"God is Spirit, invisible, immortal, inaccessible,
incomprehensible. Those who are born of Him He makes
to be such as Himself, like the Father who has begotten
them. They may be touched and seen in body only, in
other respects they are known to God alone and know
only Him; or, rather, they wish to be known to God
alone and constantly strive to look to Him and are
anxious to be seen by Him. To express it differently,
just as the illiterate cannot read books like those
who are literate, neither can those who have refused
to go through the commandments of Christ by practicing
them be granted the revelation of the Holy Spirit like
those who have brooded over them and fulfilled them
and shed their blood for them."

St. Symeon the New Theologian.
------------------------------------------------------
"Hear a just cause, O Lord, Attend to my cry; Give ear
to my prayer which is not from deceitful lips." Psalm 17:1

God makes his face shine upon HIS BELOVED CHILDREN

Dear Parents and Children (especially those who appear
for final exams)

"The Lord bless you and keep you , the Lord make his
face shine upon you and be gracious to you, the Lord
turn His face toward you and give you peace"
(Numbers 6:24-27).

"Jesus took the children in His hands, put His hands
on them and blessed them" (Mark 10:16). God loves
children and HE wants to bless them always. Daily we
have to bring them to Jesus for receiving blessing.

This article is issued to encourage parents and
children to trust in the faithfulness of Lord for
His beloved children. Remember children belong to
Jesus/church. Jesus has great plans and purposes
of your children. Main duty of parents is to train
the child in the way of God.  Spiritual growth of
your children is the most important thing of all.
Other things are fine in their places, but seek
first to be a good Christian. Bring up the children
to know God. God wants children to be strong, mature,
dedicated Christians and good law abiding citizens.

Since God has promised to bless you, never curse
yourself under any circumstance. Children shall never
say ‘if I don’t get ran I will die myself’. Parents
shall never say ‘if my child doesn’t get rank I will
kill him/her’. Also don’t listen to Satan’s whisper
(horoscope and astrology).

Control tongues from evil talks. Children might have
received a curse from the previous 4th generation
(total of 16 people both parents). Or the children
might have cursed parents or grant parents. This is an
invisible obstacle for the blessing of children,
according to Bible. Parents and children should repent,
and ask God with tears for delivering them from the
power of curses, if any.

When children write exams, parents and church need pray
earnestly so that children will receive the right answers
from God. Otherwise Satan could distract the child in
the exam hall and he / she will not write the correct
answers. (eg. Exam fever is a distraction many children
experience during exam period).

Suggestions for ‘time management’ during examination days

(1) Before starting study, read Bible and pray together
(family prayer).
(2) Continually ask God for knowledge and judgment
(Ps 119: 66)
(3) Take awareness of how long daily routines take
(4) Be decisive
(5) Keep asking "what is the best use of my time now".
(6) Don’t spend too much time for watching TV or reading
news papers.
(7) A protein – rich breakfast will energize brain. A
large carbohydrate rich lunch will put you to sleep.
(8) Take a short break after studying 1 hour.
(9) When you receive question papers in the exam hall,
pray for 1-2 minutes to get guidance from God
(10) At the end of exams thank God for the help received
during exam.

May God bless the children with good grades in the
final exams.

Philip Oommen, TVPM
M/o   St.Kuriakose Orthodox Church
       Puramattom

I had  posted this some time back and got
no reply.  Hopefully some one give a comment
on it.

Question is about  Exodus  3:14
What is the personal name of our God.

The catholic (New  America Bible ) uses
"I AM WHO  I AM" . But later uses  'I AM '
sent me to you.

- this verse  makes me thing that  our LORD's
name is  I AM. And they have foot note like this

" apprently this utterance is the source of the
word Yahweh the proper personal name of the  God
of Israel."

- I am confused here. Did the LORD say  'YAHWEH'?
-  I understand the  LORD is a usage substituted
for the name 'YAHWEH'

all english translations use 'I  AM'
http://www.biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?passage=Exodus+++3%3A14-
15&NIV_version=yes&NASB_version=yes&MSG_version=yes&_version=yes&NL
T_version=yes&KJV_version=yes&NLV_version=yes&ESV_version=yes&CEV_vers
ion=yes&NKJV_version=yes&KJ21_version=yes&ASV_version=yes&WE_version=y
es&YLT_version=yes&DARBY_version=yes&WYC_version=yes&NIV-
UK_version=yes&language=english&x=20&y=8

But George Lamasa's  English  Translation of  Peshitta
Bible as well as the Malayalam translation of the
Peshitta Bible use the tem 'AHIAH ASHAR HIGH'

"And God said to Moses, I am AHIAH ASHAR HIGH
( that is THE LIVING GOD); and he said, thus
you shall say to the children of Israel AHIAH
has sent me to you" ( LAMASA's  translation '

Note here the name of God is AHIAH ASHAR HIGH .

Which is the  Correct usage??  why such a change to
the personal name of our  LORD??

Any comments will be helpful.

regards

Paul Reji
St. Ignatious Church
Dallas

Dear Alex jojo,

Please do visit the Syriac Orthodox Resources -
http://sor.cua.edu . This is certainly a well organized and
disciplined web site.

Your suggestion to have a web site for our seminary is good
and is also a necessity. Earlier there was one for the seminary,
but it discontinued later.  They have to create a much better
one next time.

Recently I have read in newspapers that the Holy Synod had
authorized Mor Theophilos (Seminary Metropolitan) to head an
IT wing in the Church. Hope it will materilize soon.

Koshy George, Baroda
Home Parish: Thumpamon Vallyapally

One question I have always pondered over is about
good Hindus and good Muslims. What happens to them
at the day of judgment ? Will they be condemned
because they did not accept Jesus Christ as savior,
even though they lived a very pious and morally
correct life?

I am sure some of my  Orthodox Christian brethren who
are members of this forum also have thought about that
at some point in time. I recently read an interview
with the Eastern Orthodox Archbishop Anastasios of
Tirana and All Albania where the same question was
posed to him. I found his answer very interesting and
wanted to share it with the rest of you. Below is the
question, and the answer of the Archbishop.

Question:

Those who have never encountered Christ, and may piously
observe the rules of their own particular faith (for
example, good Muslims), will they be saved?

Answer:

You know that the understanding of the other faiths
is an extremely important theological question: Is God
present in them? I do not think that we can answer this
question very quickly. Today we face two major
theological problems. The first is ecclesiological, it
is the complex problem of how we see the other churches.
And the second is the understanding of the other
religions. Of course we accept that God has providence
and interest for the whole world. We do not know clearly
how this presence manifests itself. We know clearly what
is the sure way for salvation to follow. As far as others
are concerned, we have the responsibility to pray and to
give them our witness, but we cannot take from Him the
last judgment and say now just how He would judge others.
And we must be a little more humble than some of our
brothers who know everything about God, [and] behave
like spokesmen of God: 'God will act like this or that.'
Let us accept that we do not know the whole mystery of
God, and we do not know about His infinite love. We must
develop an understanding of other religions from an
Orthodox point of view. We need to see this in the
Trinitarian perspective and not only Christological. In
some protestant circles it happens that they see this
in Christological terms only. But in the Orthodox Church
we consider that God's covenant has always extended to
other peoples, to the whole creation. We also understand
that the Spirit works in a freedom that we do not know.

You can read the full interview from the link below:

http://orthodoxytoday.org/articles/AnastasiosMission.shtml

In Christ
Mathew G M
St.Johns Church, Ayyampalli

GREAT LENT PRAYER BOOK : ENGLISH

Even-though this year our Great Lent is started,
it is not late to get the prayer book and start
to do the prayers for the Lent. Still I am getting
demands for this book and each and every day I am
mailing this book to all over the world.

Please contact me and get your prayer book immediately.
This book is free at your destination.
Please contact at :
P.P. Joykutty,
2686 Athena Dr.,
Troy, Michigan-48083-2468,
USA

Phone: 248-740-4923
e-mail: anujanmon@... (anujanmon @ sc.com)

Please let me get your mailing address so that I can
mail you the book by next mail from here. Soon, I
used to get your e-mail, you shall get a response
from me.

May God Bless You,
With Prayers and Love
Joykutty, Detroit

Dear members

In view of the forum poll result, we created a database for our
members (Optional) in our database section. You may visit the
section and fill the following informations at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SOCM-FORUM/database
If you have any problem in accessing or filling the form, please
send your details to SOCM-FORUM-owner@yahoogroups.com

Present Residence / Parish
Home District in Kerala
Home City in Kerala
Family Name
Nick Name
Full Name
Home Parish
Sex
Year of Birth
Email Address

Once again, we inform you that it is your option, you may fill
partially or fully.

In Our Lords Love
Forum Owner / Moderators

Dear members
We have created a database section in our forum. We would like to update our
list of parishes. We request our members to go to the data
section and update your parish informations or send details to SOCM-
FORUM-owner@yahoogroups.com. From the existing data base if you find
any error please write to SOCM-FORUM-owner@yahoogroups.com

In our Lords Love
Forum Moderators.

Dear Mr Joykutty,

Thank You for the 'Lent Prayer Book' you so kindly
and promptly send to me. I intent to make good use
of it.

May the good Lord Bless and Guide you in your mission.

In Christ,
Ann
Sunnyvale,
TX 75182

"Do not grieve or complain that you were born in
a time when you can no longer see God in the flesh.
He did not in fact take this privilege from you.
As he says, 'Whatever you have done to the least
of my brothers, you did to me'"

St. Augustine of Hippo.
---------------------------------------------------
"All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and
the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out."
John 6:37

Hi,

This is T. Thomas who is currently residing at
Detroit, Michigan. The article (Subject: Holy
Qurbana and our Priests)written by
Chev. Dr. Mathews Abraham of St.John, the Baptist
Attamangalam Church, Kumarakom in the [SOCM-FORUM]
Digest Number 828 is very much thought provoking.

Glad to note that he is a member of my home parish
Church at Kumarakom and I would like to know more
about him. Could you please mail me his E Mail id
so that I can get in touch with him.

Thanks,
T.Thomas, Detroit, Michigan
EMail id: tomthomas2000 @hotmail.com
St.John, the Baptist Attamangalam Jacobite Syrian Church
Kumarakom

Dear Dr. Mathew Abraham,

Congratulations!! You are 100% correct about the priests
who take it as a "Profession" only!! There are rare
exceptions also.  I know why the "professional" priests
vying for a post in Gulf. We had some bad experiences
in this regard as well. You have put the matter in the
most sensible manner and pointed out the weakness of
our "Sabha". I don't know whether our "heirarchy" will
approve it!!!  It is a delicate issue for them!!!

Thomas Abraham
St. Peter's J.S.O. Church - Bahrain.

Dear Respected and friends,

The bold, authoritative and explisit posting of Chev.
Dr Mathew was indeed thought provoking. several points
he mentioned were really to be considered very soon.
after reading it my heart was so much burdened. i
thought and thought during meditation why it is freely
being practiced in our holy church. several thought
came to mind; however i am trying to share some of
them.

1. Holy Querbono is the only sacrement our Lord
instituted in the church and was ordered to conduct
till His second comming. it is a blessings,
peace,sacrifice and praise. our participation in true
meditation with our Lord which make this holy
sacrifice a true praise to the Lord thereby to flow
His bountiful blessings and heavenly peace to the
world. otherwise what i feel that it becomes a
decorated play acted by achan and few alterboys.

The duplicate querbana and action play will increase
in the church because satan wants to see the holy
scarifice to be vanished from the earth.

2. i am so sorry to talk about the clergy because any
sin against Holy Spirit may not be pardoned. we must
review the salection practice followed for clergy in
our church. we must allow Holy Spirit to show His
ordainees. if the current selection pratice was
strictly followed in the church the most esteemed bava
the hope of the church HB Thomas I the catholicose may
not have raised to this position.

3. we teach our children christian relegion and syrian
church history. we also teach them the life of church
fathers but we fail to show them the life founded on
our faith and how to converse with our Lord. 'be still
and find I am the God' are we teaching our children to
meditate so that they may participate in holy querbono
with real meditaion.

4. when we stop the diversion of our tithe for winning
over our own brothers the fortune Our Lord gifts us
with the strong intercession of our saints could be
truelly utilised to help the clery so that none of
them will have to run behind extra income to support
their family. there are so many ways to do it. if
there is a will there is a way.

i am here not to criticize any one when i am so poor.
but once when i attended holy querbana in one of the
gulf churches i was bodily pushed down by a self
volunteer. i lost my balance because it was the time
in the querbana holy spirit was flying down to over
the holy mysteries and every one was asked to remain
with fear and respect and pray.

the crux of the problem i think is we never feel in
our mind and body the presence of holy spirit
therefore we may get bored with liturgy.

with prayers

Dr.GeorgeK John
St Peter & St Paul Jacobite Church, Pengamuck
St Thomas Orthodox Church , Dubai

Congratulations to the most benevolent Leaders and all
the Spiritual Children of our Holy Church all over the
world on this glorious occasion of entering the 2nd week
of another Great Lent.

May the Grace and Love of our Lord Jesus Christ lead and
guide us to come through this Lent experiencing HIS Mercy
and Love. We will all reach the penultimate festival of
Holy Resurrection with full of His Glory and more of our
personal sanctity.

Dear Jacobite brothers from all over the world !!  Are you
interested to know What's On..  @  Kuwait St:George
Universal Syrian Orthodox Church ?

Friday 20/2/2004  Holy Mass 5.30 AM to 8 AM at National
Evangelical Church-Kuwait City. Patriarchal Day Celebration
and  Memorial service of late lamented HG Ghevarghese Mor
Gregorious of Perumpillil during the Holy Mass

Every Friday Holy Mass 5.30 AM to 8 AM at National Evangelical
Church-Kuwait City

Monday 23/2/2004 - Subkhono Services  7 PM to 9 PM at
St:Mark Coptic Orthodox Church Kuwait City.

Every Monday there is Holy Mass at St:Mark Coptic Orthodox Church.

Friday 27/2/2004 Holy Mass 5.30 AM to 8 AM at
National Evangelical Church-Kuwait City

27.2.2004 Sunday School - Parents Teachers Meeting -
8.30 AM to 9.30 AM NECK Activity Hall

27..2.2004 Sunday School Baalasamajam Meeting -
8.15 AM to 9.30 AM NECK Hall No.5

Area Prayer meetings: on all Friday evenings 7  PM to 8 30 PM

05.3.2004 Sharq Area at the residence of Mr Tomy Chacko
12.3.2004 Salmiya Area at the residence of Mr Shajan Varghese
19.3.2004 Fahaheel Area at the residence of Mr Rajan K. Kurian
26.3.2004 Abbassiya Area at the residence of Mr T.O.Paily (Paulachan)
(6 PM to 7 30PM)

Wednesday Prayer Meeting at the Parsonage - Every Wednesday from
7.30 PM to 9 PM and last Wednesday of every month there is Night
Vigil from 8.30 PM to 11.30 PM. We use this solemn occasion to
Praise the Lord, we intercessory prayers for the sick, job-less,
families suffering from their alcoholic and addicts, our Church,
its leaders and all Evangelists, World peace, peace in Middle East
etc ...  We thank God the Almighty who answers our tears.

Great Lend Sandhyaa Praarthana - 8 PM to 9 PM everyday  (except
Monday, Wednesday & Thursday) at the residence of parishners in
various areas of Kuwait, who wish to conduct the same at their's.
All most all of them serve supper kanjji.

09.3.2004 - Dukharono of the 40 Martyrs of Sebaste.

17.3.2004 Wednesday - Paathi Nombu - services will be held at
NEC Kuwait along with regular service on 19.3.2004

9th Dukharono of Mor Kurilose Kuriakose 21.3.2004 - will be
celebrated on Monday 22nd March at St: Mark Coptic Church, Kuwait

22.3.2004  Dukharono of Mor Yulius Geevargis of Pampakuda

25.3.2004 Suoborro - Annunciation - Vachanippu Perunnal
7 30 to 9 PM Holy Qurbono at the Parsonage Chappel

Choir Practice - 4 PM to 5 30 PM every Thursday at our parsonage
- specially arranged and conducted for our children who is poor
in Malayalam. All the Worship songs are either in Malayalam or
Syriac.

Mor Baseliose Youth Association - MBYA - conducts prayer meetings
at our parsonage on every 4th Friday of the month.

Vicar's House Visit - On completion of the term of appointment,
the services of our Vicar Rev. Fr. Jain Thomas Kulathumkal is
being transferred to his Home (Knanaya) Diocese. We thank God for
sending such a very nice and co-operative achan who lead us
bravely, faithfully, with his wonderful services and tearful
prayers throughout the time of turmoil, especially when all
the residents of Kuwait trembled for fear of the Gulf War 2003.
We also thank our Ammai (Kochamma) Mrs. Asha Jain, who provided
the best support for Achan, was very active member of the Sunday
School staff and a prime conductor of JSVBS 2003.  Their transfer
is a great loss for this Parish. We wish them all success in their
work for our Lord in the years to come. With prior appointments,
Achan is visiting the homes of the parishners to bid fare-well.

Hope you get a fair idea about our church and it's members. We
once again thank our good Lord for giving us the freedom of
worship in this country.

Yours in HIS Services
Babu Maracheril
St: George Universal Syrian Orthodox Church Kuwait
Mortha Mariyam Valiya Pally Kothamangalam

"Man's nature adapts itself to the direction of
reason, and it is susceptible of whatever form it
is inclined to by the movement of free will. Under
the passion of anger, it becomes angry; when
overwhelmed by concupiscence, it is dissolved in
pleasure. And so whatever inclination there may be
towards cowardice or fear or any of the other
passions, our human nature similarly receives the
forms of each of them. Contrariwise, if it takes
unto itself the virtue of fortitude, purity, peace,
resistance to anger or grief, courage,
imperturbability, and the like, lulling itself into
a state of tranquility it impresses the form of each
of these virtues upon the structure of the soul."

St. Gregory of Nyssa.
-----------------------------------------------------
"God is our refuge and strength, A very present help
in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though
the earth be removed, And though the mountains be
carried into the midst of the sea." Psalm 46:1,2

Full Name: DR. JOSE D.KAIPPALLIL
            Lecturer,St.Berchmans College
            Changanacherry,Kottayam,Kerala,India
Country of Residence: Pandalam,Kerala,India
Parish name : St.Thomas Jacobite Syrian Church,
               Manthalir,Thumpamon Diocese
Briefly state your interest in joining SOCM-Forum:
To share views with other members to same interest
----------------------------------------------------
Full Name: Sarah K
Country of Residence: Bangalore , India
Parish name: St Marys JSC Bangalore
Briefly state your interest in joining SOCM-Forum:-
Eager to learn abt the discussions regarding my religion
i guess that would do for the time being...
-------------------------------------------------------
Full Name: Thomas Mann George
Country of Residence: Chennai, India
Parish name: Marthmariam Church Kandanad
Briefly state your interest in joining SOCM-Forum:-
I am interested in messages and news of my church

Respected Achen,

Thanks for your writeup on Patriarchal day.But i
disagree with you on the usage of the term "factions"
in your posting. True there was two factions in the
malankara church for almost a century. But after 2002,
the two "factions" have died and in its place we have
two "Churches" which have taken two different routes.
And save from a miracle from God almighty, its going
to be like that only.

So,to my belief, the usage of the term "factions"
even now will give wrong signals.

And to my knowledge, respected achen have been
selected as a Bishop candiadte for the "Jacobite
Syrian Christian Church" and not for Patriarcal/
Jacobite "factions".

Rgds

Baby Gleeson Zachariah
St George's Jacobite Syrian Church
Arakunnam

Dear JoyKutty:

I am very glad to hear the news about the Prayer Book for
the Lent. Keep up the good work! and I appreciated it, if
you could send me 3 copies of that Prayer Book.

I will send the cost by return mail if you let me know how
much the price and shipping cost.

May God Bless you! Thank you

My address is:
Fr. David Cheruthottil
16 Hillside Ave.
Mine Hill, NJ, 07803
Phone # (973)328-7079

Dear moderators,

Since a few months I was thinking of warning
you about postings of protestant ideologies in
our forum from a few members. From postings of
last a few months postings, it is clear that
they are waiting for a chance to jump against
our faith, traditions and beliefs whenever they
get a chance. So beware of this kind of people.
We should be more careful about this kind of
people who try to invade in to our faith. People
like Mr.Philip should understand the doctrines
of our forefathaers.  We try to understand God
with our limited knowledge but with that how can
we understand the almighty who controls the whole
universe.

Mr.Philip will say signing the cross is also wrong.
But I believe it is a honor to kiss this sleeba
which my lord used as an instrument to save the
world. This is what my forefathers taught me. Even
though it is wrong according to you, but I believe
that my compassionate merciful lord will not punish
me or prevent me from entering his kingdom.

Sabu Abraham
St.George Orthodox church
Abudhabi

Glory to God

Dear Deepu,

This has reference to to your e-mail, regarding
Church. There are many sentences in Bible that God
lives in you, God is love, God is light, God lives
in, on, up, down, below, over and like many. So it
is not necessary to have  a gathering of two or three
in His name, for God's presence.

Please understand, you are not alone,though you are
not seeing, God is with you, His angels are with you
on left and right, so when you  or I  or anybody prays
we are not alone.

We together prays, so God is with us. As regards
"Biblical Churches", Our church believes in Bible and
also traditions, in Bible also our Bible having some
different books as compared protestant churches, In
Bible also there are differences in translations, There
are even some omissions of whole sentence in English
and Malayalam. So when somebody explains about the
"Biblical", "Biblical", you can say that our church
in India establised in 52 AD by St.Thomas, at that
time there were no Bibles of present state, without
Bible our forefathers in their faith established our
churches. That does'nt mean that we are rejecting
Bible.  We are beliving in Bible also, alongwith the
traditions and teachings of our forefathers.

Pray for all ever & ever with love

Raju Baby Thaluvachira
Mar Greegorious Orthodox Syrian Church
Mehsana.

On Fasting

Do you fast? Give me proof of it by your works.
If you see a poor man, take pity on him.
If you see a friend being honored, do not envy him.
Do not let only your mouth fast, but also the eye and
the ear and the feet and the hands and all the members
of our bodies.
Let the hands fast, by being free of avarice.
Let the feet fast, by ceasing to run after sin.
Let the eyes fast, by disciplining them not to glare
at that which is sinful.
Let the ear fast, by not listening to evil talk and
gossip.
Let the mouth fast from foul words and unjust criticism.
For what good is it if we abstain from birds and fishes,
but bite and devour our brothers?
May HE who came to the world to save sinners strengthen
us to complete the fast with humility, have mercy on us
and save us

St. John Chrysostom.
--------------------------------------------------------
"And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord; It shall rejoice
in His salvation." Psalm 35:9

The Vienna Parish Web-Site released

The St.Mary's Malankara Syrian Orthodox Congregation
Vienna is happy to announce the release of its website
http://www.stmarysvienna.org.

Dear members please have a look in it and benefit
yourselves. Please do not forget to send your valuable
suggstions as well.

Web masters please link it to your websites. We will
be happy to add you too in the links section of our
websites.

With Love and Prayers

Fr.Dr.Biji Chirathilattu , Vicar
St.Mary's Syrian Orthodox Congregation
Vienna

Sunthroneeso service of Archbishop Mor Titus Yeldho
Pathickal was held on February 28, 2004 at St. Mark's
Cathedral -Teaneck, NJ. Bishops and priests from Syriac
Orthodox church, Armenian Orthodox Church, Coptic Orthodox
church and Greek orthodox church were also participated
in the service along with hundreds of members of Malankara
Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church in North America.

Very Rev. Raban Yeldo Pathickal was consecrated as
Archbishop of the Malankara Archdiocese of the Syrian
Orthodox Church in North America by H.H. Patriarch Mor
Ignatius Zakka I Iwas at the Monastery of St. Aphrem the
Syrian, in Ma`rat Sayyidnaya, Damascus, Syria on 4 January
2004 and assumed the name 'Mor Tithos'.

LIST OF REPRESENTATIVES WHO PARTICIPATED FROM DIFFERENT
CHURCHES FOR THE SUNTHRONEESO:

His Eminence Mor Cyril Aphrem Karim, Archbishop of Syrian
Orthodox Church for the Eastern U.S.A.
His Grace Mor Gregorios Joseph, Representing the Holy
Regional Episcopal Synod of the Syrian Orthodox Church
in India.
His Grace Bishop DIMITRIOS of Xanthos- Greek Orthodox
Archdiocese of America.
Father Shnork Sauin, Representing H.E Khajag Barsamian
of Armenian Church
Very Rev. Meeron Aznikian & Archpriest Moushegh Der
Kaloutian—Representing H.E Oshagan Choloyan of Armenian
Apostolic Church of America
Father Jacob –Representing H.G Bishop David of Coptic
Orthodox Church
Father Michael Qreene – Representing Archbishop Aboona
Mathias of Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
Archpriest David Brum – Representing His Beatitude
Metropolitan Herman of All America and Canada of Orthodox
Church in America.
Very Rev. Elias Bitar & Very Rev. Joseph Allen –
Representing Metropolitan Philip of Antiochean Orthodox
Archdiocese.
Monseignor Robert L Stern – Representing Catholic Near
East Welfare Association.

To view the pictures & video clippings of the SUNTHRONISO
CEREMONY, please visit the following links.

Yahoo ID members
http://photos.groups.yahoo.com/group/SOCM-FORUM/lst  (Pictures)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SOCM-FORUM/files/SunthronisoTithus/
(Video Clippings)

Non Yahoo ID members & Yahoo ID members
http://groups.msn.com/SOCM-FORUM/sunthronisoofmortithos.msnw?albumlist=2

Acknowledgements:
We thank Mr. Biju Cherian, NJ and
Fr. Mathai Puthukunnathu, NY, for providing us the
pictures and movie clips of the occation.
Moderators, SOCM forum.

Lenten Meditation:  The One

To my beloved Syrian Orthodox brothers and sisters.
Greetings in the name of our Great God and Savior
Jesus Christ.

I've spent several hours in contemplation of such
notions, and because it has been beneficial to me,
I found it worthwhile to mention these ideas in brief.
If you my brethren, would permit me to share this
meditation, I'd be most honored.

God is one; not only is God one, but He is the One.
Such a concept of oneness is fascinating on so many
levels.  Likewise, when God's Meaning (Meltho – Logos)
became incarnate for all mankind, He was dubbed the
YiHidoyo.  In the English language we translate this
as "Only-Begotten," though in Syriac, its meaning is
much deeper.  YiHido has a meaning of "one."  Therefore,
one who is YiHidoyo is the person of one, or we might
say, unique.  Because Christ is the YiHidoyo of God,
we experience the perfection of God in His Messiah.
Our calling in Christianity is to become as Christ, to
undergo a process of transformation from what we are-—
imperfect beings, into what we should be-—perfect, as
our heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48)  We call
this process of transformation, YiHidoyoutho, wherein
we become YiHidoye like Christ, who is the perfect
YiHidoyo.

Many times people associate oneness with individuality,
and individuality with division.  This is true to a great
extent, as humanity often sees oneness as that thing
which identifies a person as distinct from others.
Yet, this is what the teachings of Christ serve to
counter.  Instead, we are to consider God, who is the
one who exists and the creator of our very existence.
We are taught that the greatest commandments are to
Love God and our neighbor (Luke 10:27), because outside
of our selflove, we find the opportunity to love in
the state of oneness with God.

Since sin is that thing which keeps us from being one
with God, is it not our duty to rid ourselves of such
a plague?

Consider oneness.  It expresses itself in many ways,
yet ultimately is one.  It is God who commanded the
Apostles to be one, as the Father and Son are one
(John 17:11).  God called the light Day, and the
darkness he called Night. And there was evening and
there was morning, one day (Genesis 1:5)  We cry out
during the Qurbana, "One Holy Father, One Holy Son,
One Holy Spirit," echoing the Oneness of the Trinity.
The great saints of the Christian faith again remind
us of the oneness of God's one divine incarnate nature.
If each of these examples, and there are many more,
are indeed many yet ultimately one, let us consider
the idea of "one."  Meditate on the very number.

Every number after ONE, is but a series of ones.  For
instance, two is one and one; three is one and one and
one, etc.  The alternative to one is zero: nothing.
Oneness therefore, shares a parallel with existence.
This is the same with God.  He is existence in its
purest form, creating all other things.  The alternative
to existence is non-existence: nothingness.  And because
the way of existence (and thus, the way of God) is love,
God's Messiah, who is nothing less than the incarnation
of Love's meaning, is the YiHidoyo – the One.  Let us
therefore take this Lent to observe oneness and take
part in YiHidoyoutho, making ourselves one with He who
is the one.

O Good One have pity and mercy on us.

Mike Wingert
St. Ephraim Syriac Orthodox Cathedral
Burbank, CA - USA

"You, oh Christ, are the Kingdom of Heaven; You, the land
promised to the gentle; You, the grazing lands of paradise;
You, the hall of the celestial banquet; You, the ineffable
marriage chamber; You, the table set for all, You, the bread
of life; You, the unheard of drink; You, both the urn for
the water and the life-giving water; You, moreover, the
inextinguishable lamp for each one of the saints; You, the
garment and the crown and the one who distributes the crowns;
You, the joy and rest; You, the delight and glory; You, the
gaiety and mirth; and Your grace, grace of the Spirit of all
sanctity, will shine like the sun in all the saints; and You,
inaccessible sun, will shine in their midst and all will shine
brightly, to the degree of their faith, their asceticism,
their hope and their love, their purification and their
illumination by Your Spirit."

St. Symeon the New Theologian.
-------------------------------------------------------------
"Praise the Lord, all you nations! Laud Him, all you peoples!
For His merciful kindness is great toward us, And the truth
of the Lord endures forever." Psalm 117:1,2

Hi All

Please read this report published in sunday shalom
news paper about Manjinikkara Perunnal.

http://www.shalomprayer.org/sunday/pothu.htm#2

Biju Kurian Mathews
St.Marys Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church - Muscat
St.Geroge Jacobite Church Puthuppally, Kottayam

Dear brother Mathew

I think the following verses from the Holy Bile are self
explanatory on this subject.

Ephesians 2:10
For WE are HIS workmanship, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS unto
good works, which God hath before ordained that we should
walk in them.

Colossians 1: 16
for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and
that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be
thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: ALL
THINGS WERE CREATED BY HIM, AND FOR HIM

Romans 2: 10-16

10. but glory, honor, and peace, to every man that worketh
good; to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
11. for there is NO RESPECT OF PERSONS WITH GOD.
12. For as many as HAVE SINNED WITHOUT LAW shall also PERISH
WITHOUT LAW; and as many as HAVE SINNED IN THE LAW shall be
JUDGED BY THE LAW;
13. for not the hearers of the law are just before God, but
the doers of the law shall be justified.
14. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by
nature the things contained in the law, these, having not
the law, are a law unto themselves:
15. which show the work of the law written in their hearts,
their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts
the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;
16. in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by
Jesus Christ according to my gospel

The Acts of the Apostles 1: 24-25
24. And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest
the hearts of all men, show whether of these two thou hast
chosen,
25. that he may take part of this ministry and apostleship,
from which Judas by transgression fell, THAT HE MIGHT GO TO
HIS OWN PLACE.

In His Love
Thomas Daniel (Reji)
St. George Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church
Cheppaud, Alleppy Dist, Kerala, India
http://groups.msn.com/StGeorgeSyrianOrthodoxChurchCheppaud

--- In SOCM-FORUM@yahoogroups.com, Mathew G M wrote:
> One question I have always pondered over is about
> good Hindus and good Muslims. What happens to them
> at the day of judgment ? Will they be condemned
> because they did not accept Jesus Christ as savior,
> even though they lived a very pious and morally
> correct life?

Dear SOCM-Forum Members,

The nationalist feeling in early church was also
prevalent till the Council of Jerusalem. Even Apostle
St. Peter was a victim of this dogma till then. Though
the Holy Spirit guide them to vigorous propagation of
the faith, the early believers’ of Christ in Jerusalem
was not ready to accept the gentile believers. Like
them or not, these feelings are part of us. Inherent
in our makeup are characteristics received from
familial, national and racial background. Really, these
are the enemy within us – the agent ever ready to betray
us. Traits are often subdued, but come to the fore at
an inopportune moment. Outwardly we tend to lay to rest
national, racial, social, cultural and lingual prejudices,
but the old enemy puts on fresh masks; patronising spirit,
parochialism, particularism and the like. Though the
Christ’s Good News is global in nature, it may seem easy
to subscribe, but to implement it is another matter.
Our Lord Jesus Christ’s never taught or promote racial,
national, political ideological, economical or sentimental
fancies. But by accepting his fault, and with change of
his heart after the Council of Jerusalem, St.Peter had
to submit this dogma with a new approach, and advised
"Respect everyone, love your fellow believers, honour GOD,
and respect the Emperor”(1 Pet.2:17). Such repentance by
St. Peter not only on this count, but also in an earlier
occasion, made him eligible to become the FOUNDATION
STONE of the Universal Church. The CHURCH our Lord Jesus
Christ intended is not either a LOCAL or NATIONAL Church,
but it was GLOBAL (UNIVERSAL).

Whereas, a century or more old call and deeds of the
Indian version of Orthodox Church to provoke The Syrian
Church is one of the truth of the New Testament that has
historically been almost totally obscured. In order to
make the Orthodox dogmas more palatable to the nationalist
audience, men of good intentions, misdirected in their
zeal, to preach a newly acquired (invented) dogmas and
messages. By doing so they opened themselves to “doctrines
of demons” that had the dual effect of separating the
Church from her original roots of the Olive tree and
thereby admitting a spirit of arrogance towards the
natural branches. The version of the church they
propagate is no longer part of the ancient Universal
Syrian Orthodox Church, whereas it helped to provoke
the masses to rivalry and jealousy. Instead the IOC grew
into a “counterfeit imperialistic theocracy” that lost
its authentic spiritual testimony and the ability to
make genuine believers. The authentic dogmas were
replaced by a system of materialistic, political and
militaristic mechinations that forced “loyalty” to a
particular set theory instead of genuine and ancient
dogmas set by the first three Great Councils. If the
true Church agree for any compromise on the set dogmas,
she will also definitely come under the judgement of
God for disobeying the apostolic command.

We should remember now the contents of the shortest
autobiography written by St. Paul, the greatest among
the Chirst’s servants: “Now you have observed my
teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my
patience,my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions,
my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at Iconium,
and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet from
them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to
live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to
worse, deceiving and being deceived” [2 Tim. 3:10-13].

It is humane to react. As some of our members claimed
or claiming, we have never tried to close any of the
IOC establishments. They were all proud of proclaiming
with such a high esteem. Why? There underly the true
Christian spirit and pride. If any of their establishment
was closed because of the JSC intervention, would they
be able to claim? No. So one thing we should remember
that TIT-for-TAT is not a way of Christian life. Really
our leadership deserve special commendation for not
doing such extreme steps, which would have a harmful
effect of our credibility.  They were guided by the
Holy Spirit, and also by St. Peter’s words itself. They
are: “For God wants you to silence the ignorant talk of
foolish people by the good things you do” [1 Peter, 2:15]
and “Keep your conscience clear, so that when you are
insulted, those who speak evil of your good conduct as
followers of Christ will be ashamed of what they say”
[1 Peter, 3:16].

As Christians, are we not supposed to be different from
the rest of the world? Or are we only content with our
coming to church whenever it suits me? Whenever we are
confronted with a situation to exercise our choice, we
are materialistic in our approach and reflect loss of
faith and promises of our Lord. The Golden Rule for
leading our lives in most exemplary way as our Lord
taught us “Do unto others as you would like others to
do unto you” – is being sidelined by us in every moment
of our life. If each one of us makes sincere efforts
to abide this Golden Rule, most of our inter-personal
and inter-church abberations will give way to healthy
cooperation and mutual respect leading to peace – very
much needed to cause a revival in our relationship with
the Lord as much as among members. Then we may not need
a mediator (a third party) to sit for a dialogue or for
compromise. Do they never show a feeling of ONENESS? I
doubt?? Instead what we are witnessing now-a-days? They
are trying to obstruct the believers’ in conducting the
Holy Qurbana, closing down the churches, claiming
authority and control over the properties of the Church,
knocking the doors of the Supreme Court, flouting the
age old traditions and dogmas, instigating the believers
to revolt against the Supreme Head, wanted full submission
to the newly invented and enthroned Head of the Nationalist
Church. Is this the freedom they talk about? Will our
Lord God bear this? Because of all these we are forgetting
about the basic tenets of Christianity. We do not find
time to help the poor and the underprivileged? I doubt,
we are becoming too much secular now-a-days. Our mind
moved in the earthly realm. Spiritual values followed as
a poor second. We just pretend to be a man or a group in
search of the blessing, without entertaining any
appreciation for the same. Because of our own deeds,
naturally we are loosing the BLESSINGS of eternity.

God’s judgment for such arrogance was the promised removal
of the life of faith from the Church. The historic
evidence of this is seen in the steady decline and
eradication of faith in the Church. This is because of
her rejection of its grafting as a natural branch of
olive. The more this Church rejected her olive/grape
tree connection, the more she grew into institutionalised
sacramentalism, spiritual darkness and unbelief, and it
will become “Christianity based on materialistic,
political and militaristic power” and it is nothing
more than a “christianised paganism”.

We should always remember how the gentile believers in
Messiah became co-heirs with Jewish believers and together
became “one new man” (Eph.2:15). The divine creation of
this “one new man” also known as the “called out ones”
or the “Church which is His Body” (Eph.1:22-23). The
gentile believers are no longer strangers and foreigners,
but fellow citizens with the saints. In Romans 4:11&16,
St. Paul taught the gentile believers that through their
faith in the Messiah they could now claim Abraham, the
father of the Jewish nation, as their own father also.

HERE LIES THE RELEVANCE OF OUR FAITH IN THE HOLY CHURCH
AND THE DOGMAS. BY DETACHING AWAY FROM IT MEANS DESTRUCTION,
AND LOOSING THE FEELING OF ONENESS, AND DISTANCING AWAY
FROM THE DOCTRINES OF THE THREE HOLY SYNODS. by DOING SO
THEY ARE THE REAL LOSERS. THINK ABOUT THE STRENGTH OF THE
UNITED CHURCH AND ITS FOLLOWERS..........................
.............................., ........................
......................... LET US NOT TO BE PARTY FOR
DESTRUCTION OF OUR CHURCH, AND HAVE FAITH IN OUR LORD
JESUS CHRIST, HIS TEACHINGS, THE DOCTRINES AND DOGMAS
TAUGHT BY HIS DISCIPLES AND THE GREAT SYNODS, AND PRAY
FOR RECONNECTING THE LOST BROTHEREN OF OURS.

The reconnection of the Church to her original root
system is of profound spiritual importance. This
connection is in fact central to the eternal purposes
of God for the entire human race. The second coming
of Messiah hinges upon this connection. This is why
“Satan” so fiercely and vigorously fights it not to
become this reconnection of the Church possible to
its original root.

Yours' in Christ,
CJ Varughese
St. Mary's JSO Church, Ahmedabad
Home Parish: St. Ignatius JS Church, Vazhamuttom East

Glory to God

Most Resp. & Dearly beloved brothern,

This has reference to Mr. Mathew GM's e-mail what
happens to pious hindus and muslims at Judgment?

The subject is very deep. I have seen sometimes
when we are discussing we are keeping very narrow
mind and on the other side when when we are speaking
we are keeping very broad minded universal love.
Whatever I am writing is here is from my own opinion
and not Christian or any other religions concept.

Who are we ? From where we come and to where we go.
We all are from God, and in the hands of God and to
go to God. Pious, purity, it has no definite meaning.
According to Bible "all are sinned". Let us look our
fore fathers, What was the nature of Abraham, how
many wives he had ?, What was the nature of Jacob,
Has he not cheated his brother ?, Moses killed a man,
Peter betrayed Jesus, Paul persecuted Christians,
David made many mistakes - For David's mistake God
killed 75 thousand innocent people according toBible.
Then who is right ? Who is Pious ? . The face of God
in The Old Testament and new Testament has two
different is different. In Old Testament, the God was
even fighting for Isreal,but in new testament God is
Love.

Of course, what I am writing here is may not be
correct according to our belief, but GOD LOVES ALL...
It is for HIM to give Right or Left. GOD has No
Religion / Caste. The Caste/Religion/Creed are created
by man only according to safety of power. GOD is LOVE
According to Bible we can create that Heaven here on
earth. That was the nature of earlier christianity,
they sold out all their belongings and submitted to
Apostals and they distributed it each.

I strongly believe that THROUGH LOVE ONLY WE CAN REACH
TO GOD AND THERE IS NO OTHER WAY. THE REMAINING ALL
ARE  DISAPPEARED.  BECAUSE GOD IS LOVE. What is the
whole Bible /What is the whole Christian life - only
LOVE. Hindu / Muslim/ Christian all are the Chrildren
of Adam and later Noah. If Adam / Noah had got the
Holy Spirit from God it is quite clear in all their
children it is still there.

There is no specific condition in the Bible if we do
this and this then  ONLY you get heaven. It is for
GOD...where is He, He is in You, me, and all. That is
why Saint Mother Terasa can witnessed Christ in
everybody. That is why the old Hindu people says
"Namaskar", they are knowing that GOD in everybody.
GOD is everywhere and in everybody. Please try to
find out. He is not far away from us, in just one
call, even speedier than Hot line, he will be
available with us, try to Find him.

Excuse me the above is my own opinion, what I have
experienced many many times. He is with us, very
close. I always believe and felt  He is the First
living  member of our House. Live with God... it
is a very special experience.........

Pray for all ever & ever with love

Raju Baby Thaluvachira
Mar Greegorious Orthodox Syrian Church
Mehsana.

The Moderator
SOCM-FORUM

Sub: The Bible

Dear Sir,

I strongly recommend the site namely http://www.bible.com
to our all members particularly during this lent time to
read and think at their work place. Members can read
the Bible in many languages. It included daily message,
thought, Bible Study, Devotional Songs, etc.

I hope the young generation can make possible benefit
from it.

Also you can see the latest movie[trailer] titled
THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST from it site.

With best wishes,

Saju Varghese
St.Peters Cathedral, New Delhi