Dear honorable members

Greetings in HIS name

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For & on behalf of
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(Forum Owner)
St.George Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church
Cheppaud, Alleppy Dist, Kerala, India.
http://www.stgeorgecheppaud.org
http://www.socmnet.org
http://www.viswasasamrakshakan.org
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Grace, Mercy and Peace of our Lord Jesus be with you and your loved ones!

"Let us examine our ways and turn back to the Lord." Lamentations 3:40

Assuring you our prayers
Vachanam Team

Mobile website of Jacobite Syrian Church is published.
(This is not an official website of  Malankara Jacobite Syrian Christian Church)

http://www.jacobitesyrianchurch.mobi

Access only through mobile

Best Regards

Nibu M John
St. George horeb Jacobite Syrian church (Chennithala )
http://www.chennithalahoreb.com

Dear Respected All:

I am writing this for a correction in my writing, that I wrote regarding Holy
Qurbono, at end of the 4th paragraph, I wrote ".....we are respecting our Lord
.........."  It was written wrong, and please read as," .....we are not
respecting our Lord......"    All Readers please accept my apology on this
matter.

Respectfully Yours,

Fr. David Cheruthottil
St. George's NSO Church
Carteret, NJ 07008

Dear moderators,

The video of Good Friday (the entombment) is not something to be published. 
Jesus's 'Kabaradakkom" was not done public. Only a few were there as we read
from the Gospel.  That is why it is conducted with the curtain closed.  The
traditions are gradually eroding. May be this is a rented church, where there is
no curtain!! Also, the tomb is not sealed with insulation tapes.

This video depicts so many mistakes and goes against the traditions.  The body
of Christ is supposed to face East and kept right sideways, without touching the
wound on HIS left side on the floor. The head of the cross should be to the
South during the burial rites.  A cotton pad is placed below the west arm (when
the head of the cross is to the South) to keep the cross to face East. Also, the
cross is bound using the palm leaves at three places as is customary in
Malankara. Many of our "learned clergy " do it incorrectly. If it is repeatedly
seen, then that will become the standard. I don't know who will bell the cat?

I am not happy with these kind of use of media. The request for Holy Qurbana
live telecast is also in line with this type of media exercises. It is after all
my personal opinion.

I may be too Orthodox!

In Christ
Issac K Joseph
Member Id # 0917

--- In SOCM-FORUM@yahoogroups.com, Mathew G M wrote:
>
> This is a very good video that shows the 'Kabaradakkam' on Good
Friday.
>

Dear Mr.Mathew,

I doubt how far it was fair that you podcast the Holy service "Kabaradakkam"
through this forum. In my humble opinion there are certain things  in the
rituals of our holy church  that are supposed to be conducted in secret for it
being  part of ' a divine mystery'. It should not be made public. That is why
the  curtain is drawn over the sanctuary  while such things are  being done. See
what we do during  the solemn moments when the prayer of Fraction and Commixture
is done in  the Holy Eucharist.If it was something to be made public, indeed ,
there was no  need of drawing the curtain over the sanctuary.

I seek the erudite comments from the respected members in this forum.

God bless us,
George achen,Ireland.
Fr.T.George,St.Peter's&St.Paul's Indian Orthodox Church,
Drogheda,Ireland.

In SOCM-FORUM@yahoogroups.com, Mathew G M wrote:
>
> This is a very good video that shows the 'Kabaradakkam' on Good
Friday.

Message of His Holiness Karekin II Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians On the Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of our Lord Jesus
ChristMother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, 23 March 2008
In the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

"Christ is risen from the dead. He defeated death with death, and through His
resurrection, He granted us life."Armenian Breviary (Book of Hours)

Dear Faithful Sons and Daughters in Armenia and the Diaspora,

We greet you all with a joyful heart and the tiding of the glorious resurrection
of Jesus Christ.

We lived the prayerful and solemn days of Great Lent with the Almighty; we lived
with our petitions, appeals and the emotions of our souls, as well as with the
crisis and pain which resulted from the tragic events of March 1. And through
the sacred mystery of Holy Week, we communed with our Lord’s acts of salvation
during His final days on earth.

When the Teacher was crucified, His disciples and followers had dispersed in
uncertainty and grief. Some had disowned Him and were suffering with feelings of
guilt. Others had tied great hopes of power and glory to Him and were now
experiencing the pain of hopelessness. But the Risen Christ appeared to them and
dispelled their sorrow and doubt, reestablished them in true faith and hope, and
confirmed them in their mission to proclaim to the world the grace of salvation,
to preach the teachings of God’s love and peace, and the Gospel of the heavenly
kingdom.

Today, our Lord no longer stands defenseless before Pontus Pilate. He is no
longer the accused - abandoned and rejected by men. Neither is He the One
tortured, harassed and condemned to ascend Golgotha with the cross on His
shoulders. He is not the One buried in the tomb; rather He is the Risen - the
Lord of creation and the triumphant Savior of mankind.

"O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" (I Corinthians
15:55)

Death is no longer despair, no longer is it the end of life or existence. The
tomb is no longer the end. The "end" was destroyed through the Resurrection of
Christ, and on the other side of the grave, we see the path toward eternity. Our
savior, addressing His and our Father, says "And this is life eternal, that they
might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (St.
John 17:3)

The path to eternal life in this world is the new, resurrected life through
Christ Jesus, which He bequeaths to man by His divine power. The renewed life of
the reborn soul is free of the power of evil. Our Lord defeated evil, destroyed
death and granted humanity the grace to be reborn, to become sons and daughters
of God.

God has created the world in which we live. Everything is the work of His hand.
Whatever we have belongs to Him. But in this world, since the time of Adam,
either willingly or unwillingly, man frequently becomes a tool in the hands of
evil, destroys God’s handiwork and darkens the joy of a creative life. In our
present day, evil, lack of faith, materialism, falsehood, hatred, and lust for
power plant seeds of death and prepare large and small graves in the life of
mankind. Today as well, we must regrettably accept that life is not valued to
the extent and manner equal to the call of the Lord and His Saving Will. In his
quest for peace and justice, man opens doors to conflicts and sows injustice,
since it is not the peace and justice granted by the Lord that he seeks; rather
individual security and personal interest in the name of those virtues. Truly,
actions opposed to the Will of God are ruinous. Christ gave His life for mankind
to save us from destruction, and called us to live with faith, hope and love. It
is with these values that the spiritual renaissance and moral development of
humanity become a reality. It is with these true values that the progress of
societal life occurs, that rights are respected and laws actually work, for the
welfare of mankind.

Dear Armenian sons and daughters dispersed throughout the world,

Throughout our history, we have frequently been enveloped by the shadow of
death, we have been wounded deeply and we have lived in times of darkness; but
with a gaze thirsting for light, we have sought the heavenly break of day. We
have measured the depth of suffering and pain, and have emerged time and again
by soaring high with heroic flight. Today as well, we find ourselves in trying
times. The peaceful life of our homeland is troubled and the stability of our
state is threatened; the reputation of our country and the good name of our
people have certainly been damaged - our greatest achievements are endangered.
Intolerance, hatred and confrontation are not ways to eliminate the negative
realities from our lives or to determine solutions to problems challenging our
nation. These result in new wounds and new difficulties increasing the threats
to our lives. We must exercise care, so that every word and deed that is borne
of evil and reeks of falsehood is rejected. We are obligated to be vigilant so
that true brotherly love, a sense of justice and respect of the law, confidence,
faith, and a spirit of reconciliation and peace smoothes the path of our lives.
Let us spare nothing in our efforts to strengthen our statehood and the
uninterrupted progress of our country, so that we overcome the difficulties
afflicting our lives, and our homeland soars with strength - a homeland which is
the hope for our united life and our endurance.

Our exhortation to you all - ranks of clergy and laity - is to make goodness,
love and benevolence abundant in your lives through the resurrection faith in
our Savior Jesus Christ. Heal all wounded hearts. Cast out all evil from our
hearts, our souls and the borders of our homeland. Be one flock with one
shepherd. Under the protection of the Holy Right Hand of our Father in heaven,
with the Holy Sign of the Cross of our Risen Savior, and guided by the grace of
the Holy Spirit, let us create the future of our dreams - a strong, unshakeable
Armenian state and a patriotic, happy Armenian people devoted to God. By caring
for our homeland and people, we shall store treasures and store them abundantly
for the eternal life proclaimed to us by the feast of the Holy Resurrection.

"As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him. Rooted
and built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught,
abounding therein with thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:6-7)

With the tiding of the glorious resurrection of our Lord, from the Mother See of
Holy Etchmiadzin and the Illuminator’s holy throne, we extend greetings with
fraternal love in Christ to the incumbents of the hierarchal sees of our Holy
Apostolic Church: His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia;
His Beatitude Torkom Manoogian, Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem; His Beatitude
Mesrob Mutafian, Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople; and all graceful heads of
Sister Churches. We convey our pontifical love and blessings to all diligent
servants of our Holy Church and our faithful sons and daughters dispersed
throughout the world.

We greet and bless the president of the Republic of Armenia, Robert Kocharian;
president-elect and prime minister of Armenia Serzh Sargsian; president of the
Republic of Nagorno Karabagh Bako Sahakian, all Armenian state officials and
leaders and representatives of diplomatic missions accredited to Armenia.
We pray for heavenly peace to be established in our homeland, throughout the
world and within the souls of all men.
May the giver and guide of life - our Lord Jesus Christ - bless our lives and
illuminate the path of the Armenian nation with the light of His resurrection,
and may grace, love, faith, hope and strength be with all our people and the
world entire. Amen.

Christ is Risen from the dead.Blessed is the Resurrection of Christ.

CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN!

"The cause and origin of the passions is the misuse of things. Such misuse
results from perversion of our character. Perversion expresses the bias of the
will, and the state of the will is tested by demonic provocation. The demons
thus are permitted by divine providence to demonstrate to us the specific state
of our will."

St. Gregory of Sinai.

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

"You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he
trusts in You."  Isaiah 26:3

Dear Andrew Youssef
The following websites may help you.

http://www.syriacmusic.com/
http://sor.cua.edu/BethGazo/index.html
http://www.bethmardutho.org/
http://syrcom.cua.edu/Hugoye/index.html

In Christ
Issac K Joseph
Member Id # 0917

--- In SOCM-FORUM@yahoogroups.com, Andrew Youssef wrote:
>
> Dear all,
>
> My name is Andrew Youssef, and I am a Coptic Orthodox subdeacon
from
> Sydney, Australia. I am in the process of preparing a site on OO
> studies and would like some assistance from my Syrian Orthodox
> brethren so that I can sufficiently take into account the Syrian
> Orthodox perspective when it comes to preparing material for my
> website.
>
> The first issue I would like some assistance in respect to is any
> Syrian Orthodox material regarding the subject of the Angels
> rejoicing at the Resurrection of Christ--any verses from any
Syrian
> Orthodox hymns, any comments from Syrian Orthodox clergy, or
passages
> from Syrian Orthodox patristic texts.
>

Dear and Respected Brethren,

In Digest No- 2590, Rev. Dn. Andrew Yousuf of the Coptic Church and a
resident of Australia asked: "The first issue I would like some assistance in
respect to is any Syrian Orthodox material regarding the subject of the Angels
rejoicing at the Resurrection of Christ--any verses from any Syrian Orthodox
hymns, any comments from Syrian Orthodox clergy, or passages from Syrian
Orthodox patristic texts."

I got the following details on a quick search and is reproduced hereunder for
the information of one and all. On the eve of the Feast of the blessed Ascension
of our Lord, in the introductory prayers (Slooso) it is seen: when our Lord
entered the clouds, the heavenly group accepted Him, when He ascended to more
height He was welcomed by different groups of Angels in their seniority order,
one after the other. They all welcomed Him, honored Him and when He sat on the
right hand side of His Father, in the endless glory, all the Angels shouted in
high voice, "thy honor is blessed" "Let us praise Him, His glory is filled in
earth and heaven." "The earth is not enough to hold His glory." And they
continued hymns of praises.

In the "Sedro" it is said: When our Lord Ascended to heaven, all the
heavenly ones were astonished. The hosts of the Lord said each other "doors lift
up your heads, let the king of the glory enter through you" In the 'sedro' of
the second hour of mid night prayer it is said that the angels were shouting
three times.(each group three times each)  "Let the mighty King enter though
you, so the doors from the beginning, lift up your heads"

In the promiyon of the morning prayer it is said that "The angels were praising
in loud voice, the mighty King is holy, holy, holy (Kadeesh, Kadeesh, Kadeesh)
'they praised, He is the creator of the heaven and earth, Let all the praise be
to Him who is the mighty Lord and creator of all the creations, He has liberated
the mankind from death and slavery of Satan" The angels continued " He is the
one who lifted up Adam and his children from the tombs, He is the one who is
professed by many holy men, He has brought the mankind to the presence of the
one who sent Him to the earth with a mission, He is the one celebrated by the
heavenly hosts, He is the one who is  welcomed and honored by the heavenly
hosts" etc.

In addition to the above, there is a mention in the Hymn (Kasoliki) of St.
Aprem. Here it is said that "the angels were praising God in loud voice and they
received Him to heaven in the royal manner, ceremonially where groups of Angels
were present one after the other. "They were praising, He is the king of glory.
He is blessed."

Jose Kurian Puliyeril.

Dear Friends,

Ref: suggestions/opinions on the telecast of the Holy Qurbono from Damascus.

I agree with the suggestions for not to telecast the Qurbono on the TV's and
other Medias, especially somewhere along with Revd Fr David Cheruthottil.

However, I think it would be a great privilege for the faithful if the external
medias like TV, Internets, could telecast the Liturgy and Holy Qurbono
celebrated by His Holiness Moran Patriarch ONLY ON the special occasions like
Christmas, Easter, Washing of feet, etc. And, it is necessary to telecast any
important declarations, Blessings on solemn occasions, response to any
contemporary ethical issues, not only by written Holy Bulls but on the televised
medias as well.

With humble prayers
Fr Eldhose Koungampillil(London)
Secretary
Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church in Europe
www.msoc-europe.com

--- In SOCM-FORUM@yahoogroups.com, Rinu Sam wrote:
>
> Re: mail from :E V Eldo
>
> This forum and church should engage in teaching the Faith and
> dogma of our church. Many followers blindly follow the tradition
> without realising the depth and meaning of our sacrements  and
> worship What apostle Paul told in corinthians  whether Paul or
> Appollose  whoever sows or waters God will reward acconding to
> their work.Those who waters and sows are partners working for
> christ.
>
> May god almighty Give the wisdom
>
> Rinu Sam
> # 4038
>

The problem is not lack of effort on the part of the church. The essence and
meaning of holy qurbana including the underlying message of each  ritual is
taught in sunday school. If it is not learned at that level the problem lies
with the parents.However the church can still make an effort in teaching these
basics at other fora. There are many books published,including the works of
Kaniamparambil achan, which enlighten one on holy qurbana.There is no point in
criticizing the priests alone for giving messages based on gospel. If you are
interested in a subject,there are so many ways of learning it rather than expect
some else to spoon feed you.

Regards,
V.Abraham

========================
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Dear Moderators / Members,

It was not my intention to violate the traditions of the church in
sharing this video. I am very glad that Rev Fr. George and Mr Issac
Joseph has corrected me. I understand that I was wrong and I apologize.

I did not make the video or post it on youtube. It was done by the
user "stephraimcathedral" on youtube. I don't attend St. Eprhraim
Cathedral, for that matter I am not even in California, USA. When I
did a search and found the video I just forwarded the link. So if any
of our members are in California and/or know the user "stephraimcathedral",
please get in touch with them and ask them
to take down the video from the youtube.

In Christ,
Mathew G M
0929

Dear Moderators,

Shlomo to all.

It is heard that the St.Paul's mission is completely taken over by the
church and on last Friday the TV mission gospel was administered by
H.G Geevargheese Mar Coorilose who was the patron of this mission. We
would like to know more about the mission and it's present situation.
Recently the director had shifted to Delhi to make the mission more
strong in North India.

Hope you will throw more light into this.

In his love

Johnson.

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

"I ask you, is it right for a person to cheat God? Of course not, yet you are
cheating me. "How?' you ask. In the matter of tithes and offerings." Malachi 3:8

Assuring you our prayers
Vachanam Team

Reading: From the Gospel according to St. John 17: 13- 26.

Dear and Respected Brethren,

The seventeenth chapter of St. John is revered as Our Lord's High priest's
prayer and hence this portion of the Holy Scripture is the selection reading
when High Priests are consecrated in our Holy Church. This Sunday is separated
by the Holy Church for the honor of the Monks and Nuns of the Holy Church.

Our Lord is submitting the Christian Church as a whole, to God the Father
beseeching to fill one and all with the Son's Joy. What is Son's joy? The unique
state of abideness is the thrill and joy of Son. Our Lord is confirming once
again that He has achieved His goal by offering His blood and flesh as the
routine drink and food of His children. In verse 14 our Lord says, "I have given
them thy word: and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world".
It is very clear that the so called "His Children" must live on earth with the
feeling that they are not from the world and the world would hate them. Instead,
are we living on the earth likewise? Are we not having more liking and
connection to the world than to our redeemer and Lord? We all say that we are
Orthodox Christians but we forget many truths always. Instead of thinking of
being in the abiding state
with our Lord God, are we not find happiness in the worldly pleasures and
treasures? Again our Lord reminds that we cannot serve God and Satan alike. St.
John exhorts us "Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you" (I John 3:13)

Our Lord's prayer in verse 15 is so touching and praise worthy. "I pray not that
you should take them out of this world, but that you should keep them from the
evil". In Galatians 1: 3-4, St. Paul exhorts us, "Grace be to you and peace from
God the Father, and from out Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins
that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of
God and our Father". St. Paul grants us another promise in 2 Thessalonians 3: 3,
"But the Lord is faithful, who shall stabilize you and keep you from evil". It
is a fact that there is evil in this world, but we are supposed to identify what
it is. The Holy Spirit will definitely tell us always which are good and what is
bad. But we will have to listen to His guidance and intimations. Often we offer
ourselves to the evil forces as we find friendship with the evil pleasures and
desires. Let us try to put an end to our friendship with the evil. Our good Lord
is happy indeed to keep us safe in His communion.

In verse 16 our Lord once again confirms "they are not from this world, even as
I am not of the world." Let us give special attention to His saying in verse 17,
where He is praying "Sanctify them through the truth, thy word is truth."  We
may doubt what truth is. But our Lord says that the word of God is the truth.
The word of God took flesh and incarnated. This is the truth. God offered and is
still offering the flesh and blood of the incarnated word of God for the
sanctification of those who believe in Him. This is the reason why Lord Jesus,
the incarnated word of God spoke to the world for the
first time, "Repent and believe the Gospel". We are sure that the offer of His
own flesh and blood is the Gospel. As and when we would partake our Lord's flesh
and blood from the Holy Eucharist, we all will be sanctified. We should not
forget the fact that sanctification is a process which is continued every now
and often. It is not a process for once. It is to be repeated every now and
often.

In verse 18 we read, "As you have sent me into the world, even so have I also
sent them into the world."  When God the Father sent His only begotten son into
the world, He lived aloof from the worldly attractions. He always maintained His
allegiance to the one who sent Him; where as we often forget the very truth that
we have been sent into the world. We often pretend that the world is ours and we
have got something or the other as our own in this world. The one who sent us
into the world is providing something or the other for our survival in this
world for a certain period. We forget the truth and behave as if we have
obtained something or the other due to our own effort. This feeling is wrong
against the truth of God Almighty.

In verse 19 our Lord is beseeching to the Father "And for their sakes I sanctify
myself that they also might be sanctified through the truth." Remember that we
would be benefited only if we might remain in Him. So again and again the need
to have a regular sacramental life is emphasized here. We all must have the Holy
confession and we must partake the flesh and blood of our Savior through the
Holy Eucharist.

In verses 22-23, our Lord's long desire to see us united together is
expressed. "And the glory which you gave me I have given them; that they may be
one, even as we are one: I in them and you in me, that they may be made perfect
in one and that the world may know that you have sent me, and has loved them as
you have loved me." What we are doing now? Instead of loving and caring our own
brethren in the other denominations, are we not hating them and spreading the
message of evil spirits? How far it will be fair in the presence of our Lord?
We, as Church of Lord Jesus Christ should not abuse others, if not we cannot
love them and recognize them. Other wise our prayers and worships will be null
and void in our Lord God's view.

In verse 25 our Lord says: "O righteous Father, the world has not known thee,
but I have known thee, and these have known that you have sent me." The present
generation of Christians forgets the fact that Lord Jesus was sent by God the
Father, other wise they would have remained more devoted to the teachings and
guidance of Lord Jesus. Let us pray for the forgiveness of our iniquities. May
God bless everyone.

Jose Kurian Puliyeril.

Fellow colleagues,

I am huge history fan, and thats the reason I decided to join this
group. Would anyone be able to direct me on to a book or article which
gives a detailed historical account of the history of Christianity in
India?

I would appreciate if anyone could give some directions.

Joshua
========================
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In continuation to one Fathers comment in an IOC forum regarding the possible
apostolic visit of His Holiness, that faction members as usual has started to
create hue and cry on the likely patriarchal visit once again.

One person in IOC forum using that thread has even gone to the extent of
commenting that a $ 10,000 must have to be channeled to the Patriarch every
month from the rich coffers of Malankara Orthodox faction’s treasury at
Devalokam to bring him under their control !!!.  Surely its a great idea indeed
!!! May I sincerely hope that these IOC think-tanks try this method which has
been practicing by them in Ernakulam as well as in New Delhi for the past many
many decades.

In a way we are thankful to these people for all these publicity.  In 1982, it
was Malayalam Manorama who took the leadership in questioning holy Patriarchs
visit to Malankara. Every other day they were carrying news items from front
page interviews with their own Catholicos, to reports made by others. Thanks to
all those negative publicity creativity of Manorama !! I will say they made the
Patriarchs 1982 visit a huge success with positive publicity in all the OTHER
newspapers and media.

After 18 years, in 2000, Manorama partially withdrew from this adventure and the
baton was taken over directly by those in the top circle of IOC who tried to
canvass the then ruling BJP politicians by even summoning some of their leaders
in Pazhaya seminary in Kottayam in the night. Ultimately IOC head even gave a
big advertisment in Manorama portraying the holy Patriarch as merely a Syriac
person who has no connection with his Malankara Orthodox Church etc. etc. Thanks
to all those negative publicity, our people's enthusiasim increased, the 3-day
holy fathers visit once again become a huge success.  This visit of HH in 2000
and the reception to HH at Kottayam became the biggest event that had ever
happened in Kottayam town. Till to this day such a huge gathering of faithful
were not witnessed ever in Kottayam town, even during HH Pope’s visit.

Now comes 2004, when the baton of making hue and cry was transferred to Yuhanon
Milithios of Thrissur who managed to arrange several stage shows along with IOC
heads by calling press conferences through the length and breadth of kerala. As
a culmination to all these, our great ecumenical Muvattupuzha head, managed to
file a case in high court through three persons, one a Christian, another a
Hindu and then a Muslim, asking to prevent the Holy fathers visit on the basis
of law and order issue etc.. As usual history repeated once again. The two week
apostolic visit became the most successful visit ever.

And now comes 2008, My best wishes to think-tanks and the great Event Managers
of IOC in Devalokam, Ernakulam, Trivandrum and New Delhi.
   
J Kurien
Thiruvalla
Member ID # 2310

NB: After Holy Fathers visit in 2000, IOC blamed the central BJP government for
supporting the Holy Fathers visit.

In 2004 IOC blamed Congress led by Oommen Chandy government for allowing the
Holy fathers apostolic visit and even threatened to withdraw 34 MLAs from the
Congress ministry led by Antony and later Oommen Chandy governments.

Now in 2008, IOC says that the Communists are supporting the Jacobite Syrian
Church.

So let me hope IOC will henceforth come forward with a fourth front in the
national level to fight againt BJP, Congress and Communits. Best luck to IOCians
of Devalokam.

Dear CJ

Your message regarding how our Holy church survived over 20 centuries in India
in spite of onslaught from different quarters during various times, is timely
noticeable. As you pointed out largest and longest attack continued for almost
100 years and is still continuing from the so called Indian Orthodox church.
Recently I have read one editorial by Fr Dr M O. John in  Malankara Sabha Deepam
(one of the leading Orthodox publication) that the "Antochian colonisation
actually began ever since mavelikkara padiyola(*held in 1836 at the Mavelikara
Puthiyakavu St.Mary's church)* , which was to counter the
influence of CMS missionaries that eventually brought together Syrian
Christians in Kerala and firmly established Patriarchal Supremacy in
Malankara", and again the article went further that it was the "great
mistake" of Cheppadu Mor Divanyasios, who convened this meeting without any
vision and helped to write the Padiyola  by which Malankara church brought under
Antioch.

In fact, this kind of "selective" attack does not deserve any kind of
attention as they have simply negated the heroic work of Abdul Jaleel Bawa for
concretising Malankara church with the Holy church who came to Malankara 200
years before Mavelikara Padiyola was written. Instead, now Orthodox group says
that Abdul Jaleel Bawa had no relationship with Holy Syrian Church and he was
just a patriarch of Jerusalem ( poor orthodox group doesn't know the
relationship between Jerusalem patriarch and Patriarch of the Holy Syrian
church)

Orthodox faction now a days tries to project  Abdul Jaleel Bawa as one of their
saint and has recently set up one church in the name of Bawa in Iduki, the aim
is to make money in the name of Bawa. But poor Cheppadu Mor Divanyasios
thurmeni's tomb does not provide that kind of money so was he a foot soldier of
Antioch (They also claim that Parumala thirumeni, Omallur Bawa and Kothmangalam
Bawa are the common saints of Malankara- because of money at the tombs of these
churches).

At the same time until the present Left government came to power in  Kerala, the
orthodox faction had created a hype that almost 80 percent of the Syrian
Christians were belonging to oxthodox church with the support of
Manorama–Muthoot–Oomman Chandy (Media–Money–Power), but lately except manorama
all other people including common citizens, other media, government and other
Christian denominations have realised that it was a false claim and only muscle
and money power helped to create such claims. And now Orthodox group thinks a
visit of Patriarch to kerala would weaken their position so as to slip their
grip further away from the establishment, that is why they are creating such
concern and consternation.

By
J M. Paul
ID  4030

Dear

In Malayalam there is saying That A Jaundice man see everthing with yellow
colour

Making absolute blantant statements will not save from your own guilts.As Christ
said to those want stone the woman for adultery  should not have any sin.

As  a true christian or a follower of Jacob burdana follow  Jesus the Lord who
is The Truth and Way

When you quote somthing what apostel Paul said there are many things that you
must do and follow as apostle Paul taught

No one is Righteous  before Lord, Everbody sinned ans lost the glory iof God

Also learn from Bible what Abraham did woth Lot  regarding the land and
proprties

Do the present true christians follow this principle?

Take time to pray and meditate during this time of Holy ASCENTION AND PENTECOST.

May the almighty  open the eyes of every namesake followers

Rinu Sam
St. Gregorois congre.
Kenya
ID4038

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

"Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved standing there; so he said to
his mother, "He is your son." Then he said to the disciple, "She is your
mother." From that time the disciple took her to live in his home." John
19:26-27

Assuring you our prayers
Vachanam Team

CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN!

"God in His unspeakable providence has arranged that some received the holy
reward of their toils even before they set to work, others while actually
working, others again when the work was done, and still others at the time of
their death. Let the reader ask himself which one of them was made more humble."

St. John Climacus.

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

"Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that
your joy may be full."  John 16:24

My seven months in Kerala is coming to a close.  This is my last journal
entry, reflecting upon Hinduism's influence in our church and love:
http://garamath.blogspot.com/2008/05/journal-8-last-journal.html

Regards,
George Aramath
#0849

Greetings to all

Thanks to Mr. Jose Kurian on my queries and sorry for a late reply
as I was not accessing the mails for one month during my annual
leave. Sir, I asked for references if any for the statements and not
for clarifications because I am not convinced on both the points and
hence let me put my doubts.

Gospel of John Chapter 20 Verses 19-20 : Then the same day at
evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut
where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus
and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And
when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side.
Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the LORD.

I understand it as "all the disciples were of the fear of Jews
including St.Thomas though he was not there at the time". Let us
don't speculate where he was and why he was not there and add
adjectives to the Saints character. Verse 20 clearly say that Jesus
showed his hands and his side and then – Then the disciples were
glad….

Verses 21-23 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my
Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this,
he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
Whose so ever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose
so ever sins ye retain, they are retained.

Should we say these blessings given by Jesus were only to those
assembled there?

On the second point –

Verses 26-28 : And after eight days again his disciples were within,
and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and
stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to
Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach
hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless,
but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My LORD and my
God.

Imagine Eight days -what would have been the his state of mind
without seeing the Lord (comparing with other disciples who may be
rejoicing and brimming with confidence in the same room), and
suddenly he is in front of him and is speaking to him in his
heavenly voice what he exactly had told others about what is
required "for him to believe" eight days back… Answering / Crying
out immediately "My LORD and my God" we see a great confession and
submission and hence his belief was much glorified.

This is how I understand the two situations. Please correct me if I
am wrong. I do believe in St. John's statement in Chapter 20 Verse
30, and hence asked for any references and not clarifications.

Shinu Jesus Abraham
Member ID # 2908


--- In SOCM-FORUM@yahoogroups.com, Jose Kurian Puliyeril wrote:
>
> Dear and Respected Brethren,
>
> In Digest No 2562, Mr. Shinu Jesus Abraham has asked the
clarification for the statements in the Devotional Thoughts of New
Sunday. I do appreciate beloved Shinu's interest and I do thank him
for his response. He has asked to furnish more details about.
>
> 1. When others were frightened of the Jews...
> 2. It is traditionally believed that St. Thomas reached his finger.
>
> For the first point let us see St. John 20: 19. "then the same day
at
> evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut
where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus
and stood in the midst, and said unto them, Peace be unto you"
>
> May I make it clear that I had no intention to ridicule any one of
the Apostles, where as I was quoting a Holy Scriptural truth.
>
> For the second point it is a traditionally believed faith and what
is the harm in it. I don't have much more justification for it at
the moment. The same thing only I wrote in the Devotional
thoughts: "There is no reason for the denial of St. Thomas when our
Lord asked him to reach his finger and to behold our Lord's hand. It
is traditionally believed that St. Thomas reached his finger through
the print of nails in our Lord's palms and he did put his hand in
the wound on the side of our Lord and all the other Apostles kissed
the hands of the Apostle of India, as it had touched the living
blood and flesh."  Can any one of us say that St. Thomas did not
have touched the wounds of our Lord? It is only our hope that St.
Thomas might have obeyed our Lord, as soon as he was asked by our
Lord to put his finger in the mark of the nails and in the wound on
the side of our Lord.
> See St. John's statement in Chapter 20 Verse 30.
>
> Jose Kurian Puliyeril

Dear respected members of clegy and laymen,

I do agree with all those who object the live telecast of the Holy Qurbono or
even the video. It is a Mystery which was done by our LORD GOD JESUS CHRIST did
in HIS Last Supper. Also it is the duty of the faithful to take part in it with
full heart, soul and body. (How many of us practice it? It is another subject)

Yes this is applicable to the countries where these sacraments are celebrated
without fear and freely.

What about those who are in a such a place where they are not even allowed to
dream about it? Please do not forget there are such places exist in this modern
free 21st century. There are faithfuls not hundreds but thousands in number,
facing it. These faithful are not getting a chance to go out of these places for
years and do not have a chance to take part in any of the sacraments. For those
poor souls, these sorts of live telecast and video clipping will heal their
spiritual wounds.

Telecast of Holy Qurbono by Jeevan TV on every Thursday night is warmly welcomed
by these faithful and many small groups gathered in one place and recited the
prayers. It is giving them a real spiritual time and their kids are getting
chance to learning the prayers without any fear or tension.

After all, the salvation of the souls is orthodoxy.

The same time please don't make Holy Qurbono or any other sacraments as a
business venture.

It is after all my personal opinion. Thanks to all of you respected writers and
readers.

In HIS Love
Chevalier Thomas Daniel (Reji)
# 0001
http://www.socmnet.org

Dear Dn. George,

It is nice to read always the advices decorated with spiritual words
and the Christian spirits. When Syrian Orthodox Church and its
prelates were ridiculed by the fanatic laymen and even clergy in other IOC
forums, where was your Christian spirit and the crocodile tears are pouring now
only?? Dear deacon, if your so called Christian spirit is genuine, please
intervene in the other forums also and ask the IOC fanatics to stop ridiculing
the Holy Syrian orthodox Church and its prelates. Then there is a sense to your
words.

If you American deacons of different faith have any sort of ego
clashes, please do not use these forums for the word of exchanges.

In Christ
Issac K Joseph
Member Id No: 0917

PS. SOCM moderators are too open-minded, please cross check the
attitude of the cross members and rethink before you post any
messages from those.


--- In SOCM-FORUM@yahoogroups.com, Rev. Dn. George Mathew wrote:
>
> It's a shame that such un-Christian, un-Orthodox rhetoric
continually comes from this deacon.  A true Orthodox Christian seeks
the salvation of his soul and others, recognizing his own
unworthiness before God.  The Orthodox Church is not about legalism,
but therapy.  Rather than trying to knock down one's brother or
enemy, Christ taught to love them and bring them to repentance
through love.  Pride and ego lead people to vain rhetoric.  It is
unfortunate that such disdain and hatred have to be exhibited during
this time as we await the coming of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost).  In
my opinion, it would have been more spiritually edifying to write
about the coming of the Holy Spirit than the coming of the Patriarch, which is
still many months away.
>
> The Malankara Church is split.  Everyone is upset, everyone thinks
their right, everyone is stubborn.  This is not what the Church is.
Anyone that works towards division is dividing the body of Christ and will have
to answer to God for that, regardless of what side you are on.  It is better to
pray and ask God to have mercy on the people in His Church and bring repentance
and healing than ridiculing each side.  What is the benefit?  If we cannot
follow Christ, seek to be Christ, and witness Christ for the flock (especially
the ordained), is there really any point in being a Christian?  As my seminary
dean reminds us, "It's not about us, it's about Him."  There was peace once in
the Malankara Church, and it can happen again if people humble themselves.  If
not, we can still exist as two churches bonded by the same spiritual heritage
and love.  This is not a new phenomenon.  Many churches have gone through this
and have come out strong (e.g., Ethiopian/Eritrean).  But, it requires prayer
and deep humility.
>
> As we await the coming of the Holy Spirit during these next nine
days, let us pray and implore God for renewed minds and hearts of
love that will help us to understand each other and see the good in
each other.  May the Holy Spirit transform our minds and hearts and
lead us to become truly human - that which God intended.
>
> Dn George Mathew
> Baltimore, MD
> # 0967
>

--- In SOCM-FORUM@yahoogroups.com, Rev. Dn. George Mathew wrote:

"........There was peace once in the Malankara Church, and it can happen again
if people humble themselves.  If not, we can still exist as two churches bonded
by the same spiritual heritage and love.  This is not a new phenomenon.  Many
churches have gone through this and have come out strong (e.g.,
Ethiopian/Eritrean).  But, it requires prayer and deep humility."

Respected Dn. George,

Thank you for your words of wisdom!!!! I think now you should TEACH THIS WISDOM
OF WORDS to your Church leadership first and persuade them to follow it.  As you
are aware, this offer of 'being living as TWO SISTER CHURCHES' was offered to
your leadership long time back by the Patriarch of Antioch, who is the spiritual
father of YOUR CHURCH by your "beloved" constitution. But as mentioned in Bible,
"their hearts were hardened" and doesn't listened to Him. As you mentioned
correctly, "IT REQUIRES PRAYER AND DEEP HUMILITY", which is now lacking in your
Church leadership.  So kindly do your part to educate them and pray for it.  We
are praying for it.

Regards

Varkey Titus
Member Id # 1024

Saramma (91), wife of Malankara Malpan Very. Rev. Curian Corepiscopa
Kaniamparambil, Priest trustee of the Malankara Jacobite Church, passes away on
4th May 2008. The funeral will be held at Kanjiramattom St. Ignatius Jacobite
Syrian Church on 10th May.

http://www.syrianchurch.org/news/Kaniamparambil04may08.pdf
http://www.syrianchurch.org/News.html

It is with deep regret and sympathy that we join all of you to pray for the
departed soul of the beloved wife of our dear Kaniamparambil Achan.

We express deep regret and condolence to the bereaved family, especially to
Kaniamparambil Achen and pray that the departed soul may rest in Peace.

Biography of V. Rev. Kaniamparambil Corepiscopa Achen:
http://www.syrianchurch.org/bio/Kaniamparambil.htm

With deepest sympathy and prayers,
SOCM Moderators

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

"Reverence for the Lord gives confidence and security to a man and his family.
Do you want to avoid death? Reverence for the Lord is a fountain of life."
Proverbs 14:26-27

Assuring you our prayers
Vachanam Team

CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN!

"The demons try to undermine your inward resolution by buffeting your souls with
an untold variety of temptations. Yet out of these many tribulations a garland
is woven for you; Christ's power 'comes to its fullnes in us in our weakness' (2
Cor. 12:9). It is usually when our situation is most gloomy that the grace of
the Spirit flowers within us. 'Light has shone in darkness for the righteous'
(Ps. 112:4 LXX) - if, that is, 'we hold fast to our confidence and the rejoicing
of our hope firmly to the end' (Heb. 3:6)."

St. John of Karpathos.

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

Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never
hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst."  John 6:35