ROME: Dukhrono of St. Yaqu'b Mfasco observed at St. Peter's & St. Paul's
Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church here. Vicar Fr. Prince Mannathoor celebrated
Holy Qurbono. The perunnal concluded with special intercessory prayer and
nercha.

KOLLAM: Kollam Diocese Morth Mariyam Vanitha Samajam One Day Seminar held at
Morth Mariyam JSO Gothra Edavaka Cathedral, Kundara on Dec 03, Saturday.
Metropolitan Mor Theodosius mathews inaugurated the Seminar. Earlier in the
morning, Very Rev. Stephen Abraham Cor Episcopa (Diocesan Secretary) celebrated
Holy Qurbono and hoisted the flag. Vicar Fr. George Perumpatteth welcomed the
delegates. Fr. Roy George Kattachira (Samajam Vice President) presided over the
function. Vry Rev. Stephen Abraham Cor Episcopa, Fr. Punnoose Tharakan, Smt.
Kunjannam Joseph spoke on the occasion. Shri Abraham Tholely, Fr. Arun Abraham,
Fr. Goergy John Kattachira led the camp.
Photos
https://picasaweb.google.com/100321770700710479984/KollamDiocese_VanithaSamajamC\
amp_Dec062011

Matrimonial Digest / 0288-2011

Dear Members,

We do not take or assume any responsibility for the particulars
given by the advertiser. Concerned parties are encouraged to
verify the particulars. As per the request of some advertisers we
withheld the contact details and will forward any reply to the
advertiser for further personal contact. Further correspondence to be
done with the E-Mail address / Phone Number given against each
advertisement.

Please read the successful stories of the matrimonial advertisement
in the SOCM forum at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SOCM-FORUM/message/6505
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SOCM-FORUM/message/4384

----------------------------------------------------------
SEEKING BRIDEGROOM
----------------------------------------------------------
Matrimonial; Code # 217/11
****************************
18 October, 2011
Syrian Orthodox Christian parents invite proposals for their daughter born and
brought up in Canada. She is 30 years old,5' 7", slim fair and graduated masters
in engineering,currently working in USA. Please reply with bio data including
family  details, photo  of the prospective groom those who born and brought up
in north America e-mail sosamma.thomas@...

Matrimonial; Code # 213/11
****************************
August 02, 2011
Jacobite Christian parents from Kottayam invite suitable alliance for our God
fearing daughter aged 23, height 163 cm. B.Sc Nurse working in Madras Medical
Mission Hospital, Chennai. We prefer proposals from God fearing professionals of
good families working abroad.  The groom should be within the age group of 25 to
28 years and his hight is 167 or above.  If interested, please contact my e-mail
ID: sajanm2011@... or call: (0481)9447163635.

Matrimonial; Code # 211/11
****************************
June 28, 2011
Parents of a middle class Jacobite family from Kottayam is looking for a Bride
groom for their daughter of 31 years, Diploma in Nursing, 165 cm Height, working
as a Staff nurse in Saudi MOH. Look forward to get proposals from Jacobite/
Orthodox/ Marthoma boys. Contact Phone 0481 2599355 - Email:
jinupcherian@...

Matrimonial; Code # 210/11
****************************
June 22, 2011
Jacobite NRI proffesional parents from Central Travancore invites  suitable
alliance for their daughter, MD (Radiology) student, 25/165/Slim/Fair, from the
parents of godfearing PG Doctors or PG Medical students. email:  rengy@...

Matrimonial; Code # 208/11
****************************
May 02, 2011
Mumbai settled Jacobite Parents of middle class Jacobite family from Mumbai
(Originally from Pathanamthitta) is looking for a Bride groom for their daughter
of 25 years, Staff Nurse, Born and bought up in Mumbai, Slim 164 cm Height,
working in Mumbai.  Look forward to get proposals from Jacobite (only Jacobite)
boys who are well-placed in Outside Kerala or Kerala. Contact Phone +91
9987100218

Matrimonial; Code # 205/11
****************************
February 06, 2011
Parents of a well known middle class Orthodox family from Kottayam is looking
for a Bride groom for their daughter of 25 years, 163 cm Height, Fair
complexion, working in Bangalore as a nurse, would like to get proposals from
Jacobite/ Orthodox/ Marthoma  boys  who are working  abroad between age 26-29
years. Phone 0481 -2507486, cell   9447567610

----------------------------------------------------------
SEEKING BRIDE
----------------------------------------------------------
Matrimonial; Code # 216/11
****************************
October 11, 2011
Jacobite (Syrian Orthodox) parents invite a marriage proposal for our son 33
years old Settled in U S since 25 years. Computer Animator, 5'7"ť height. If
interested, please contact at 847-699-7985  or 224-522-2653 E-mail:
venkadath@...

Matrimonial; Code # 215/11
****************************
October 04, 2011
Proposals are invited for a Jacobite Boy, M.Sc Chemistry 28'' / 173cm / 65kg.
Ernakulam Dt.CSIR doing Ph.D at Pune, middleclass, seeking alliance from
Jacobite or Orthodox families having Masters any preferring Chemistry with NET.
Interested may contact to mvkuriakose@...,  9656789434, 09947864849

Matrimonial; Code # 214/11
****************************
August 09, 2011
Jacobite parents from kottayam invite proposals for their son 28 yrs, 180 cm,
slim, MBA,  presently working as Bancassurance Manager related to a public
sector bank in cochin.We are seeking suitable alliance from  parents of bsc/msc
nurses preferably.  If feels interested repond with details and photograph to:
marrybib@... or call @ 0481 3264055, 9495684640.

Matrimonial; Code # 212/11
****************************
July 12, 2011
Suitable alliance invited for a respectable middle class boy, 36 years,  5'10"
height doing business successfully.  We prefer a girl working in and around
Kottayam under the age group of 30-36 years with humble, simple and God fearing.
We also welcome girls without any job but who is willing to help her husband for
the mutual benefit of the family as a whole.  Any Christian denominations are
welcome except penticost.  Interested person may kindly contact with full
details to : e-mail: zestmatrim@... or Mobile: (0481) 9745449970 or
(0481)9847915570

Matrimonial; Code # 209/11
****************************
June 08, 2011
Jacobite parents from a middle class ancient family, Kottayam, settled in Qatar
inviting suitable proposals for our son, 26 yrs/6'3",medium complexion, heavy
weight.  He has completed  MBA in HR and currently working as a Recruitment
Consultant in a Multinational Company in Qatar and staying with us.

We are looking for a God fearing, Good looking, Caring,Home Loving, Graduate or
Post Graduate (BCom, BA, BBA,MBA, ) girl( 5'5"to 5'9") as our daughter from a
Good family (Jacobites/ Marthomites/ Malankara reeth/ Orthodox). Interested
parents may send the details and photograph to zachariahmani@... or call 
00974 55863034.

Matrimonial; Code # 200/10
****************************
November 13, 2010
Parents from a well known middle class Orthodox family from
Kottayam is looking for a girl for their son of 34 years, 169 CM Height, 68 Kg
,slim ,medium complexion ,working in Dubai, would like to get proposals from
Jacobite/ Orthodox girls who are educated /Employed between age 27-33 years.
Contact Mr.Vinu, Mob-9847825983, Res. 0481 2464186.
------------------------------------------------------------
For the full list of the matrimonial advertisement, please
visit:http://www.socmnet.org/Matrimonial.htm

Do not have anything more valuable than stillness, silence, and prayer. Because
through these you will see God.


Abba Isaiah, Instructions of Abba Isaiah to the Honorable Nun Theodora

 
READ: Colossians 1:19-29

You, who once were alienated . . . now He has reconciled. —Colossians 1:21
 
In the days of Adam and Eve, peace was lost. As soon as they ate the forbidden
fruit and realized their nakedness, they started blaming each other (Gen.
3:12-13) and introduced conflict to God’s peaceful planet. Sadly, all of their
descendants, including us, have followed their bad example. We blame others for
our own bad choices and become angry when no one will accept the guilt. Blaming
others for our unhappiness breaks apart families, churches, communities, and
nations. We can’t make peace because we’re preoccupied with placing the
blame.
Christmas is the season of peace. The Old Testament tells the story of how God
set the stage to introduce the Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6). Jesus came to break
the cycle of sin and blame by making peace for us with God “through the blood
of His cross” (Col. 1:20). Instead of blaming us for all the trouble we cause,
He bore the blame for all of us. He is now recruiting followers who, having
received His forgiveness, want others to receive it as well.
When we accept forgiveness from God, we lose our desire to withhold it from
others. And when we live in peace with God, we are eager to make peace with
others. We can both give and receive the gift of peace this Christmas. —Julie
Ackerman Link
At Christmastime we celebrate
The coming of the Prince of Peace;
Though now our world is locked in strife,
One day He’ll make all conflict cease. —Sper
Jesus took our place to give us His peace.

Great Joyť
Luke 2:10-12: Then the angel said to them, Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring
you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to
you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this
will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying
in a manger.ť
Savior! Christ Lord!  This was the babe in waddling cloths.ť Our Savior, our
Christ, our Lord, we worship you.
The great joyť is the joy of having a “Savior” as Christ and as Lord. May we
experience this great joy,ť Lord, as we remember your birth. You are still born
today only in a manger “  a lowly heart, made low by repentance and the need for
a Savior. May our heart be found a manger, and may our joy be  great, Lord,
knowing that you are indeed born in us. 
It was the shepherds “ lowly men of lowly occupation “ who saw Jesus in the
manger. Is this not the same today? Only the humble see Christ as Savior and
Lord. Grant, Lord, that we come in lowliness of heart to worship you as Savior
and Christ and Lord.
Let us bless the Lord for the great joyť that is ours, and bless one another
with that joy, 
Thankful for your prayers,
 
Shibu Podiyan 
Washington D.C

For Those Who Sit in Darkness
For whom we have been given a light from above...

This is from the prophecy of Zachariah after his son, John the Baptist is born.

Fr John Brian, honoring the birth of St. John the Baptist, gives a sermon on his
father's prophecy recorded at the end of the first chapter in the Gospel of
Luke.

Why a prophecy at the Nativity of John the Baptist? How does prophecy help us at
all?

What about this prophecy is important to us living in the 21st Century?

This sermon uses and refers to scripture readings appointed by the Syrian
Malankara calendar and was given on Sunday, December 4, 2011 by Fr. John-Brian
Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission
Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

"Called to Divine Nature" is the theme of an open and free mini-retreat in
Madison, January 21, 2012 hosted by Holy Transfiguration Mission.
Pre-registration by email or voicemail by January 8 is encouraged.

PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD: http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
http://frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xml
LISTEN ON-LINE HERE:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2011/12/for-those-who-sit-in-darkness.html

Annual Theological Dialogue between the Malankara Jacobite Syrian
Christian Church and Catholic Church held on 06 December 2011 at Puthencuriz
Patriarchal Center.

Catholicose Aboon Mor Baselious Thomas 1 inaugurated the
meeting. Their Eminence Mor Gregroious Joseph, Mor Theophilose Kuriakose, Mor
Coorilose Geevarghese, Mor Eusabious Kuriakose and Mor Aphrem Mathews
represented the Syriac Orthodox Church. Catholic Church was represented by
H.E.Arch Bishop Mor Joseph Pawathil (Emiritus), H.E.Arch Bishop Thomas Mar
Coorilose and other officials.

Press Release @
http://socmnet.org/Press_Releases/MJSCC_ROC_2011_07_PR_01.pdf
http://socmnet.org/Press_Releases/MJSCC_ROC_2011_07_PR_02.pdf

Photos @
http://www.facebook.com/SOCMNet

"How, therefore, ought each of us to believe and to strive and to be dedicated
to live a full virtuous life? With much hope and endurance we should now desire
the privilege of receiving that heavenly power and the glory of the Holy Spirit
interiorly in the soul so that then, when our bodies will have been dissolved,
we may receive what shall clothe and vivify us. It says, 'If so be that being
clothed we shall not be found naked' (2 Cor. 5:3), and 'He shall bring to life
our mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwells in us' (Rom. 8:11)."

St. Macarius the Great.

READ: 1 John 4:7-21

We love Him because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19

A friend described his grandmother as one of the greatest influences in his
life. Throughout his adult years, he has kept her portrait next to his desk to
remind himself of her unconditional love. I really do believe,ť he said, that
she helped me learn how to love.ť
Not everyone has had a similar taste of human love, but through Christ each of
us can experience being well-loved by God. In 1 John 4, the word love occurs 27
times, and God's love through Christ is cited as the source of our love for God
and for others. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and
sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sinsť (v.10). We have known and
believed the love that God has for usť (v.16). We love Him because He first
loved usť (v.19).
God's love is not a slowly dripping faucet or a well we must dig for ourselves.
It is a rushing stream that flows from His heart into ours. Whatever our family
background or experiences in life whether we feel well-loved by others or not we
can know love. We can draw from the Lord's inexhaustible source to know His
loving care for us, and we can pass it on to others.

In Christ our Savior, we are well-loved. David McCasland
Loved with everlasting love,
Led by grace that love to know
Spirit, breathing from above,
Thou hast taught me it is so! Robinson
Nothing is more powerful than God's love

Bible Scholar Brent Landau Asks "Who Were the Magi"?
Revelation of the Magi text gives wise men's view of the Christmas story

Source:
http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/people-cultures-in-the-bible/jesus-hist\
orical-jesus/bible-scholar-brent-landau-asks-%e2%80%9cwho-were-the-magi%e2%80%9d\
/

11/29/2011

A lost Syriac manuscript, the Revelation of the Magi, recently translated into
English by Bible scholar Brent Landau, may help answer that key question from
the Christmas story: "Who were the magi?"

Who were the magi, those gift-bearing wise men from the east who are so central
to the traditional telling of the Christmas story? Bible scholar Brent Landau
believes he has found at least one answer to this age-old question.

The Bible tells us very little about the magi. Their story appears but once, in
the Gospel of Matthew (2:1–12), where they are described as mysterious visitors
"from the east" who come to Jerusalem looking for the child whose star they
observed "at its rising." After meeting with King Herod, who feigns an intention
to worship the child but actually plans to destroy him, the magi follow the same
star to Bethlehem. There, upon seeing the baby Jesus and his mother Mary, the
magi kneel down and worship him, presenting him with their three famous
gifts—gold, frankincense and myrrh. Then, without reporting to Herod, they
depart for their homeland, never to be heard from again.

For early Christians, the seemingly pivotal yet unexplained background of the
mysterious magi provided abundant room to shape new narratives around the
question, "Who were the magi?" One of the most compelling, recently translated
into English by Brent Landau, professor of religious studies at the University
of Oklahoma, is the so-called Revelation of the Magi, an apocryphal account of
the traditional Christmas story that purports to have been written by the magi
themselves.

The account is preserved in an eighth-century C.E. Syriac manuscript held in the
Vatican Library, although Brent Landau believes the earliest versions of the
text may have been written as early as the mid-second century, less than a
hundred years after Matthew's gospel was composed. Written in the first person,
the Revelation of the Magi narrates the mystical origins of the magi, their
miraculous encounter with the luminous star and their equally miraculous journey
to Bethlehem to worship the child. The magi then return home and preach the
Christian faith to their brethren, ultimately being baptized by the apostle
Thomas.

According to Brent Landau, this dramatic account not only answers the question
"Who were the magi?" but also provides details about how many they were, where
they came from and their mysterious encounter with the star that led them to
Bethlehem. In the Revelation of the Magi, there are not just three magi, as
often depicted in early Christian art (actually, Matthew does not tell us how
many there were), nor are they Babylonian astrologers or Persian Zoroastrians,
as other early traditions held. Rather from Brent Landau's translation it is
clear the magi (defined in this text as those who "pray in silence") are a
group—numbering as few as 12 and as many as several score—of monk-like mystics
from a far-off, mythical land called Shir, possibly China. They are descendants
of Seth, the righteous third son of Adam, and the guardians of an age-old
prophecy that a star of indescribable brightness would someday appear "heralding
the birth of God in human form."

When the long-prophesied star finally appears, the star is not simply sighted at
its rising, as described in Matthew, but rather descends to earth, ultimately
transforming into a luminous "star-child" that instructs the magi to travel to
Bethlehem to witness its birth in human form. The star then guides the magi
along their journey, miraculously clearing their path of all obstacles and
providing them with unlimited stamina and provisions. Finally, inside a cave on
the outskirts of Bethlehem, the star reappears to the magi as a luminous human
child—the Christ child—and commissions them to become witnesses to Christ in the
lands of the east.

It's a fascinating story, but does it actually bring us any closer to
understanding who the actual magi of the Christmas story might have been?
Unfortunately, the answer is no, says Landau, although it may provide insight
into the beliefs of an otherwise unknown Christian sect of the second century
that identified with the mysterious magi.

"Sadly, I don't think this is actually written by the historical wise men," said
Landau in an interview with National Public Radio's Diane Rehm. "In terms of who
wrote it, we have no idea. [But] the description of the magi and [their
religious practices] is so remarkably detailed and I've often wondered whether
it's reflecting some actual community out there that practiced and kind of
envisioned themselves in the role of the magi."

Based on Strata, "Lost Syriac Text Gives Magi's View of the Christmas Story,"
Biblical Archaeology Review, November/December 2011.

Dr Thomas Joseph
0202

Dear All

Rev.Fr.Jose Daniel's (Chairman Ecumenical Fellowship of Indian Churches in
Philadelphia) Baskyomo's mother Mrs.Rahelamma 85 years old passed away in
Niranam Kerala. Achen and family are leaving to Kerala this evening. The funeral
will be on sunday at Niranam St.Marys Valiyapally. Onbehalf of our beloved Arch
Bishop and the Clergy Association I would like to express our condolence and
prayers to Rev.Fr.Jose Daniel and family. Please pray for the departed mothers
soul and for the bereaved family.

With Love and Prayers,
Edatharaachen.
--
Corepiscopos Mathew Thomas
Clergy Secretary & Malankara Archdiocese Council Member

Announcements
08 Dec’11
Live streaming of Christmas Carole competition organized by
Bangalore Diocesan Jacobite Syrian Youth association “SHANTHARATHRI-2001” on
December 11 from 2:30 PM IST @ Malankara Vision
http://www.malankaravision.com/index-bangalore.html

Watch and be Merry

News
08 Dec'11
The Medical Camp organised by The International Syriac Medical Association
(ISMA), started at Idukki on Wednesday. His Holiness the Patriarch Moran Mor
Ignatius Zakka I Iwas started this Association of Doctors, Nurses and other
Medical Professionals in 2010 to help the poor people around the world. ISMA has
activities in more than 80 countries now. The camp concludes on 15th Deceber.
The Association consists of around 1500 Doctors, Surgeons, Nurses and Other
Medicos around the globe. Smt. Jessy Thuruthummel of St. Peter's & St. Paul's
Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, Kizhakkambalam is the Coordinator for India.
Many of the edicos from Malankara are already members of this Association.

Antioch Viswasa Samrakshana Samithy distributed free food, clothes and other
basic things to the needy in Idukki District. The camp was held at St. Mary's
Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, Idukki. Metropoliatn Dr. Mor Athanasius Elias
was present. The AVSS Office Bearers, Panchayath Representatives, Diocesan
Office Bearers were present.
Photos
https://picasaweb.google.com/100321770700710479984/ViswasaSamrakshanaSamithy_Idu\
kki_Dec_2011

FLASH-
The Honourable High Court has postponed the Manthalir and
Pazhamthottam church cases to December 12.
Let's Remain in Prayers.

In Prayers,
Dawn Baby Varghese
Puthencruz

"Because man find himself between these two who have contrary purposes for him,
it is in his power to make the one prevail over the other. While the good angel
by rational demonstration shows the benefits of virtue which are seen in hope by
those who live aright, his opponent shows the material pleasures in which there
is no hope of future benefits, but which are present, visible, can be partaken
of and enslave the senses of those who do not exercise their intellect."

St. Gregory of Nyssa.

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

"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you
in due time." 1 Peter 5:6

READ: Psalm 37:1-11

Do not fret—it only causes harm. —Psalm 37:8
 
Does it bother you to see how much attention is paid in today’s culture to
people who stand for all the wrong things? Perhaps it is entertainment stars who
get the headlines while espousing immoral philosophies in their music, movies,
or programs. Or it could be leaders who openly thumb their noses at right-living
standards.
It would be easy to fret about this and wring our hands in despair, but Psalm 37
suggests a better way. Listen to David’s wise advice: “Do not fret because
of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity” (v.1).
While it is right to be “salt and light” (Matt. 5:13-14) in this tasteless,
dark world—attempting to counter sin by reflecting Jesus’ light wherever
possible—we cannot let negative forces cause us to live in anger and wrath
(Ps. 37:8). Instead, we must rely on God to have the ultimate say about
evildoers: “They shall soon be cut down like the grass” (v.2). Beyond that,
we should take David’s approach: (1) “Trust in the Lord, and do good.” (2)
“Feed on His faithfulness.” (3) “Delight yourself also in the Lord.” (4)
“Commit your way to the Lord.” (5) “Rest in the Lord” (vv.3-7).
We may not like what we see and hear from some aspects of society, but remember
this: God is in control. Trust Him to do what is right. And don’t fret.
—Dave Branon
When tragedy, heartache, and sorrow abound,
When evil appears to have conquered the right,
We center our heart on our Father’s great love,
For He will bring hope in the darkest of night. —D. De
Don’t despair because of evil; God will have the last word

SERMON OF THE WEEK
December 11, 2011

Next Sunday we commemorate the revelation to Joseph of the birth of Jesus. The
truth is revealed to Joseph concerning his beloved Mary. Gospel readiing is from
Mathew 1:18-25.

Gospel Reading:
"18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about[a]: His mother Mary
was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was
found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was
faithful to the law, and yet[b] did not want to expose her to public disgrace,
he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an
angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, Joseph son of David, do
not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her
is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give
him the name Jesus,[c] because he will save his people from their sins. 22 All
this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 The
virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel[d]
(which means God with us). 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the
Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not
consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the
name Jesus."

Message:

St. Joseph was by birth of the royal family of King David, but was living in
humble obscurity as a carpenter. God raised him to the highest sanctity to
become the spouse of St. Mary and foster father of Jesus. The Bible says Joseph
was a just man, he was innocent and pure. He was faithful and obedient of divine
calls. When he lerrned that Mary bore  within her womb Jesus, he feared to take
her as his wife, but an angel helped him remove his fear.

Joseph probably thought earlier that his life was pretty simple. His marriage
and vocation were all arranged neatly for him, but then his world came crumbing
down on him. He discovered that his bride to be was pregnant. Joseph was a man
of great integrity. He wanted to do the right thing. He considered divorcing
Mary when he learned of her pregnancy but wanted to do so without calling
attention to the reason for his decision. He could have had her publicly
disgraced or even stoned her to death for adultery. Instead, without questioning
her pregnancy, he married her.

Although Joseph came from the royal lineage, he has lived a pious life. He was a
quiet man willing to endure hardships and disappointment.

We learn 6 things from Josephs life:

1. The Righteous Man: Joseph was a righteous man committed to do Gods
commandments. He had no fear or shame for his commitment to God. Joseph is an
example to every man: Do not be afraid to be a man of prayer in union with God.
He had surrendered completely to Gods will, avoiding evil and doing the good
things in life.

2. Man of Pure Love: Joseph had a pure and honest love toward Mary. He respected
her devotion to him.

3. No Exposure to the Public: Joseph did not want to expose Mary to public
disgrace. It was very easy for Joseph to bring her to public condemnation when
he had found out she was pregnant.

4. The Openness and Listening to Gods explanation of what was going on: He
listened to what the angel had told him in the dream. With his openness, Joseph
understood the Mystery of the Virgin and his vocation.

5. Not Suspicious. When Joseph woke up from sleep, he did as the angel and the
Lord had commanded him. Love believes everything.

6. Welcoming Mary and Jesus. The angel said to Joseph, "Joseph, son of David, do
not be afraid to take Mary to your house." Joseph welcomed Mary and Jesus to his
house. Thats what we can learn from Joseph, to take Mary and Jesus to our
hearts, family and life.

Prepared by
Rev. Dr. V Kurian Thomas Valiyaparambil

The Malankara World Journal Issue 42 (December 8, 2011) is now available online
at:

http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/Newsletter/MWNews_42_December-08-2011.htm

1. Editor's Note
During this advent season, we need to contemplate on the incarnation of God as
human being. During the previous weeks, we have heard beautiful poetry from
Zechariah, Mary, and Elizabeth on the arrival of Messiah on inspiration by Holy
Spirit.

The question that came to my mind several times in the past was why God has to
be born as a fully human being to redeem the world. Can He do that from heaven
without having to pay the big price he did with the death and resurrection of
Jesus, the only begotten son of God?

Then one priest explained to me that with an illustration. Suppose you want to
do something to a flock of wayward ants. You cannot do that while you are a man.
The ants cannot grasp what you are trying to tell them. To change ants, you have
to be an ant. Beautiful, isn't it? I came across the following illustration by
Vince Gerhardy from 'God Has a Word for You' that is even better to explain the
importance of the incarnation:

The President as a Mouse

This may sound ridiculous but it gives us an idea of what it means when we say
God became human and made his dwelling among us. Imagine the most powerful and
prestigious person in the world, let's say the president of the United States,
of his own free-will becomes a mouse – small, furry, insignificant, and
extremely helpless and vulnerable. He chooses to become a mouse because he wants
to live among all other mice. He leaves the White House, and the prestige and
honor that go with his office. He becomes a mouse in order to help all other
mice.

You see, there are mousetraps in kitchens all around the world. The people who
own these kitchens are determined to kill every last mouse. And one after
another the mice are killed. The President shouts at the mice until he is hoarse
to warn them of the danger and shoos them away but the smelly cheese on the
deadly mousetraps is just too inviting. And so the most powerful man in the
world happily becomes a mouse because he loves all mice and wants to do
something to save them.

In a similar way and in a more radical way the all-powerful and eternal God has
chosen to plunge himself into the arena of human life as you and I live it, and
take on the flesh and bones of our humanity.

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

2. Bible Readings for This Sunday (Dec 11)

Revelation to St. Joseph
Evening
St. John 6:30-46
Morning
St. John 6:30-46
Before Holy Qurbana
Genesis13: 1-11
Isaiah1: 2 - 9
Holy Qurbana
I Peter 2: 11 -17
Galatians1: 11-24
St. Matthew 1: 18-25
Lectionary of the Syrian Orthodox Church
http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/Library/Lectionary/Lec_Koodosh-eetho-to-Kothne.htm

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3. Sermons for This Sunday (Dec 11)

We have greatly expanded our Sermon Resources. The sermon collection now
includes general and classical sermons. This will give a broader appeal to the
Gospel Reading for the week. We also added bible commentaries for the bible
reading to facilitate study and meditation. Please check it out.
Sermons, Bible Commentaries and Bible Analyses for the Sunday of the Revelation
to Joseph
http://MalankaraWorld.com/Library/Sermons/Sermon-of-the-week_Revelation_to_josep\
h.htm

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4. The Harvest of Love

by Helen Keller

"Christmas is the harvest time of love. Souls are drawn to other souls. All that
we have read and thought and hoped comes to fruition at this happy time. Our
spirits are astir. We feel within us a strong desire to serve. A strange, subtle
force, a new kindness animates man and child. A new spirit is growing in us. No
longer are we content to relieve pain, to sweeten sorrow, to give the crust of
charity. We dare to give friendship, service, the equal loaf of bread and love."

Peace, power and purpose. "The light shines in the darkness…"

In these very busy days of preparation, may His peace, His power and His purpose
dwell in our hearts.

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

5. Advent: Time to Listen

Barbara Brown Taylor tells about the day W. H. Auden read some of his poetry at
Princeton . The hall was packed with hundreds of students and faculty. They had
come to hear "the great one." But when Auden (then an old man) began to read,
his voice was so soft that even the microphone couldn't pick him up. So people
began whispering to their neighbor: "What did he say?" And those who thought
they had heard a part of what he'd said, whispered back the part they'd heard -
or what they remembered from a prior reading of Auden, triggered (in that
moment) by what they thought they'd heard. While others, not quite hearing - and
not quite knowing - guessed at what he was saying. And pretty soon, the whispers
drowned out the poet.
Which, if you ask me, is what sometimes happens in our churches, else why would
there be so much interest in the word of God, yet so little clarity about the
word of God? Unless, of course, we all whisper better than we listen.

Sometimes I wish God would scream. Or shout. At least raise his voice. Getting
in my face, as it were. As to why God doesn't, I have no answer. I wish I did.
What I do know is what I just read. That God came to the world (with the barest
hint of a whisper) in the form of a child. A speechless child.

Source: William A. Ritter, Collected Sermons

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

6. Featured This Week: Christmas - When Ordinary People Have Extraordinary
Encounters With God

by Rev. Jeffrey T. Howard

Scripture: St. Matthew 1: 18-25

Christmas is a wonderful time, unless, of course, you really need a messiah. I
know many of you are facing difficulties in your lives. You have been diagnosed
with a debilitating disease. Your mortgage payment is due and you have no money
in the bank. You are facing the loss of your independence. At times like these,
celebrations seem inappropriate. You need a messiah to save you. Others of you
are dealing with the effects of sin. The abuse of drugs and alcohol has taken
its toll. Words you wish you had never said destroyed a relationship. You are
ashamed of your behavior. You need a messiah to forgive you. And some of you are
experiencing grief this time of year because a loved one is not here to share
the holiday with you. You need a messiah to comfort you during this time of
grief and loss.

There was a man named Joseph who really needed a messiah. Joseph was a good man.
He listened to the rabbi carefully when scripture was taught. He kept the
Sabbath. He went to Jerusalem to worship in the temple. He always tried to do
the right thing. But one day his life came crashing down around him when he
found out that his finance was pregnant with someone else's baby. We can only
imagine the emotional trauma he experienced and the intensity of his feeling of
anger and grief. He was afraid of the great shame that would cover himself and
his family. When he was finally reconciled to the fact that the relationship was
over, exhausted, he finally went to sleep.

Matthew tells us that while Joseph was sleeping he dreamed about a messenger
from God. This angel reminded Joseph that he was a descendant of David. But he
should not fear to take Mary as his wife because the child she was carrying was
not from another man but from God, the Holy Spirit. The child Mary was carrying
was the messiah. But this messiah was not the child of Joseph, the descendant of
David. Our expectation was that the messiah would be descended from David. Now
when the messiah is born he is not from David's line at all. Later, Saint Luke
will show that Mary too was a descendant of David, but this is beside the point
here. In Matthew, Joseph is the son of David, but he is not the Christ, and the
Christ is not the son of Joseph, son of David.

The prophets of the Old Testament were all very clear on this. As Samuel had
said many years before Israel did not need a king because God was their king.
Isaiah made this very clear when he called the coming messiah Wonder Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. We have been expecting a
messiah from the Davidic dynasty. But the real messiah was God himself, born as
a small baby.

No earthly messiah could come to heal us when we are sick, repair our broken
relationships, find us when we are lost, save us when we are in trouble, bind up
our wounds, battle the giants facing us, forgive our sins, and comfort us as we
grieve. No child of David could bring about a kingdom of justice and
righteousness so that the world could live a peace. Only God can do these
things. And the good news of Christmas is that God has come.

When the angel spoke to Joseph he announced that the child to be born on
Christmas was not the son of Joseph, the son of David, but this child would be
the son of God. So what we celebrate on Christmas is not the coming of a
messiah, a king, but the coming of God into the world. We are celebrating the
birth of Immanuel, God with us. This is really good news because it means that
God is neither distant nor uncaring. Rather God loves us so much that God wanted
to be with us and to experience what we experience, to feel what we feel. God
wanted to die for us so that our sins would be forgiven. Yahweh, the LORD God of
Israel saves us from our sins. Yahweh saves us. Yahweh saves us. Yahweh shua.
Yahweh shua. Ya shua. Ya shua. Ja shua, Jesus, Jesus. The child that is born
tonight is Yahweh who saves us from our sins, Jesus.

So the anointed one, the messiah, the Christ that we have been waiting for has
come, but not in the way we expected. We thought that the messiah would be a
descendant of David and would rule as king. Instead we find that the Christ is
really God Incarnate, God in the flesh, a human being, like you and I. Our wait
is over and we can rejoice because the messiah has come and is named Jesus.

When Joseph woke up from the dream he knew exactly what he had to do. As always,
he was obedient to God. He married Mary and named their son Jesus. He protected
Jesus from King Herod by hiding his family in Egypt. And he brought the young
Jesus back to Nazareth when he would grow and prepare himself for ministry. So
Joseph fulfilled his role in the biblical drama. We don't know what happened to
him after that. All we know was that he was a carpenter and had a large family.
From all accounts he was just an ordinary person who had an extraordinary
encounter with God.

That is what happens at Christmas, ordinary people have extraordinary encounters
with God. You should expect tonight that your encounter with Jesus will have
extraordinary effects on you. Whatever problems are facing you, Christ has come
to help. Whatever evil you have done in the past, Christ has come to forgive you
and restore you to proper relationship with God. And if you are grieving over
the loss of loved one, or a job, or health, of something else, Christ has come
to comfort you. This is the good news and the great gift from God at Christmas.

Note: Excerpted from a sermon. Full sermon can be read in Malankara World.
http://www.Malankaraworld.com/Library/Sermons/Sermons_Rev-to-Joseph_Howard.htm

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

News: Opening of the New Arabian Gulf (UAE) Chapter of Medical Mission

The opening ceremony of the medical mission/ SEUSOMM chapter in the Arabian Gulf
region is scheduled for February 16 and 17, 2012 at Fujairah, UAE, by His
Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, our beloved Holy Father and Patriarch,
in conjunction with the consecration of the newly built St. Peter's Malankara
Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church. HB Baselios Thomas I, Catholicos, HE Mor
Mathews Ivanios, HE Mor Coorilose Geevarghese and HE Mor Issac Ostatheos are
expected to be present at the inauguration. Fujairah is in the outskirts of
Dubai.

Read more about the Medical Mission and the new Chapter opening in Malankara
World http://www.Malankaraworld.com/Library/Org/SEUSOMM/Default.htm

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

Remaining Features in Malankara World Journal Issue 42

7. Book Excerpt: In the School of Prayer - Lesson 16: The Power of Persevering
Prayer

This week's lesson from the book, 'With Christ in the School of Prayer' by
Andrew Murray deals with the Power of Persevering Prayer.

Of all the mysteries of the prayer world, the need of persevering prayer is one
of the greatest. That the Lord, who is so loving and longing to bless, should
have to be supplicated time after time, sometimes year after year, before the
answer comes, we cannot easily understand. It is also one of the greatest
practical difficulties in the exercise of believing prayer. When, after
persevering supplication, our prayer remains unanswered, it is often easiest for
our slothful flesh, and it has all the appearance of pious submission, to think
that we must now cease praying, because God may have His secret reason for
withholding His answer to our request.

It is by faith alone that the difficulty is overcome. When once faith has taken
its stand upon God's word, and the Name of Jesus, and has yielded itself to the
leading of the Spirit to seek God's will and honor alone in its prayer, it need
not be discouraged by delay. It knows from Scripture that the power of believing
prayer is simply irresistible; real faith can never be disappointed.

Read the rest of the lesson in Malankara World.
http://www.Malankaraworld.com/Library/Prayers/Murray/Murray_16-Presevering-praye\
r.htm

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

8. Our Prayers Must Conform to God's Purpose

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything
according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we
ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. - 1 John
5:14-15

A common—but only partly correct—idea about prayer is that its purpose is to get
things from God and to change His mind regarding the course of events. As John
says, if we ask according to His will, He hears, but it is in the other part
where misunderstanding lies.

Answer this: Is our idea of God nothing more than that of a greater human
parent? Perhaps few will admit to this, but it is nonetheless a reality. God the
Father undoubtedly relates to us like a parent, and Jesus tells us to think of
Him and address Him as our Father. So far, so good.

Now we must ask: What should a Father be like? We run into trouble here because
all our examples of fathers are human, and every human father has been deficient
in many ways. We are now dealing with a flawless Father, perfect in every way.
He is eternal, perfect in wisdom, knows the end from the beginning, has
unimaginable power, and does absolutely everything out of love. He does
everything for the perfection and completion of His purpose, whether for us
individually or for what He is working out universally.... Continue Reading in
Malankara World.
http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/Newsletter/MWNews_42_December-08-2011.htm#article1

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

9. Searching for Christmas

One Christmas night, Our Lord came down into a modern city to see what people
were doing. Everyone was celebrating "Happy Holidays!"
Christ met a policeman directing traffic and asked: "What does 'Happy Holidays'
mean?" The policeman eyed Him suspiciously. "Where are you from?"
"From Bethlehem." "Where?" "Bethlehem," Our Lord repeated.
"Oh…Don’t you know it’s a holiday for kids?" "What is the origin of the
holiday?" Our Lord asked.
"Look, you ask too many questions. Can't you see I'm busy? ... Continue Reading
http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/Newsletter/MWNews_42_December-08-2011.htm#article2

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

10. Surviving the Holidays

For all the promise of joy, peace and harmony that comes with the holiday
season, the reality for millions of people is that the season is anything but a
celebration. For many, it's a reminder of lost loved ones, personal
disappointments and dreams left unfulfilled.
But for life coach Teri Johnson, whose personal journey through an imperfect
life now inspires others to reach for the lives they've always wanted, the
negative "nevers" of the disappointing hand life may have dealt you is where the
healing starts. By confronting a never-ending and unproductive cycle of
negativity, the elusive joy of the holiday season can be found not just now but
every day of the year, says Johnson, author of the newly released book,
Overcoming the Nevers. ... Continue Reading
http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/Newsletter/MWNews_42_December-08-2011.htm#article3

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

11. Enrich Your World

"We are not here merely to make a living. We are here to enrich the world."
Woodrow Wilson

Most people that I know go off to work in the morning to make a living. That's
what I did for many years. Parts of it were quite fun and very rewarding, and a
lot of it was not.
When I look back now I can clearly see that the rewarding times were when I was
making a difference in the world. The other times I was just making a living.
... Continue Reading..
http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/Newsletter/MWNews_42_December-08-2011.htm#Enrich

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

12. Health: The Testosterone (Hormone) To Your Heart's Rescue

I wrote my first book The "T" Factor in 2000. In it, I described testosterone as
the king of hormones, and showed how not having enough can be deadly, but having
more of it can help you live longer and better. It's only taken conventional
medicine 12 years, but they're finally starting to realize what I've been saying
all this time. I just read a new study where researchers show that not having
enough testosterone can be deadly for your heart.

They looked at almost 4,000 thousand people and followed them for over five
years. Those who had the least free testosterone were 71% more likely to die
from heart disease than those who had the most. In fact, in a brand-new review
of other studies by the prestigious journal Nature, researchers showed that
people with heart disease have significantly lower testosterone than healthy
people. ... Continue Reading
http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/Newsletter/MWNews_42_December-08-2011.htm#Health

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

Please tell your friends and acquaintances about MW Journal and Malankara World
website. Thank you for your support and help.
http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/Newsletter/MWNews_42_December-08-2011.htm

In HIS Service

Dr. Jacob Mathew
Malankara World
http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/

Malankara World Journal
http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/Newsletter/
Hudson, Ohio
ID No: 956

One Vinny Kossy asked me detailing about bishop election in Jacobite
church in an Orthodx forum and he copied my SOCM message in the
Orthodox forum. I responded to his question, but the moderators of it
withheld my message. So I am republishing that message in this form,
and hope he will be educated and enlightened by this message. And I
copy his message also here

His message
…………………………….
Dear Joshy Paul,
I am really touched by your concern for democratic spirit of the 1934
constitution in MOSC.

(For those unfamiliar to Mr.Joshy, he is a well known Orthodox baiter
and warrants no response let alone space in this forum. (The full text
of his posting in the SOCM forum can be accessed here
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SOCM-FORUM/message/22061).)

The condsiderate ICON Moderators forwarded and requested Meletius
thirumeni to respond. Would Mr.Joshy would be curious even to enquire
with his Puthencurz church leaders and respond as to which of the the
Metrans in his society have been selected by Puthencurz association
(Is it 2 or 3 lay members per 100?). Can you please educate MOSC
memebers the criteria for the selection process in your society?
Though we don't to claim to have a perfect democratic set up as the
Jacobite church, we are curious to know the going rate for the red
robe in the Jacobite church. I hope you will approach one of the
recently appointed thirumenis for the real figure (if rumours are to
be believed, the best person who know this is your HB Thomas 1 Bava
but don't take my word).

My apologies to the ICON members but this gentleman has no "Locus Standi".

Best regards
Vinny M. Easo, Kuwait
………………………………………………………
My Message

Dear Vinny Koshy,

First of all let me say please see the issue in more of a subjective
manner than the objective way. I just raised one question  as to why
the 1934 constitutional provision is not mentioned in the Kalpana for
association election, instead it is given to the Devalokam to decide
the number Association members for each parishes and HG Milithios
replied in a rightful way, that’s all. The moderators did a wonderful
job. Why are u more concerned about my personal choice, the hardcore
Orthodox believers like Vinu Thomas, Ronnie Daniel, Thomas P, Fr.
George (Ireland), Gregory S. Thomas etc… have written number pieces in
Jacobite forum, and I think most of it got published with being
understanding them are Jacobite-baiters when they write in this forum.
And this is not my first message in this forum, many I have written
and some of it not even published. I could have copied the same SOCM
message here, but I just approached in a balanced way.
And regarding your question of selection/election of bishops in
Jacobite Church, I want to highlight three things. Firstly, our
constitution is less than 10 years old, while your constitution has
almost 75 years of experience, and in this 75 years there were
constitutional ups and downs while taking decisions and election of
candidates. And most of your colleagues compare independence of MOSC
with India`s freedom struggle. You could remember the famous words of
former British PM Winston Churchill about Indian democracy that Indian
leaders have not got the maturity to run the country so India should
continue under British rein for some time until they get experience in
democracy. But look at how Indian leaders got experience in democracy
and now world leaders praise Indian democracy, of course there are ups
and downs but the system continued. Similarly your church has crossed
that stage but my church is still undergoing that stage. But under
able leadership of HB Thomas I and other elected representatives,
Church is progressing well.

Secondly, when the constitution was formed in 2002 there was a debate
about whether Jacobite church should follow the method of other
episcopal churches in Kerala(thoroughly democratic election process)
or should adopt other oriental orthodox churches` mechanisms
(selection by the holy synod). Finally it was decided a combination of
both, a traditional malankara system of ordaining a bishop for a
diocese and the final decision will be taken by the episcopal synod.
So the system is that first a diocesan council requests to the church
leadership to ordain a bishop for that particular diocese, and then
the managing committee and working committee suggests few names and
finally the  episcopal synod recommend a particular candidate to the
Patriarch of Antioch, the supreme head of the church, and accordingly
the bishop is ordained. Traditionally in malankara bishops were not
elected by the pallyprathipurshayogam, but given approval for a
particular candidate to become a bishop (candidate was already decided
by the church leaders)- Vattasseril Thirumeni and Kochuparambil
Thirumeni were approved by the Malankara Association of 1908 and sent
them to Mardin (but it took place in Jerusalem) to ordain as bishops
and Vattasseril thirumeni was already chosen as designate-Malankara
Methrapolitha .

And thirdly, your accusation is that money makes a person to become
bishop in Jacobite Church and HB Thomas I is the culprit. I don`t want
to compare to the Catholic church as almost the same way they chose
bishops, does money play in Catholic Church? But I want to tell you
that HB Thomas I does not need any money as of now by selling
Bishophood to various aspirants. Why I am telling this, yes at one
stage HB (HG) desperately needed money particularly during 1970s, 80s,
and early 90s, because at that time he was just a diocesan bishop, but
was in the fore-front to protect the relationship of
Antiochia-Malankara and HG had to visit almost all churches from
Malabar to Trivandrum. So he wanted money and many influential
families (courtesy to Gregory S. Thomas) supported HG in his struggle,
so naturally HB has some kind of obligation to these families and
sometimes these relationship may influence in decision-making process,
but that does not mean that these families decide who should or should
not become a bishop. But now HB does not need single penny personally,
and I can tell you one example why is it. You may have read the news
of Kolenchery church incident (I belong to Kolenchery area, but not a
member of St. Peters Church) and mediation talks between both churches
and the government. Actually when the schism originated in the early
1970s the influential people around Kolenchery like late Perumpilly
Chakkopilla and Pailipilla, KP Paulose of Nechupadam(late ),
Chakkutty(C V Jacob of Synthite) Cheriya Pathrose, Kodiampara  (late),
Chennakkadan Kuriakose (who was with Jacobite but supported Dr. Thomas
Mar Athanasious in his `unity`) who were also the topmost government
contractors at that time, were virtually ruling the Kolenchery church
and also members of the united Malankara Sbha managing Committee. But
they decided to continue with the Orthodox faction when the schism
occurred, and the jacobites faithful of Kolenchery church were poor
and many of them were actually the dependents of these wealthy people
either by taking sub-contract works under them, or own small business
shops in their buildings. But today power relationship is changed and
the Jacobite people in Kolenchery are well off and in the mediation
talk the Orthodox leadership offered Rs. 2 crores and 60-70 cents
(again another crore) to Jacobites to construct new church but wants
to surrender their right in the current church. But the Jacobite
people of Kolenchery gave a counter offer of 5 crores to Orthodox
church to give away the right of Orthodox people. That means a single
church can offer double the amount Orthodox church offered and which
is a huge amount of 5 crore. Now you can understand the economic
position of Jacobite church, so it is a cheap argument that HB Thomas
receives money for appointing bishop in Jacobite church. And you are
from Kuwait, so you know how wealthy are the Kuwait Church,  Sharjah
Church and Abudabi Church.


And finally we got one golden opportunity in 1995 after the SC verdict
for a unity and both churches appointed a mediation committee, HG
Paulose Mor Gregorious was from Orthodox side and Current HB was from
Jacobite side, but it failed. I heard blame game from both sides as
one didn’t want to accept the other`s rightful choice, and I don`t
know the details about the mediation talk.  But one thing I gathered
from the readings of the memoir of two people; late K M Mathew of
Manorama and Kandanad East Bishop Dr. Thomas Mor Athanasious. The
crucial point was  about giving Catholicateship to the Jacobites.
Jacobite side demanded HG Thomas should be given Catholicateship after
your current Valiya Bawa (at that time HH was Catholicose designate),
but was shot down, because of various reasons. And then Catholica HH
Mathews II said Catholicateship is an elected post so one person can`t
offer to another person. Fine, but that was not the first time such
type of discussion took place, earlier also a Jacobite bishop became
Catholicose of the East. Ougen Mor Themothios was a Jacobite bishop,
but he switched over to the Orthodox side and then became Catholicose
Basselious Ougen in a unified church. If two people or sections come
in a peace-deal then there must be some give-and-take formula
otherwise the merger will not produce the desired result. Today both
sides do not want to reduce their stand so I think history is
repeating as it was the same situation during 17th   and 18th
centuries between Catholics and unified Malankara sabha, then with the
Marthomites and now between us, so I hope after some time it will be
resolved in a peaceful way either through a merger of two churches or
through a separation between the two, but I prefer seperation.

Joshy Paul
#1040
New Delhi/Tokyo

"While He thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them" (Lk. 9:34).
That is the overshadowing of the Divine Spirit, which is not dark with the
emotions of men, but unveils secrets. This is also disclosed in another place
when an Angel says, "And the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee." (Lk.
1:35). The effect of this is shown when the voice of God is heard, saying, "This
is My Beloved Son: hear Him" (Luke 9:35).

St. Ambrose of Milan.

"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

READ: 1 Corinthians 11:23-34

When [Jesus] had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My
body which is broken for you.” —1 Corinthians 11:24
 
When a US Navy vessel arrives or departs from the military bases in Pearl
Harbor, the crew of that ship lines up in dress uniform. They stand at attention
at arm’s length on the outer edges of the deck, in salute to the soldiers,
sailors, and civilians who died on December 7, 1941. It is a stirring sight, and
participants often list it among the most memorable moments of their military
career.
Even for spectators on shore, the salute triggers an incredible emotional
connection, but especially between the servants of today and the servants of
yesterday. It grants nobility to the work of today’s sailor, while giving
dignity to the sacrifice of those from the past.
When Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper (Matt. 26:26-29), it was surely with
an eye toward creating this same kind of emotional bond. Our participation in
the Lord’s Table honors His sacrifice while also granting us a connection to
Him unlike any other act of remembrance
Just as the Navy carefully prescribes the way it salutes the fallen, so too
Scripture teaches us how to remember Jesus’ sacrifice (1 Cor. 11:26-28). These
acts of reverence and thanksgiving serve to honor past action while giving
purpose to present service. —Randy Kilgore
Action Suggestion:
Read with fresh eyes the detailed instructions Scripture
offers for the Lord’s Supper in 1 Corinthians 11, and
experience anew its power in your spiritual journey.
The Lord’s Supper— Christ’s memorial that He left for us.

News
09 Dec'11
Rev. Fr. Habib Önder, a senior priest of the Holy Syriac Orthodox Church in
Germany was honoured by the German government for his outstanding charity works
since 1989 and also for his dedicated work among the sister churches, within the
syriac as well as non syriac community. This is one of the highest hounour of
the country.The medal (a golden cross) and the certificate signed by the Federal
President of Germany, Mr. Christian Wulff, was presented to the Qashisho Habib
Önder, among others, on December 5, 2011 by the Minister of state of Baden-

Württemberg, Winfried Kretschmann in the palace of Suttgart.
Mor Julius Dr. Hanna Aydin, the head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Germany
attended the ceremony as a special invite. Many dignified persons including the
Turkish consul were present during the occasion. During the speech the
honourable Minister Winfried Kretschmann spoke very long about the life of
Qashisho Habib Önder, about his hard work for church and humanity - since 1989.
After the laudatory speech the bishop and Turkish consul also applauded the
great work of Qashisho Habib.

This award is being bestowed on a Syriac Orthodox priest for the first time and
is considered as a great honour for the Syriac Church in whole Europe itself.

To view photos, please visit
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.187716064655162.43738.159423580817744&t\
ype=1

News
09 Dec’11
His Eminence Thomas Mor Thimothious and priests of Kottayam Diocese & Parish
council members visits “Mullaperiyar Samarapandal" at Chappathu today and signed
Mullaperiyar isuue-mass petition to Prime MIinister, President.
To view photos
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.187677087992393.43732.159423580817744&t\
ype=3

Dear Moderator,
 
Kuwait St. George Universal Syrian Orthodox Reesh Church - First Anniversary of
the Elevation of Reesh Church (Major Church) celebrated.
 
The 1st Anniversary of the elevation of St. George Universal Syrian Orthodox
Reesh Church (Valiyapally) as Reesh Church (Major Church) has been celebrated
along with Holy Qurbana on Friday, December 9, 2011 at the National Evangelical
Church of Kuwait (NECK), Kuwait City.  Former Patriarchal Vicar for Kuwait, and
the Metropolitan of the Kollam Diocese, H.G. Mathews Mor Theodocius was the
Chief Celebrant. Parish Vicar Rev. Fr. Sajan T. John also spoke on this
occasion.
 
St. George Universal Syrian Orthodox Reesh Church was elevated as Reesh Church
(Valiya Pally) on December 3, 2010 by the Patriarch of Antioch, H.H. Ignatius
Zakka Ist Iwas during the tenure of H.G. Mathews Mor Theodocius as the
Patriarchal Vicar of Kuwait.  St. George Reesh Church is one of the biggest
parishes of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church in the Middle East
with more than 2000 individual members.
 
Johnson Varghese
Member ID 924

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READ: 1 Corinthians 13:8-12

Now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but
then I shall know just as I also am known. —1 Corinthians 13:12
 
In The Weight of Glory, C. S. Lewis tells the story of a woman who gave birth to
a son while confined as a prisoner in a dungeon. Since the boy had never seen
the outside world, his mother tried to describe it by making pencil drawings.
Later when he and his mother were released from prison, the simple pencil
sketches were replaced by the actual images of our beautiful world.
In a similar way, the inspired picture the Bible gives us of heaven will someday
be replaced by joyful, direct experience. Paul understood that our perception of
heaven is limited until one day in the future when we will be in Christ’s
presence. “Now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in
part, but then I shall know just as I also am known” (1 Cor. 13:12). Yet
Paul’s confidence in future glory gave him strength in the midst of trial:
“I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be
compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18).
Our current idea of the glories of heaven is only a simple sketch. But we can be
completely confident in Jesus’ claim that He has gone to prepare a place for
us (John 14:1-3). The best is yet to come! —Dennis Fisher
Sometimes I grow homesick for heaven
And the glories I there shall behold;
What a joy that will be when my Savior I see
In that beautiful city of gold! —Anon.
Now we see Jesus in the Bible, but one day we’ll see Him face to face.

ST.MARY’S JACOBITE SYRIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH court order against the IO Church
priests of the Thrissur diocese

The brief history of the parish and the problems faced, in a nutshell are as
follows.
.
The Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Christians of Coimbatore formed a fellowship among
themselves in the year 1982 and found a place of worship in a rented premises at
Ukkadam, and christened it in the name of St.Mary’s Jacobite Syrian Orthodox
church. Later this fellowship was strengthened in to an association in the name
and style of “THE JACOBITE SYRIAN CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION’ which remains as, an
unregistered association till date, ,by virtue of Sec. 5 of the T. N. Societies
Registration Act.This Act provides for Optional Registration.

Now there are about 152 members in the Association. Regular elections are held,
for the selection of office bearers, every year, for all the posts other than
the President. The post of President is earmarked for the vicar of the Church
appointed by the Diocesan Metropolitan of the parish. The society purchased 15.5
cents of land in Kannappa Nagar, in the 1989.The church was built on this land
in 1992 .Another adjacent plot of 4 cents in Kannappa Nagar and declaratory
rights over 64 cents of Corporation Burial Ground in Puliakulam, also exists for
the Society. The entire assets of the Church and the Association vests with the
Elected managing Committee of our Association. Right from 1982, while the
spiritual affairs of the church was conducted in the name and style of ‘St
Mary’s Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, the temporal matters were conducted
under the name and style of ‘The Jacobite Syrian Christian Association”,
Coimbatore

Mr. P.I.Varghese, who is at present, the Secretary rival Association (formed in
May, 2009), is none other than the person, who was reluctantlyelected as
Trustee, for the year 2008-2009, at the suggestion of the then Metropolitan.
Mr.Varghese had already earned the ill will of the entire committee and the
majority of the Parishioners, when he officiated as Trustee, the previous year
because of his authoritarian attitude and false belief that the TRUSTEE wields
veto power even in spiritual matters.

The Annual General Body meeting of 22.3.2009, with the main agenda of electing
the new officebearers for the coming year 2009-2010, was sabotaged. During, the
course of the meeting,some people circulated copies of an anonymous letter, ,
among the members .These letters contained fictitious charges of character
assassination on all probable candidates, likely to be elected. When confronted,
the person circulating the letters, revealed that the letters were given to him,
with instructions to circulate by Mr. Reji Abraham, s/o Mr,N.K. Abraham. The
General Body,let Mr Reji off, with a warning not to repeat any such activities.
The meeting was then adjourned. The matter was reported to Bava Thirumeni.
Thereafter, H.B issued a Bull directing that the meeting should be conducted
on29.3.2009, with “election of new office bearers for 2009-2010” as the only
point on the agenda.

The meeting was held on 29.3.2009 and office bearers were elected. This was
subsequently approved by HB. Some of the members of our Association, including
Mr. P.I.Varghese, who were defeated in the election FOR 2009-2010 held on
29.3.2009, got frustrated, conspired to wreak vengeance against the current
office bearers .They began to create disharmony among the Jacobite Syrian
Christians in Coimbatore. They fraudulently chose the name of our association as
their name and registered the same. This, they did by presenting a memorandum,
by showing our place as their Registered Office address, under the Societies
Registration Act. It is not known whether they did this by eceit or collusion.
It is to be noted that the Office bearers of this registered society registered
under No.166/2009 have neither title nor possession of the place shown as their
registered address. BESIDES, THE REGISTRATION HAS BEEN DONE WITHOUT THE
KNOWLEDGE OR APPROVAL OFTHE GENERAL BODY OF THE CHURCH OR WITH APPROVAL OF THE
SABHA.

The fraudulent registration by the Rebel Breakaway Group of 7, with different
objectives from the Parent Association has already created disharmony, hatred
and ill feeling among the Jacobite Syrian Christians in Coimbatore

The main intention of the Breakaway Group is to grab the assets and declaratory
rights of our association. They forcefully erect their name boards in the church
and cemetery premises in order to grab the properties of the church. This
naturally resulted in police complaint and civil proceedings to lawfully
establish our rights. Eventually an ad interim injunction was granted by the Hon
Dist. Munsiff, Coimbatore prohibiting the Rebel Association members and office
bearers in anyway interfering with our right of peaceful enjoyment of our
property

On 19.7.2009, when the General Body meeting was in progress, Mr. P.I.Varghese
and Mr.Reji Abraham tried to create problems in the Church. They again tried to
create problems on the 8th of August.The entire Managing Committee went to
Puthencruz, humbly requested HB to deal with the situation. After that the
managing committee decided to deal with the situation in a legal manner.

H.B. Baselios Thomas I, the Catholicose and our Doicesan Bishop, on the basis of
the report submitted by the Inquiry commission sent by H.B., and on the report
of the Asst. Metropolitan, who inaugurated the ceremonial commencement of the
renovation work on 6th Jan, 2010, has issued a Bull, containing stern warning to
the devotees not to have any connection with the Group of seven .This has proved
to be a great morale booster for the suffering members, who have been enduring
pain and insult for over an year.

It is in these circumstances, when the rebel group had no choice but to
surrender, that our newly appointed Asst. Metropolitan H.G.Isaac Mor Osthatheos
took charge and visited the church. We are grateful to H.G for having visited
the church thrice in this short period of 5 months.

  The struggle for justice continued. During this period the Head of the Rebel
association died. They bought the priests under the excommunicated “Militious”
Youhannan (John Murimakil)(who was excommunicated from the Holy church for anti
Sabha activities) for the funeral ceremonies .They barged into the property of
the Holy Church , the Jacobite Syrian cemetery at Puliakulam, Coimbatore
performed the acts accordingly . The priests who performed this illegal act are
Malankara “Orthodox” (excommunicated Vattaserian faction) priests of the
Thrissur diocese namely Fr Mathai Thozhuthungal, Fr Kuriachen Thozhuthungal, Fr
Biju, Fr Joy Pulikottil, Fr Reji Mankuzha, Fr Sunny Pulikakudiyil, Fr Baby Paul
Poonkunnel, Fr Johnson Edinjukuzhiyil, Fr Reji Kizhanghottil, Fr Shajan Paul
Kanzhiramparayil.The rebels has purposely invited the accused Priests from
Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. The priest of the I”O” faction has also
attended the burial ground of the Jacobite Syrian Community for performing the
burial rites to wreak vengeance for insulting and injuring the religious
feelings and sentiments of the Jacobite Syrian church members. The rebels and
the priests has already made a criminal conspiracy to create disharmony and
enmity among these two groups and in this process to insult and injure the
religious feelings and sentiments of the Jacobite Syrian Community.

Case were filed against the rebels and the priest of the I”O” faction for
trespassing and illegally conducting the cerenonies in a Jacobite Syrian Church
cemetery , even when they had an “Orthodox “ cemetery nearby. They even went to
the extent of coming from the Thrissur for this purpose. This shows that the
incident did not happen by chance but was planned and executed to create
problems in the Holy Church. The cheap tactics of Methran kakshis continue .
Kolencherry, Puthenkurisu, Kothamangalam, Mamalasherry and now outside Kerala in
Coimbatore. They still claim to be the the great “Orthodox “ Church . The said
priests has been asked by the court to appear before the Court on 30th January .

SOCM News reporter - Coimbatore

News
11 Dec'11
Holy Father Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas decorated Chevalier K.J Daniel as
Commander today (11 December, 2011) at Ma`arat Sayyidnaya, Damascus. Mor
Pheloxinos Mathias Nayis Metropolitan and Raban Mathews Karimpanackal attended
the function. Commander Daniel belongs to St. George Shalem Church Mezhuceli and
memebr of St James Church Doha.