
our minds be trained to believe that we all are the very edge of
deep pitches and hence we must use our words and deeds wisely in
consultation with the Holy Spirit. When we come together for the
matters concerned with our Church, we think about the future as we
like. No one cares the will of God and ignores the guidance of the
Holy Spirit. In fact we all are at the very edge of destruction. So
let us turn back and follow humility.

In Job 22:29 we read, "When men are cast down, then you shall say,
there is lifting up, and he shall save the humble person".   Kindly
read, Psalms18:27, Proverbs 29:23, St. James 4:6. We all know that
St. Mary, the blessed mother of our Lord is the only human who is
honored as an ideal person to have humility. When St. Mary had the
annunciation from the Angel Gabriel, she said "Behold the handmaid
of the Lord: Be it unto me according to your word" (It is believed
that the literal meaning of the name Gabriel is the power of God)

St. Mary admitted that she was a handmaid of the Lord. But we often
forget the truth that we are children of God. St. Mary submitted
herself for the entire disposal of God Almighty, ignoring the
consequences that might come up against her. God expects a 100
percent submission from each and every one of us. St. Mary longed
for God's will but usually our prime importance is for selfish
motives and gains. While St. Mary uttered "be it unto me according
to your word". The modern man is expecting the calculation of the
profits. 'at gain I could have' is the motto of each and every one.

We all must ignore the selfish desires, motives and intentions. We
must surrender ourselves to God Almighty and long for His will and
desire. We must long for the welfare and well being of our brethren
rather than taking care of selfish desires. Unless we would live for
others and sacrifice ourselves for others' good, we would not
inherit heaven.

May God enable us to lead a virtuous life of humility and love.

Jose Kurian Puliyeril.

[The Hindu  dt. 27 July 2007]

Assyrian Church against row over Pope’s remark

Thrissur: Mar Aprem, Metropolitan of the Assyrian Church of the East, has said
that there is no need to rake up a controversy over the recent statement of Pope
Benedict XVI that the faith of Christian denominations outside the Catholic fold
is ‘defective.’

The Metropolitan, however, admitted that the Pope’s statement ‘under the
prevailing circumstances’ was unwarranted, which had led to some
misunderstanding in other Churches. It could not be glossed over that the Pope
expressed his views in an Apostolic Letter to the Catholic Bishops for
enrichment of spiritual activities and faith in Christ, Mar Aprem said here on
Thursday.

At the same time, the fact that the Pontiff had expressed his willingness to
continue dialogue with all Churches outside the Catholic fold for the unity of
Christians the world over could not be ignored, he said. “The heads of every
Church claim that theirs is the superior Church and the Pope also did the same,”
he said.

Mar Aprem, however, said the Vatican should relax its insistence on bringing all
the denominations under its control and adopt a new ecumenical policy of
communion with other Churches. — PTI
 
http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/27/stories/2007072753120500.htm
----------------------
posted by
J Kurien
Thiruvalla
Member ID # 2310

Dear All in Christ
Barekmore / Shlomo

We, Malankara Jacobite Internet Platform (http://www.socmnet.org), Syriac
Orthodox Resources (http://www.sor.cua.edu) and Malankara Syriac Christian
Resource (http://www.syrianchurch.org/) together are compiling the following
informations to publish an online directory of Syriac orthodox Clergy.

Please note that this project is not based on any official church directives.

We request each and every one of our forum members to request all clergy you
know, to provide the informations on the following format along with a
photograph of the clergy, to soc.clergylist@... . If you are a third
party providing these informations, then you must have clear consent from
clergy.

First Name:-
Middle Name:-
Last Name:-
Family Name:-

Nationality:-
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Be with us and be part of us

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Webmasters & Moderators

Todays Gospel

Grace, Mercy and Peace of our Lord Jesus be with you and your loved ones!

"But when you pray, you must believe and not doubt at all. Whoever doubts is
like a wave in the sea that is driven and blows about by the wind. People like
that, unable to make up their minds and undecided in all they do, must not think
that they will receive anything from the LORD" James 1:6-8

Assuring you our prayers
Vachanam Team

Dear friends in Christ,

As we continue to pray for Roy and Biji, the couple in jail, due to be produced
before the court in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on 30th of this month, we praise the
Lord for arranging the Night Vigils so far on every Thursday as we had intended
and for their intentions. Good-hearted 'Samaritans' have been praying for this
couple, sharing in their mental agony, sharing our fellowship and communion with
Christ Jesus. Since we started the Night Vigils, some so-called 'influential'
people have come forward with promises to get the couple released from their
jails upon payment of hefty (really huge) amounts. But, with nobody guaranteeing
their freedom, and nothing being a guarantee towards their freedom except the
Power of Prayer, we have decided to still hold on to this Prayer-Power.

With Roy being a bit hysterical and panicky, while Biji being more composed and
strong, let us hope our faith in Jesus will work towards their miraculous
freedom. May the Holy Spirit work and inspire them and the judge(s) entrusted
with their hearing and case.

As Roy and Biji are led to the courtroom, possibly hand-cuffed and legs in chain
on this 30th, surrounded by the security personnel, let the most innocent light
of Jesus keep away all gloom and fear from their hearts and give them His hope.

Dear friends, join them in prayer and request many to do so.

For the glory of Jesus,
Lukose Pralayil

"Martyrs, Saints & Prelates of The Syriac Orthodox Church, Volume I"

Dear All
Barakmore / Shlomo

"SOCMNet.org" and " The Travancore Syriac Orthodox Publishers " is now jointly
working on publishing its second book  "Martyrs, Saints & Prelates of The Syriac
Orthodox Church, Volume I" authored by Rev. Fr. K. Mani Rajan, M.Sc., M.Ed.,
Ph.D

This book is a collection of biographies of martyrs, saints, doctors and
prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church.  Although a few books are available in
Malayalam, there is a felt need for biographies in English based on Syriac
traditions and research literature. This work is an earnest attempt to meet this
demand.

Th author, Rev. Fr. K. Mani Rajan is the Vicar of St. Mary's Syrian Simhasana
Church, Arthat, Kunnamkulam, Kerala, India.  He is a lecturer at St. Joseph's
Training College, Mannanam, Kottayam. He was a CERC Research Fellow at the
University of California, Riverside, U.S.A. during 1990-93.  Before assuming his
position at St. Joseph's Training College, he was a teacher at Kendriya
Vidyalaya, Kochi.

In addition to Martyrs, Saints and Prelates of Syrian Orthodox Church, he is the
author of Queen of the Sacraments (1991), The prayer book of the Syriac Orthodox
Church (1993), Perspectives in physical science teaching (1999), A treatise on
form and style of thesis and dissertation (1999) and Science of Science
Education(2004).  He has authored a chapter in Secondary Education:  The
Challenges Ahead (2002) published by NIEPA, New Delhi. He has published about a
dozen articles in journals and has presented half-
a-dozen papers at national conferences.  He has authored, compiled and edited a
few other books in Malayalam and English.  He has attended American Educational
Research Association (AERA) meetings at Chicago (1991) and San Fransisco (1992).

To partake in the sponsorship of this project, please contact us on following
email ID with your postal address and contact telephone number
Email: SOCM-FORUM-owner@yahoogroups.com

We request you all to keep this project in your daily prayer.

Many thanks for your usual support to SOCM and all its activities.

Be with us and be part of us.

In HIS Love

On behalf of SOCMNet & The Travancore Syriac Orthodox Publishers
Thomas Daniel (Reji)
http://socmnet.org

Dear Shinu

Your response shows you were not willing to accept SC verdict. Then why did you
say "IOC cannot accept it unconditionally and SOC cannot dilute it by any means"
earlier. And why both factions said there were the winners immediately after the
SC verdict but not willing to accept them at a later stage. Was it a tactic to
fool our members in the first stage? That is why I compare this attitude to our
political parties' ideologies and no faith involved here as you said.

I noted down the link(http://www.malankaradeepam.org/mdeepam/latest1/j1.html )
thinking it was fairly touching every aspects of unity. But your response was
totally disappointing. Anyway no problem, I take it as a part of fulfilling my
dream of unity and I consider this was happened only because we are advocating
different ideologies. In my earlier posting in fact I was forced to mention 1995
SC verdict as you said IOC was trying to dilute them. Now you countered them
saying IOC is considering constitution above the bible. In fact I was aware even
before writing that sentence itself about what could be your response and that
is why I mentioned the link of one Patriarch, Catholicose, etc article
consecutively. Then you said you already have that system in you churches, okay,
then there is no point of talking further.  But for your clarification let me
tell you, I knew that you have that system already established but that was not
giving us any solution for our century old conflicts. Now Shinu, unity is not a
one-way-concept but both parties should give and take something. Now the
solution is to get along where the boat sails, isn't it?

I want not only rights of Patriarch are to be respected but also Catholicose,
Malankara Metropolitan and each and every lay man are to be protected. Are you
ready for that? However let me clarify you for your knowledge, I respect
Patriarch, may be more than you. But in the name of Patriarch what we are doing
here in Malankara with those unchristian acts mentioned in my earlier post are
not acceptable to me. And that is the difference between your and my ideology.
And that is why we couldn't get along. I don't think Patriarch knows all those
dirty washing here, otherwise Patriarch himself would have said, sorry my child
I am ashamed of Malankara, and you call yourself Christian with all these? Now
you wrote I said something against your Catholicose in ICON forum? Can you show
them if I made any such specific remarks? If you guessed something how could it
be my concern? It is true I made some remarks about a bishop (I didn't mention
anyone's name – clergy or bishop), and if you think that bishop is the
Catholicose of Jacobite church, I do not want to comment anything on that as I
was not interested in revealing the identity while writing that line itself. But
it is true I am disappointed about H.B. Baselious Thomas I, because H.B never
prayed tearfully for the unification process never considered people like me who
crave unity but only supported division and that tearful prayers supported only
division formula, otherwise we would have been united by now. I give that much
value and importance to H.B's tearful prayers and willpower where I believe
nothing is impossible with sincere prayers in front of our Lord. I request H.B's
pardon for writing here my feelings.

If you say Jacobites church meetings are not like political party meeting and
IOC's are just like that, I may have to ask you to attend "pothuyogams" now
onwards you will get clear picture of what is happening there - you don't need
to travel kilometers. If people are keeping mum on talking unity or such things,
the reason is nothing but they are afraid of getting expelled from their own
churches. I don't consider that as a healthy environment. As you said if KK John
Achen or similar personalities still speak unity, do you think any Jacobite
priests would be dare enough to talk unity even if they wanted? I challenge you
if they speak up their mind and if not expelled (I am sorry to the moderators as
I am not sure if there is any obligation in our forum against writing this, but
I request not to edit them). You might not be aware of those people who were
expelled from Jacobite churches as they supported unity –branding them as
anti-Jacobites or people who are feared of talking unity, but I know. You might
not be aware of many Jacobites and Orthodox members joined other denominations
as they were fed up with this never ending conflict. I even encountered a lady
who said she wanted to be more into Lord but unfortunately she couldn't do as
her husband is a member of an Orthodox church – I understood she was keen to
join any protestant community. One day I told a Jacobite member about this
Internet group, she said she was not interested in all these but just wanted to
be only a human being. Now who is responsible for such a scenario? You and me or
those who lead us – do you have any answer or will you say it is only IOC as you
do every time? I give little importance to the financial status, political
leverage, or similar topic in between such a discussion, which you mentioned.

Dear Mr. Baby Gleeson Zachariah

Can you tell me when did I write this? - "PS: In one of the posting you had
stated that the generation after seventies is not interested in church cases."
Sorry I don't remember I ever have written anything like that. May be I forgot
or you are confused. Please correct that. I do agree every court cases are to be
withdrawn by either side, but do you think it is going to happen if we don't
have a mutual trust. Even you and I can't have a fruitful discussion or Shinu
and Saju Paulose on the one side and I am on the other side cannot have a
fruitful discussion how can we expect others could do that. Let us start from
here and tell others that this is what we are expecting from others. I can't
agree if you said I am mum in ICON about unity, if you have any impression like
that just take your reverse gear and check all of my previous postings. If IOC
failed to win the trust of Jacobites, Jacobites took a cent percent negative
attitude towards unity and tried not to get into a trustworthy environment
especially after 1995 SC verdict. In fact my unity talk has nothing to do with
MOSC's civil court cases as you may be convinced. In fact I am nothing more than
an ordinary member of IOC parish. You don't need to think I am doing some tactic
as I am carrying some important portfolio in IOC churches. In fact I am not even
attending any IOC church (not Jacobite church also) nowadays as we don't have
any church here and I am attending a Roman Catholic Church. I hope your
confusion is cleared now. It is true I criticized Jacobites in ICON recently and
that was not accidental but intentional and that was my expression of
disappointment which was developed while reading some of the postings. I do
criticize Orthodox churches also on certain terms where I feel IOC is wrong.
Because I have some spiritual expectation from our churches (both faction) which
I feel our churches are not fulfilling in a way they were supposed to be and I
feel our clergies are not getting enough time to fulfill them because of this
never ending Sabha Case. So I wrote what I wanted and you have your freedom to
accept it or reject it.

For a moment I may think nothing is going to happen even if we are united or
divided, let it be as it is just as similar to majority of our people think and
wisely not wasting their time in such a meaningless discussion. Even sometimes I
do think the same. It may be true as you said the same situation may prevail
even after 30 years, but at least I won't feel guilty after 30 years as I put my
effort. Someone else may takeover me and you in such a discussion.

With prayers

Sajy Thannikottu, Kathmandu
#2912

--- In SOCM-FORUM@yahoogroups.com, Zachariah Minnu wrote:
>
> Dear Sajy Thannikottu,
>
> Its heartening that there are still people who crave for unity in
the church(or unity between two churches!!)  But i take your postings
as a sincere one from a person who really wants unity.
>
> Iam sidelining the fact that you are keeping mum in ICON regarding
this 'unity' ( don't avoid the fact they are also equally important
and need to discuss this subject). And the one mail which came last
week in ICON from you was highly critical of the Jacobite church.
>

"See here, I pray, how great is the difference between us and God; for the
distance is immeasurable. He is slow to anger and long-suffering, of
incomparable gentleness and love to mankind; but we children of earth are quick
to anger, hasty unto impatience, and refuse with indignation to be judged by
others when we are found out in committing any wrong act; while we are most
ready to find fault with others."

St. Cyril of Alexandria.

--------------------------------------------------------------

"Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong."  1 Corinthians 16:13

Todays Gospel

Grace, Mercy and Peace of our Lord Jesus be with you and your loved ones!

"They cry for help, but God doesn't answer, for they are proud and evil. It is
useless for them to cry out; Almighty God does not see or hear them." Job
35:12-13

Assuring you our prayers
Vachanam Team

"Martyrs, Saints & Prelates of The Syriac Orthodox Church, Volume I"

Dear All
Barakmore / Shlomo

"SOCMNet.org" and " The Travancore Syriac Orthodox Publishers " is
now jointly working on publishing its second book  "Martyrs, Saints
& Prelates of The Syriac Orthodox Church, Volume I" authored by Rev.
Fr. K. Mani Rajan, M.Sc., M.Ed., Ph.D

This book is a collection of biographies of martyrs, saints, doctors
and prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church.  Although a few books
are available in Malayalam, there is a felt need for biographies in
English based on Syriac traditions and research literature. This
work is an earnest attempt to meet this demand.

Th author, Rev. Fr. K. Mani Rajan is the Vicar of St. Mary's Syrian
Simhasana Church, Arthat, Kunnamkulam, Kerala, India.  He is a
lecturer at St. Joseph's Training College, Mannanam, Kottayam.  He
was a CERC Research Fellow at the University of California,
Riverside, U.S.A. during 1990-93.  Before assuming his position at
St. Joseph's Training College, he was a teacher at Kendriya
Vidyalaya, Kochi.

In addition to Martyrs, Saints and Prelates of Syrian Orthodox
Church, he is the author of Queen of the Sacraments (1991), The
prayer book of the Syriac Orthodox Church (1993), Perspectives in
physical science teaching (1999), A treatise on form and style of
thesis and dissertation (1999) and Science of Science Education
(2004).  He has authored a chapter in Secondary Education:  The
Challenges Ahead (2002) published by NIEPA, New Delhi. He has
published about a dozen articles in journals and has presented half-
a-dozen papers at national conferences.  He has authored, compiled
and edited a few other books in Malayalam and English.  He has
attended American Educational Research Association (AERA) meetings
at Chicago (1991) and San Fransisco (1992).

To partake in the sponsorship of this project, please contact us on
following email ID with your postal address and contact telephone
number
Email: SOCM-FORUM-owner@yahoogroups.com

We request you all to keep this project in your daily prayer.

Many thanks for your usual support to SOCM and all its activities.

Be with us and be part of us.

In HIS Love

On behalf of SOCMNet & The Travancore Syriac Orthodox Publishers
Thomas Daniel (Reji)
http://socmnet.org

Dear Sajy Thannikottu,

Permit me to clear the confusion

1."""> Can you tell me when did I write this? - "PS: In one of the
posting you had stated that the generation after seventies is not
interested in church cases." Sorry I don't remember I ever have
written anything like that. May be I forgot or you are confused.
Please correct that."""

Please read your posting 10710.You had written that those born after
seventees in both the orthodox/jacobite churches is not interested in division.
You have used the word division and i have used court
cases. Dont you think that both of these are two sides of the same
coin... division gives rise to court cases and court cases further
seperates the two churches...

And further, my reasoning is that its easier for the generation after the
seventees to accept the so called division of the church. Because for them its
something which they have lived right from the begining of their life...

2. """ I do agree every court cases are to be withdrawn by either
side, but do you think it is going to happen if we don't have a
mutual trust."""

Its exactly for building mutual trust that i have suggested the
withdrawal of cases...  The cases which are presently pending before
the courts are all for gaining control of the parish churches in the
pretext of 34 constitution.... all of these have been filed by
MOSC... So where is the question of any meaningfull peace talks when
you are fighting over 200 cases...

Or are you suggesting a repeat of the ongoing thamasha of self
financing managements vs govt of kerala.. day in and day out both of
them fight it out in the high court and supreme court... in between
they have some sort of talks... they have tea, coffee and biscuts...
smile before the camera and news channels... and again very next day
go to the court for another round of court cases... and they make a
fool of every body watching them...

As long as there are cases pending there can never be any meaningfull
discusions...

3.""" I can't agree if you said I am mum in ICON about unity, if you
have any impression like that just take your reverse gear and check
all of my previous postings. If IOC failed to win the trust of
Jacobites, Jacobites took a cent percent negative attitude towards
unity and tried not to get into a trustworthy environment especially
after 1995 SC verdict."""

As on today there is around 35 postings from you to ICON... I dont
think any one of them show atleast 1% interest of what you write in
SOCM....

Again its not a question of MOSC trying to win the trust of
Jacobites.. This is one of the very wrong mentality of many in MOSC.. Sort of
big brother trying to win confidence of the little brother.. Trust should be
mutual...

How can you say that Jacobites took a negative approch after 95 SC... Didnt this
church wait for seven long years to make an amicable settlement through
negotiations and taking the 95 SC judgement in totality... Wasnt it MOSC which
derailed any scope of talks by taking the single point agenda of 34
constitution... They thought that they can bulldoze around by waving 34
constitution... and it took them 12 years and crores later to understand that
they cannot...

Division of the Church is a fact of life.. There is no point in
closing your eyes against that. Right from 74 the two then factions
were functioning seperately as two entities. There were two distinct
Churches with their own hierarchy... Catholicas, metropolitains,
Managing Commitee, working commitee, sunday school association, youth
association, seminary etc etc... Both have functioned in their own distinct way.
Only problem was in certain churches where both the factions were there. If you
can find an amicable settlement in those churches then the whole church dispute
is a matter of past..

So division as you see it is not something new which the Jacobites
have sprang up now.. It was there right with us from 71. ( Or should
we say from 1906 with a small gap from 64 to 71.)

Only thing that remains is a peacefull parting of ways... More so
because the courts, police and govt machinery can have a sigh of
relief...

rgds

Baby Gleeson Zachariah
St George Jacobite Syrian Church
Arakunnam
# 0891

Dear All,

Our LORD taught us to love even our ENEMY, and also to cut the ORGAN, if it
become a block to enter into HEAVEN. It would be better to enter the heaven as a
one-eyed than to hell with two eyes. Preaching LOVE and UNITY is easy. Even our
LORD taught us to obey and practice the words of the hierarchy of Jews, but
forbidden them to follow the way they practice. Yes, we are ready on these lines
of our LORD. Still we can love the IOC-ians; nobody will forbid them in coming
back to the Mother Church, but with true repentence not like the one of 1958.

The discussion in this forum for the Church Unity is entering into a new twist.
Why such a unity move is moved in this hour? It require quite lot of analysing
of our past hundred+ years of agony from the hands of none other than our own
brothers, the IOC. Because of this, thousands lost their right over number of
churches build by their forefathers, prevented them entering the cemetaries to
pay their homege and prayers to the departed, division among the same family or
cluster of families, lost thousands of believers and hundreds of priests whom
they believed that they belong to the Syrian Orthodox Church, and even lost few
precious life of faithfuls. What is the reason behind all? Who propagated this
hatred towards the faithfuls? The pride of one man only brought this agony to
the Malankara Church, but he got his solace by bowing down his head to the
authority towards the end of his life, but those who supported him never ever
accepted this, and went along with the divisive and destructive idea of dividing
the faithfuls into two - the Jacobites and IOC. They mixed the faith with the
political/worldly myth of nationalist feeling, and the division turned into a
new twist. The history has been tampered with; and almost all in IOC is fed with
this history. The logical assumptions find way in sidelining or abandoning the
faith and church history. Almost all the IOC irrespective of their cadre, the
metropolitans, priests and laity all believe that the Syrian Orthodox Church and
its spiritual head wanted to subdue them to mere slaves. The reason behind such
propagating the untrue doctrines are that an Indian can't be the Head of the
Syrian Orthodox Church. These people conveniently forgetting that about 130
years ago in a court verdict we were all saved from the clutches of reformists
under the shelter of the Head of the Syrian Orthodox Church, and it prevented
any foreign national to become a Metropolitan Trusty of the Malankara Church,
who will look after the temporal affairs of our Church. All accepted this. One
after another the divisive forces introduced new ideas, and thus unauthorized
Catholicate has been installed, and later all powerful 1934 Constitution. Since
then with these two draconian weapons the IOC tried to terrorise the faithfuls
with the help of press, politicians, muscle and money powers. In 1958 we saw the
magnanimity of a caring Father, and a unification of the warring groups. Within
a short span of 12-15 years; the IOC again gained number of churches, priests
and thousands of faithfuls from the Jacobites. Those Jacobite priests and
faithfuls are still staying faithfully with IOC. Hundreds of churches built
during the period between 1900-1958 went into IOC, due to this shortlived unity.
All these happened in the southern dioceses. But there are churches stand firmly
under the Syrian Orthodox faith more than 100 years, the better example is the
St. Mary's Jacobite Syrian Church at V. Kottayam (in Pathanamhitta) - they are
celebrating its centinary this year. Whereas the divisive nature of IOC-ians
never ended; wherever they could not get a majority in the newly constructed
churches during 1900-1958; they started creating law-and-order problem, and thus
saw that all these churches are closed. Again with the 1995 SC verdict and
crossing of few individual disgruntled lot of metropolitans from Jacobites
crossed over to IOC, and naturally they could catch few followers among the
faithfuls in northern dioceses; and like in south, they could not make any major
inroads, and one after another they wanted either to close down these churches
or take control of it.

The learned advocate for IOC replied to the Judges in SC to their question of
"What if you detach yourself from this Patriarch?; his reply was "the body
without head". If Mr. Nariman could say this in a closed court room, any of the
IOC Metropolitans or priests can say this inside any of the IOC Church now?
According the present day IOC historians, the Syrian Orthodox prelate wanted to
subdue the Malankara Church, and a late entrant of the 19th century, forgetting
even the visible Knanaya sect among us; 9the Century Syrian migration under Mor
Sabor and Aphrot etc. Mor Ahatholla's sacrifice is not considered relevant;
likewise scores of other Fathers from the Mother Church. They blindly put the
Malankara Church just like that woman of Samaria, who happened to meet our LORD
near the well. She has been asked to bring her husband; to which she said I do
not have a husband. IOC made the Malankara Church into such a pathetic
condition. The answer to it was stamped that lady into a profession that is not
desirable or approved in the Jewish Community; but it seems in Samaria it was.
Is that permitted in India is a question now we all have to ask? This is my
question, and am sorry for it, because am one among the faithfuls who has been
corned by a handful of distortionists, who never utter a word of truth.

Seeking forgiveness from my learned elders and readers and contributors of this
FORUM, and request the FORUM Moderators to take their freedom to edit/cut any of
my comments which may be harmful to the FORUM on larger interest.

Regards,
CJ Varughese
Member ID 1012

Matrimonial Advertisements NOTIFICATION

Dear Members/Readers,

The SOCM-Forum is keeping a free matrimonial advertisement section,
which will be published on every Tuesdays. This service can be
availed by any Malankara Christians. However, recently we have
noticed that many esteemed members, after sending the matrimonial
advertisements to us, are not informing us whether the ad is to be
continued for longer periods or not. Some times we face embarrasing
situations when the advertised party got married and still the
marriage ads in the forum are repeated.

Hence, as on 17 April 2007, we have decided to keep any matrimonial
advertisements initially for a period of THREE MONTHS only. If any
advertisers would like to extent this period after its initial
period, they have to send us a written request to extent the period.
In such cases, we will continue the publication of the advertisement
for a further peiod of one or two months, as per their request.
However, we will not be continuing the ads thereafter.

We request every advertisers of today's matrimonial section (No.
81/07), to cooperate with us in informing whether the marriage is
over or you want to continue the ad for another period. We will only
continue with the advertisements of such confirmed advertisers.

Hope everybody will understand and cooperate with us.

Be with us and be part of us.

In Our Lord's Love,
SOCM Forum Moderators.
http://socmnet.org

Matrimonial Digest / 0081-2007

Dear Members,

We do not take or assume any responsibility for the particulars
given by the advertiser. Concerned parties are encouraged to verify
the particulars. As per the request of some advertisers we withheld
the contact details and will forward any reply to the advertiser for
further personal contact.

Further correspondence to be done with the E-Mail address / Phone
Number given against each advertisment. Please note, no space needed
after or beofre '@'sign in the given E-Mail ID.

Please read the successful stories of the matrimonial advertisement
in the SOCM forum at

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SOCM-FORUM/message/6505
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SOCM-FORUM/message/4384

For the full list of the matrimonial advertisement, please visit:
http://www.socmnet.org/Matrimonial.htm

--------------------------------------------------------------------
SEEKING BRIDEGROOM
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Matrimonial; Code # 087/07
***************************
May 31, 2007

Orthodox parents settled in Kochi(orginaly from Mavelikara)invite
perposal for their daughter 29 years 170cm white slim,born and
brought up outside Kerala,B.Tech from Govt Engg College, Trichur,
Kerala MS from USA and Currently working for Satyam Computers as
Consultant  in Atlanta USA. We are looking for a God fearing moral
back ground with equally or highly qulified and well placed boy of
up to 33years of age.Intersted parties may contact mathews1941 @
gmail.com with biodata and recent photograph.

Matrimonial; Code # 079/07
***************************
May 20, 2007

Orthodox Syrian Christian  parents settled in the USA (Originally
from Kottayam Dist.) invite suitable marriage proposals for their
daughter, 26 years old, born and brought up in the USA, god fearing,
presently completing Ph D. in neuro molecular biology (neuroscience)
from a prestigious university in  the USA. We are looking for a god
fearing boy with good educational and moral background. Interested
parties may contact marriage @ 1stmedicine.com

Matrimonial; Code # 078/07
***************************
April 17, 2007

Jacobite parents from Kottayam, now settled in Nagercoil, is
inviting proposals for their elder daughter, who is aged 25, very
spiritual, good looking, medium complexion, MCA graduate and working
in an MNC in Chennai as software engineer.

The boy should be very spiritual with clean habits, professional,
employed in India or overseas. Father employed, mother housewife and
younger sister also employed. If interested, please contact with
full details to: tcvarghese @ ka-latex.com or monthiruvanchoor @
hotmail.com or Tel: +91- 4652-260889 (R) & +91-9442227719

Matrimonial; Code # 077/07
***************************
April 17, 2007

A well known core-episcopa in the Jacobite church seeking proposals
to his daughter. The girl is 24 yrs old and a MCA holder. She is God
fearing, good looking, slim and pleasant in nature. Her height is
5" 4". The boy should be God fearing. IT professionals working in
India or abroad are preferred.Please contact at eldhoshimmy @
yahoo.com

Matrimonial; Code # 075/07
***************************
April 17, 2007

Orthodox Christian parents (Retd. from central Govt. service) based
at central Travancore, good family, invite proposals for their
daughter who is 24/156cm, B. Tech (Civil Engg.), MBA, fair
complexion, slim, God - fearing and good looking. She is currently
working as a lecturer in an Engineering college. We are looking for
a God fearing, good looking, educated, well placed Orthodox boy. If
interested please respond with the proposed boy's detailed profile
and photograph to plavilakkal @ gmail.com or Tel: +91- 468 - 2317178
(Kerala), +61-423232659 (Australia).

Matrimonial; Code # 074/07
***************************
April 17, 2007

27yr god fearing beautiful Bsc nurse ,Working in Muscat. Father
expired Mother house wife, elder sister settled in Singapore,
younger sister working as a staff in medical college hospital,
brother studying MCA. If interested please email to
paulalias2005 @ yahoo.co.in

Matrimonial; Code # 072/07
***************************
May 07, 2007 ***

Jacobite parents from Kottayam now settled in Bangalore invite
proposals for their daughter, fair,27 yrs, 165 Cm, S/W Engineer
pursuing PhD in UK (Fully funded) from Parents of well educated and
professionally settled boys from middleclass godfearing
Jacobite/Orthodox or Marthomite families. Girl visiting India in
December 2006. Please contact with biodata and recent photo.
myz_9619 @ yahoo.co.in 09448842614

Matrimonial; Code # 071/06
***************************
April 17, 2007

Well settled NRI orthodox Parents from Central Travancore invite
proposals for their daughter 26/162, God-fearing, beautiful, PG
Engineer with good academic records and employed in UAE (arriving
Kerala on leave by end of October) from Parents of God-fearing PG
Engineers/Doctors, Engineers with MBA, C.A., Management
Professionals with good Christian family background and well
employed preferably abroad. Respond to e-mail:
jacobite_50 @ rediffmail.com

Matrimonial; Code # 070/06
***************************
April 17, 2007

Mumbai based Marthoma parents invited proposal for their daughter,
25 years, 158 cm, B Pham, working in MNC – Insurance Co, Mumbai as
a Underwriter. Father working in Govt. service. Proposal invited
from God fearing and well employed boys from India / abroad.
Interest parents may contact: - papa_ofa @ yahoo.com

Matrimonial; Code # 067/06
***************************
April 17, 2007

Parents from jaccobit family, Ernakulam ,invites proposal for
their daughter , who is M.A.Bed(lts) working in reputed English
meaduim school, kolencherry. she 27yrs, very fair, 5ft.2inch tall &
she has one sister married to a doctor setteled in Ireland. Plz
contact 0974 5546501 Qatar, or 0914842760328 Ernakulam. mail
petersonv @ hotmail.com

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SEEKING BRIDE
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Matrimonial; Code # 088/07
***************************
July 03, 2007

Suitable proposals are invited for a Jacobite boy from Areepparambu,
Kottayam a Diploma Engineer in Electronics, (31/174/Average/ Fair)
working as a Network Engineer (IT) in a reputed Hospital in
Sharjah , UAE.

Father was passed away 5 Years ago and mother is a house wife.
Brother is married and settled in Kottayam and sister is married and
settled in Mavelikkara.

Interested parents may send the details and photograph to
Mr. Anil Mani Muriyankal House, Lakkattoor P.O, Kottayam
Ph. 0481- 2700804 / 0481-2703073

Matrimonial; Code # 086/07
***************************
May 30, 2007

Jacobite Syrian Orthodox NRI parents settled in Chennai (originally
from Ernakulam dist) invite proposals for their son, 26/172, MBA,
executive in a reputed company in Chennai,medium-fair complexion and
religious, from parents of good looking and qualified girls below 24
years old.

We are looking for a God-fearing, efficient, caring, family oriented
and pleasant girl from a good Jacobite/Orthodox/Marthoma family.
Please contact with details and photograph to email varghese321 @
yahoo.com

Matrimonial; Code # 085/07
***************************
May 27, 2007

Jacobite parents from Kottayam, invites proposal for their son (29 -
174), Software Engineer, handsome, very spiritual, employed in
Bahrain, and is coming on vacation in December 2007.  The girl
should be spiritual, preferably B.Sc nurse or employed in Bahrain.
Interested parents may send the details and photograph to
jojivattamala @ yahoo.co.in or contact Tel: 0481-2555074.

Matrimonial; Code # 084/07
***************************
May 26, 2007

Suitable proposals are invited for a Jacobite boy from Kothamangalam,
32years, 167cms, Chartered Accountant, working in a MNC Chennai.
contact email: bijuchelad @ yahoo.co.in

Matrimonial; Code # 082/07
***************************
April 25, 2007

Proposals invited for a 27-year-old Jacobite Syrian Christian boy,
6 feet tall, hailing from a traditional Jacobite Syrian Christian
family from Kottayam.  He is very spiritually involved in church
activities and is currently settled in the United States. He was
born and raised in India and moved to the US during college years.
He has both his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Electrical
Engineering from reputable US Universities.  He is currently working
as an Electrical Engineering for a well-known design firm in New
York.  His parents are also settled in New York.  Proposals are
invited from God fearing, professional girls (age 22-26) with
comparative educational and family back ground.  Interested parties
may please respond to nydestiny @ gmail.com with full details and a
recent full-size photograph.

"But as we cannot imitate God, let us imitate the Apostles whom the world held
in hatred for they were not of this world. Imitate them, follow them. Perhaps
you are thinking that it is difficult to ascend above the world by merely human
virtue. Well said! but even the Apostles in their following of the Lord (not as
equals but as disciples), merited to rise above the world. You too should be
Christ's disciple and an imitator of Christ; He will pray for you as He prayed
for them. And He said, 'Not only do I pray for the Apostles, but for those who
will believe in Me through their word, so that all my be one.'"

St. Ambrose of Milan.

--------------------------------------------------------------

"Let all that you do be done with love."  1 Corinthians 16:14

shlom lekh bthoolto maryam. malyath taiybootho.

moran `amekh.

mbarakhto at bneshey wambarakhoo feero dabkarsekh yeshu`,

o qadeeshto maryam

yoldath aloho

saloy hlofain hatoyeh hosho wabsho'ath mawtan.

Amin.
========================================================
Oh.. Morth Mariam Yoldath Aloho (Mother Of God)Pray For Us

Dear All

As Indian citizens we are  well  proud of our nation. We remember
the Independence day on August 15 and celebrating that very day with
enthusiasm .We  are  also proud of that day  which uplift us from
the bondage  of a foreign  nation. Since 1947 it was our concept
that we are all  out  of all slavery. But, I think that till
now we are all slaves of something  much more worst than foreign
bondage. Truly, we are slaves of three powerful forces, ie. Satan, sin and
death.

We are also celebrating the ascension day of the mother of our
redeemer Jesus Christ on August 15.After her death Virgin Mary was
exalted  and enthroned in Paradise. We can see her majestic attitude
in Revelation 12:1 `A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under
her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars". The sun
represents our Lord Jesus Christ, moon the church, and twelve stars
the holy Apostles.

About her biography the Holy Church teaches us in a hymn in quqoyo
tune as follows "When St. John (the holy Apostle of Love) brought
the biography of Virgin Mary there happened dew fall of blessing.In
which mentioned about three festivals of St. Mary shall be celebrated in every
year. Jan 15th the festival for seeds,May 15 the
festival of seed plants, and Aug 15 the festival of vine. There
under stood a mystery in these festivals. Her prayer may help us."
On August 15th the Holy Church celebrates the assumption day of St.
Mary.

Now we can interpret the mystery mentioned in her biography as follows. The
productivity and availability of wheat and Qurbana-
wine are essential in our spiritual sustainment. Wheat -bread
(lahmo-leavened bread)and wine (hamro-leavened wine) are important
factors in Holy Qurbana. While we are celebrating these festivals
in good sence, corn field and vineyards shall be protected  all
over the world by the great intercession of St. Virgin Mary.

In the Penkeeza prayer book Virgin Mary was interpreted as a
corn field and Jesus Christ the seed. St.Mary brought forth
Jesus, the bread of life, in Beth-lhem (the house of leavened
bread).

At the time of Passover Jesus Christ blessed the lahmo(leavened
wheat bread) and hamro (leavened wine) and proclaimed that these are
His flesh and blood  for eternal life and is the  hidden mystery
mentioned in the biography of Virgin Mary

In our tradition most important festivals are accompanied by a lent
in respect of the Holy Festivals. `Soonoyo' the assumption day
of St.Mary, The Mother Of God. We have to dedicate ourselves in this
Soonoyo lent period to our Lord Jesus Christ as St. Mary. She said' Behold! The
handmaid of the Lord, be it unto me according to thy word"

I convey "Soonoyo" Greetings to all of the SOCM  readers. May God
bless us all through the great intercession of St.Virgin Mary ,the
mother of God.

Mor ignathios Dayara,
Deevannasios Methrachan
27-07-2007.

Todays Gospel

Grace, Mercy and Peace of our Lord Jesus be with you and your loved ones!

"Judah, you have brought this on yourself by the way you have lived and by the
things you have done. Your sin has caused this suffering; it has stabbed you
through the heart." Jeremiah 4:18

Assuring you our prayers
Vachanam Team