Dear readers ,

I remember reading somewhere that the no of emissaries were 70. But you get the
no as 72 by adding the gospelists Mor Lukose and Mor Markose to it . As you can
see they were not Apostles. They might have been given the ranking of
emissaries. For further information I have heard that Mor Addai , the twin
brother of Mor Thoma sleeho , was the head of the emissaries .Mor Addai is often
referred to as sleeho. I would request the learned members of this forum to
clear this doubt.

Apu Jose

Moderators Note:
-----------------
Please always sign your message with the member id no. If you are not having the
number, kindly send us your contact details in order to allocate one id no. for
you, before posting any further messages in the forum.

Today in Radio Malankara

Radio Malankara is broadcasting Audio recording of Holy Qurbono celebrated by
H.E Mor Theethose Yeldho Pathickal (Archbishop of the Malankara Archdiocese of
Syriac Orthodox Church in North America) today on following timings.

09:30 AM (IST) on 06 August 2008
11:30 AM (IST) on 06 August 2008
16:30 PM (IST) on 06 August 2008
20:30 PM (IST) on 06 August 2008
23:30 PM (IST) on 06 August 2008

Please tune in http://www.radiomalankara.org/

Let the whole world listen and be blessed !!!

Moderators of SOCM

The members of Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church in Melbourne, Australia, bid
farewell to their vicar Rev. Fr. Ullas Varkey, the newly nominated Bishop of
Kozhikode Diocese.  Fr. Ullas, in his farewell speech at Church on Sunday, 3rd
August,  said that it will be his last Holy Qurbono in that Church, as its
Vicar.

After the Holy Qurbana, a farewell meeting was organized by the Church, which
was attended by Revered fathers from other Major Episcopal Churches. Trustee Mr.
Iwan John welcomed the gathering and Very Rev. Fr. Sikander Cor-Episcopa of SOC,
Rev. Fr. Chacko, Vicar of St. Mary's Orthodox Church, Rev. Fr. Boby of Marthoma
Church, Rev. Fr. John,  Fr. Dr. Santi  and Fr. Jose from Catholic Church
delivered facilitation to the nominated Bishop.

Mr. Joy Alexander, Vice President of Melbourne Church,  presented a memorable
gift to Fr. Ullas Varkey, on behalf of the parish.   Mr. George Kurian, Vice
President of Youth Association also presented a gift to the Vicar.  The
Secretary Mr. Thomas Abraham,  Mrs. Susan George, Vice-Principal of Sunday
School, Mrs. Madhu Iwan, Vice President of Martha Mariam Vanitha Samajam also
delivered facilitation and greetings.

Mr. Jacob Cherian proposed the vote of thanks.

In his reply speech, Fr. Ullas Varkey expressed his sincere thanks and
appreciation to every member of the parish for their support extended to him
during his tenure as the Vicar.  He also expressed his thanks to the special
guests of the day.  The farewell meeting witnessed several emotional scenes and
it was concluded with the prayer by the Vicar.

Pictures are uploaded in SOCMNet.org
URL: http://www.socmnet.org/frullas.htm

T J Eldose
# 4090

My earnest opinion is that construction of too many modern buildings near to the
present church will ruin its sanctity. We should maintain the church and its
vicinity clean and traditional.

Thomas
ID#4800

PATHANAMTHITTA: Chengara Land Struggle Solidarity Forum leaders have alleged
that the district administration and the police are abetting the goondaism
unleashed by the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) through plantation
workers on the year-long ‘peaceful’ land struggle at Chengara.

They were addressing a dharna before the Mini Civil Station here on Monday in
protest against an alleged attack on Chengara-bound vehicles carrying invitees
for the first anniversary of the land struggle at Athumbamkulam on Sunday.

Geevarghese Mar Coorilos, metropolitan of the Niranom diocese of Jacobite Syrian
Christian Church, inaugurated the dharna. In his address, the metropolitan
called upon the government to resolve the land struggle launched by landless
poor families at Chengara without any delay. (The families have been occupying a
part of the Harrisons Malayalam Limited’s estate for the last one year demanding
land.) He said denial of permission for human rights activists like Swapan
Ganguly and C.R. Neelakantan to proceed to Chengara to take part in the
anniversary celebrations organised by the Sadhu Jana Vimochana Samyukta Vedi was
grossly undemocratic.

The forum’s plan to take the metropolitan to Chengara to inaugurate the
valedictory function of the two-day anniversary celebrations was opposed by the
police on security grounds. He led a march to the Collectorate seeking the
Collector’s permission to visit Chengara. The police blocked the march at the
Collectorate entrance. He said he would visit Chengara in the next few days.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/05/stories/2008080554030500.htm

http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentVie\
w.do?contentType=EDITORIAL&programId=1073753765&articleType=Malayalam%20News&con\
tentId=4345440&BV_ID=@@@

http://www.deepika.com/CAT2_sub.asp?ccode=CAT2&newscode=49895

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

"We have courage in God's presence, because we are sure that he hears us if we
ask him for anything that is according to his will." 1 John 5:14

Assuring you our prayers
Vachanam Team

"An old man practised the ascesis of not drinking for forty days, and if by
chance it happened to be hot, he rinsed his jug, filled it with water and hung
it in front of him. Questioned by a brother as to the reason for his doing this,
he replied, 'It is so that my thirst may cause me greater pain, so that I may
receive a greater reward from God.'"

From the Desert Fathers.

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

"Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, For they are the rejoicing
of my heart."  Psalm 119:111

Yes thats correct we should avoid these kind topics and concentrate
more on spirituality,charity and other things which Christ asked us
to do...

Regds
S Chandy

--- In SOCM-FORUM@yahoogroups.com, Varugese C J wrote:
>
> Dear All,
>
> Few of our members were commenting on this subject. I think it is
an
> unwanted discussion few among us drag this forum. We are not
believing in any of the IOC propagated dogmas. Then why we should
worry about their internal matters. It's their problem, let them
consecrate hundreds into bishoprics, let their Catholicos assume any
titles. Did it make any difference to our FAITH matters.

I have a doubt, does Syriac Orthodox Church teach about the "Immaculate
Conception of Mary" ? I know the Roman Catholic Church teaches about
this dogma. What is the official position of the SOC on this.

Can any of the learned memebers of Thirumeni clarify this for me.

In Christ,
Mathew G M
# 0929

On July 11, 2008, The Syrian Orthodox community in Beirut celebrated the
enthronement of His Eminence  Mor Clemis Daniel Malak Kourieh as Archbishop of
Beirut.

His Eminence Athanasios Aphrem Barsaum resigned due to old age, from charges of
the Diocese of Beirut, and H. E Mor Clemis Daniel Malak Kourieh was appointed by
His Holiness the Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas and His Eminence took
charge.

SOCM News Bureau - Beirut

Dear Members,

We would like to give a chance to all our members to participate in
the broadcasting of 'Radio Malankara'.

We are intending to broadcast the complete Bible in Malayalam, now
starting with "Book of PSALM" Psalm by Psalm, through the 'Radio
Malankara'. We invite all the members, who are interested to
participate in this broadcasting, to submit us ONE PSALM of any of
the PSALMS, which you may read clearly in Malayalam and recorded in
an MP3 format, so that the audition test can be done on your voice
and finally select the members who all will be reading the Bible and
participate in this broadcasting. For the audition test reading, now
you may use either "Vishudha Grantham' or 'Satya Veda Pusthakam',
which is available with you now, but the finally selected people will
be reading the Bible chapters from "Vishudha Grantham" only.

Please send us your recording to info@... at the
earliest.

We hope this offer from us will be utilised by all our members, for
the ultimate glory of our God Almighty.

In HIS Love,

SOCM Forum Moderators

Listen to: http://www.radiomalankara.com

"Man stands at the crossroads between righteousness and sin, and chooses
whichever path he wishes. But after that the path which he has chosen to follow,
and the guides assigned to it, whether angels and saints or demons and sinners,
will lead him to the end of it, even if he has no wish to go there. The good
guides lead him toward God and the kingdom of heaven, the evil guides toward the
devil and age long punishment. But nothing and no one is to blame for his
destruction except his own free will. For God is the God of salvation, bestowing
on us, along with being and well-being, the knowledge and strength that we
cannot have without the grace of God. Not even the devil can destroy a man,
compelling him to choose wrongly, or reducing him to impotence or enforced
ignorance, or anything else: he can only suggest evil to him."

St. Peter of Damaskos.
--------------------------------------------------------------
"Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, Than great treasure with
trouble."  Proverbs 15:16

Dear moderators

About "Immaculate Conception"

In 1854, Pope Pius IX pronounced this dogma. Till 1854 Roman Catholic Church Had
another faith. But we have  yet not accepted this faith. It is our faith that
Virgin Mary was born as a child of blessing to  her parents who had no children
for years. Adam's sin has passed from generation to generation till Jesus Christ
and following the last soul to final Judgement.Jesus Christ keeping those who
believe in Him and baptised in Him as a born again generation.

About  Mary as we have seen in St.Luke.

Luk 1:28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that
art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among
women.
Luk 1:29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and
cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
Luk 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast
found favour with God.
Luk 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring
forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly
favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
Luk 1:29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and
cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
Luk 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast
found favour with God.
Luk 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring
forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

In Syriac we read as Angel Gabriel saying "Peace be with you Mariam
full of Grace". If she was immaculate she was Grace filled and no
need of another filling. But by the Grace of Holy Spirit She was
redeemed and purified from the Sin of Birth. She became the Mother
of God. Jesus also gave this blessing as the Mother of God to those
who are doing the will of God.

Luk 8:21 And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my
brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.

Now we can conclude, the immaculate conception is not the faith of
our church, St. Mary, the Mother of God filled with Grace through her
dedicated life and gave birth to Jesus Christ our Lord. She became
the mediator and submitting us to God.

Deevannasios Methrachan
Manjanikkara
08-08-08

--- In SOCM-FORUM@yahoogroups.com, Mathew G M wrote:
>
> I have a doubt, does Syriac Orthodox Church teach about
the "Immaculate

Dear moderator,

This is in response to Item 3 of SOCM Digest No. 2687

The Syriac Orthodox Church does not accept the immaculate conception
of St. Mary as declared by Pope Pius IX in 1854.  In contrast, Mary
was born with the original sin.  "For as in Adam all die, even so in
Christ shall all be made alive" (1 Cor. 15:22).  "Therefore, just as
through one man's sin entered the world, and death through sin, and
thus death spread to all man, because all sinned" (Rom 3:23; Rom.
5:12).  "All" refers to mankind and it will be reasonable to include
St. Mary in the group.  The concluding prayer of the holy Qurbono
after the final blessing includes St. Mary for whom the sacrifice was
made.

There is an important role for St. Mary in the redemption of
mankind.  However, the Catholic and Protestant Churches occupy the
opposite poles on this matter.  The Catholic Church goes to the
extent qualifying St. Mary as corredemptrix.  This term projects St.
Mary to have an equal status in the redemptive act of Jesus Christ.
The Protestant Church considers Mary as a lady used for Jesus to take
flesh from, which was possible for any woman (Genesis 3:15; Gal
4:4).  The Syriac Orthodox Church qualifies St. Mary with different
names, which are indicators of the theological teachings about her.
Perpetual virgin, Mother of God, Mother of Church,  first among the
saints and the second Eve are a few of the qualifications.    The
teachings of Patriarch Severios of Antioch and that of Philoxinos of
Mabbug are relevant in understanding the concepts about St. Mary.

Fr. Dr. Mani Rajan

--- In SOCM-FORUM@yahoogroups.com, Mathew G M wrote:
>
> I have a doubt, does Syriac Orthodox Church teach about
the "Immaculate
> Conception of Mary" ? I know the Roman Catholic Church teaches about
> this dogma. What is the official position of the SOC on this.
>
> Can any of the learned memebers of Thirumeni clarify this for me.
>
> In Christ,
> Mathew G M
> # 0929
>

Immaculate Conception Of virgin St. Mary.

This is a Catholic Church dogma which state that St. Mary did not have
any Sin Of Birth and Sin Of Deed. In real sense there is no sin of
Birth (original sin) Immaculate means free from sin.

The Orthodox Church believe that St. Mary inherited the Sin Of Adam
(disobedience of Adam).However St. Mary was Blessed with Grace Of
God. The angel said To Mary You Who are Highly Favoured, The Lord Is
With You (Luke 1:28)Again  in verse 30 " You have found favour with
God" This mean St. Mary was fully blessed by Grace of Lord God .She
(St. Mary) was an ordinary person like any other virgins who used to
work at the temple of Lord. But The Lord Highly favoured her because
of her meekness/humility.

Rin Sam
#4038

--- In SOCM-FORUM@yahoogroups.com, Mathew G M wrote:
>
> I have a doubt, does Syriac Orthodox Church teach about
the "Immaculate

I think we misunderstood the word "Immaculate". She was and is Immaculate
(sinless status). Only difference is the timing. This is
the difference between RC & OO

I think we, the OO church, believes that St. Mary become Immaculate (sinless
status) from the time she was greeted by the Angles. But RC
doctrine says she was Immaculate in her mother's womb, which we rejects. So St.
Mary was and is Immaculate and no harm to call her "Amalolbhava (sinless status)
Mathave". If I am wrong, I request
the learned members to correct me.

In Christ
Issac K Joseph
# 0917

--- In SOCM-FORUM@yahoogroups.com, Mathew G M wrote:
>
> I have a doubt, does Syriac Orthodox Church teach about
the "Immaculate

Dear moderator

This refers to immaculate conception of St.Mary from Mathew GM.

The word of God enterd her through the ear and decended to her womb and took
flesh from her uniting divinity with humanity never to separae. As she conceived
without the seed of man, the child was physically after the mother. Mary was
born like any one of us and was cleansed and purified later before she conceived
her son. She was not born immaculate as the Roman Catholics say.It is belived
that every one who is born of the co-habitationof man and woman inherits their
sin because lust enters their hearts when they co-habit. This sin which  the
child inherits is referred to by the Psalmist (pslms.51) in the words "My mother
conceived me in sins" It is believed to be removed at Baptisam.

The Holy Spirit came down upon her, cleansed her and the word descended to her
womb. She became pure and holy virgin just before that moment of conception. In
our prayers and promiyons contain the prophecies of the old testment which
indicate the virgin's conception and her eternal virginity. At the Great
Intercession of the Holy Qurbano, in the fourth Tubden about the Virgin Mother
St.Mary.

As Jesus Christ changed water into wine at the feast of Cana in Galilee at the
request of His mother, the Jacobite Syrians believe that Jesus who is God, will
listen to St.Mary's intercession . Both Jesus and Mary are alive and active and
they can hear our supplications. The Mother will intercede and the Son(Jesus)
will act her intercession.

George Chacko
Member ID 4093

Radio Malankara will be broadcasting the Audio track of "SRESHTAN", which is a
documentary about His Beatitude Aboon Mor Baselios Thomas I. It was released by
Indian Christian Movement.  The broadcasting will be on Saturday 10 August 2008
on following timings:

08:30 hrs (IST) on 09 August 2008
12:30 hrs (IST) on 09 August 2008
17:30 hrs (IST) on 09 August 2008
21:30 hrs (IST) on 09 August 2008

Original DVD of this documentary is available at:-
Indian Christian Movement,
39/2783 C,
Lotus Apartments,
DH Road,
Cochin 16

Please tune in http://www.radiomalankara.org/

Let the whole world listen and be blessed !!!

ROME (Reuters) - Catholic nuns and priests in Italy are following
their flocks to the beach this summer, establishing an inflatable
church and a beach-convent in the sands to lure sunbathers.

The 30-metre (98 ft) long blow-up church -- staffed by priests ready
to take confession -- will debut on Saturday on the Adriatic coast in
the Molise region, an organiser said.

"There will be four or five people singing, with music about God,"
said Chiara Facci with Catholic group Sentinelli del Mattino. Night
time activities, which will not include Mass, will run from 10 p.m.
to 1 a.m.

The first attempt to inaugurate the inflatable church last month on
the holiday island of Sardinia failed after strong winds forced
organisers to relocate, she said.

Big cities like Rome and Milan empty in August, when Italians head to
the beach for summer holidays, leaving streets empty and many
businesses closed. Churches are hardly immune, and also see their
congregations thin.

On the Mediterranean coast, nuns from a convent near the southern
Italian city of Naples have relocated to beach cabins to join
holidaymakers saying the rosary. An adjoining altar was set up under
two tents.

"The concept of a beach-convent is something that is appreciated by
vacationers and the nuns themselves," priest Antonio Rungi, who
helped spearheaded the initiative, told Italian news agency ANSA.

(Reporting by Olivia Scarlett and Phil Stewart, editing by Mary
Gabriel)
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/20080805/tod-uk-italy-beach-church-
b7e5c6f.html

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

"We know that we have left death and come over into life; we know it because we
love others. Those who do not love are still under the power of death." 1 John
3:14

Assuring you our prayers
Vachanam Team

"Eyes show different colors and the sun of the spirit may shine in different
ways in the soul. There is the way of bodily tears and there is the way of the
tears of the soul. There is the way of the contemplation of what is before us
and the way of the contemplation of what remains unseen. There is the way of
things heard at second hand and the way of spontaneous joy within the soul.
There is the way of stillness and the way of obedience. And in addition to these
there is the way of rapture, the way of the mind mysteriously and marvelously
carried into the light of Christ."

St. John Climacus.

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

"Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless
and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and
perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast
the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run
in vain or labored in vain."  Philippians 2:14-16

Radio Malankara will be broadcasting the Audio track of "SRESHTAN",
which is a documentary about His Beatitude Aboon Mor Baselios Thomas I. It was
released by Indian Christian Movement. The broadcasting will be on Saturday 10
August 2008 on following timings:

08:30 hrs (IST) on 09 August 2008
12:30 hrs (IST) on 09 August 2008
17:30 hrs (IST) on 09 August 2008
21:30 hrs (IST) on 09 August 2008

Original DVD of this documentary is available at:-
Indian Christian Movement,
39/2783 C,
Lotus Apartments,
DH Road,
Cochin 16

Please tune in http://www.radiomalankara.org/

Let the whole world listen and be blessed !!!

Dear moderators and members

Watch this video of 8 tunes of Bovoose mor Balai (Karuna Niranjavane
punarudhanathil)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmWAGIqp1WU

Sung by Mileena Mariam Santhosh and Milan Philip Santhosh St George's Jacobite
Syrian Orthodox Church (Ponpally) Kottayam Diocese.

Please comment on it

Thhank you
Shinosh Geevarghese Philip
# 4079

Dear and Respected Brethren

Apu Jose wrote: "I remember reading somewhere that the no of emissaries were 70.
But you get the no as 72 by adding the gospelists Mor Lukose and Mor Markose to
it . As you can see they were not Apostles. They might have been given the
ranking of emissaries. For further information I have heard that Mor Addai , the
twin brother of Mor Thoma sleeho , was the head of the emissaries .Mor Addai is
often referred to as sleeho. I would request the learned members of this forum
to clear this doubt."

In St. Luke 10:1, we find Lord Jesus deputing 70 messengers from his disciples.
So we cannot take 70 as the number of Messengers of our Lord. Traditionally we
believe that the total number of messengers of our Lord was 72 and the Holy
Church honor their memory on 5th July every year. (In the Holy Church records it
is mentioned "Feast of 72 Messengers". Our censor itself is a symbolic
representation of our faith and traditions. Out of the four strings of the
censor, there are twelve bells, representing the 12 Apostles of our Lord and
each string has 18 hooks each making the total number as 72, representing the 72
messengers. What Apu wrote about St. Adai is true. He was a messenger. In early
Christianity many strong and staunch faithful were addressed as "Sleeha" and
honored as an Apostle. St. James, author of the first 'Thaksa' and the first
celebrant of the Holy Eucharist using the 'Thaksa' and  who is often honored as
the brother of our Lord, was not an Apostle, but he is still honored as a Sleeha
and a Martyr.

May God bless us all
Jose Kurian Puliyeril.
0905

Dear all

Look at this beauty

Second     08
Minute     08
Hour       08
Date       08
Month      08
Year       08

None of us living today will be alive to see this date again because it
would happen around 1000 years later.

A  similar day - 09.09.09 / 09.09.09 - will appear after 13 months, by
His grace we may get a chance.

Enjoy this day by affixing this in maximum documents.

Aji Thomas David
4088

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I wanted to discuss the Primacy of St. Peter as taught by the Syrian
Orthodox Church and as a whole by the Oriental Orthodox Church. Many
in the Devalokam Faction accuse the Syrian Orthodox Church of sharing in the
Catholic dogma of Primacy for St. Peter which is far from the truth.

The Primacy of St. Peter is clearly not a Catholic dogma, but rather
a symbol of an Apostolic Church. All Oriental Churches can trace its
Priesthood from St. Peter. Coptic Orthodox Church traces itself to St. Mark who
was a disciple of St. Peter. All African Churches received that Priesthood from
the Coptic Pope.  Even in the Eastern
Orthodox tradition this lineage is clearly seen. The see of Constantinople was
raised to Patriarch by the Council of Constantinople, which was composed of
Apostolic Churches which trace
their Priesthood to St. Peter.  Again, all the national churches
which were created in the Eastern Orthodox Church were given from
this Petrine linage.

Why is Primacy given to St. Peter? Clearly primacy was given to St.
Peter by none other than Christ himself. This is clearly evident by
scriptural and liturgical works.  Christ calls St. Peter the rock
which the Holy Church would be built on and gave Him the power that
what will be done on Earth will be done in Heaven. This is clearly
not said to any other Apostle. St. Peter was made Patriarch of the
Universal Church by Christ. Also in almost every liturgy of the
Syriac Orthodox Church, St. Peter is mentioned to be head of the
Church in various ways. An example is seen in the marriage ceremony,
where it is said that Jesus gave his bride over to Simon to look
after and John the gospel.

Clearly, from the above presented facts we can deduce that Primacy
of St. Peter is an Orthodox teaching not solely a Catholic doctrine.
Clearly the Church is Universal with the Apostolic legates of St.
Peter as its primates. Clearly this does not reduce the roles of the
other 10 Apostles, who gave their life to the cause of the Church.
Clearly Christ defines roles for all early followers. St. John was
the Baptizer; no one else was given the honor of Baptizing Christ.
Similarly St. Peter was given the Priesthood to give to the
Universal Church, although all Apostles had Priesthood, it converged
into St. Peter who gave it to the Church.  This was the doctrine of
all the Fathers of the Church, which is why St. Peter is mentioned
as head of the Church in many Orthodox writings.

On a personal note I would like to say it is truly sad that people
would go so low as to remove Primacy from St. Peter to quench their
thirst for power.  Defending independence of a rebel group by
manipulating ancient Orthodox teaching is truly deplorable. Many in
the Devalokam faction say they are the true bearers of Orthodoxy and
SOC/Jacobite Church is some hybrid Catholic/Orthodox Church. The
Holy Syrian Orthodox Church as always followed the teachings of the
Orthodox Fathers and likewise follows the Primacy of St. Peter and
is proud of our Petrine linage. The Syrian Orthodox Church never
went to Rome for acceptance, thus forming some hybrid Reeth Church.
We are steadfast in our Orthodox faith.

Let me end by thanking you for taking time to read my humble
writings and earnestly ask for all members to please write their
opinions and also if learned members could comment on the Primacy of
St. Peter as an Orthodox teaching it would be highly appreciated.

Yours in Christ,
Robin J. Mani
St. Paul Syrian Orthodox Church
2364

Paul Ciniraj Resigned from the Salem Voice Ministries.

Kottayam (India), SVM News, August 05, 2008: We are sad to announce
that Paul Ciniraj, the esteemed founder and the Director of the
Salem Voice Ministries resigned from the Directorship of the SVM.

Paul Ciniraj was under treatment for "leukemia" since last January.
Recently it was found that the Lord has healed him from leukemia,
but he was affected by liver cirrhosis and undergoing its treatment.
Doctors say cancer medication and treatments are very hard on the
body and they may cure the cancer, but can create other medical
issues like liver cirrhosis and other major sickness.

Paul Ciniraj Mohamed resigned from the Salem Voice Ministries at the
General Body which was held during the month of April. But the
General Body compelled him to withdraw the resignation and
unanimously re-elected him as its Director. So he was continuing the
position.

Recently he found uncomfortable in the position of directorship
because of unhealthy situation, he called for a special Governing
Board meeting and declared his resignation again. Then he handed
over all the records to Rev. Shaji Ipe, the secretary of the SVM.

Dr. Paul Ciniraj said in the meeting, "Lord Jesus has saved me from
sin and death. And Lord has chosen me for His ministry. I believe I
have faithfully and truthfully done it according the Word of God by
the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Whenever our Lord thinks my service
is enough in this world, He has to call me back at any time to be
with Him. I am always ready for it".

"I never earned or gain anything worldly for my wife and children
from the ministry. I hand over the ministry and all of its assests,
programmes and activities to the Governing Board in which my wife or
children are not the members", Paul Ciniraj continued.

"Our Lord weighs our minds and hearts. He knows all of us very well.
Do not misuse His physical and economical gifts for worldly
pleasures like the sons of the Prophet Samuel. Do not misuse His
spiritual gifts like Ba'laam. Yet we may be reviled, persecuted and
experienced all manner of evil against us falsely. Certainly It
strengthen our spirituality when it comes from gentiles and
outcasters. But it is very difficult to tolerate if it comes from
our dear brotheren of whom we love and trust in the name of Jesus.
They may be called as missionaries, pastors and evangelists. Such
experiences from them will make us desperate, depress and
discourage. It affect both our body and spirit".

"This so called Christians may have power of money, power of the
support of foreign agencies and  power of human strength which they
might have bought from money or throwing them some favours and small
positions; but they may not belong to God.  Those are false
currencies or coins. They not know what they do. The Word of God
teaches that they are the enemies of the Cross of Christ. Whose end
is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in
their shame, who mind earthly things" (Phil 3:18-19).

"But we must careful that there are true and valuable currencies. It
is indeed necessary for any transactions. That's why false
currencies are spreading widely. But realise the false currencies
have no value and it is to be destructed. Also handling the false
currencies is a big crime. So distinguish the good and evil spirits.
Our Lord allows the tares with the wheat together until the harvest.
So recognise them by their fruits. Don't be cheated. Our Lord is the
Burning Fire too", Pastor Paul Ciniraj said.

"The harvest is plentiful; but the labourers are few. So our Lord
asked to pray to the owner of the harvest for sending suitable
labourers. In certain places, there were such a vast and beautiful
harvest to reap.  But unsuitable labourers got down the field and
reaped some of it for their own use (not for the Lord) and
destructed the rest of the harvest and soil became hard by their
feet and made the fields desert. Even no more cultivation is
possible. Then how can we reap? India is a best example for it.
60% of the land of the Kingdom of Israel is desert. It is not too
far those desert lands can be formed as gardens. It can be possible
by culturing the sea-water and make it flow to the desert lands.
The Bride Church of our Lord is called as the Israel of the New
Covenent. Certainly still there are plenty of harvest to reap, but
not full of harvest. Harvest must be reaped. But at the same time
60% of the New Covenant Israel also keep going on desert land. We
have to sow the seed. Before sowing the seed, the land must be
plouged and watered. Water must be coming from the sea as cultured,
useful drinking water.

Sea water is salty and it is the synonym of sin. The religions of
Muslims, Hindus, Budhists, Communists, Nominal Christians etc.around
us are great oceans. By our deep faith and prayer we can culture the
salty oceanic water which is sins of this world by the precious
blood of Jesus and make it flow to the desert minded hearts and
plough it by our loving deeds and dedicated services by the Holy
Spirit and sow the seed of the Word of God. The Kingdom of God is
not barren. There is no desert. There is no sea. It is the
tabernacle of God with HIS Bride and He will be dwelling among us.
For that we have to serve the Lord. He is not a Godly labourer, if a
person comes for harvest without thinking of how such a desert land
makes plenty of harvest. So sow with tears and reap with cheers,"
Paul Ciniraj added in the meeting.

Paul Ciniraj was a Muslim by birth, accepted Lord Jesus as his
personal saviour and converted into Christianity in his early
twenties while he was studying in the university. Since last 33
years he was serving the Lord and won thousands upon thousands of
souls unto the fold of Jesus Christ, especially from Muslim
community. He is a prominent Gospel preacher in India. Many times he
was beaten, attacked, burnt and poisoned. Still he is being
threatened.

Mercy is the wife of Paul Ciniraj, a member from the Roman Catholic
Church who accepted Lord Jesus as personal saviour and involving
ministries with her husband. They have two sons and a daughter.
Elder son Besly is a biginner student of the Aircraft Maintenance
Engineering. Daughter Hepzy is a Bible College student as well as
studying first year Degree Course. Younger son Lesly studying VIII
grade in a Hih School.

Kindly pray for this family. Also pray for his good health and total
healing. They have no income to maintain their family and educate
their children. Due to the financial crisis, his family suffered a
lot for his recent treatments too. Also they suffered to get
admissions for children's education. SVM Governing Board requested
him to be the Patron of the society. But he is not willing to serve
as a patron too.

Once again we thank Paul Ciniraj and family and offer our prayers on
behalf of the prayer partners and well wishers of the Salem Voice
Ministries. We request his prayers and guidance again and again.

Contact Paul Ciniraj and family by email ID: mercyciniraj@...
Email ID of SVM  (Salem Voice Ministries): salemvoice@...
Support SVM and its projects: http://salemvoice.org/contact.html

Saji Iype
(Secretary)
Salem Voice Ministries

Please do not imitate  Parumala church buildings that buildings fails to create
a spiritual atmosphere also.  Malankara churches building century old tradition
were also not given any consideration.

Cijoy Varghese
# 4067

Dear Moderators, Members & Readers in Christ:

Please Read and Act on this message for a good cause-please act in the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ. If any body can help please do it as soon as possible or
at least Pray for them as a brethren in Christ. God will shower His Blessing to
you all. "Those who are Merciful, will receive Mercy" May God Bless us all!

Thank you very much.
Best regards in Christ
Fr. David Cheruthottil
St.George;s MSO Church
Carteret, NJ
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