CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN!

"Ask with tears, seek with obedience, knock with patience. For so it goes that
he 'who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be
opened' (Matt. 7:8)."

St. John Climacus.

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

And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made
perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my
infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  2 Corinthians 12:9

Develop Spiritual Readiness

This sermon discusses the problems with being ready for spiritual life, for
spirituality and spiritual readiness, focusing on the end of John chapter 17 -
Jesus prayer for His disciples before being arrested.

This sermon lesson given on Sunday, May 24, 2009 by Fr John Brian Paprock at
Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD: http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
http://frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xml
LISTEN ONLINE HERE:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2009/05/develop-spiritual-readiness.html

On May 17th 2009, the new Syriac Orthodox Cathedral, St. Jacob of Nsibin in
Sweden was consecrated and sanctified.

People started to arrive as early as ten o'clock in the morning, two hours
before the ceremony would start. At 11.30 AM the church was full. Monks and
priests started to arrive. The Catholic and Protestant churches in Sweden were
also present. Also many people from the Swedish state and different
organizations were present to share the joy.

Everyone was excited and had looked forward to this day from the first moment
they started building the church. Also Suroyo TV was present to air the whole
event live.

For more details:- http://socmnet.org/St_Jacob_of_Nsibin_Sweden.htm

Praise the Lord. I am very happy to hear this news.

Rajesh George
St George Jacobite Syrian Church
Kalamboor
Piravom
Member ID # 0974

















[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Those who succumbed to death are Celestina Joseph & Dipa Patrick

Celestina Joseph's father Balan Joseph is from Idukki Dist, Kerala got married
in Kathmandu & settled. His wife is seriously injured & is still in critical
stage. The other lady Dipa Patrick, who is from Patna, got married a 3-4 months
ago, came to Nepal to meet their relatives and had visited church with their
friends.

Celestina Joseph's body cremated on Tuesday (Nepali RC christians cremate body
instead of burying) & many people from different walks paid condolence to the
bereaved family. Please pray for all victims & their family.

God bless us

Sajy Thannikkottu, Kathmandu
# 2912

I really agree with Mr.Varkey's comments.

Mathew Thomas

--- In SOCM-FORUM@yahoogroups.com, Varkey Titus wrote:
>
> Dear members,
>
> Some times I wonder our Church heirarchy's strategies on Gulf parishes. 
Eventhough, on technical terms, still these parishes are directly under the
spiritual administration of the Patriarch of Antioch & All the East, in effect
it was implemented only upto 1993.  The parish administration matters were
directly handled by His Holiness until that time and the parish committees were
able to voice their opinion to His Holiness, on various matters. However, since
1994, due to the request (Or pressure??) from our Malankara Church heirarchy,
the administration of these Gulf parishes were given to metropolitans of
Malankara Synod.  Here on started the 'Step-Mother' attitude of our heirarchy to
the 'Milking Cows' of Gulf. 
>

SATANIC  WORK. SATAN IS TRYING TO RULE OVER THE CHURCHES ...HOW SAD..SHOWS 2ND
COMING OF JESUS IS NEARING

Joseph B/BLR
4143

Dear Moderator

There is nothing new in it. There are thousands of poor faithful trapped with
this IO Company Pvt. Ltd in the southern diocese and they are just looking for a
chance to escape from this trap.

I think our Church must act now. We must appoint a metropolitan only for brining
back these poor souls to the Holy Church. If all our bishops are engaged in
their diocese, we must ordain a new metropolitan for this purpose only. It
should be name something like – Punaraikka Prasthanam -.

I think, Ramban Geevarghese Thengumtharayil is the best candidate for this.
Rambachan knows the plus of this poor souls and he can expose the malpractices
and lie wenam injucting by IO Company Pvt. Ltd to them.

Act soon or we may lose the chance and we will be held responsible for these
poor souls.

In Christ
Issac K Joseph
# 0917

--- In SOCM-FORUM@yahoogroups.com, SOCM News Bureau wrote:
>
> During the annual general body meeting held after the Sunday Holy Mass, become
a battle filed in Nirnam St. Mary's Orthodox Church.
>

Christ is Risen! + Truly He is Risen!

The crucifixion is something that must continue throughout our life, not for
forty days only, although Moses, Elijah, and Christ fasted for forty days. We
are meant to learn from them not to cling to this present world or imitate its
ways, but to nail our unregenerate selves to the cross.

Augustine, Sermon 205

Dear and Respected Brethren,

We read in the first chapter of the Acts of Apostles about the Ascension of our
Lord Jesus on the 40th day after the blessed Resurrection. Before Ascension, our
Lord exhorted His beloved followers and the Apostles to wait for His Father’s
promise. Our Lord also informed them that they would be strengthened to witness
risen Christ not only in all Judea and Jerusalem, but also in every nook and
corner of the world (Acts 1:8) So they waited with prayer and one accord. There
were 120 persons altogether including the Apostles, who remained in one prayer
and one accord to inherit Holy Spirit. As mentioned in Acts 2: 1-12, they all
received the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost in the form of tongues of fire.
As a token of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, they all talked in other languages.
They all received the Holy Spirit’s power in abundance.

In all our Sacraments, there is a solemn occasion when and where the Holy Spirit
will descend from High above and will brood upon the submitted mysteries. The
Holy Church teaches that whenever the Holy Spirit would descend during any one
of the Sacraments (Sacraments are the visible symbols of the invisible graces of
God Almighty) the participants/ congregation also would be blessed with the
renewal of the Holy Spirit. We all have received the Holy Spirit initially
during our Baptism as well as anointment of Holy Chrism. As we all are living in
the world, the Holy Spirit in us might not grow into the perfection and hence we
have to renew the Holy Spirit every now and often.  The Holy Church advises us
to follow a strict sacramental life so that we could retain the fullness of the
Holy Spirit in us. We could achieve this through our sacramental lives, but we
must strictly follow a system of having one prayer and one accord. So also we
must long for the arrival of the Holy Spirit during the Sacrament in which we
are attending. And we must expect for the arrival of the Holy Spirit. In the
Holy Sacrament of Eucharist, the Altar Assistant cautions us the time of the
arrival of the Holy Spirit.  But often we could not keep one prayer and one
accord. Whenever we attend a Sacrament, let it be a baptism or a matrimony or
priesthood, or a Holy Eucharist, if we could keep up one accord and one prayer
to bless us with the fullness of Holy Spirit, we all would be blessed with the
fullness of Holy Spirit. The Holy Church separates ten days prior to Pentecost,
for the expectation of the Holy Spirit. Unless and until we keep one prayer and
one accord, we would not be able to come up with power from the kneeling
position, as exhorted by the celebrant then and there. Let us try to attend this
years Pentecost service with one prayer and one accord.

May God bless us all and renew the Holy Spirit in each and every one of us.

Jose Kurian Puliyeril
0905

Dear brother in Christ,

Before going into the issue of attending the services of non-orthodox churches,
can you please explain in the forum how you became interested in orthodox
theology. We are all interested to hear your experience.
 
With regards
Anoop
# 4037

Dear Dn. Prince,

I am interested in digitalised history books. Please send it to my e-mail ID
paul_s_1978@...

Regards
Dn.Paul
#172

Dear Rev Dn Prince,

You offered to send some digitalised books on Church History to Mr J M Paul.If
you don,t mind please send it to me also . My email id is apu_jose@....

Please try to include all the books that contain information on Mor Ahatallah
bava and Mor Baselious Yeldo Maphriyana. Two people have asked me to get some
details about this as they are involved in writing books on these Church fathers
and in erecting some memeorial in name of Mor Ahatallah bava at Mattancherry or
at St ignatious Nurono Jacobite Syrian Church , Ponnurunni, kochi.

With prayers,

Apu Jose
4096

Portal for Kerala Christians launched
Express News Service
28 May 2009 10:58:51 AM IST

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A comprehensive community portal for Keralite Christians.
One of the straight and simple definitions that can best describe
http://www.christianmalayalee.com is this.

The portal, which was launched on Wednesday, offers the Christian community in
Kerala a number of innovative services.

For example, if a Christian techie who has migrated to the US wants to trace his
roots, there will be an option in the site. ``A unique feature of our site is
that everything will be parish-based. You can register as a member only if you
are a member of any of the parishes under the various Christian denominations in
Kerala. The name of the parish is a mandatory field to be filled up while
registering,’’ said Johny Emmanuel, managing editor, Christian Malayalee.com.

The dream of the architects of Christian Ecumenical Forum, which owns and
maintains the website, is to make this site a one-stop destination for all
requirements of Malayali Christians. ``We plan to post the pastoral letters
issued by different dioceses on the site. In addition to the print version,
audio tapes also will be available,’’ said Johny. Parish-based communities, a
section for Christian matrimonials  and articles about rites in various churches
will be part of the portal.

There will be a news section that focuses on issues that will be of interest to
community members. Debates on issues within the community, informative articles
sourced from different publications around the globe and a platform for
interaction will be part of the portal. To attract new generation believers,
there will be contests like Bible quiz and crossword based on Bible on the site.

"In the long run, our aim is to network all the churches in Kerala and those
outside the State, but run by Kerala churches," said Johny.

The formal launch of the site was conducted by Catholicos Baselios Mar Cleemis
on Wednesday. Malankara Orthodox Syrian church Bishop Gabriel Mar Gregorios,
ADGP Alexander Jacob and D. Babu Paul spoke.

Top rank holders in the Civil Services examination T. Mithra, Priyanka Mary
Varghese and Telma John were felicitated at the function.

http://www.christianmalayalee.com/parish.aspx

"When you close the doors to your dwelling and are alone you should know that
there is present with you the angel whom God has appointed for each man...This
angel, who is sleepless and cannot be deceived, is always present with you; he
sees all things and is not hindered by darkness. You should know, too, that with
him is God, who is in every place; for there is no place and nothing material in
which God is not, since He is greater than all things and holds all men in His
hand."

St. Antony the Great.

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

"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord,
are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the
Spirit of the Lord."  2 Corinthians 3:18

Dear Aji

I appreciate your thoughts about the need of separate diocese for Gulf parishes,
now we have a separate Bishop for the gulf region. I hope this will help
strengthening of our church in the region. There is a big difference in the
performance of churches in gulf and that of in the US UK region. Due to unstable
employment conditions every year avarage  10- 20% of the church members are
going out of the country and replaced by new comers in the Gulf region, whereas
most of the US migrants becomes permanent members of the church. They can easily
plan a family conference. But in the gulf region people get 30 days leave in a
year and they like to be in Kerala to see their loved ones and to finish many
important assignments like marriages finishing work or  beginning of a home
construction, instead of a family gathering of the region. I read in this forum
about the UAE family conference held in Sharjah in 2009. It is very good
development, it was with the country but if we need to organize such a family
conference of the gulf region the travel documents and fixing a date is a
barrier. I hope gradually we will be able to do so in the nearest future.
 
We Orthodox Christians are experts in infighting; most of the things begin from
the difference between founder members and  new members. I was in the Gulf
region for about 10 years, what I understood is that groupism  is not a big
issue in the Gulf region like US UK region. For example the Parish which
I pray also have groups (not in fight) but it was only at the time of annual
general body meeting and election of managing committee. People do home works
phone calls everything like an election, but after the election we all are one
and work together for the common benefit of the parish that is why the parish is
improving day by day. But in US we do have two or three Syrian Orthodox churches
in a same locality, with ten or twenty families. Simply we can say it is like
some political parties in Kerala slit and grow and again split. There is no
meaning of a family conference or social gathering without harmony in our
own church.
 
Cecil. K Varghese
ID # 890

Orthodox Spiritual Reflections of Fr John Brian
Top 25 Audio Sermons by Podcast & Webplay - Part III

Top FIVE sermons with some Honorable Mentions
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2009/05/top-five-audio-sermons-of-fr-john-brian.h\
tml

1. Aspiring to Spirit for Inspiration - 06-15-08 #1149
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2008/06/aspiring-to-spirit-for-inspiration.html

2. Dear Sweet Unlovable You - 09-02-07 #1107
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2007/09/dear-sweet-unlovable-you-september-2007.h\
tml

3. Where When How to Be of Christ - 06-22-08 #1150
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2008/06/where-when-how-to-be-of-christ.html

4. Eleventh Hour Apostles - 06-29-08 #1151
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2008/06/11th-hour-apostles.html

5. Blessings of Transfiguration - 08-10-08 #1155
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2008/08/blessings-of-transfiguration.html

Christians Gather for Peace Prayer in Holy Land

The Christian communities of Jerusalem will gather this weekend to launch a
campaign to promote prayer for reconciliation, unity and peace in the Holy Land.

The first prayer event will take place Saturday evening in Jerusalem at the
Syrian Orthodox Church of St Mark. It will be held in Aramaic and presided over
by Archbishop Mar Swerios Malki Mourad, the Syrian Orthodox patriarchal vicar
for Jerusalem.

The campaign is titled "Extraordinary Prayer of all Churches for Reconciliation,
Unity and Peace, Beginning in and Proceeding From Jerusalem."

"All Christian communities of Jerusalem and all Christians everywhere in the
world are invited to take part in this great intercessory prayer to the Father
for our time," a statement on the event's Web site notes.

The campaign intends to host a prayer event once a month in various Churches,
but encourages all Churches in the world to dedicate an hour each Saturday to
praying for peace in the Holy Land.

"For the Christian, the division of the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ,
profoundly conditions the general lack of peace," the organizers explain. "The
Mother Church of Jerusalem calls, therefore, the whole Church to an
extraordinary action of prayer for the grace of reconciliation, unity and peace,
beginning in the Holy City."

For more information:
http://www.prayerreconciliationunitypeace.info/en/home

Source:
ZE09052901 - 2009-05-29
Permalink: http://www.zenit.org/article-26025?l=english

Standing Conference of the Oriental Orthodox Churches in America holds spring
meeting.

New York - Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Eastern), attended a meeting of the Standing Conference of
the Oriental Orthodox Churches in America on Tuesday, May 18.

The meeting, held at the Archdiocese of the Syriac Orthodox Church in Paramus,
N.J., was led by Standing Conference chairperson Archbishop Barsamian and hosted
by Metropolitan Mor Cyril Aphrem Karim, the head of the Syriac Archdiocese of
the Eastern United States.

It was also attended by other clergy of the Eastern Diocese who are members of
the Standing Conference, including the Very. Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, the Very
Rev. Fr. Vahan Hovhanessian, and the Rev. Fr. Tateos Abdalian.

Participants discussed programs for youth, the development of a brochure about
Oriental Orthodox Churches, and an effort to strengthen the presence of Eastern
and Oriental Orthodox churches in Washington through the creation of a special
joint commission.

In addition, participants began to make plans for this year's Orthodox Prayer
Service, the annual gathering organized under the auspices of the Standing
Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas and the Standing
Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches, to give Orthodox Christians an
opportunity to come together for worship and to learn more about each other's
culture and heritage.

Last year's prayer service was held at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral. The
gathering included worship and a program focusing on the United Nations
Millennium Development Goal to stamp out poverty and inequality.

Also under discussion was the upcoming Roman Catholic Church and Oriental
Orthodox Churches Dialogue, scheduled for September 30, 2009, and the
proceedings from the last international Roman Catholic and Oriental Orthodox
Dialogue held in Rome in January.

Before adjourning, participants prayed together and shared news from their
respective churches.

Photo of Primates who attended the conference

http://www.reporter.am/go/article/2009-05-28-standing-conference-of-the-oriental\
-orthodox-churches-in-america-holds-spring-meeting

"All the material world is as nothing before God, only spiritual beings - that
is, angels and men - are something. Only those creatures have a lasting
existence who are near to God, and have His image and likeness; the remainder
pass away like shadows - 'Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall
not pass away.' "

St. John of Kronstadt.

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

"Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King
of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the
King of glory"  Psalms 24:9-10

THE GRACIOUS VIRTUE OF ENCOURAGING OTHERS IN NEED
 
Habitually encouraging others in need is a rare Christian virtue.  
Believers ought to strive for the divine grace of 'encouragement'
suppliantly.  In the book of Acts, Barnabas stands out in bold relief
as one endowed with the gift of encouragement.  He has to be the     
believers' role model.  Barnabas' real name is "Joseph"; he is a
"Levite and a native of Cyprus." (Acts 4:36).  He is "a good man,
full of the Holy Spirit and of faith." (Acts 11:24).  Apostles take note of
Joseph's unfailingly obliging nature, and give him the nickname,'Barnabas',
which means 'Son of encouragement'.
 
From the events in the life of Barnabas recorded in the book of Acts,
we may humbly learn how to encourage others and be friends in
their hour of need.
 
1. The early Church is in financial straits.  Barnabas recognizes the
problem. He does not have ready cash to help.  Unhesitatingly, he sells his
land, brings the money and lays it at the apostles' feet.
That is eloquent proof of his sound stewardship.  Likewise, we too
must learn practicing stewardship to help out and encourage others
in need.
 
2. In Acts 9 we read of Saul's encounter with the Lord on his way to
Damascus and his consequent conversion.  Later, he returns to
Jerusalem to join the disciples, but faces ostracism.  All are scared
of him, for they do not believe that he is a disciple.  Lonely at heart, Saul
feels utterly dejected at his being unwelcome.  But Barnabas rises to the
occasion.  He befriends Saul, and makes him feel at home with reassuring warmth
and affection.  He brings Saul to the apostles, and declares to them how on the
road he has seen the 
Lord, Who speaks to him; and how at Damascus he has preached
boldly in the name of Christ Jesus. (Acts 9:26-27).  If we are
accustomed to avoiding strangers awkwardly, we need to learn from
the example set by Barnabas so that we may encourage them by
extending our friendship, co-operation and support.
 
3. A great number of Greeks at Antioch respond to the preaching  
of the Gospel by turning to the Lord.  When this news reaches the
church at Jerusalem, they send Barnabas to Antioch.  On arrival at
Antioch, he witnesses the grace of God at work.  He rejoices over
it, and exhorts "them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast
purpose." (Acts 11:22-23).  He joins forces with them, and
becomes an ACTIVE PARTNER in the ministry.
 
Like Barnabas we too must seek common ground with those
professing same faith, and forge unity by BUILDING BRIDGES.
The two factions in our Church and the Malankara Catholic Rite
will then be able to sink differences, and swim together bringing
glory to God as ONE HOLY CATHOLIC APOSTOLIC CHURCH.
 
4. Recognizing that Saul has the potential to provide effective
spiritual leadership to the ministry at Antioch, Barnabas travels on
HIS OWN to Tarsus.  He locates Saul, and brings him to Antioch. 
In the course of one (1) year, the ministry expands by leaps and
bounds while Saul gains in stature from being a fledgling to a fully-
fledged pastor and teacher.  In all these, as the encourager,
Barnabas is the QUIET FACILITATOR.  If only our Church had more
clergymen, nuns and lay members as 'encouragers and facilitators',
its future would be much brighter than what it would otherwise be.
 
5. Paul is about to set out on his second (2nd) missionary journey
together with Barnabas.  There arises a sharp contention between
the two on account of John called Mark, who has deserted them at
Pamphylia during their first (1st) journey, and returned home.   
Barnabas wants to take Mark with them, but Paul vehemently
dissents.  And they go their separate ways, Paul taking Silas and
Barnabas taking Mark with him. (Acts 15:36-41).  While Paul
begrudges Mark for his quitting, Barnabas graciously condones it
with a view to rehabilitating Mark.  What Barnabas accomplishes by
that noble act is the MENDING OF A BROKEN RELATIONSHIP for
the glory of God.  I wish, the feuding factions in our Church imbibed
the spirit of reconciliation displayed by Barnabas.
 
6. It is especially noteworthy that Paul writes in 2 Tim. 4:11, "Get
Mark and bring him with you; for he is very useful in serving me."
Paul is able to request so, as a beneficiary because of Barnabas, the
BENEFACTOR, whose timely charitable act of forgiveness retains
Mark in the Lord's active service.
 
In conclusion, PRICELESS is the gift of encouragement, and
BLESSED are those who have the GRACE to receive it.

Prayerfully,

Nakkolackal V. L. Eapen,
Austin, TX. (ID. No. 4160)

Dear All,

Can I have a colour photo of St. Yacob Sleeha who written Thakzaa.

Manoj P.T.
ID #2319

Dear Dn. Prince,

I am also interested in digitalised history books. Please send it to my e-mail
ID is stellsun@....

Thks & Rgds,
Sunny
-------------------------------
From the desk of moderators
These documents will be made available to public through the resource section of
SOCMNet.org shortly

As part of the reorganization process of the students organization of Jacobite
Syrian Church, a meeting was held at MSOT seminary Mulanthuruthy, Vettickal on
28/05/09. H.G Dr. Kuriakose Mor Theophilose, Fr. Elias Kappungudiyil, Dn. Bobby
John, MBSC representatives and members from different churches participated.

A meeting is planned to be conducted at MSOT seminary, Vettikal, Mulanthuruthy
on June 14th 2009 from 2.00 PM to discuss further functioning of MGJSM (Mor
Gregorious Jacobite Students Movement).

We request all students of Jacobite Syrian Church, all those who are working
close to educational field (Retd. also) and those  who are interested to be part
of the functioning of MGJSM to come and participate in the meeting to be held on
14th June.

For More Details Contact:
Kerala:
Fr. Elias Kappungudiyil: +91 9847401061
Dn. Bobby John: +91 9447876239
Mr. Prosobh: +91 9020023941

Chennai:
Dr. Bidhun: +91 9788580225

Bangalore:
Sarun Maani: +91 973997140
Shibin Paul: +91 9916043073

The Students organization of the Jacobite Syrian Church prior to 1958 period was
known as 'Mar Gregorios Syrian Vidhyarthi Sangam' or the 'Mar Gregorios Syrian
Students Association' (MGSSA) This was the first students organization in the
whole world that was named after St. Gregorios Chathuruthy- Parumala Thirumeni.

Though the students movement started in the Malankara Church as early as 1907 by
the name 'Syrian Students Conference', the subsequent split and troublesome
period in the church following the violent parting away of the rival Malankara
orthodox group resulted in a stagnation in the functioning of the Students
movement. Later in 1922 the students movement of the Church was reorganized by
our late Valiya Thirumeni (Saint Athanasius Paulose, the Malankara Metropolitan)
at a specially convened session held at Cheruthottukunnel St. George Church of
Angamaly diocese. It was Valiya Thirumeni who proposed the name of the
organization after his guru, St. Gregorios Geevarghese of Parumala. Thus the
students wing of the Jacobite Syrian Church came to be known as 'Mar Gregorios
Syrian Students Association' (MGSSA)

Meanwhile the break away group of Malankara, the Methran Kakshi also organized a
parallel students movement which was named as 'St. Thomas Syrian Students
Movement'. This situation continued until 1959 when both the students movements
merged to form as a single unit and was thereupon came to be called MGOCSM.

Here is enclosed a notice published in 'SabhaMasika' of 1935 announcing about
the annual conference of 'Mar Gregorios Syrian Students Association' (MGSSA), to
be held at the Thrikkunnath Seminary, the then Angamali diocesean headquarters
of the Jacobite Syrian Church.

13th Annual Meeting Notice published on 1935
http://malankarasyriacvoice.com/News/MGSSA_1935.pdf

By ascending to Heaven before [the eyes of] his holy disciples, Christ also
showed all believers the way. Christ the Head ascended unto Heaven; His holy
members, the true Christians, will ascend as well. The path had been closed to
men, but by Christ's death, it was opened. In Christ's death, "the veil of the
temple was rent in twain" (Matthew 27: 51), and the path and entrance to the
Kingdom of Heaven was openedto the faithful (Hebrews 10: 19-20).

Tikhon of Zadonsk

At present the Gulf Parishes charges are assigned to different bishops. I do not
see any harm in this. In my opinion it is good. By appointing many bishops, they
have more time to concentrate to the needs of the parishes.

I disagree with the milking cow theory mentioned in one of the earlier mail. In
fact no one is pressurizing the members to contribute. If they wsih they take
part. It is a general statement and does not make any difference.

Best regards..
Thomas
ID # 4800

Dear sir

Apart from discussions in this forum I wonder why we could not make crisis in
Turkey a topic of discussion & prayer in our church & in media not even after
victory. Why holy Sunahadose & organizations of Malankara is silent.

Syrian churches of Antioch in all parts of world have helped us during our
Struggle, we should also have done the same. I have written this because I felt
we should discuss this.

Cijoy Varghese
St, Jacobs church
Allapra
4067

In reference to the subject posting let me draw your attention to the following
from the Holy Bible: -

If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is
in vain. ... If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are
still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have
perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are all men most to be
pitied (1 Corinthians 15:14-19)

This is how St. Paul wrote to the Christians in Corinth about the resurrection
of Christ. For Paul, Christ is indeed raised from the dead, the first of all who
have fallen asleep. Because Christ is risen, we can receive the forgiveness of
sins and the hope of new life not only in this world but also beyond this world.
The Christian church everywhere confesses, `We believe in the forgiveness of
sin, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting'. The resurrection of
Christ is the corner stone of Christian faith.

The practice of putting the  "OORARA" signifies the "Risen Christ".

It is must to have the "OORARA" on the wooden cross in all our churches, most of
the Churches do not fall this practice.

In His Love
Prince John
Abu Dhabi
4026

--- In SOCM-FORUM@yahoogroups.com, Rev. Fr. George Thankachan wrote:
>
> Dear All,
>
> I have seen in some churches wooden cross placed on  the   holy altar with
'Oorara'( decorated with red ribbon cloth) when in some other churches there it
is placed without 'oorara'. I would like to know what is the correct practice?
>
> With prayers,
> George achen, Ireland.
> St.Peter's & St.Paul's Orthodox Syrian Church,
> Drogheda, Ireland. 
>

His Holiness will be attending the International conference "message of peace in
Islam" next Monday, 01 June 2009.

The international conference "message of peace in Islam" to be held in the
Umayyad palace in Damascus next Monday, organized  by the Ministry of Religious
Endowments in collaboration with the British Embassy in Damascus, and with the
participation of a select group of scientists and professors of thought, culture
and dialogue.

Conference Topics include the danger of extremism in Islam and the world, and
the role of the educational curriculum in the promotion of peace, while the main
topic in the second day is role of  Islam in the reduction of poverty and
unemployment, and human rights in Islam.

The closing session includes the final statement and recommendation.

Participants  in the conference includes  the Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas of
Syrian Orthodox Church, the British ambassador in Damascus Collies Simon, Dr.
Mohammed Saeed Ramadan Al Bouti,  the Republic's Mufti Ahmad Badr Eddin Hassoun,
the Minister of Religious Endowments Muhammad Abdul Sattar, Mr. President of the
Islamic Action Front in Lebanon, Dr. Fathi Yakan. Professor, Faculty of Sharia
and Islamic Studies - University of Qatar Mohammed Salem Abu Assi, and Dr. Omar
Abdul Kafi.

Source: http://sns.sy/sns/?path=news/read/1866

"You also cannot as yet refute thoughts - it is enough for you if you endure
patiently and call upon Jesus. But if you do not see any sins in yourself, you
are found in line with the Devil: he does not see his sins either, and since he
never repents or blames himself, he thinks that God shows favoritism towards man
because He loves them - but it is for this reason that God loves man, because he
repents and humbles himself. So repent of everything and humble yourself, and
God will save you!"

St. Anatoly of Optina.

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"He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who
loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to
him."  John 14:21