Mor Clemis Thirumeni

a. Condolence message from His Holiness the Patriarch
http://www.geocities.com/malankarav3/Mathrubhumi_1_Oct_02_A.htm

b.  News Report from Mathrubhumi daily
http://www.geocities.com/malankarav3/Mathrubhumi_1_Oct_02_B.htm

c.  Photos from News Papers
http://www.geocities.com/malankarav3/MorClemis_Photos_1.htm

For more links click below
http://www.malankaravoice.cjb.net
http://www.geocities.com/malankarav3/news_section_1.htm

Chingavanam (Kottayam): Thousands assembled at Chingavanam St. Johns Dayara
church to pay their last respects to Bishop Abraham Mor Climis, who passed away
on Sunday. Despite the intense heat in the day time and drizzle in the evening,
people were seen moving towards the church.

H.B Catholicose Basellios Thomas I of Malankara Syrian Jacobite Church led the
funeral ceremony along with other Jacobite bishops.

Knanaya Catholic Church Kottayam dioceses bishop Mor Kuriakose Kunniseri and
assistant diocesan bishop Mor Mathew Mulakottu held a special prayer at the
Dyro.

People from different walks of life Heads of various sister churches, social
workers, and politicians condoled death of the spiritual leader.

Philipose Mor Christosam of Marthoma Syrian Church, Catholic Church bishops
Dr.Peter Thuruthiconnathu & Geevarghese Mor Thimothious, held a special prayer.

H.H Catholicose Basellios Marthoma Mathews II of Indian Orthodox Church reached
Chingavanam diocese to pay his homage to the departed bishop. The Catholicose,
in his condolence speech, said prayers for the children of the church.

Ramesh Chennithala MP, laid a wreath on behalf of the AICC president Sonia
Gandhi.

Kottayam district collector A. Ajit Kumar, Malayala Manorama executive editor
Jacob Mathew, Mangalam chief editor M.C. Varghese, Mathrubhumi MD M.P.
Veerendra Kumar were among the others who paid their homage.

State Ministers K M Mani, C F Thomas and G Karthikeyan, former Union Minister
P J Kurien, NSS General Secretary P K Narayanapanicker, SNDP Yogam General
Secretary Vellappally Nadasan, BJP State President C K Padmanabhan, MPs Suresh
Kurup and P C Thomas and other many prominent persons mourned his demise and
came to the church to their last respects.

http://www.geocities.com/malankarav3/MorClemisThirumeni.htmGet more from the

1. 317th Dhukhrono of St.Baselios Yeldo -  Pilgrimage to the MarThoman
Church begins today
http://www.geocities.com/malankarav3/YeldoMorBaselios_1.htm

For more links, visit:-
http://www.MalankaraVoice.cjb.net
http://www.geocities.com/malankarav3/news_section_1.htm

1.  Church case filed by Methran Kakshi will be heard once again by another
High Court Bench.
http://www.geocities.com/malankarav3/Church_Case.htm

For more links click below
http://www.malankaravoice.cjb.net
http://www.geocities.com/malankarav3/news_section_1.htm

Dear Members
To read more detailed news and articles on Mor Clemis in Malayalam in the
electronic media, please visit Mangalm Daily Internet edition dated
01st October 2002
http://www.mangalam.net/

Condolence messages from H.B Catholicose, Sister Church leaders &
prominent Kerala citizens.
His last wishes and "Kalpana"
His will
Heartbreaking statements form his close aides
His prediction on his last days, etc....

Abraham Mor Clemis Thirumeni Laid to Eternal Rest -
entombed at the Dayaro Church, Chingavanam

1.  News Report of last rites from Mathrubhumi daily
http://www.geocities.com/malankarav3/MorClemisThirumeni_3.htm

2.  Photos from News Papers
http://www.geocities.com/malankarav3/MorClemis_Photos_2.htm

For more links click below
http://www.malankaravoice.cjb.net
http://www.geocities.com/malankarav3/news_section_1.htm

Gandhi Jayanti Greetings to all!
Mahatma Gandhi was born on the 2nd of October in 1869,
in Porbunder,
Gujrat.
Remember our nation in your prayers!

----------------------------------------------------------
"Swadeshi is our primary obligation because it is natural to us. We
have forsaken this natural obligation. Because of its neglect of
swadeshi, the nation has been ruined. Three crores in India, that is,
a tenth of the total population of the country, get only one meal a
day, just plain bread and no more. Crores of rupees are annually lost
to foreign countries. If this wealth of crores could remain in the
country, we would be able to save our starving countrymen. Thus, our
economic well-being is also bound up with swadeshi, and in its
observance there lies compassion for living beings."
-Mahatma Gandhi, July 6, 1919
http://meadev.nic.in/Gandhi/gallery/photo15.htm
--------------------------------------------------------

I would like to introduce you all, the members of this forum,
to the website of our holy cheriyapally, Kothamangalam.
http://www.cheriapally.org
Sinu John
New Mexico
USA

Hi everyone,

I am not a learned Church Historian or a scholar to argue with a
person like Very Rev. Kuriakose Moolayil Corepiscopa.  However, I
would like to point out one thing that in Malankara Orthodox Church
none of us can have dual membership, ie., membership both in inside
and outside Kerala churches.  As far as I know, to obtain membership
in an outside Kerala church you have to produce a letter from your
vicar of the parent church.

Ashok D Johnson
St.Gregorios Malankara Orthodox Church
Edmonton, Canada

Dear Members,

My sincere thanks to respected moolelachan to clarify many
things regarding our great church.We all are blessed with scholars
like this in our church otherwise we will be brianwashed by others.
Jaimon Skaria,
Chicago

Mr. Ooomen chose to reply to a passing comment I made on another
forum, releasing yet another diatribe.  Anyone care to comment on
this (beginning after "Peace, Mike" was signed)?

remain in peace,
Mike

--- In oriental_orthodoxy@y..., P Oommen <p_oommen2001@y...> wrote:

--- maurnicus@a... wrote:
  Southeastern
> Turkey and Northern Iraq is
> the traditional heartland of Assyria, and where many
> of our faithful hail
> from.  I believe it was our late Patriarch of
> blessed memory, H.H. Moran Mor
> Ignatius Elias III (the one whose tomb was recently
> attacked in India), who
> referred to our Church as the "Assyrian Orthodox
> Church" when addressing the
> League of Nations.
>
> Peace,
> Mike
>

It is true that there was an event in which
Orthodox-jacobites groups clashed and people from both
sides were hospitalised. But it is absolutely untrue
that the tomb was not attacked. I have read not even a
single news report that the tomb was attacked. My very
humble request is that such rumors will only further
divide both sides. As a Syrian, please do not do this
for the sake of unity in the Church.

It is painful that Syrians are spreading such rumors
that the tomb at Manjinikkara was attacked.  I have
visited this place and the tomb is away from the main
road.  Hunderds of fanatic jacobites guided by their
equally fanatic priests disrupted a procession of
Orthodox Christians through the road. They started to
throw stones at the procession. There are many
Orthodox people living in surrounding areas.  Orthodox
side also reacted to this, is no less way.

There was  ***no news*** reported in any news media
that the people entered the inside of the Church or
attacked the tomb.  The tomb is inside the church.

It is impossible to enter, if at all Orthodox people
attempted, because hundered of jacobites were in
guard. Even if Orthodox people entered, they will not
attack the tomb. Just that Orthodox people want all
the churches for unity of Malankara. They do not want
any parish to go for temporal supremacy of Anthioc.
There is no destruction in this ambition.  St. Mar
Elias 111 is officially included in the Church
almanac.

I pray that Syrians learn the truth before spreading
rumors to divide the Indian Christians of Malankara.
Syrians side with dissidents just to supprt a division
and weaken our community. I request syrian to be
truthful especially when reporting about events
happening in India.  The problem is that they may tell
these rumors to a bishop and they may inturn believe
it, further delaying the unity.


-Paul

Pen from  Den    A column in New Vision by DANIEL BABU PAUL
Forwarded as a complement to the news on KCZ's monograph.

The census figures of 2001 have become available. As expected Kerala shows
all signs of a society which has reached demographic stability. We have what
statisticians describe as cent per cent literacy, a sex ratio of 1058,infant
population(0-6) of 11.48% and a decadal population growth of +9.42 %.The
respective figures for the country as a whole are 65.38, 933, NA,  and
+21.34%. If we analyse these figures further we can see that those districts
where Christians are substantial in numbers show figures which are even
better.

These figures are satisfactory per se and a matter of pride. However we must
notice that these figures place Kerala as a whole, and the Christian
segments in particular, almost in the same niche as Japan and other
developed countries. As one proceeds from Narita to the city center in Tokyo
what strikes the most is the numerous elderly couples taking their
constitutional" supporting each other. We in this part of the world are
also into a societal pattern which has a large geriatric segment. This is
because infant mortality has declined, death and birth rates have decreased,
and, consequently life expectancy has gone up significantly.

During the twentieth century the decadal growth has varied from +11.75%
during 1901-11 to +9.42% during the last decade. These figures are more
significant than they appear prima facie. This is because  it had risen to
26.29% during 1961-71 before beginning to decline. What this means is that
with improved health standards population began to grow around 1941, but
with improved awareness and education society has controlled its total
growth to less than what it was in the decades of higher infant mortality
and lower life expectancy.

Kerala as a whole and Christians, especially Syrian Christians, in
particular have to sit up and notice these figures published by Sheela
Thomas of the Indian Administrative Service who captained the enumeration
this year. Let me try to draw attention to a few points which cry for it.
The first fact I notice is that the number of women exceeds that of men
substantially. This means that in any parish there are more women than men.
We know from experience that all along we had more practicing Christian
women than practicing Christian men, but now even in terms of absolute
numbers the women are ahead. And, yet, the women have little or no say in
administration of church or its properties. A Syrian Orthodox woman judge of
the Supreme Court can decide who is the Malankara Metropolitan, but she has
no say in deciding the budget of her own parish. This is because church has
not kept pace with society in the empowerment of women. At least now let us
recognize that time has come to correct the picture.

Secondly the community seems to have stabilized demographically. This means
that we should seriously consider positively encouraging marriages with
other communities. Of course to some extent it does work out that way
because our people migrate all over the world and settle down wherever the
local laws would permit that, but we have to consider the possibility of
dangerous inbreeding during the current century, or at least over the next
couple of centuries.

Thirdly we are far ahead in education, health etc. We must reorient our
priorities in the social service sector. This is not a matter of demography
or sociology, but one of spiritual dimension: should we spend our resources
on schools and hospitals which help us make money? Should we not, rather,
decide to concentrate on special schools like those for the mentally
challenged and special hospitals like leprosy hospitals and lunatic
asylums? Fourthly we should ensure good Christian witness in the social,
economic and political areas. The whole society has moved forward and
Christians should demonstrably be the salt of the earth in Kerala society.
We should train our future politicians as much as we try to train our
engineers and doctors in Christian morals.

Finally the church should note that the attention now bestowed on the
elderly and their needs is inadequate. The time we could limit our attention
to children through Sunday Schools and the youth through our youth
associations is an endless segment in history, but an additional
responsibility we must focus on relates to the geriatric segment. We have
Vanitha Samajams and Yuvajana Sakhyams, but is it not time we also thought
of Vridha jana Sakhyams?

TOTUS TUUS MARIA

----- Original Message -----
From: <SOCM-FORUM@yahoogroups.com>
To: <SOCM-FORUM@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 26, 2002 5:57 PM
Subject: [SOCM-FORUM] Digest Number 343
> Message: 2
>    Date: Mon, 23 Sep 2002 09:17:06 +0300
>    From: Thomas Daniel
> Subject: Syrian Christians facing Parsi syndrome
>
> Syrian Christians facing Parsi syndrome
>
> THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Rapidly declining birth rate among Syrian Christians
> and their high migration rate can by the next decade erode the community's
> political clout in the State, warns a study by veteran demographer K C
> Zachariah of the Centre for Development Studies here.

Maphriyono Mor Baselious Yeldho Bava’s 317th memorial feast is being
celebrated from Sep 29 to Oct 4 at the Kothamangalam MarThoman Church
where the Saint’s mortal remains are entombed. The Jacobite Syrian Church
venerates the Holy Father by remembering Bava’s name in the 5th TUBDEN
along with the names of other Saintly Church fathers including Patriarch
Mor Elias III of Majanikkara (1932) and Parumala Mor Gregorious Bava (1902).

For the biography of Mor Yeldho Bava, visit:-  www.MorYeldho.cjb.net
Kothamangalam Church Web Site:-  www.cheriapally.org

John Philip Kottaparambil

Dear Johnson,
Thank you for commenting on my note on the clarifications on the church
issues. The point you raised is very valid and it should be the norm, but
what happens is that all keeps the dual or even at times the triple
membership, when we leave our home parish. Can you mention anyone who
foefieted their membership in the home parish when we join the outside
Kerala churches.

We ask for the letter from the home parish as a proof to clarify our church
identity. I am a parish priest in Kerala for the last 25 years and I know
for certain that all,or to be exact 90%, of the outside kerala parishioners
retain their home parish membership. When they go there their spiritual
needs are catered without documents from the outside churches.
There are some exceptions but exceptions are not the norms.
Thank you again for the proper response.
God bless us.
Lovingly,Kuriakose Corepiscopa Moolayil.



>Message: 4
>    Date: Mon, 30 Sep 2002 04:34:48 -0000
>    From: Ashok D Johnson
>Subject: Re: Clarifications on 4 points on IOC claims (Part 2)
>
>Hi everyone,
>
>I am not a learned Church Historian or a scholar to argue with a
>person like Very Rev. Kuriakose Moolayil Corepiscopa.  However, I
>would like to point out one thing that in Malankara Orthodox Church
>none of us can have dual membership, ie., membership both in inside
>and outside Kerala churches.  As far as I know, to obtain membership
>in an outside Kerala church you have to produce a letter from your
>vicar of the parent church.
>
>Ashok D Johnson
>St.Gregorios Malankara Orthodox Church
>Edmonton, Canada

Mother Teresa moves towards sainthood
Vatican City: The Vatican today approved a miracle attributed to Mother Teresa
of Calcutta, moving the nun who spent  her life helping the poorest of the poor
one step closer to sainthood, Vatican sources said.

The move means the nun, who was known as the ''saint of the gutter'' will
likely be beatified, or declared a blessed of the Church, next year.

The miracle was the subject of a closed-door meeting at the Vatican in which
doctors explained it to cardinals, bishops and priests who are members of the
saint-making department known as the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

The miracle involved a 30-year-old Indian woman, Monica Besra, who was
suffering from a stomach tumour and was healed inexplicably after praying to
the nun.

At such meetings doctors tell the members of the congregation they have no
medical explanation for the healing.

Last month the same department decided Mother Teresa, who died in 1997,
possessed ''heroic virtues'' of the Christian faith for her services to the
poor and her holiness.

''She was a real holy woman. She lived her life according to the Gospel in the
most authentic way,'' said Cardinal Pio Laghi, who knew the diminutive nun very
well. ''She deserved the preferential, fast track to beatification,'' Laghi
told Reuters.

If the Pope signs the decree approving the miracle, probably in December,
a beatification ceremony can be held next year, the sources said. A second
miracle attributed to Mother Teresa would be needed after the beatification
for her to be declared a saint.

Under Church rules, five years must pass after a person dies before the long
bureaucratic procedure for sainthood can begin.  But in 1999, Pope John Paul
granted a dispensation so the procedure could start less than two years after
her death.

Devotees of Mother Teresa began pressing the Vatican soon after her death to
speed up the nun's sainthood cause, saying her holiness was clear to many
around the world. The Albanian-born nun, who died at the age of 87, founded
the Missionaries of Charities.  Her nuns and priests today continue her work
around the world, including in some ex-communist countries from which she was
banned.

A Nobel Peace Prize winner, Mother Teresa set up her order in the slums of
Calcutta in 1950 and made her headquarters in here for nearly half a century.
Her small figure with a white and blue sari and sandals became familiar around
the world. She was known to buttonhole politicians and executives and not let
go until they promised to help the poor.

While beatification for Mother Teresa is expected, it will not be certain until
the Vatican formally completes the process. Members of the congregation that
investigates the lives of candidates for sainthood will continue to probe her
writings and sayings and interview people who worked with her and knew her.
www.manoramonline.com (English edition 02nd Oct 2002)

SUPREME SPIRITUAL COUNCIL CONVENES IN HOLY ECMIADZIN

On September 25, under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme
Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, the Supreme Spiritual Council
convened in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin for a regular session.
Following the opening prayer, a special prayer was offered for the peaceful
resting of the soul of Archbishop Gevork Seraydarian, former Primate of
Georgia, who entered his eternal rest on September 11.

A series of organizational issues were discussed during the one-day meeting.
The most important item on the agenda was the upcoming celebrations dedicated
to the 1,700th Anniversary of the founding and consecration of the Cathedral of
Holy Etchmiadzin.

The jubilee year of 2003 will be welcomed as a prime opportunity for spiritual
renewal. In order to properly commemorate this important milestone, a
preparatory committee was established and directed to plan the events. His
Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian of the Eastern Diocese of the United
States was named as Chairman of the committee

The Supreme Spiritual Council also focused on recent developments surrounding
the Baron Der property of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, and highly
valued the contribution and efforts of the Mother See and the dioceses towards
a positive resolution.

The members were informed that the ongoing discussions with the Israeli
government had reached a positive conclusion, and the agreement documents were
in the process of being finalized.

Also discussed during the meeting was the progress of the Constitution of the
Armenian Church, the planning for the Synod of Bishops, as well as other issues
facing the Church. Focusing on the role of the Armenian Church in the
strengthening and re-building of the motherland, the Supreme Spiritual Council
gave special emphasis to the necessity for the Mother Church and all of her
diocesan structures to assist and participate in the activities of the "All
Armenia Fund". The Council also expressed their satisfaction with the agreement
signed between the Armenian Church and the Government of the Republic of
Armenia, which provides that Armenian Church History be taught in all public
schools of the country.

The members were informed of the upcoming visit of the head of the Assyrian
Orthodox Church to Armenia. His Holiness Mor Ignatius Zakka Iwas I, Patriarch
of Antioch and the East will arrive in Holy Etchmiadzin in October. Also
discussed was His Holiness Karekin II's planned Pontifical Visit to Australia
in November.

His Holiness informed the Council that the Very Rev. Fr. Vazgen Mirzakhanian
will commence with his duties as Primate of the Diocese of Georgia beginning in
October. His Holiness has also accepted the resignation of His Grace Bishop
Daron Jerejian as Vicar to the Pontifical Legate of Western Europe.

At the conclusion of the session, it was decided to convene the expanded
Supreme Spiritual Council meeting at the end of October.
http://www.azg.am/_EN/20020927/2002092707.shtml

Hello All

I am From Ahmedabad- (Gujarat - India)  I am currently located in Leeds -
(West Yorkshire -- United Kingdom) for  a year ....  I Would request all those
who know about any Jacobite Orthdox  Syrian Church Located in Leeds, Manchaster
or as for that matter any where in UK to kindly forward me the adress of those
churches.

Moreover I would also request you to please also tell me which other sects are
similar to our traditional Jacobite Orthdox  Syrian Churches ....

I would reqest you to please forward the responses to
denisvarghese@... OR
denisvarghese@...
Thanking You
Regards
Denis Varghese

Jacobite church desires for lasting peace
UNI
KOCHI: The Jacobite faction of the Malankara Syrian Church has expressed
concern over the lack of response from the rival orthodox faction for
conciliation, initiated by several organisations to restore peace in the church.

Jacobite Church Catholicos Baselios Thomas-I told a news conference here on
Friday that mediators led by noted Jurist V.R. Krishna Iyer had several rounds
of talks with his church leaders in this regard. But he regretted that the
orthodox faction was yet to respond to the mediatory efforts.

He urged the orthodox faction to put an end to encroachment of parish churches
managed by his faction and disrupt the receptions being given to him by the
faithful.

The Catholicos said any reasonable settlement proposed by the mediators would
be acceptable to the Jacobite church as it wanted lasting peace in the church.
www.newindpress.com (Kerala Section, 5th October 2002)

I asked God to take away my habit.
God said, No.
It is not for me to take away,
but for you to give it up.
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No.
His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary
I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No.
Patience is a byproduct of tribulations;
it isn't granted, it is learned.
I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No.
I give you blessings; Happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares
and brings you closer to me.
I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No.
You must grow on your own! ,
but I will prune you to make yo! u fruitful.
I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, No.
I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.
I ask God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.
God said...Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.

Please explain: What is the reason behind burying a Bishop in
the sitting position? What is the protocol for a priest's burial?
Does the burial location have to be in the alter or near the alter.

B Thomas
Washington D.C

Dear Mr. Denis Varghese
In my knowledge, no Indian church in or around Manchester. I do go to
the Coptic Church in Manchester. You can get all details from this
link http://www.geocities.com/stmary_stmina/our_church.htm
In Christ
Issac K Joseph

Bar Yohanon was ordained a Syrian Orthodox priest in Hackensack, New Jersy,
in 1991 on July 29, by His Grace Mor Athanatias Y.Samuel who was famous for
his part in the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Fr. Dale has served parishes in Portland, Oregon, Long Island, New York and
in the villages of southeast Turkey in a region known as Tur Abdin.

For periods of time from 1990-2000 he lived at Mor Gabriel Monastery working
for his Church, the United Nations, and the World Council of Churches in
various capcities. His writings and work on behalf of the Syrian Orthodox to
save the Language of Jesus, the Aramaic dialect of Syriac is well known

To purchase bar Yohanon's Books online, please visit
http://www.geocities.com/barhanna2001/

1. Kandand diocese gave a grand recption to Bava Thirumeni at Kothattukulam
http://www.geocities.com/malankarav3/Mangalam_7_oct_02.htm

2. Kothamangalam Church, a symbol of communal harmony  -  Mangalam Report
http://www.geocities.com/malankarav3/Mangalam_5_Oct_02.htm

3. Church dispute - Mediation efforts failing due to unrealistic & stubborn
approach of Methran faction
http://www.geocities.com/malankarav3/Mathrubhumi_6_Oct_02.htm

For more links click below
http://www.malankaravoice.cjb.net
http://www.geocities.com/malankarav3/news_section_1.htm

Hi Denis,
It is sorry  to say that there is no Jacobite Orthodox Church anywhere in U.K.
Since I am staying here for last 15  years I can say that I haven`t seen or
heard about any of the Jacbite Church.
Thanks  for  ur query.
Abraham.

ALL INDIA CHRISTIAN COUNCIL
79/B I&II Floors, Street 8, West Marredpally, Secunderabad,
Andhra Pradesh
President: Dr Joseph D' Souza Secretary General: Dr. John Dayal
Phone (91 11) 2722262 Fax 2726582 Mobile 09811021072
Email: johndayal@v...

URGENT PRESS STATEMENT
NEW DELHI, October 7

Christian Council slams Tamil Nadu ban on Conversions, Will Challenge Ordinance
in Courts Jaya sings Sangh Parivar tune, violates Indian Constitution

[The following is the text of the statement issued by all India Christian
Council President Dr Joseph D Souza and Secretary General Dr John Dayal on the
Tamil Nadu government Ordinance banning conversions in the state.]

The All India Christian Council will challenge in Court the Ordinance banning
religious conversions "by force or fraud" promulgated on the night of 5th
October by the Governor of Tamil Nadu on the directions of Chief minister J
Jayalalithaa, Christian Council President Dr Joseph D'Souza and Secretary
General Dr John Dayal have said. "Chief minister Jayalalithaa has acted in
concert with the Sangh Parivar and is trying to implement the Hindutva agenda
in the southern state, the Council said.

"Forcible or induced conversion is an oxymoron. It is not possible, and is
rejected by the Church. Conversion is the exercise of free choice by an
Individual in fulfillment of his or her own spiritual needs. This is a basic
Human Right and is guaranteed in the Indian Constitution and by the United
Nations. Various state governments who have raised the bogey of induced or
forcible conversions have failed to find out even a single such case in the
past," the Council said.

These laws are primarily directed against the Christian community although in
Tamil Nadu and in some other states, Dalits and other marginalised groups who
are victims of extreme violence and social pressure have also converted to
Islam and to Buddhism. On 4 November 2001, tens of thousands of Dalits
converted to Buddhism in a ceremony in New Delhi and subsequently several such
ceremonies were held in Uttar Pradesh and other states. They are designed to
curtail all Christian development work among the marginalised.

"In fact, the only inducements by fraud and fear are those being carried out by
the Bajrang Dal, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the RSS in the Tribal belt under
the guise of Ghar Wapsi programme where innocent Tribals are being forced to
become Hindus. The Council has already urged the National Minorities Commission
to investigate the Sangh's Ghar Wapsi programme in the Tribal belt in which
heavily armed thugs have been involved."

"The Constitutional provisions are also being violated by the Census office,
which disallows Tribals proclaiming the Sarna religion, and by several state
government who lump all Tribals, animists and others into the majority
religion," the Council said. "These denote a Hindutva mind set and denies to
marginalised people the option of free choice, conscience and freedom of faith."

The Council, which is already challenging a similar law in Orissa, is consulting
senior legal experts on the Tamil Nadu ordinance, which has been
issued just days before the State assembly is to move. The Ordinance's timing
also coincides with a stringent anti -Christian campaign launched by the Sangh
Parivar in several other parts of the country, including Karnataka, Gujarat,
Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand.

The Shiva Sena and the Bharatiya Janata party have been demanding similar laws
in all states and at the national level. Shiv Sena leader Anant Geethe, recently
promoted as cabinet minister in the Union cabinet of Prime minister
Atal Behari Vajpayee is the author of a similar Bill pending in the Lok Sabha.
Curiously, that Bill says free education will be construed as an "inducement"
for religious conversions and will invite heavy penalties. This thoroughly
exposes the real intent and motives behind such laws, the Council said.

Issued for favour of Publication, Broadcast and Telecast by Dr John dayal

Respected Kuriakose Corepiscopa,

Thank you very much for your reply.  I am one of the persons who do
not have membership in both inside and outside Kerala churches.  If I
go to my home parish in India I won't be denied of any spiritual
rites as my parents are still members there.  However, I don't have
any voting rights there nor I could attend any General Body meetings
there.  Moreover, in our parish here there are many youngsters who
are members but never held any membership anywhere else.  If I
recollect correct, there was an order from HH the Catholicose some
time ago addressing this issue and giving instructions.  I don't
remember the exact details though.
With love and prayers,
Ashok

1. Chirayil M A Kuriakose Corepiscopa appointed as the
administrator of the Knanaya Jacobite Church
http://www.geocities.com/malankarav3/MorClemis.htm

For more links click below
http://www.malankaravoice.cjb.net
http://www.geocities.com/malankarav3/news_section_1.htm

1. Controversy in the administration of Parumala Dayaro Church -
Allegations of misuse of money.

http://www.geocities.com/malankarav3/ParumalaChurch.htm

For more links click below
http://www.malankaravoice.cjb.net
http://www.geocities.com/malankarav3/news_section_1.htm

Bishops are always buried in a seated position. It symbolizes their
reign on the bishop's throne as the head of the diocese, and the
permanent spiritual bond between the bishop and his diocese
(traditionally bishops were never re-assigned from the diocese they
were called to minister to; it was in fact considered such a
sacrilege that Patriarchs were elected from among monks and not from
among bishops at one time!). In some regions, e.g., in Tur `Abdin,
even priests are buried seated. However, priests are typically buried
in a supine position.

In the Syriac Orthodox tradition, the burial location is typically
under the altar. The ancient monasteries in Mardin, Tur `Abdin, etc.,
have the "beth qadishe" (lit. the house of the holy) where
patriarchs, bishops, and monks are buried in underground structures,
often below the church. The prayer in the Syriac text of the 6th
diptych addresses those who are in the "beth qadishe". However,
burial in underground chambers was not always practised in the Middle
East. In Kerala bishops were traditionally buried in the sanctuary
(as in Kothamangalam, Mulanthuruthy, etc.) or adjacent to the
sanctuary, perhaps because the damp climate there would not permit
maintainable underground structures.

Thomas Joseph, Ph.D.
Web Master, SOR (http://sor.cua.edu/)
Technical Editor, Hugoye: Journal of Syriac Studies
(http://syrcom.cua.edu/Hugoye/)


--- In SOCM-FORUM@y..., Babu Thomas wrote:
> Please explain: What is the reason behind burying a Bishop in
> the sitting position? What is the protocol for a priest's burial?
> Does the burial location have to be in the alter or near the alter.

Dear in our Lord,

1.Thank you Mr.Johnson for the comment. You state that you are given the
spiritual priveleges in your home parish eventhough you are a member of the
outside Kerala parish. It is the very clear proof that you are still a
member of your home church, you think that it is because of your parents.
The membership  cannot be duplicated in any case. I know many who keeps the
home parish membership.

CHURCH IN UK

2.I read some saying that there are no praishes in UK. But in 1995, while I
was a student in Selly  Oak Colleges,Birmmingham I had attended monthly
services in London.I had offered Holy Qurbono during my stay there. Later I
heard Fr.Yeldo from Kothamangalam was conducting services there. I have also
visited the Syrian Orthodox parish in London,where one Rev.Thomas was in
charge. This parish has a considerable membership. I still remember speaking
to the congregation on one Sunday.
There is also one Indian Orthodox parish there. I don't remember the contact
addresses.
Lovingly,Moolelachen.