Mar Gregorios Abdal Jaleed: Visudhiyude Niradeepam
Edited  by M. Kurian Thomas.
Published by Sophia Books, Kottayam

Pl. Visit & Download the pdf File.

http://www.malankaraorthodox.tv/Books/abdal%20Jaleel%20Final.pdf

Joice Thottackad
Kottayam, Kerala
# 2302
=============================================
Moderators Note:

The history of the church given in this article is not accurate in many portion.
For the true history of the Malankara church especially in the early
centuries,please visit,
http://www.syrianchurch.org/MalankaraSyrianChurch/MalankaraHistory.htm
or
previous SOCM articles:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SOCM-FORUM/message/6461

Matrimonial Digest / 0105-2008

Dear Members,

We do not take or assume any responsibility for the particulars
given by the advertiser. Concerned parties are encouraged to
verifythe particulars. As per the request of some advertisers we
withheld the contact details and will forward any reply to the
advertiser forfurther 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 # 097/07
***************************
November 24, 2007
Suitable alliance invited from Jacobite parents of well qualified
boys, for the daughter of parents (Father a school teacher and
Mother is the proprietor of a tailoring shop) from a middle class
family. The girl is 25yrs / 151cms / M.Sc. Bio-technology working in
Bangalore. Her only younger sister is doing her B.Sc. Nursing. Boys
employed in Bangalore are preferred. May contact 0481-2591312or e-
mail kmrjrkr@...

Matrimonial; Code # 095/07
***************************
November 17, 2007
Suitable proposals are invited from Jacobite/Orthodox parents of
well qualified and employed professionals working abroad preferably
USA/Canada/Australia/Europe for a God fearing Jacobite girl born on
19-3-1979, height 165 weight 64 kg; post graduate (MPT) in Physical
Therapy presently working as a faculty member at the
M.G.University,Kottayam. She is from a respectable upper middle
class family in Kottayam. She is the youngest and her elders are all
married and well settled. If interested Please contact: K.Jacob
Thomas at zestmatrim@... or kummelil@... My
Telephone Nos. are +0481-2362264 or +0481-9447707264 with full
details and recent full size photograph of the groom.

Matrimonial; Code # 094/07
***************************
November 14, 2007
Suitable alliance invited from parents of well qualified boys, for
the daughter of a professional Jacobite, NRI parents, from a
reputable family in Central Travancore. The girl is 23yrs /
159cms /B.Arch, working with an International Architectural
Consultancy as Interior Architect in U.A.E. Respond
torengy@... orsinupv@...

Matrimonial; Code # 092/07
***************************
October 06, 2007
Suitable alliance invited for my niece, who is a doctor working in
Houston, Texas. She is a Marthomite, 30 years old, 5.4" tall,
smart,athletic, fair, God fearing, good looking and with a very
pleasing personality. She is born and brought up in USA. If you are
interested please reply with full details and recent photograph
tosusanjohn827@... or call 732-591-9642

Matrimonial; Code # 089/07
***************************
August 01, 2007
Bombay settled Kerala Orthodox parents invite proposal for their
daughter, B Tech in Computer Science & Technology from Bombay
University. She is 24 years , 5.6 " tall ,God fearing , fair, smart
& good looking, born and brought up in Bombay.She is working with
TCS-Mumbai as Assistant Systems Engineer. We are looking for a God
fearing, professionally qualified& well placed boy. If interested,
please respond with full details and recent photograph to
susanjohn827@... or call 732-591-9642

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 ofup to 33years of age. Intersted parties may contact
mathews1941@... 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
godfearing boy with good educational and moral background.
Interested parties may contact marriage@...

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@... or monthiruvanchoor@... 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
Godfearing, good looking, slim and pleasant in nature. Her height
is5" 4". The boy should be God fearing. IT professionals working in
India or abroad are preferred. Please contact at
eldhoshimmy@...

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@... 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@...

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 middle class godfearing
Jacobite/Orthodox or Marthomite families. Girl visiting India in
December 2007. Please contact with biodata and recent photo.myz_9619
@yahoo.co.in Tel: 09448842614

----------------------------------------------------------
SEEKING BRIDE
----------------------------------------------------------
Matrimonial; Code # 102/08
***************************
January 04, 2008
Jacobite Syrian Christian parents from Kottayam invite proposals
from parents of suitably qualified girls for their son, 27 yrs,
170 cm, B.Com,  M.B.A, presently employed in Bangalore as Oracle
Finance Consultant. E-mail ID -  johnmercy@... ,  Contact
No. 0481 2373169, Mobile 9447660049 "

Matrimonial; Code # 101/08
***************************
January 02, 2008

Proposals are invited from Orthodox / Jocobites for a 36-year-old
youth, 166 cm, who works with Kuwait Oil Company as Electrician in
Kuwait, preferably from girls who work in the Gulf, especially
Kuwait, as B.Sc. Nurse or General Nurse. Parents are settled in
hometown Mavelikara after serving Indian Railways in Jabalpur for
long years. Second of three sons. Youth on leave till February 2nd.
Contact No 0479 2309681 or 0479 2303919 or 0471 2741836; address:
George Varghese, Palathinkal, Cherukunnam, Kurathikadu PO,
Mavelikara 690107.

Matrimonial; Code # 100/07
***************************
December 31, 2007

Jacobite employed parents from Kottayam district invite proposals
for their son, 27/172, MCA, working as a Senior Software Engineer
with a reputed US MNC in Bangalore Proposals inviting from parents
of God-fearing,good looking and qualified girls from Jacobite /
Orthodox / Marthoma family. Please contact with details and
photographs to georgethomasin@... Ph:0481-2517003 (M)9446509003

Matrimonial; Code # 099/07
***************************
December 31, 2007

Middle Class Jacobite Syrian Christian parents from Meenadom,
Kottayam, invites proposals for their God-fearing son (fair, 29,
173cm, B.Sc, P.G.D.C.A), employed as programmer in the IT department
of a well-known company in Bahrain with family status, and is now in Kerala on
leave.  The girl should be God-fearing,
preferably nurse, either employed in Bahrain or ready to migrate to
Bahrain.  Interested parties may please contact Tel: 0091-481-
2555074 or 00973-39279511 or email complete details to:
jojivt@...

Matrimonial; Code # 098/07
***************************
December 11, 2007
Orthodox Christian parents settled in USA, from Central Travancore
invite marriage proposals for their son, 25 yrs, 5' 10", accounting
graduate employed in civil service and currently pursuing master's
degree from parents of professionally qualified girls, preferably in
the healthcare field.

Interested parties please respond to: geo49@...

Matrimonial Code# 093/07
**************************
October 10, 2007
Proposals are invited for a 26-year-old Christian boy,5".11"
tall,handsome, spiritual and hailing from a traditional Christian
family originally from Central Travancore. He was born and raised in
the Middle East and moved to Canada during college years. He has
both a Computer Engineering and an MBA from a reputable University
in Canada. He is currently working as a Consultant with a well-known
Corporate Company in Canada. His parents are also settled in Canada.
Proposals are invited from good looking, spiritual,
smart,efficient,caring, family-oriented, professional girls (age 24-
26) with comparative educational and family background preferably
settled in North America. Interested parents may send the details
and photograph by email to<mapleleaf007@...>

Matrimonial Code# 090/07
**************************
August 09, 2007
Orthodox Christian parents working in Kuwait for the last 30 yearsis
soliciting marriage alliance for their elder son, 29, 170 cm working
in Toronto, for Canadian Television. The boy has completed his GCE A
levels in Kuwait under British Educational System,graduated with BFA
degree from University of Denver and undergoing MFA degree from
Academy of Arts University, San Francisco (graduating spring 2008)
while also working. He holds Canadian Citizenship and looking for a
life partner, 24-28, minimum 166 cmheight, fair complexion, well
educated, has good command of English and is working in the Gulf or
the West. If interested, please contact
(bridegroom.kuwait@...) with details of the proposed girl.

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 Advertisements NOTIFICATIONThe SOCM-Forum is keeping a
free matrimonial advertisement section,which will be published on
every Tuesdays.

This service can beavailed by any Malankara Christians. However,
recently we havenoticed that many esteemed members, after sending
the matrimonialadvertisements to us, are not informing us whether
the ad is to becontinued for longer periods or not. Some times we
face embarrasing situations when the advertised party got married
and still themarriage ads in the forum are repeated.Hence, as on 17
April 2007, we have decided to keep any matrimonialadvertisements
initially for a period of THREE MONTHS only. If any advertisers
would like to extent this period after its initialperiod, 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, 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

CHRIST IS BORN! GLORIFY HIM!

"Now we have said that the Synagogue could be denoted by the tabernacle which
Moses and the children of Israel built in the desert, but the Church of the
gentiles by the temple which Solomon and the children of Israel erected with the
help of the proselytes and gentiles. The worship and religion of the tabernacle
lasted four hundred and eighty years and then work began on the building of the
temple because the writing of the Old Testament overflows with such perfection
that, if one understands it properly, it contains in itself all the mysteries of
the New Testament. Besides, a great many of the patriarchs of the Old Testament
attained such a peak of perfection by the way they lived that they are not in
any way to be considered inferior to the apostles or apostolic men."

The Venerable Bede.

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

"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested
in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the
Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory."  1 Timothy 3:16

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

"But because of our sins he was wounded, beaten because of the evil we did. We
are healed by the punishment he suffered, made whole by the blows he received"
Isaiah 53:5

Assuring you our prayers

Vachanam Team

A New Year Prayer

Holy Father,

God of our yesterdays, our today, and our tomorrows.
We praise You for Your unequaled greatness.
Thank You for the year behind us and for the year ahead.
Help us in Your new year, Father, to fret less and laugh more.
To teach our children to laugh by laughing with them.
To teach others to love by loving them.
Knowing, when Love came to the stable in Bethlehem, He came for us.
So that Love could be with us, and we could know You.
That we could share Love with others.
Help us, Father, to hear Your love song in every sunrise,
in the chriping of sparrows in our backyards,
in the stories of our old folks, and the fantasies of our children.
Help us to stop and listen to Your love songs,
so that we may know You better and better.
We rejoice in the world You loved into being.
Thank You for another new year and for new chances every day.
We pray for peace, for light, and for hope, that we might spread them to others.
Forgive us for falling short this past year.
We leave the irreparable past in your hands, and step out into the unknown new
year knowing You will go with us.
We accept Your gift of a new year and we rejoice in what's ahead, depending on
You to help us do exactly what You want..
In Jesus name, We pray,

Amen

Saju C.Varghese
#895

Dearly beloved in Christ,

After wishing you all a belated Holy Nativity and a prosperous New
Year, let me express me deepest gratitude to the SOCM Forum and
those who remembered this humble servant on the day of my
Consecration on Jan 4th. I would like to thank specially Rev. Fr.
Mathai, Babu Jacob, Saju Paulose, Basil Thomas and Pathhikan who
took some of their valuable time to  write on the Forum. May God
bless you all through out the New Year and in the years to come.

You may know that the service in a place like USA & Canada needs
very much prayers and support. God willing, we can achieve great
things with the support of our people to energize our Holy Church in
this part of the world. Hence I would humbly request all our Forum-
readers to provide me with any suggestions you may have,  to improve
the Church life here in North America. You can directly email me at
thirumeni@...  or thirumeni@... .

May God Bless you,

Theethose Thirumeni
10 Stonehust Court
Pomona, New York 10970

January 01-15 edition of VISWASA SAMRAKSHAKAN is now available online.

Dear All

2008, January 01-15 edition of Malayalam fortnightly,
VISWASASAMRAKSHAKAN, net edition is now available online.

URL: http://www.viswasasamrakshakan.org/jan01_08.pdf

In the intercession of St. Athanasius Paulose (Valiya Thirumeni).

Editorial Board
VISWASA SAMRAKSHAN

All India Christian Council
P. O. Box 2174, Secunderabad – 500003,
Andhra Pradesh, India
www.indianchristians.in

Dr. Joseph D'souza - President -
Dr. John Dayal - Secretary General

For immediate release

Fact Finding Reports Released on Unprecedented Orissa Tragedy

Massive protest rally to be held on Jan. 10th in Orissa's capital; aicc welcomes
visit by National Commission for Minorities

HYDERABAD, January 8, 2008

In the last few days, All India Christian Council (aicc) leaders released two
reports on the anti-Christian violence in Orissa which began on Christmas Eve.
Newly confirmed cases of arson, murder, and assault make this violence qualify
as the largest attack on the Christian community in the history of democratic
India. Both reports show that the Dalits – formerly known as untouchables – were
the main group affected by the violence.

Four leaders from aicc chapters in Orissa visited the affected villages from
January 3-5 and released their report on Jan. 7, 2008. The report says 95
churches were vandalised or destroyed, 730 Christian homes burnt, and four
Christians killed with many still missing and presumed dead. To view the entire
Fact Finding Report, see: http://indianchristians.in/news/content/view/1826/45/

On Jan. 5, 2008, aicc Secretary-General John Dayal released a whitepaper after
visiting the area. Advocate Nicholas Barla, a lawyer and human rights expert,
and Mr. Hemant Nayak, a social scientist and human rights and development
activist, were also part of the fact finding team. They concluded that the
attacks on Christians included simultaneous, planned violence by extremist
Hindutva supporters and complicity and consistent incompetence by police and
local authorities. To view the entire white paper, see:
http://groups.google.com/group/JohnDayal/browse_thread/thread/17aef1aebe4f1e70

According to media reports, two members from India's National Commission for
Minorities (NCM), Dileep Padgaonkar and Zoya Hasan, are currently in Orissa to
investigate the violence. Aicc leaders met with the NCM chairman on Dec. 27,
2007 in New Delhi.

"We are saddened to acknowledge the violence in Orissa will go into the history
books as an unprecedented attack on Christians in India. The tragedy is deepened
by proof that the violence was avoidable if the authorities had enforced the
rule of law," said Dr. Joseph D'souza, aicc President.

Together with the All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations led by Dr. Udit
Raj, the aicc will hold a "Stop Violence Against Christians Rally" in
Bhubaneswar, Orissa, on January 10, 2008. Protestors will meet at 10am at Master
Canteen Chowk and march to the Orissa State Assembly for a public meeting.
Confirmed speakers include Dr. Udit Raj, Dr. Joseph D'souza, Bishop Joab Lohara
of the Free Methodist Church, and victims from Orissa.

"Many have expressed outrage with the authorities and Hindutva extremists whose
actions hurt innocent people during Christmas – a season of peace across the
world. But we must express our anger and frustration in a peaceful manner. I
invite all Indian citizens of good will to join the "Stop Violence Against
Christians Rally" on Thursday," said D'souza.

The violence allegedly began when Christians in Bamunigaon village in Kandhamal
district of Orissa began to celebrate Christmas Eve. Local Hindu fundamentalists
opposed the event and a quarrel ensued. Also, a Hindutva leader, Swami
Saraswati, was attacked by unknown assailants -- he alleged they were
Christians. The next day a Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)-affiliated group called
for a strike and VHP members began attacking Christians across the state.

The All India Christian Council (www.aiccindia.org), birthed in1998, exists to
protect and serve the Christian community, minorities, and the oppressed castes.
The aicc is a coalition of thousands of Indian denominations, organizations, and
lay leaders.

For more information, contact:
Dr. Joseph D'souza,
aicc President
+91-9908479994

Sam Paul,
aicc Secretary Public Affairs
+91-9989697778

CHRIST IS BORN! GLORIFY HIM!

"Thus the mountains are to symbolize the heavens, and the ninety-nine sheep the
principalities and powers which the Shepherd and Commander left when He came
down to look for His lost sheep. Man remained to be included in this number and
multitude: the Lord put him in Himself and carried him back, that he might not
again, as I have said, be overwhelmed and submerged by the mounting waves and
deceptions of pleasure. This was the reason why the Word assumed human nature,
that He might through Himself defeat the Serpent and destroy the condemnation
that existed for man's ruin. It was indeed fitting that the Evil One should be
defeated by no one else but by him whom the Devil boasted he ruled since he
first deceived him. For it was impossible otherwise to destroy the state of sin
and condemnation unless the same man because of whom the words, 'Earth thou art,
and unto earth thou shalt return,' were spoken, should renew the contest and
undo the sentence that had been passed against all men

because of him. Thus, just as 'in Adam all men die, so also in Christ,' Who
assumed Adam, 'all were made to be alive.'"

St. Methodius.

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

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

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

"How great is the Lord's merciful forgiveness of those who turn to him!" Sirach
17:29


Assuring you our prayers
Vachanam Team

CHRIST IS BORN! GLORIFY HIM!

"This, my brethren, is certain: whoever, whether man or woman, keeps the
commandments of God, becomes wise and brave, and does not fear the whole world;
whereas whoever does not keep them but does the will of the devil becomes a fool
and a coward, and fears even his own shadow, even thought he be a king and
possess the whole world."

St. Cosmas Aitolos.

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

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!"  2 Corinthians 9:15

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

"Listen, you are well now; so stop sinning or something worse may happen to
you."  John 5:14

Assuring you our prayers
Vachanam Team

Beatitudes Of Marriage

1. Blessed are the husband and wife who continue to be affectionate,
considerate, and loving after the wedding bells have ceased ringing.
2. Blessed are the husband and wife who are as polite and courteous to one
another as they are to their friends.
3. Blessed are they who love their mates more than any other person in the
world, and who joyfully fulfill their marriage vow of a lifetime of fidelity and
mutual helpfulness to one another.
4. Blessed are they who attain parenthood, for children are a heritage of the
Lord.
5. Blessed are they who remember to thank God for their food before they partake
of it, and who set apart some time each day for the reading of the Bible and for
prayer.
6. Blessed are those mates who never speak loudly to one another, and who make
their home a place "where seldom is heard a discouraging word."
7. Blessed are the husband and wife who faithfully attend the worship service of
the church, and who work together in the church for the advancement of Christ’s
kingdom.
8. Blessed are the husband and wife who can work out the problems of adjustment
without interference from relatives.
9. Blessed is the couple which has complete understanding about financial
matters, and have worked out a perfect partnership, with all money under the
control of both.

10. Blessed are the husband and wife who humbly dedicate their lives and their
homes to Christ, and who practice the teachings of Christ in the home by being
unselfish, loyal and loving.
[compared from Book]


Saju C Varghese
#895

Fr. Thomas Kora Pulpparayil (Saji) was elevated to the priesthood on January 9th
at Puthencruz Mor Athansius Cathedral by H.B. Mor Baselious Thomas I and H.G.
Mor Ivanios Mathews.  He lives in Denver, Colorado and has also been accepted
with full scholarship for a master's degree program in theology.

We extend our congratulations and prayers to Saji Achen and his family.  May our
Lord grant him wisdom and strength to guide our faithful, especially our youth,
in the American diocese.

Pictures of the ordination:
http://picasaweb.google.com/garamath/FrThomasPulpparayilSajiOrdination

With Prayers,
George Aramath
#0892

I am Fr George Vayaliparambil.I yet to notice any photo /painting /w all
painting of Maphriyono Mor Yaldo in our church ( Akaparambu Mor Sabore Afroth
Church.)

I think the photo which is shown on the home page is from the drawing we have in
morakala St. Mary's Church. I think it may be the imagination of the artist.

Regards
slomo amkoon
Kaseeso George.

--- In SOCM-FORUM@yahoogroups.com, Shinu Jesus Abraham wrote:

>
> Greetings to all
>
> It was interesting to see a photo of Eldho bava in the church website
> of Akaparambu Church
>
> http://morsaboreafrothchurch.org/saints.htm
>
> How authentic is it? As per my knoledge there is no photo available
of
> our saint. please correct me if I am worng.
>
> Requesting prayers
>
> Shinu Jesus Abraham
> Member ID # 2908

CHRIST IS BORN! GLORIFY HIM!

"What means, 'that they be careful to maintain good works?' That they wait not
for those who are in want to come to them, but that they seek out those who need
their assistance. Thus the considerate man shows his concern, and with great
zeal will he perform this duty. For in doing good actions, it is not those who
receive the kindness that are benefited, so much as those who do it that make
gain and profit, for it gives them confidence towards God."

St. John Chrysostom.

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

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

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

"My dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful test you are suffering, as
though something unusual were happening to you.  Rather be glad that you are
sharing Christ's sufferings, so that you may be full of joy when his glory is
revealed." 1 Peter 4:12-13

Assuring you our prayers
Vachanam Team

The consecration of St.Ignatius Jacobite syrian orthodox church,
Meenadom, Kottayam will be held on January 18,19 and 20.

H.B.Baselius Thomas It will be the chief celebrant on the occasion.
H.E.Thomas Mor themothiose, H.E. Joseph Mor Gregoriose and
H.E.Geevarghese Mor Coorilose will be the co-celebrant  on the
occasion.

A public meeting followed by the consecration will take place on
January 19. Hon. Minister Vayalar Ravi will inagurate the public
function. All are invited to participate this function.

Jaimon Skaria
ID No 0916
St.George J.S.O.Church, Chicago

All India Christian Council

P. O. Box 2174, Secunderabad – 500003,
Andhra Pradesh, India
www.indianchristians.in

For more information, contact:
Dr. Joseph D'souza, aicc President

Sam Paul, aicc Secretary Public Affairs

For immediate release

Speakers at Historic Rally Demand Orissa Government Tell Truth about
Christmas Attacks on Christians

About 10,000 protestors from all religious backgrounds; speakers
slam Orissa government for blaming Naxalites involvement and
limiting Christian NGOs relief efforts

BHUBANESWAR – Jan. 10, 2008 –

Today about 9,000-10,000 people marched to the Orissa State Assembly building in
Bhubaneswar to protest Christmas attacks on Christians and demand justice for
victims. Rally speakers demanded the Orissa state government stop making
allegations about Christian association with an outlawed Maoist rebel movement
and allow Christian churches and groups to provide direct relief to victims.

"Some people have characterized the violence as a Hindu-Christian
clash. This is wrong. Dalit Christians were clearly the targets and
innocent victims. The state government has also made baseless
accusations that some Christian NGOs are aligned with Naxalites. The
authorities must write a white paper or give proof about these
sensitive issues instead of spreading rumors," said Dr. Udit Raj,
National Chairman, All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations.
Naxalites are Maoist rebels who often attack government installations throughout
central India. Most are disenfranchised
Dalits or Tribals.

Christian leaders expressed concern about relief efforts for the
devastated Christians in Kandhamal District. "Orissa's government
should allow direct relief projects by churches and Christian NGOs.
Currently, we are being told we can only distribute blankets, food
and other supplies through the District Collectors. We are deeply
concerned this will delay needed assistance and could create
opportunities for discrimination or corruption," said Dr. Joseph
D'souza, President, All India Christian Council (aicc). "There is no
logical reason to ban the direct involvement of established,
peaceful Christian organisations that are already registered with
the government."

Bishop Joab Lohara of the Free Methodist Church said, "We are
worried about reports that aid to the homeless Christians still in
relief camps is not being fairly distributed. We appeal to
authorities to be even-handed in their compensation to victims of
this horrific violence. They have suffered enough already."

The "Stop Violence Against Christians Rally" was sponsored by the
All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations and the aicc.
Protestors met at Master Canteen Chowk and marched to the Orissa
State Assembly. Speakers included Raj, D'souza, Lohara, as well as
Muslims, progressive Hindus, and Buddhists.

Rally organisers also announced they would set up a "Communal
Harmony Monitoring Group" which will closely watch relief and
compensation for victims and report progress to the national offices
of the aicc and SC/ST Confederation. Dr. Udit Raj also demanded that
any enquiry commissions set up by the Orissa government include
representatives from both the aicc and SC/ST Confederation since
they represent Christians and Dalits, respectively.

In the last few days, aicc leaders released two fact finding reports
on the anti-Christian violence after visits to rural Orissa. Newly
confirmed cases of arson, murder, and assault make this violence
qualify as the largest attack on the Christian community in the
history of democratic India. Both reports show that the Dalits –
formerly known as untouchables – were the main group affected by the
violence. Reports are at:

http://indianchristians.in/news/content/view/1826/45/
and

http://groups.google.com/group/JohnDayal/browse_thread/thread/17aef1a
ebe4f1e70

According to media reports, three investigators appointed by India's
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) are currently in Orissa. A
Christian delegation, including an aicc leader, met with the NHRC
chairman on Dec. 31, 2007 in New Delhi to request the visit.

The violence allegedly began when Christians in Bamunigaon village
in Kandhamal district of Orissa began to celebrate Christmas Eve on
Dec. 24, 2007. Local Hindu fundamentalists opposed the event and a
quarrel ensued. Also, a Hindutva leader, Swami Saraswati, was
attacked by unknown assailants -- he alleged they were Christians.
The next day a Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)-affiliated group called
for a strike and VHP members began attacking Christians across the
state.

Reading: From the Gospel according to St. Matthew 4:12-22

Dear and Respected Brethren

Today's reading begins with the statement of St. Matthew that the
prophecy of Isaiah in chapter 9 verses 1-2 has been fulfilled as and
when our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ departed from Nazareth and
settled at Capernaum and started His blessed public mission. The
Prophecy says that the who were in darkness and the dimness were
able to enjoy the brightness of God and they abandoned all the
practices they had till then of the effects of darkness. Though they
were gentiles, after the transformation they were no longer children
of darkness. They sought entire freedom from the darkness and its
influence. They became the children of the bright light and the
spokesmen of the brightness. In verse 15 we could find the statement
of St. Matthew, where we read "The land of Zebulon and the land of
Naphthalim by way of  the sea beyond Jordan, Galilee of the
gentiles, the people which sat in darkness saw great light and to
them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung
up."

We are indeed bound to subject this scriptural portion for our
earnest study and thorough thinking. Since our birth we all are
brought up in the Christian atmosphere and we all are keen in
following a religious life and of course a virtuous life. Still
could we claim that we are free from the influence of darkness? Are
we not searching in the darkness and its after effects, though we
speak highly of our Church life and religious practices? The people
of Galilee, Naphthali and Zebulun were able to identify Lord Jesus
as the Savior of the entire mankind and the creation. Why we cannot
accept Him as our personal Savior?  Though we remain so close to our
Lord, do we recognize Him and His blessed presence very near to us?
If not we must realize that there is a serious mistake in the style
of our lives. We have to confess every day and if possible at every
moment in our minds at least: "Lord thou art my God and Savior". We
have to create such a warm and sweet personal relationship with our
Lord.

"In Him was life and the life was the light of man" St. John remarks
so in his Gospel chapter 1:4. Again he says "And that light has come
into the world" (St. John 3:19) And when the light came to the world
the gentiles got benefited. We all are supposed to reserve the light
from God in us and to reflect them to the fellowmen who are in
darkness, precisely like the moon who do reserve sunlight and
reflects the same at night. Then only our Lords words that we are
the light of the world would come true. (Please see St. Matthew 5:14
and St. John 8: 12) Let us make a decision now that we would reserve
the brightness and light of God in us and would reflect the same to
the needy people and places.

Verse 17 says about our Lord's first and most important message to
the world: to repent for the kingdom of God is at hand. The kingdom
of God or the heaven, the dwelling place of God is to be realized as
a spiritual  experience with the triune God rather than a place. Our
Lord wants one and all of us to be with Him in His blessed Kingdom.
Remember the importance He has given to pray for the kingdoms
arrival. In Lord's Prayer He insists us to pray: "Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven". We are familiar with
the term 'repentance' and many of us consider that it is a pre-
condition to have the sacrament of H. Confession. That is true as it
is. But we must realize that repentance is a pre-condition for
establishing a contact with our Lord God. Without repentance we
cannot gain any of the blessings from our Lord God. Kindly remember
that the repentance is the freedom from selfish thoughts, deeds and
words. Selfishness is the root cause of all sins which distracts us
from God and the heavenly experiences.

In Verse 18 and 19 our Lord called St. Peter and his brother St.
Andrew who were engaged in their profession of fishing. They were
attracted by the call "follow me, I shall make you fishers of men".
They followed Him leaving away all their belongings and earnings
which they had till then. Lord Jesus called all the Apostles alike
to continue His deeds on earth. Our Lord's aim was to earn all the
mankind for His kingdom. Lord Jesus is calling each and everyone of
us also. It is generally assumed by many of us that the call is only
for the priests or the candidates for priesthood. Realize that the
call is for everyone. It doesn't mean that all of us must spend 24
hours of the day for the mission works. God is calling you and me to
witness Him wherever we are. To witness Christ, we must be guided by
the Holy Spirit in our lives. So let us ask for the renewal of the
Holy Spirit   in us so that we could respond to God's call and we
could witness Him substantially.

In verses 21 and 22 we hear the call of our Lord again to St. James
and St. John who were repairing the fishing net with their father.
They also followed Christ without conditions. They also left the
worldly riches they had in addition to their moral obligations to
their father.

May the continued intercession of the blessed Apostles be a fort of
protection for all of us. May God bless us all.

Jose Kurian Puliyeril.

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

"Even though the fig trees have no fruit and no grapes grow on the vines, even
though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no grain, even though the
sheep all die and the cattle stalls are empty, I will still be joyful and glad,
because the Lord God is my savior." Habakkuk 3:17-18

Assuring you our prayers
Vachanam Team

The three day fast of Nineveh commemorates the three days that Prophet Jonah
spent inside the fish (for the story, see the Book of Jonah in the Old
Testament). This fast is unique to the Syriac Orthodox Church which it passed to
other Oriental Churches such as Coptic and Armenian. It is observed for three
days from the tenth Monday before Easter Sunday.

Historically, this fast is one of the most rigorously observed fasts in the
Syriac Orthodox Church. The faithful traditionally refrain from food and drink
for three consecutive days, from Monday till Wednesday! Some observe the fast by
refraining from food (and drink if they so wish) from morning till sunset during
the three days. The church enjoins you to at least refrain from meat, fish and
dairy products during the period of fasting.

The faithful are urged to go to church after this fast (or the following Sunday)
and receive the Holy Qurbono (the Eucharist).

Hymns from the Shhimo (Syriac Orthodox Book of Simple Prayer)

The Ninevites trembled at the voice of Yonah, the son of Mattay, and took refuge
in penitence by watching, fasting and prayer; and by tears and groans the
sentence of judgment pronounced by Yonah concerning the destruction of Nineveh
was annulled. Blessed be the Compassionate one who turned them from evil to
good. (Thursday Evening Prayer)

God, who heard the prayer of the son of Mattay in the sea and commanded the
mighty fish to cast him up in three days, hear our prayer and be reconciled with
us and respond in your mercy to our requests; and if we have angered you, there
are those who will reconcile you with us, the just who died for your love
(Wednesday Morning Prayer).

Source: http://sor.cua.edu/Feast/NinevehFast.html

May God have mercy upon us, be gracious to us, and accept the fast of the Holy
Church, as HE accepted the fast of the people of Nineveh and spared them. And
may our dear Lord also bless us through the prayers of Jonah, the great prophet.

Bar Ebroyo narrates the history of this fast as follows in his Eccleciastical
History: "The people in the East began the fast, which is being observed three
days after the Epiphany, in this time (i.e. the time of Catholicos Hananeshu,
who became the Catholicos in A.D.686). When Abdul Malik the son of Morwon heard
of the beauty of the women in Hirto, he asked the Governor there to send all the
virgins to him. As this command came, the governor started to gather all the
virgins. Then all the Christians came together in the church, and prayed and
fasted. They prostrated before the Lord and appealed Him to save them from this
punishment. On the third day when their Bishop John was reading the gospel he
got a revelation about the death of Abdul Malik, and he revealed it to the
people. After some days, this news was confirmed. It is said that, from this
time onwards the believers observe this fast. But some others say that this
fastwas begun in the East when the king Quzra Abroose prepared to rape the
virgins." Cf. Chronicon Ecclesiasticum III, cols. 139-141. (Abbeloos, J. B. and
Lamy, T. J. (ed. and transl.): Gregorii Bar-Hebraei Chronicon Ecclesiasticum,
I-III, Paris-Louvain, 1872-1877.)

Translating from the famous book "Bibliotheka Orientalis" by Assemani (ASSEMANI,
J. S.: Bibliotheca Orientalis Clementino-Vaticana I, De scriptoribus Syris
Orthodoxis, Rome, 1719 / reprint Hildesheim-New York 1975; II, De scriptoribus
Syris monophysitis, Rome, 1721/ reprint Hildesheim-New York, 1975) Fr.
Chediathgives the following versions also in his translation of Bar
Ebroyo's"Sabhacharithram" (pp.248-251)

A lot of people died in the village of Beth Garme because of a fast spreading
infectious disease. The Bishop of that diocese Mor Sabarisho summoned the people
for a public prayer. He said them " The most virtuous God has showed mercy to
the people of Nineveh and withdrew from the intended punishment according to the
words of prophet Jonah. How much more will He show mercy to us, who believe in
Him, His Messiah, and in His Holy Spirit?. And the people obeyed him. They came
together and supplicated to God intensively. All, including the infants, have
worn sack clothes. And God has removed the infectious disease for them. As
theEast Syrian Catholicose Thimothi (he died in AD 819) took charge as
catholicose, he ordered these 3 days prayer and fast to be continued annually.
And this Lent should be known as the lent of Anger and not as the lent of
Nineveh.

With Love and Prayers
Fr.Dr.Biji Chirathilattu , Vicar,
St.Mary's Syrian Orthodox Congregation Vienna, Austria

Reading: Jonah 1: 8

As the three days lent is in remembrance of the fastingof the natives of
Nineveh, the Lent is generally knownas Nineveh Lent. This lent has certain
uniqueness.

1) This is the smallest canonical lent of the Holy Church.
2) It is based on an event of the Old Testament.
3) All the people who were natives of Nineveh were not Jews,but they were
gentiles.

The gentiles did not dream God’s mercy upon gentiles. Thereis a mention about
Jonah and Nineveh in 2 Kings 14:25.Weread, “He restored the coast of Israel from
the entering of Hamath unto the sea of the plain according to the wordof the
Lord God of Israel, while he spoke by the hand ofhis servant Jonah, the son of
Amittai, the prophet, which was of Gathhepher” This is the only evidence of the
place of birth of Jonah. Our Lord Jesus has given a compliment to Jonah in St.
Matthew 12: 40-41. “For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whales’
belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of
the earth”.By saying so our Lord has eradicated all chances of doubts of men
like “how a man could stay inside the belly of a big fish without food and air”
like that. Our Lord once again has established that everything is possible for
God Almighty.

In Jonah 1:3 we read, “Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of
the Lord and went down to Joppa and he found a ship going to Tarshish : so he
paid the fare thereof,and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from
the presence of the Lord” In Isaiah 23:1 we read, “Howl , you the ships of
Tarshish”. Normally we all either read the book of Jonah or listen from the book
with the satisfaction of listening a wonderful story. We often ignore the very
fact that each and everyone who might flee from the presence of God Almighty
will have to face the consequences not only for them, but also for the
fellowmen. In our everyday lives, how many times we are fleeing from our Lord
God? Kindly think. Every time we will sing in loud voice “Ellam Ange
mahatwathinay”. Just examine all our daily deeds are for His glory?

In 1:6 we read, “So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, what do you
mean O sleeper? Arise and call up on your God”. We all are also sleepers like
this in a way or the other. Now we must give heed to the timely alarm to get up
and call our Lord God with real repentance. In 1:8 we read, “What is your
occupation? And from where you come, what is your country? And of what people
are you? We must realize the fact that Jonah was the only Israelite in the ship
and all others were gentiles. When the gentiles were crying to God the selected
son of God was in deep sleep. Are we also not in such a situation? How eager we
are in calling upon our Lord God than the people around us? We must be careful
to avoid such a question from somebody else about identity and personality as
Jonah had to face. So we must adjust our lives in a way we could enrich our
spirituality and link with our Lord God.

We must appreciate Jonah’s initiative in suggesting the remedy for God’s wrath.
It is considered as the first step of his repentance. He might have been sure of
God’s ability to save him from the bottom of the deep ocean. See the faith of
the gentiles mentioned in verse 14 and 16.. We must always have such a staunch
faith in our lives.

May God Almighty be pleased in our fasting, prayer and lent.
May God forgive all our sins and grant us all blessings.
Jose Kurian Puliyeril

CHRIST IS BORN! GLORIFY HIM!

"Shaking a stick at dogs provokes their fury; forcing oneself to pray in purity
provokes the fury of the demons."

Ilias the Presbyter.

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"Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest
I make my brother stumble."  1 Corinthians 8:13

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Prayer Requests:
If you have an update on a prayer request, please let me know.

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

"I am the Lord who created you; from the time you were born, I have helped you.
Do not be afraid; you are my servant, my chosen people whom I love. "I will give
water to the thirsty land and make streams flow on the dry ground. I will pour
out my spirit on your children and my blessing on your descendants." Isaiah 44
:2-3

Assuring you our prayers
Vachanam Team

Reading : Jonah Chapter 2. Verse for Devotion: Jonah 2:7

Dear and Respected Brethren,

In the second chapter of Jonah we could come across a number of prophecies of
other prophets. In verse 3 we read, “For thou has cast me into the deep, in the
midst of the seas, and the floods compassed me about al thy billows and thy
waves passed over me. The Psalmist says about such an experience. N Psalms 88:6
we read,” “Thou has laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, inthe deeps. We do
not come across another person other than Jonah, who was thrown to the deeps. In
verse 4 we find the staunch faith of Jonah. He says “Then I said, I am cast out
of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple”. Normally we place a
lot of personal pleas and petitions when we worship God. God often replies to
our petitions in three 1) yes, 2) No and thirdly wait. If we accept No or wait
from God we wont be pleased on the spot. Reaction to such replies will be
varied. Some will stop praying or going to Church. Other few get annoyed with
God. We must think how Jonah could cry and pray to Lord God as soon as he was
thrown to the deeps. The answer to such a question is very simple. Jonah, as
soon as he reached thebelly of the fish he realized his fault and he repented
well. Only because of his repentance, he could pray with hope. He could pray
quoting the Psalms. He was sure about the teachings of the Psalms. While
uttering the prayer of verse 4, he must have remembered Psalms 31:22, where it
is said “For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before your eyes:
nevertheless thou hears the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee”.
In Isaiah 49:14.we read, “But Zion said, The Lord has forsaken me, and my Lord
has forgotten me”. Jonah was in a similar situation. Still he did not get
disappointed. He was hopeful of the salvation of his Lord God.

Now we come to the verse of devotion. (2:7) “When my soul fainted within me, I
remembered the Lord; and my prayer came in unto thee, into your holy temple”. In
Psalms 18:6 we read, “In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried into my
God, he heard my voice out of his temple and my cry came before him, even unto
his ears.” Again in Psalms 34:6 we read, “This poor man cried and the Lord heard
him, and saved him, and saved him out of all his troubles” In Psalms 130:2, we
read, Lord hear my voice; let your ears be attentive to the voice of my
supplications.” Again in Jeremiah 2:13 we read, “For my people have c omitted
two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them
out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.” What we learn from these
Biblical verses? It is nothing else but when we have an understanding that we
have been derailed from the way of God, we must turn back to God with real
repentance and must seek His loving help. Our Lord is willing to forgive our
sins of omissions and commissions.

Let us have a break on our further journey and turn back to our Lord God with
full faith and hope. He will accept us with more joy, happiness as the father of
the prodigal son. Let us make use of the Sacrament of Holy Confession and let us
say like the prodigal son “Father I have sinned against you and heaven. Kindly
forgive”. God is waiting for our initiative.

May God bless us all
Jose Kurian Puliyeril

ABOUT THE FAST OF NINEVEH

The fast of Jonah is a fast that is practiced by the Syriac Church from ancient
days. Based on that, our church chose it at the time of Pope Abraam, the 62nd
Pope of Alexandria. This fast was organized by the fathers of the church as a
sign of their love and unity in the orthodox faith. The church accepted it
without change. It is well known that Pope Abraam is the person responsible for
moving the Mokatam mountain.

This fast is practiced by the church for the following reasons:

To resemble the people of Nineveh, who have been warned by God that their city
would be destroyed in forty days. He gave this warning through His prophet
Jonah, and they fasted with real eagerness, crying to God that He would have
mercy on them and forgive them, so God forgave them. And that is why we fast for
three days, in preparation for the blessings and mercy of God.

In order to remember the mercy of God and His compassion towards sinners.

The church fasts for three days in order to remember the prophet Jonah and his
being in the belly of the whale for three days and three nights. We also fast
this fast because we see an example of a similar one in the New Testament, when
the multitudes, which followed Jesus, fasted for three days before He fed them
(Matthew 15:32).

This fast comes after Epiphany (or Theophany) and before the Great Lent. This is
why the church treats it with the same order as the Great Lent.

MAY THE BLESSINGS OF THIS FAST BE WITH ALL OF US. AMEN.

George Andraws
Member of Holy Coptic Orthodox Church
===========================================================

The Story ofJONAH

These days the church is preparing to start Jonah's Fast or the Fast of Nineveh.
This fast is known to be the fast of repentance, humility and the return to God.
This is why many of the young and old in the church hold fast to this specific
fast and abstain totally from food and drink for long periods of time, some even
abstain for three continuous days. Thus, the church considers this fast to be
one of the fasts of the first degree, similar to the fasts of Lent and Wednesday
and Friday.

The primary message of the book is clearly that God's interest and mercy extend
far beyond the Jews to the human race. This reminds us of the story of the child
who asked his teacher the question "was Jesus white or black?" According to the
story, the teacher replied that He was born with a fair complexion, but the
strong sun of Israel tanned him dark. In the book of Jonah, we see how God was
concerned not only for the Jews, but for the Gentiles too.

INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF JONAH

Even though the book of Jonah is only four chapters, it is considered one of the
special books of the Bible since it combines the prophetic element with the
historical element. When we examine this book, we find ourselves considering
many deep spiritual meanings.

WHO IS JONAH ?

Jona or Jonas is the Syriac and Hebrew dialect version of the Hebrew name Jonah
meaning "dove". Jonah, the prophet son of Amittai, from the tribe of Zebulon
(Joshua 19:10), came from the city of Gath-hepher located about 3 miles away
from Nazareth. It is said that he is the son of the widow of Zerephath (1 Kings
17:17-24) who was raised from the dead. Some critics have attacked the story of
Jonah as a symbolic story but the words of the Lord Jesus indicate the literal
interpretation of this book: "This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and
there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet... The men of
Nineveh shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn
it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than
Jonas is here" (Luke 11:29-32).

Let us study certain aspects of Jonah's Life:

1. Jonah the Stubborn

This book unveils to us, from its beginning, the details revolving around the
sin of disobedience, for Jonah has sinned and he is the prophet of God. This is
why the waters are salty and bitter, and his needs are very great. Furthermore,
the water is filled with rocks. Every problem under these circumstances is
enough to end a person's life. He becomes counted as one of the dead, but when
he finds himself in the belly of the great fish, he discovers that he is
surrounded by a river that has sweet water, not by waves or any danger of
drowning or dying. That is how we experience the work of our wonderful God to
whom we pray to in the Holy Liturgy of St. Gregory, saying "You have changed my
punishment to salvation."

The most beautiful thing in Jonah's praise to God is that it's full of hope and
confidence in God's response to his requests. That is why we find him saying
"out of the belly of hell cried I and thou heardest my voice" (Jonah 2:2).

Jonah says in confidence "yet I will look again toward thy holy temple" (Jonah
2:4). And we see him also saying "yet hast thou brought out my life from
corruption, O Lord my God" (Jonah 2:6). Therefore, we find that there is a
difference between the person who prays, simply to say words, and the person who
prays in faith, finding that God calls us saying all that you ask in prayer and
faith you will receive. God also says "If ye have faith as a grain of mustard
seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place and it shall
remove" (Matthew 17:20).

The Bible emphasizes that all are weak. Therefore, we see that Abraham, the
friend and companion of God, falling into the sin of lying and David, whose
heart is with the Lord, falling into the sin of adultery and murder. We observe
the loving Peter, who is one of the apostles, denying our Lord Jesus. In spite
of all this, God remains loving. Just as we describe him in the Holy Liturgy
"Thou hast changed my punishment to salvation."

Jonah appears in his disobedient attitude in many instances such as God's direct
invitation to his saying: "Rise and go to Nineveh." Then God speaks to him
through a mighty wind and this is a method that God uses to talk to us in that
He allows us to go through trials and tribulations so that the person can wake
up. But, Jonah goes to the bottom of the ship to sleep. God also speaks to him
through the innocent sailors who, when faced with trials and tribulations, call
each one to his Lord. Jonah's heart is still unmoved, on the contrary, he
increases his sleep and finally the Lord sends him the captain of the ship to
ask him to call on his God. Instead of remembering the voice of God saying:
"Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify
me" (Psalm 50:15), Jonah refuses the captain's request. Finally, the sailors
cast lots to see who is responsible for this evil. The lot falls on Jonah and he
is sentenced to death because he confesses. "For the men know that he fled from
the presence of the Lord, because he had told them" (Jonah 1:10).

These circumstances often happen with us since God talks to us in many ways. We
refuse to listen because we are searching for comfort for our bodies or sleep,
or that we are preoccupied with many things and forget to respond and that each
one of us should get up and pray to his God. "Behold, I stand at the door and
knock..."

2. The Praying Jonah

Jonah is thrown in the sea and is considered dead. When he reach the stage of
death, Jonah finally arrives at the stage where he is praising and giving thanks
to Him. He does this in the belly of the great fish. All through the previous
stages, Jonah did not see God or hear his voice, but now he begins to see God.
Jonah starts to say with Job: I heard of Thee, but now my eyes have seen you.
Also like the three youths who saw God in the midst of the burning fire and just
as Daniel the prophet who enjoyed a visit by an angel of the Lord in the midst
of the lion's den. In just the same way Jonah starts to speak to God. He talks
to God about His love and His protection for him. As if Jonah is telling the
Lord how the people have condemned him by throwing him in the dangerous sea.

3. Jonah Warning the People

After the whale has thrown Jonah onto the land, Jonah goes to the city of
Nineveh according to the order of the Lord as it was given to him a second time.
"Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that
I bid thee" (Jonah 3:2). We find that Jonah carries the message to the city of
Nineveh and says to them "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown"
(Jonah 3:4).

Instead of Jonah talking to the Ninevites about the God who loves the salvation
of all, has gentleness, compassion, love, mercy and motivates us to repent, he
preaches about the angry God, the vengeful God and the powerful God. Here we see
the personality of Jonah who does the work of God with a mild attitude and
instead of going all over the city for three days, he goes in one day and that
is sufficient for him...

In general, there are many instances in which we lock out the picture of a
loving God. Even worse is when we forget many times the work of God within us
and we revert to our stubbornness and disobedience once again. Very often, we do
the work of God with loose hands, but, in spite of this, God still works in our
souls and hearts

We must realize that we are responsible for witnessing to others as our Lord
Jesus Christ said: "Ye are the light of the world." And again, "Let your light
so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father
which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:14, 16). We must live the life of continuous
thanksgiving "in every condition, for every condition and in whatever condition"
and thank the Lord for his great mercy towards us. Remembering always that
"cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully (Jeremiah 48:10) and
"those that seek me early shall find me" (Proverbs 8:17).

4. Jonah the Rebellious

Here we see Jonah the prophet after he has glorified God and God prepared to do
His evangelizing and work through Jonah's weakness. Therefore, God has become
fruitful through Jonah so as to show him that He is a powerful God, and can save
with little or with much. God wants to show us that "neither is he that planteth
any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase" (1
Corinthians 3:7). We notice that the people of Nineveh have fasted, have worn
sackcloth from the youngest to the oldest, they have called to God and each one
has repented of his or her evil ways. God responds to their repentance, since it
is the most important thing that moves the heart of God towards mankind. "God
saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the
evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not" (Jonah
3:10).

Therefore it is proclaimed, from the beginning, that God's heart moves from the
repentance of sinners. This is evident in the parable of the lost sheep where
God leaves the 99 sheep to search for the one lost sheep. God leaves His chosen
people and He goes, assisted by Jonah, to look for the lost sheep, which is the
city of Nineveh. Just like how God leaves the 9 coins and lights up the candles
and sweeps the whole house in order to find the lost coin. Other parables also
point this out to us, like the parable of the prodigal son, where the father did
not ask anything of his son, but gave him everything simply because he had
returned to his father's house. This is the God that Jonah proclaims when he
says "for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and
of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil" (Jonah 4:2).

In general, the characteristics that angered Jonah from God were that He was
merciful and slow to anger. It is by this wonderful love, which God uses towards
all of us, that He produced the gourd to grow and shadow Jonah's head from the
sun. Then the Lord sent a worm to wither the gourd, an eastern hot wind and
again the sun beat upon Jonah. God did all of this so that He would move the
heart of Jonah a second time in order to remove the anger and weakness and
replace it with joy in the work for His glory. It is within this context that we
remember the words of our teacher St. Paul when he said that it is the
long-suffering of God that gives us the ability to be led towards repentance.
St. Jerome sees that the secret of Jonah's unhappiness is not the saving of the
people of Nineveh, but Jonah's realization of the unfaithfulness and
unthankfulness of His own people the Jews.

LESSONS FROM THE BOOK OF JONAH

1. God Wants the Individual and the Group

The title of this book refers to the people of Nineveh, but the book itself
talks about God who seeks for the salvation, repentance and return of His
people. In doing that, God uses many methods in order to arrive at the end that
He has in mind which is the salvation of the people of Nineveh, Jonah and even
any strangers such as the pagan sailors on the ship.

2. God Uses Nature for the Salvation of Man

Here we see, throughout the whole book, the natures of God and man. Man who is
disobedient and rebellious and God who uses the sea, wind, waves, gourd, eastern
wind and hot sun, which all work towards one goal - the good of man. It is for
this reason that we see God at the beginning, preparing paradise and then
creating man to be lord over it. In just the same way, God uses nature at the
time of Noah and to free His chosen people from their slavery under Pharaoh. He
also used animals to warn the prophet Baam, through a talking donkey (like Mr.
Ed). In just the same way, we see the prophet David saying "The heavens declare
the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork" (psalm 19:1). And
again "Praise ye him, sun and moon... Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye
waters that be above the heavens" (psalm 148:3,4).

3. The Intense Care that God Has for His Children

God cares for His children even at the time of their rebelliousness and evil.
That is why we find God's promises towards his children truly marvelous. "Can a
woman forget her sucking child... they may forget, yet will I not forget thee"
(Isaiah 49:15). "But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered" (Luke
12:7). "For he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his (God's) eye"
(Zechariah 2:8). All these promises we find fulfilled in the person of Jonah
even when he was under the sin of disobedience. That is why St. Paul talks about
God being faithful even when we are unfaithful. He cares for His children
irrespective of their condition, appearance, or the circumstances under which
they live. That is why David talks about this heavenly care as he experienced
it: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want" (Psalm 23:1). David also says "I
have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor
his seed begging bread" (Psalm 37:25). This is God and we are His children.

4. Jonah a Symbolical Representation of Jesus

Here we find many points, some of which are the following:

A. The book of Jonah is a message intended for people to understand that
repentance is important. In just the same way, Jesus came carrying a message to
the world: "Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand."

B. Jonah goes into the ship, and Jesus Christ goes into the alter. Jonah is
condemned to death by the sailors, and Jesus Christ is condemned to death by the
high priests or the people who existed in the temple at that time

C. Jonah is thrown in the sea and we find him discovering the river around him.
Jesus Christ came for the salvation of the whole world.

D. Jonah remains in the whale for three days and while there, he cries out and
talks to God. Jesus Christ dies and goes into the tomb, remaining there three
days. During those three days, He goes down to Hades and takes with Him all
those who have slept, with the hope that He would take them back with Him into
paradise.

E. We must not forget that Jonah was part of Jesus' family tree and thus Jesus
literally became the son of Jonah

written by : unknown
edited & submitted by
George Andraws

"To try to discover the meaning of the commandments through study and reading
without actually living in accordance with them is like mistaking the shadow of
something for its reality. It is only by participating in the truth that you can
share in the meaning of truth."

St. Gregory of Sinai.

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"Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I
will show the salvation of God." Psalm 50:23.

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

"My inner being delights in the law of God. But I see a different law at work in
my body—a law that fights against the law which my mind approves of. It makes me
a prisoner to the law of sin which is at work in my body." Romans 7:22-23

Assuring you our prayers

Vachanam Team