Dear Moderators,

during my 5 years of life in the United Arabic Emirates i could participate in a
most glorifying worship to the God where the divine Love was exhibited in every
parts.

By the grace of God my old friend Chev.Cheeran Varkey was contacted by me after
recognising him as my old friend varkey whom i left in 1966. he invited me to
the Holy Querbana at St.Ignatius Jacobite Church, Jebel Ali, Dubai. i went to
the church without much hope as every worship whether Orthodox or Jacobite will
be same. i must tell every one that it was the real worship where the Holy
Spirit's divine presence could be felt through out the service. the most
disciplined congregation who was totally immeresed in the liturgy remained so
friendly.

i remembered my experience in one of the churches where i was bodily pushed by a
volunteer when i was concentrating on the invocation of Holy Spirit. the other
churches when you pray some one will come and stand just in front of me barring
my view to the alter. through out the service it was hormonius and colourful.
the angels at the alter never wandered to break the concentration of the
congregation.

the most remarkable moment was the time of intercession to St. Ignatius. the
prayers were offered by the priest for the congregation by knowing their needs
and not only for the universe. the need of a man in Gulf is the job security,
entanglement of the sponsors, health problems, family difficulties, financial
troubles and lovelessness. Achan specifically mentioned them all and therefore,
the needful could pray with Achan. The powerful intercession of Moran Mor Elias
bava has been helpful to many.

after the sermon Achan asked the new commers to introduce them to the rest of
the congreagtion. of course in big melas it is not practical, but here it
was so friendly. after the Qurbana all of them were given a cup of tea and
snacks. the people came forward and talked to the new people. any way for me it
was so delightful experience because during my 5 years none of the people
approached me after the qurbana. not only that, Achan informed the people that
he will be visiting their houses. i could not believe it because none of the
vicars visited my house.

any way i felt that it was a revelation to me by Our Lord that there are
'thousands who never kneel to bal'. i was leaving the church every time with a
heavy heart but after attending Jebel Ali Congregation i was indeed happy and
Praised the Lord.

with humble prayers,
Dr. P. George K.John
St Gregorios Orthodox Church, Sharjah
St.Peter & St.Paul Jacobite church Pengamuck

Tomorrow (27th) a 3 bench Supreme Court is to hear the Kattachira pally case
which was filed by methran faction aginst the High Court decision. SC also
considers on Aug 23rd, the main Church case filed by this faction, which
requests for police protection for their chief to get into maximum number of
prominent Jacobite Syrian churches, where they have no influence at all.

And in the week just ended (July22 & 23), a delegation led by Catholicose
Mathews II, Delhi Metran, Mathai Eapen Vettath etc., visited President A P J
Abdul Kalam, Vice-President Bahiro Singh Sekhawat,  Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh and Sonia Gandhi, and seriously discussed with them about the recent
farmer suicides, educational unrest, etc. All these have been done because of
the church’s ‘great concern’ for the poor people. The church delegation also
took ‘great efforts’ in raising the state’s socio-economic issues. Inorder to
bring it into the notice of ‘all’, special precautions were taken by the church
to get these visits reported in atleast the Delhi based English newspapers which
is read by ‘prominent’ persons.

It also received the consent of the President of India, to present the Paulose
Mar Gregorios award; the function will be arranged before the end of the Church
case in SC.  Last time also, just a week before case came up in SC, methran
faction arranged an award giving ceremony with much fanfare in which many
important dignitaries including, Ministers, Judges etc. participated.

Mathew Varkey
Kottayam Cheriapally

NB. People of Kerala irrespective of community affiliations are vociferously
requesting the India Govt. to give a berth for the MOC Church Captain Mathai
Eapen Vettath, in the national minority commission that is to be reconstituted
soon. This time he went with the church delegation without knowing all these !!

2nd Anniversary of the Catholicose Enthronement of Bava Thirumeni celebrated by
the Church at Kolencherry.  (Photos of the ceremony enclosed).

http://www.geocities.com/malankarav7/20040725Bava.htm

For more Links, visit:
http://www.geocities.com/malankarav7/news_section.htm
http://malankara.cjb.net/
http://www.geocities.com/malankarav7/

I am not sure how the idea was presented in original Aramiac? Let us look at
some translations.

The new american Bible -
"While he was at the table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came
and sat with Jesus and disciples"

Peshitta- James Murdock
And as they were reclining in a house, many publicans an sinners came and
reclined with Jesus and his disciples. - Lord was "recling" ( eating or
resting.?)

New International Version (NIV)
While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and
"sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples.-- here the sinners ate with
Lord

New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Then it happened that as Jesus was reclining at the table in the house, behold,
many tax collectors and sinners came and were dining with Jesus and His
disciples -- here Lord "reclined " while sinners "dined"

The Message (MSG)
Later when Jesus was eating supper at Matthew's house with his close followers,
a lot of disreputable characters came and joined them -- here Lord had "supper"
while status of others not known

Amplified Bible (AMP)
And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and [1]
[especially wicked] sinners came and sat (reclined) with Him and His disciples
-- here Jesus reclined ( sat ) while others also sat. there is some thing called
"especially wicked " sinners.

New Living Translation (NLT)
"That night Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to be his dinner guests,
along with his fellow tax collectors and many other notorious sinners." --
Matthew might have invited Lord. But that is not in other translations.  This
verse says Lord "ate" " dinner". I assume the sinners also ate with him.

King James Version (KJV)
"And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans
and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples" -- not sure what "sat
at meat " means ? . and so not sure what others did too

New Life Version (NLV)
"Jesus ate in Matthew's house. Many men who gathered taxes and many who were
sinners came to Matthew's house and sat down with Jesus and His followers"
-- this verse says Lord ate. But nothing about the time. and I assume others ate
with him.

English Standard Version (ESV)
"And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and
sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. -- here again no
word of eating - just reclining

Contemporary English Version (CEV)
Later, Jesus and his disciples were having dinner at Matthew's house. [1] Many
tax collectors and other sinners were also there -- here Lord and disciples ate
while others were also there.

New King James Version (NKJV)
"Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax
collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples." -- Here
Lord "sat at the table" which i assume is eating

21st Century King James Version (KJ21)
And it came to pass as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans
and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. -- this i have no
clue. Lord 'sat at meat'.

American Standard Version (ASV)
And it came to pass, as he sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and
sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples -- same as above

Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)
"Jesus was eating in a house. Many tax collectors and bad people came in. They
sat down to eat with Jesus and his disciples." -- Here Lord ate. others seems to
have come when He was eating.

Young's Literal Translation (YLT)
And it came to pass, he reclining (at meat) in the house, that lo, many
tax-gatherers and sinners having come, were lying (at meat) with Jesus and his
disciples -- I have no clue here.  "reclining ( at meat)??" and others "lying
( at meant)?  - weird I would say

Darby Translation (DARBY)
"And it came to pass, as he lay at table in the house, that behold, many
tax-gatherers and sinners came and lay at table with Jesus and his disciples."
-- this doesnot look correct. Lord lay at table ? and others too?

Wycliffe New Testament (WYC)
And it was done, while he sat at the meat in the house, lo! many publicans and
sinful men came, and sat at the meat with Jesus and his disciples. [And it was
done, him sitting at the meat in the house, lo! many publicans and sinful men
coming sat at the meat with Jesus and his disciples.]--  I am lost here !

New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
Later Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house. Many tax collectors and
"sinners" came. They ate with Jesus and his disciples -- this seems logical and
not sure correct version of it.

New International Version - UK (NIV-UK)
While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and
sinners came and ate with him and his disciples.

Well, Finaly I understood the usage when I read Kaniyamprambil achans
translation.

I quotes all this innocent looking tranlations to show who much variation can be
for each verse.  You buy a H. Bible and who knows if what is in it is what Lord
realy did or meant ?

That is one of the reasons, not to interpret the H.Book. The authority to
interpret rests with church.

Regards
Paul Reji
St. Ignatious SOC
Dallas

Dear members

We Moderators 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.

Please read the successful stories of the matrimonial advertisement in the SOCM
forum at

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SOCM-FORUM/message/4384

++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Matrimonial; Code # 010/04
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Proposals invited from the parents of suitable boys with good family background,
for a Good looking & God fearing Staff Nurse (27 yrs,153 cm, hailing from an
ancient Jacobite family of Kottayam) working in UK.
Coming on leave in September. Respond with full details.

Please respond to or bkmbkurian@... OR moderator_socm@... with
code # MP-010/04

++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Matrimonial; Code # 009/04
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Jacobite Parents from Perumany, 7 km from Perumbavoor (Angamali Diocese)invites
proposals for their son working in Dammam, Saudi Arabia as Project Co-ordinator.
Proposals to be from Middle Class family. The girl should be God fearing and
fair.

Please respond to aliyasissac@... or moderator_socm@... with
code # MP-009/04

++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Matrimonial; Code # 008/04
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Jacobite parents from Ernakulam Dt.invites proposals to their daughter. She is
23 years old, 5' 3". The girl is very fair, brilliant and good looking. She is
a member of the church choir and a Sunday School teacher. She had completed her
MA(economics) with first class and now doing her B.Ed course in a very reputed
college in Ernakulam Dt.

Proposals to be made from graduate youths working here or Abroad (having family
visa). The boy should be handsome and God fearing.

Please respond to moderator_socm@... with code # MP-008/04

++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Matrimonial; Code # 007/04
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Uncle working in abroad seeks proposal for niece. She belongs to Jacobite family
from Angamali. 23 yrs old, very fair, good looking, and working in Riyadh, Saudi
Arabia as Nurse in King Khalid University Hospital. She is smart, caring and
very God fearing.

We invite proposals from interested parents of God fearing Jacobite Christian
boys, well qualified and having stable job. If interested, please contact with
full details.

Please respond to moderator_socm@... with code # MP-007/04

++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Matrimonial; Code # 006/04
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Jacobite Parents from Kottayam Diocese invites proposals for their second son
PDC/30/168 working in MRF kottayam. Father doing business in Kottayam. Mother
Gazzetted officer in govt.One elder brother married(Working) and younger sister
studying.Graduates in any discipline or diploma holders in Nursing (GNM)prefered

Please respond to moderator_socm@... with code # MP-006/04

++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Matrimonial; Code # 004/04
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Jacobite parents from Ernakulam Dt.invites proposals to their son. The boy is 30
yrs.old 5' 8". He is very handsome, brilliant(MA Rank Holder), God fearing Altar
Boy), presently working with a leading news daily at Ernakulam Dt. Proposals to
be from Middle Class family. The girl should be God  fearing and fair. Nurses
working abroad are prefered.

Please respond to moderator_socm@... with code # MP-004/04

++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Matrimonial; Code # 003/04
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Jacobite parents from Kottayam invite proposals for their daughter, divorcee
with one girl child,)39 yrs.5'3", Home Science Graduate, medium complexion, very
Home loving and God fearing, from JACOBITE Widowers/ Divorcees of 40 to 45 age
group, well settled in life in India or abroad, with clean habits, positive
attitude towards life and home loving.

Please respond to moderator_socm@... with code # MP-003/04

++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Matrimonial; Code # 002/04
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Parents (Father - retired Civil Engineer and Mother School Teacher)from Upper
Middle Class Ancient Jacobite Family in Kayamkulam invite proposals for their
daughter (DIVORCED),Age 29, fair complexion, Height: 5'2".

Got married on 1995, it lasted for just 5 days – The boy was a drug addict
–obtained divorce both from family court and Church.

She is B.Com graduate – underwent diploma in travel management – presently
working in an MNC as Front office /Admin / Travel Coordinator / Customer Care
Executive /Course Coordinator.

We invite proposals from parents of God fearing JACOBITE BOYS OF MIDDLE CLASS
FAMILIES ONLY.

Groom should be God – fearing – non –smoker – non – alcoholic – with clean
habits well mannered – loving and caring; should be broad minded and
Understanding

Photographs can be given to the parents who make genuine proposals to her father
on phone.

Please correspond to moderator_socm@... with code # MP-002/04

GREETINGS TO ALL,

" Do not lose yourself in your everyday work and activities. Rather, lose
yourself in God. When you are doing your work, let your innermost heart be
centred on Him. Live in His presence and abide in Him. Then your work will
follow you into eternity and you will reap a rich harvest."


Saju C.Varghese
St.Peter's Cathedral, New Delhi
St.Thomas Church, N.Parur

--- In SOCM-FORUM@yahoogroups.com, Lincy Thomas wrote:
>None of has taken any property to anywhere if at all we have held
>some property it is still used and will be used for the original
>purpose. As regarding me personally according to the audited accounts
>The diocese owes me aproximately $60,000.00 and I am always willing
>to anybody with some sense of reason negotiate and settle all matters
>regarding the finance and other matters. Nobody is interested in
>settling anything but generating rumors and I feel you laso are a
>victime of the rumors.

It is sheer deception to say that he owes nothing. He claims that the diocese
owes him money. He is obviously conveniently ignoring the fact that he raised
over $500,000 from Syrian Orthodox parishes all over the US, most of which have
struggled financially to buy his aramana (that included commercial property) not
in the name of the archdiocese but in the name of a private trust.

I would like to know how the former bishop claims that the archdiocese owes him
$60,000. Was this a loan that he had made to the archdiocese from his personal
funds, salary that he was expecting, or expenses that he incurred for the
archdiocese out of his own pocket for which he expects reimbursement? Sure seems
like a lot of money for someone who has taken vows of asceticism. But then who
cares about vows? Obviously vows made in front of the altar in order to secure a
bishop's position are easily discarded because the Supreme Court of
India is greater than the Church he was consecrated to shepherd.

I know personally that when he came to Mor Gregorius Church, Tampa, Florida on
Nov 4, 2001 to celebrate Parumala thirumeni's feast day and to lay the
foundation stone of their new church, after the liturgy he stood in the
sanctuary and said that he had collected $22,000 in loans from that parish and
will be returning it without their asking since they needed the money. Within a
month he deserted his church and archdiocese. When the Tampa church asked him
for the money his response was "Go and ask Mor Ivanios." So much for his
integrity!

C.M George
St:John's Church (Home Parish)
Kavalangadu

Dear Mr. Mathew Varkey

"This type of elections must be discouraged in all the Christian churches
including ours."

I agree with Mr. Mathew Varkeys opinion   unless there is a sensitive issue like
annual election our members like to stay away from General Body meeting of our
churches this is a common practice nowadays. Political party members are eager
to become MLA,MP etc this is because  of material benefits
and their stand in the society .I Cant understand why we need an election in 
our churches?  Instead we cannot unanimously choose our committee .Election 
will of course a threat to the harmony among members,  loose Christian  
thinking  and harmful to the ONE family atmosphere in the  church.

Somebody should come forward to abolish this practice.

Cecil K Varghese
St.Mary's  JSC Sharjah
St.Ignatious JSC Kaipattoor(Thumpamon Dio)

Dear Lincy

   It is a right step in faith, that you started asking questions.
Because a true church is one which has ALL answers, because that is
the truth. Everything else is fake.

In Talmud ( The Jewish faith interpretation ) has a story about
Abraham, which might explain why God selected him as the father of
His people.

  Abrahm was NOT born in a God fearing family like say Parumala
thirumeni.  His father Therah was a statue maker.(Sculpturer)
These statues were used in the local temple to worship. They never
knew God.

  One day Abrahm thought about these statues and in one night he
went into the room where his father made statues and using a big
hammer broke all statues except one and he kept the hammer in the
hand of one statue he did not broke.

   In the morning, Therah saw what happened.  He questioned Abraham.
Abrahm told his father. "May be the unbroken statue did it. See it
holds a hammer in its hand".  Therah was not ammused.  He said "how
can this be?". "Statues can't do this. It has no power ".

Abrahm replied " See there you are. You are worshiping a statue
that has no power.  Why?".  Why cant you worship the Living God?".

Thus both started believing in Living God. Then God appreared to
Abrahm and asked him to move to Palestine and rest we know.

The moral of the story is  Therah was making this powerless
statue and worshipping them. He knew that they were powerless but
never REALIZED that, what he was doing was wrong.

Similar is the story of Moses, whom God said  'He is God for Aaron'.
Gave such position.  But Moses was brought up NOT as a Jew, but in
Pharaoh's royal palace, where magicians ruled. So he had no chance of
hearing about LIVING GOD.  But he might have thought just like Abrahm.
And might have  prayed to LIVING GOD. And talked to him "like a
friend".

Moral of both stories is "seek the truth"; dont just follow.".
Animals follow one another ( herd mentality). But God have
us "neshama" while animales got "nesh". Both are Hebrew words for
soul. God gave something special for humans, to seek Truth and
worship God.

It looks like most people do not use it.  Why?

Muslims in the world, total believe that "Jesus did not resurrect But
his body was stolen by His diciples while the guards were sleeping".
Just one question here. How did the Gurads who were sleeping knew
that some one stole the body? And if they they saw
the some one stealing, why they did not stop?. But to 1Billion
Muslims that do not matter. Thier mind is made blind to the truth.

The protestants say Bible is the truth. But H.Bible says chruch is
the truth. But they dont beleive it. They are blind to see it.

  Let us focus on IOC. They are church of contradictions.

They say according to thier constitution of 1934, they are part of
Universal Syrain Orthodox church. Yes they call Independant Indian
Orthodox chruch.

According to thier constitution, Patriarch at See of Antioch is
the supreeme head of thier chruch. But they  verbally abuse him
and even advertised in News Papers asking him to get out of Kerala.
If your father is coming to visit you, will you ask him to get out
of your home?  You think?

IOC says they are based on Throne of St. Thomas. But there was no
discussion of Throne of St.Thomas before 1960's.

If IOC is anciant independant church, then they should have thier own
history, chruch head quarters, continuity , thier own litergy, clergy
dress and some historical evidance. They have none.

They are saying the Patriarch in Antioch is "intruders". So why are
they still using those names in "Tubden" in Sunday.

They say "Parumala thirumeni" is thier saint, But dont follow a WORD
he said.

When Mar Nicklovas visited Kottayam he in sleek attended a birthday
party of Catholica Bava while he was the SOC Bishop. This picture
came in some news papar and there was a hue and cry in US.  At that
time he had come to Dallas Chruch and said after Holy Qurbana from
Mdbaha, that he HAS NO Association with IOC what so ever. And he
collected money from some faithfuls to build his Bish0p Palace.


Then  Dr. Babu Paul came to US. The IOC priest asked him to speak to
their chruch.  MAR Nicklovas advised him not to attend IOC  churches.
But IOC Achan called  Dr.Babu Paul to "speak" in  IOC  church. So
Dr. Babu Paul agreed to speak and he went to IOC church. He timed his
arrival in the church at at time when the H.Qurbana is over, so that
he does not have to attend it breaking bishop and church laws.

But IOC priest tricked him by delaying H.Qurbana by half hour so that
they made sure Dr.Babu Paul was "in the church while H.Qurbana " was
going on. Pictures were taken and distributed in  USA. "Yaa Dr.Babu
Paul is in IOC  chruch". ( Meaning others too is ok ...)

It is true that he hurt so many faithfuls of SOC.  Let God forgive
him and bless him.  I pray for him too.

I know there are so many who go to IOC  chruch, because they believe
that
1) it is ok to be in IOC also. I dont know if they are OK or not
    but that is agianst  the laws of true chruch.
2) Some of them were in that church and did not want to leave the
    church  when IOC got that church.
3) some are like AAron.  Aaron knew that "making a Gold calf " was
wrong. But did not bother too much about it or was afriad to talk
against people. In a way that is what Pilathos also did while
cruzifing Lord. He found Lord innocent. But did not let Him Go.

But God did not like Aaron or Pilathos .. God liked who stood against
all adds and  sought our Lord.

Let Lincy has that courage. Many of the readers may have that courage.
No one can save you, but for you. Yes salvation is a gift from God.
All you have to do is to  TRY to GET it.

My paryes are for you. Pray for me too to survie daily tempations of
life.


regards

Paul Philipose
St. Igantious  SOC
Dallas

Holy Spirit
In the past heretics like Macadonious and in modern time the
Jehovah's Witness says that Holly Spirit has no `personality'
[character] of [its, his] own. But from the scriptures it can be
seen that Holly Spirit like father and Son have personality. They
are
I. Provides life: (Job 33:4; Romans 8:11)
II. Appoints the overseers of the church (Acts
13:2;20:23,8:29,10:19,20; 16:6,7; Mark 13:11;1 Cori 2:4, 13)
III. Talked through the prophets ( Luke 1:67; Acts 1:16, 1 Peter
1:11; 2 Peter 1:21)
IV. Argues with the sinners (Gen 6:13)
V. Give us consciousness ( Jere 16:8)
VI. Comforts us ( Acts 9:31)
VII. Supports the weakness ( Romans 8:26)
VIII. Advices ( John 14:26; 1 Cori 12:3)
IX. Guides us ( John 16:13)
X. Cleanses us ( Romans 15:15; 1 Cori 6:11; )
XI. Witness Christ and Glorify Him ( John 15:26; 16:14)
XII. Has power ( Romans 15:26)
XIII. Works in its own way ( 1 Cori 12 :11)
XIV. Resides with the righteous people ( John 14:17)
XV. Holly Spirit can be grieved ( Ephesians 4:30; Isaiah 63:10)
XVI. One can dissent with Holly Spirit ( Acts 7:51)
XVII. One can test Holly Spirit ( Acts 5:9 )
Holly Spirit is One among the Holly Trinity
1) Holly Spirit is YAWH ( Exodus 17:7; Hebrew 3:7-9; 2 Peter
1:21)
2) He is Most High God: (Psalm 78:17,21)
3) One who offer petitions to: (Luke 2:26-29; Acts 4:23-25;
1:16, 20; 2 Tes 3:5)
4) Saluted God (Acts 5:3,4;)
5) Eternal (Hebrews 9:14)
6) Omnipresent (Ubiquitous)(Psalm 139:7-13;)
7) Omniscient ( 1 Cori 2_10_
8) Creator ( Genesis 1:26 27)
9) Equal to Father ( Matthew 28:19; 2 Cori 13:14)
10) Producer of all (1 Cori 12: 6-11; Daniel 4:35)
11) Lord of born again (John 3,5,6 1 John 5-4)
12) One who rose Christ from the dead (Acts 2:24 1 Peter 3:18,
Hebrew 13:20, Romans 1:4)
13) One who inspires the scriptures (2 Tim 3:16 2 Peter 1:21)
14) Source of great powers (Matthew 12:28; Luke 11:20; Acts
19:11;Romans 15:18)

The sins against the Holy Spirit
1) Testing the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:9)
2) Saddening the Spirit (Ephesus 4:30)
3) Lying to the Spirit (Acts 5:3)
4) Protesting to the Spirit (Acts 7:51)
5) Offending the Spirit (Hebrew 10:29)
6) Belitting the gift of the Spirit (Acts 8:19-20)
7) Ridiculing the spirit (?) (Matthew 12:31,32; 1 John 5:16)
==============================================================================
From the Desk of the Moderators

We withheld the name of the member who posts this message as per his request.

1. Metropolitan Mor Severius Saliba Tuma  of the Archdiocese of Zahle in Lebanon
passed away at 7.00 pm on 27th.
http://www.geocities.com/malankarav7/Severios_Saliba.htm

2. Controversy over the recent visit of Malankara Orthodox faction leaders to
New Delhi. (Source: Mangalam, Manorama, SOCM forum).
http://www.geocities.com/malankarav7/20040727Mangalam.htm

For more Links, visit:    http://www.geocities.com/malankarav7/news_section.htm 
http://malankara.cjb.net/  or  http://www.geocities.com/malankarav7/

Peace and grace to you all beloved family of Christ.

Praises and thanks be to God our ever fresh fountain of strength.

"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything
you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For
where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
Matt 18:19-20

God has promised to be present when two or more people gather in His
name. And, since His Holy Spirit lives inside those who walk with
Him, the power of your prayers increases exponentially when you pray
with others.

Yours in Christ,
Mussie O
Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church
Dioceses of U.S.A and Canada

By the Grace of Almighty God, Aboon Mor Baselious Thomas I, the
Catholicose Of India, is celebrating his 76th Birthday on July 29,
2004.

Born in the Cheruvillil family of Vadayambadi, Puthenkuriz to Mathai
and Kunjamma on 29th July 1929,  early part of his life was full of
sufferings.  Though he belonged to an aristocratic family, by the
time he was born the family had seen bad days.   As a child he had
frequent bouts of illness which affected his education. His mother
used to take the young boy frequently to the nearby Malecuriz Dayro
where the relics of late Patriarch St. Elias III and  St.Gregorios
(Parumala Thirumeni) had been interred.

His priestly formation was under the guidance of Mor Philoxenos
Paulose (late Catholicos Mor Baselios Paulose II) who ordained
him 'Korooyo' in 1952 and 'Shamshono' at Kadamattom Church in 1957.
In August 1958, C M Thomas was ordained 'Kassisso' (full priest) by
Mor Yulius Elias at the Majanikkara Dayro

In January 1974, Fr. C M Thomas was elected to the episcopate by the
Malankara Jacobite Syrian Christian Association, convened at the
Karingachira St. George Church and was consecrated  Metropolitan with
the title 'Mor Dionysius' by H.H Mor Ignatius Ya`qub III on 24th
February 1974 at Damascus, Syria.  He was entrusted with the charge
of Angamali diocese, the largest of all the Syrian Orthodox dioceses
which has a membership of more than half a million.

On 27th December 2000, His Excellency was chosen as the Catholicose-
designate by the Holy Episcopal Synod.  The Church delegates meeting
held  at Puthenkuriz on the same day, unanimously approved this
decision.  H.H the Patriarch, however, waited for two  more years  in
expectation of a peaceful settlement to the longstanding dispute
between the two factions of Malankara Church.

But as it became clearer that the chances for reconciliation is
remote because of the insincerity on the part of the opposite
faction;  a crucial convention was convened at Puthencuriz, Kerala on
6th July 2002 in which delegates from all the parishes participated
and they approved a new constitution for the effective administration
of the Indian Church with the consent of the supreme head, the
Patriarch of Antioch & all the East.  H.E. Mor Dionysius Thomas was
elected as the Catholicose and the Metropolitan Trustee of the
Jacobite Syrian Christian Church at this historic Church
Association.  The election was later ratified by the Holy Episcopal
Synod of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church  on 22nd July 2002.

On Friday the 26th July 2002,  His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka
I Iywas the Patriarch of Antioch & all the East, consecrated the 73-
year old Mor Dionysius Thomas as  the CATHOLICOS with the
title 'BASELIOS THOMAS I',  at a solemn function held at the St.
Ephrem Church, Marth Saydnaya, Damascus. Thus fulfilling the wishes
of multitude of faithful, the Malankara Church received a Catholicos
after a gap of six years.  In the Syrian Orthodox Church hierarchy,
the Catholicos is second in order to the supreme spiritual head, the
Patriarch of Antioch
(Biography http://saintgregorios.org/PARUMALA/Catholicos_ThomasI.htm)

We wish our beloved Aboon, a blessed and esteemed, healthy and long
life. In our daily prayers, let us pray for H.B, to continue to lead
the Church in Malankara with the divine guidance.

In Our Lords Love
Forum Moderators

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I am going to have an oral presentation final on August 3rd, and I have to
write two papers on high-k dielectrics and ferroelectrics by August 6th. The
members of my team are working a lot harder. They finished the etching
experiment
without my help while I was working on the data analysis on growth and index
of refraction.

Please pray for me that God will give me a big heart and a big mind.

Please pray that God will give me more knowledge and that He will help me use
my knowledge to help people.

Also, pray for my non-Christian family that they will know God by my example
when I study really hard.

Please pray for them that my non-Christian peers will see that Christ is
perfecting me as a Christian and an electrical engineer.


In Christ,
Joseph Yosuk Lee
8th Grade Sunday School Teacher
Cerritos Presbyterian Church at Artesia, California

A few days back Mr. ALIYAS ISSAC have posted a message in IOIForum where he
questioned the authenticity of our people establishing Parumala thirumeni’s
relic. His message and my reply to this enclosed below.
===========================================================================
ALIYAS ISSAC’s message in IOF forum (dt. 23rd July)

Date: Sun, 04 Jul 2004 19:48:42 +0000
From: ALIYAS ISSAC, Kuwait
Subject: PARUMALA THIRUMENY

hi brothers
praise the lord
i am aliyas issac. Me belongs  arumala  aruma church thuru thuply  perumbavoor.
i heared one news that fr  Velam parambil is going to put some borns or cloths
of PARUMALA THIRUMENY AT JACOBITE CHURH PERUMANY PERUMBAVOOR.  I DONT KNOW FROM
WHERE HE GOT IT.BODY OF THE GREAT THIRUMENY IS AT PARUMALA PALLY.THEN HOW HE GOT
THIS.  arumala pally is under orthodox wing.Every body take care about this. And
pray for this
aliyas issac   ksa.
=============================================================================

Dear ALIYAS ISSAC,

The relic that was established in a Jacobite Church near Perumbavur by
Rev.Fr.Peter Velamparambil is a piece of Kappa of Saintly Thirumeni, not the
bone as doubted by Aliyas Issac. As far as I know, no part of the late
Thirumeni’s body has been taken from his tomb at Parumala so far (this is what I
have heard). So no church in the world bears any part of the body of Thirumeni
except at Malecurizu Dayara (near Puthencurizu) where a tooth of the Saintly
thirumeni is established. This they got from an inmate of the Dayra who
preserved it when Parumala thirumeni’s decayed tooth was thrown away during his
stay at Malecurizu.

So whenever it is said that Thirumeni’s relic is established, it has to be
understood that it is part of Masnapsa, Kappa, Pen, etc. that was used by our
thirumeni. It is there in many churches in Malankara, both factions. Some
priestly families who were closely associated with Parumala thirumeni also have
these relics which they preserve it as private property.

The Amsavadi (crosier) that was given to Parumala kochu thirumeni during his
ordination by the Patriarch Peter III was returned after Thirumeni’s demise as
per the Church tradition and the same was later given to Abraham Mor Clemis, the
late Metropolitan of the Kananya Church at the time of his ordination by the
Patriarch Aphrem I. This was with him till his last, but I am not sure where
that is now, may be it is now with his successor Mor Severios at Chingavanom.
Other crosiers used by Parumala Thirumeni are now kept in different churches.
The present Jacobite Metropolitan of Kochi diocese, H.G. Joseph Mor Gregorios
who is from the same family and a close relative of Parumala Thirumeni have an
Amsavadi that was frequently used by Parumala Thirumeni and this he uses on
important occasions. He has with him many other things used by Parumala
Thirumeni. Also the Malankara Malpan Kaniamapramabil Kurien Corepsicopa, the
priest trustee of the Jacobite Syrian Church, who is a distant relative of
Parumala Thirumeni too have a collection of relics of Parumala thirumeny, but
this too is some thing like cloth, book etc.  (Both Kaniamparambil and
Pallithatta are branches of Thanagattu family of Mulanthuruthy). Recently I came
to see a kalpana written by parumala thirumeni to one churches at angamaly
diocese which is preserved by a fellow who's grand father was a priest.

Koshy George, Baroda.
Kerala: Thumpamon Valiyapally

DEAR MEMBRS,

THE CIVIL APPEALS RELATING TO KATTACHIRA CHURCH IN THE SUPREME COURT HAS BEEN
ADJOURNED TO 10TH OF AUGUST, 2004, BY THE SUPREME COURT BENCH COMPRISED OF CHIEF
JUSTICE LAHOTI, JUSTICE G.P.MATHUR AND JUSTICE THAKKER TODAY, 28TH OF JULY,
2004.

THE REASON FOR ADJOURNMENT WAS TO ALLOW THE KATTACHIRA PARISHIONERS TO ENGAGE A
NEW SENIOR LAWYER AND ADVOCATE ON RECORD IN SUPREME COURT.

P. J. PHILIP, ADVOCATE

V20. Joseph was righteous man.
Joseph is convinced about the innocence of St. Mary. But at the same
time she is pregnant. So this causes an agony. If he break the
betrothal to her then she would stoned to death (Duet 22:21:23).
Besides since she became pregnant during the time of betrothal he
also would be found guilty. He had two solutions. Secretly discard
her or prolong the wedding. But he like any other Jew was also aware
of prophesy "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign;
Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his
name Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14)(?).
Angels:
· Prays to God and to Christ. (Philippians 2:9; Hebrew 1:6)
· Serve God (Luke 16:22; Acts 12:7-11,27; Hebrew 1:7-14)
· Announces the likings of God and Christ (Matthew 2:13,20;Luke
1:19,28; Acts 5:19,20; 8:26; 10:5; 27:23;)
· Obey to the will of the God (Matthew 6:10)
· Executes the intention of God (Matthew 13:41,42;)
· Executes the will of the God (Matthew 13:41,42; 28:2; John
5:4)
· They were the ones who announced the pregnancy, Birth,
Resurrection, and Ascension and second coming of our Lord and
Pregnancy of John the Baptist.
· They served Christ. (Matthew 4:11; Luke 22-43; John 1:51)
· The will escort Christ in His second coming (Matthew 16:27;
25:31; Mark 8:38; 2 Tess 1:6,7)
· Rejoice at the people who repents (Luke 15:7,10)
· The are powerful (Psalm 103:20)
· Innumerous (Job 25:3, Hebrew 12:22)
· The Holy Church teaches that angels are 9
groups. `Malake' , `Reesai Malake'
Reesanuvose', `shoolthane', `Moravosa', `Hylavoso', `Arkavaso'
Krube', `Srope'

V 20:21 – Annunciation to Joseph
1) The angel uses the verse `Joseph, son of David; is an
allure to Messiah who would be born in the tribe of David.
2) The usage `fear not" is to make him bold.
3) Coveys the message that Mary is innocent and this pregnancy
is Godly not human.
4) The born child will be called Jesus- (meaning in
Hebrew "Yahweh saves"). This is because He would resuscitate his
people from sin.
5) The Jews were expecting their Messiah as a King. But here as
well as in the annunciation to the shepherds shows that Messiah is
the savior. (Every believer has to be keep in mind always that it is
Lord is the savior)
6) "Resuscitate his people from their sins. ". Only God can save
people from sins. Therefore since the child can save the people form
sins, the child is God.
==============================================================================
From the Desk of the Moderators

We withheld the name of the member who posts this message as per his request.

"When we return home, let us prepare two tables, one for bodily food,
the other for that spiritual food which is the Holy Scripture. Let
each of you make your home a church. Are you not responsible for the
salvation of your children? Are you not likely to have to give an
account of their upbringing."

St. John Chrysostom.

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

"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of
their testimony." Revelation 12:11

Dear all,

It was with deep grief that I read the passing away of the Bishop of Zahle, Mor
Severius Saliba Touma.

Few months back, when I was talking to Lebanon Arch Bishop MOr Theophilus Geroge
Saliba about the diocesan affairs , Aboon told many things .And among those
things he mentioned about his fellow Bishops and talked very high about Mor
Severius.He also mentioned that Mor Severius recovered from a surgery to brain
tumour and was back to routine activities looking after his flock.Mor Theophilus
was a bit desperate when he mentioned about Mor Severius.And he said Mor
Severius was a young and energetic bishop looking very keenly on the affairs of
the Church in Lebanon. When I read about the demise,I was remembering what Mor
Theophilus told me.

For the Church in Kerala, demise of Mor Osthathius Benjamin was a blow. Likewise
,the demise of Mor Severius will be a great loss for the Church in
Lebanon.Surely it is a great loss for the Church in whole.

Let's pray to God for his soul.

Dr.Paul Samuel
St. Peter's Jacobite Church
Thiruvanadnapuram

Yesterday I read an article in IOC forum No.1252. Mr.Thomas P wrote that
Kerala Govt.must honor the Malankara Metropolitan. He had written about the
unity and integrity of the malankara church. He thinks that the Patriarch
faction trying to fragment the church. I would like to comment on certain
points mentioned by him.

>Saints of the past accepted the Malankara Metropolitan and worked in
>the Synod of the Malankara Metropolitan. He was the Metropolitan head
>of the Malankara Church (parishes and people). St. Parumala
>Thirumeni was also obedient to the Malankara Metropolitan. Always the
>saint obeyed the Malankara Metropolitan

This clearly states that Parumala Thirumeni was obedient to someone other
than Malankara metropolitan and that was Patriarch of Antioch. Parumala bava
obeyed Pulikottil Thirumeni because he was ordained and accepted by the
Patriarch. When Parumala bava ordained there was a Malankra metropolitan.
Mathews Mar Athansiose Palakkunnathu who received a royal decree confirming
his position. But Parumala bava did not accept him and was obedient to
Pulikottil thirumeni.

>Innocent people are then made 'bali aadu', for the desires of the leaders and
>people getting top titles from Damascus. Very lengthy and complicated titles
>are issued each year. Uneducated man will priase these titles and
>worship the recipients.

Patriarch is issuing titles in Syriac, that does'nt mean that it is lengthy
and complicated. Mr.Thomas wrongly think that whoever is there in Patriarch
faction are uneducated and worship the recipients.

>They teach fancy ideas, borrowing concepts from RC chuch. Yet
>mercilessly call it 'true faith protection', in total defial of the
>teachings of pure fathers of universal ORTHODOXY

He writes about the Universal Orthodoxy. Do the IOC has any universal
concepts? They always think that Christianity is restricted to IOC and the
boundary of the church is limited. Patriarch faction never drew a boundary
for the church & it beliefs in universal orthodoxy.

Damascus does not interfere with the church activities, it just guides the
Patriarch faction as per request. Damascus doesn't need the property &fund
from the patriarch faction to sustain their lives.

>All leaders are happy in this system, because they got
>their portion, and Damascus is happy as they receive their properties
>and funds too through splitting the innocent people of a developing
>country. "Avarude tholi veluthathaanallo!", so they can do anything
>towards people of this lesser nation, calling them subordinates,
>cursing their saintly fathers and so on ...

Nothing can be done by any man to darken their skin. They have a "Velutha
tholi". If the IOC has a universal concept, they never had expressed such
feelings. The late Vattakkunnel Bava is the only person who talked about
having metropolitans with fair skin and handsome features.

>Which canon allows a Syrian bishop to eat meat? Which Syrian
>fathers of the Old Sacred Orthodox church of Antioch lived this way?

Please read Act.10:11-15. I am sure that the 4 metropolitans who left
Jacobite church & joined IOC eat meat and meat products. I know that IOC
issues "kalapana" for marriages during the Lent, not only that they serve
'Biriyani&Fried rice along with Non veg. dishes. Is this the way IOC
observes Lent? Then how can they criticize others. One of the IOC priests
had said he obeys Patriarch in regulation concerning Lent.

>The Government forced ordained bishops to suffer
>through 'Sathyagraha'. "Shresta Purohitanmaare Pattinikkitta Sarkaar"
>then experienced the result of it.

The bishop who took 'sathyagraha' according to their wish. They were not
compelled by the govt. when "sathyagraha" was going on in Kerala Mar
Nicholavos(US) visited Muscat. One of the faithful of IOC asked whether he
is planning to visit Kerala in the near future. Thirumeni replied that I go
to Kerala now, they will force me also to fast. Then he returned to US.
Can you name any bishop in IOC who is holy in their words &actions? At this
moment we should remember the campaign for the election of Metropolitans in
IOC held at Parumala recently. The campaign was reported worst as compared
to political campaign by the leading newspapers. H.H.Catholicose Mathews II
bava himself criticized the candidates behavior.

They failed not because of IOC'S stand against the Govt. it was just because
of the groupism that pulled down the Congress party. It is a well-known
fact.

>There is a way to prove this, inform a child about numerous fragments
>in the group of H.B. Thomas 1 and about the integrally one Malankara
>church of the Malankara Metropolitan, and ask the child which Church
>is preserving unity. There is no doubt that the innocent child will
>answer 'the Church of the Malankara Metropolitan'.

Mr.Thomas accuse H.B. Catholicose Thomas I for fragmenting church. Our
Catholica bava was ordained by patriarch and accepted by the people. He
visits churches supporting him. Supreme Court verdict gives freedom to
individual churches. They use their freedom appropriately. But the IOC group
tried to enter in Manarcadu Church where the parishioners were against him.
Now IOC bava filed a case in the Supreme Court to get permission to enter in
to the 9 Jacobite churches.

Catholicos faction is standing against maintaing peace in the church &
accuse Jacobite faction. As per the Supreme Court verdict Malankara, church
is part of of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church, which is headed by the
patriarch of Antioch. Soon after this, H.H.Catholicose Mathews II declared
in an interview in India Today that he doesn't accept the supremacy of the
Patriarch. The verdict also states that Catholicose is Under the Patriarch.
Dr.D.Babu Paul wrote in 'New vision for a changing world' vol.4, issue3
Nov.2003, under the title THE ZAKKA PATRIARCHATE "A metropolitan of
Devalokam wanted to cross over the patriarchal side. I was the messenger.
His Holiness said accepting such people under such circumstances would
derail the process of peace. This happened in 1995. I cannot reveal the name
as both sender and the receiver bound me to secrecy. The sender binding is
understandable but the patriarch taking such a considerate view to avoid
embarrassment for a metropolitan on the other side shows, again, how saintly
Patriarch Zakka is"

After the supreme court verdict both factions formed a committee for peace
talks, Patriarch faction headed by Thomas Mor Dionasiose( the present H.B) &
Catholicose faction headed by Paulose Mar Gregoriose (the late). 4 or 5
times they met After that catholicose faction withdrew from the committee.
V.Rev.Kuriakose Moolayil also was a member of the committee. If you want you
can contact him for further details. Patriarch himself sent letters to IOC
bava encouraging peace. But IOC bava denied all these. In 2002, when
H.B.Thomas I was ordained patriarch states that he waited 7 years for the
peace of the church in Malanakra and when he saw that it is not working out
he ordained H.B.Thomas I to minister and guide the Jacobite Church smoothly.
H.B.Thomas I himself declared that he is ready to resign the position if the
Catholicose faction accepts the Patriarch as their head.

I don’t think a child will say that, because the children are more
intelligent now a days, not so innocent as before, as they more exposed to
current situations. And if you tell the above mentioned facts the child will
say that the Jacobite church is for unity. You can ask the same question to
the sister churches in Malankara.

It is also understood that to claim individuality, the Catholicose faction
doesn't have a liturgy of their own, all of which was translated from the
Syrian Orthodox Church. Catholicose faction has formed a liturgy to bury
those who committed suicide., taking in to consideration of the present
situation. Does it mean that the Orthodox Church encourages suicide?
Last but not the least, whenever you handle such issues it is advisable to
seek the truth regarding events.

Biju Kurain Mathews
St.George Church Puthuppally
St.Marys Jacobite Church Muscat

He almost didn't see the old lady, stranded on the side of the road. But even in
the dim light of day, he could see she needed help. So he pulled up in front of
her Mercedes and got out. His Pontiac was still sputtering when
he approached her.

Even with the smile on his face, she was worried. No one had stopped to help for
the last hour or so ... was he going to hurt her? He didn't look safe; he looked
poor and hungry.

He could see that she was frightened, standing out there in the cold. He knew
how she felt. It was that chill which only fear can put in you.

He said, "I'm here to help you, ma'am. Why don't you wait in the car where
it's warm? By the way, my name is Bryan."

Well, all she had was a flat tire, but for an old lady, that was bad enough.
Bryan crawled under the car looking for a place to put the jack, skinning his
knuckles a time or two. Soon he was able to change the tire. But he had
to get dirty and his hands hurt.

As he was tightening up the lug nuts, she rolled down the window and began to
talk to him. She told him that she was from St. Louis and was only just passing
through. She couldn't thank him enough for coming to her aid.

Bryan just smiled as he closed her trunk.. She asked him how much she owed him.
Any amount would have been all right with her. She already imagined all
the awful things that could have happened had he not stopped. Bryan never
thought twice about being paid. This was not a job to him. This was helping
someone in need, and God knows there were plenty who had given him a hand in the
past. He had lived his whole life that way, and it never occurred to him to act
any other way.

He told her that if she really wanted to pay him back, the next time she saw
someone who needed help, she could give that person the assistance they needed,
and Bryan added, "And think of me."

He waited until she started her car and drove off. It had been a cold and
depressing day, but he felt good as he headed for home, disappearing into the
twilight.

A few miles down the road the lady saw a small cafe. She went in to grab a bite
to eat, and take the chill off before she made the last leg of her trip home. It
was a dingy looking restaurant. Outside were two old gas pumps. The whole scene
was unfamiliar to her. The cash register was like the telephone of an
out-of-work actor-it didn't ring much.

The waitress came over and brought a clean towel to wipe her wet hair. She had a
sweet smile, one that even being on her feet for the whole day couldn't erase.
The lady noticed the waitress was nearly eight months pregnant, but she never
let the strain and aches change her attitude.

The old lady wondered how someone who had so little could be so giving to a
stranger. Then she remembered Bryan.

After the lady finished her meal, and the waitress went to get change for her
hundred dollar bill, the lady slipped right out the door. She was gone by the
time the waitress came back.

The waitress wondered where the lady could be. Then she noticed something
written on the napkin under which were four $100 bills.

There were tears in her eyes when she read what the lady wrote: "You don't owe
me anything. I have been there too. Somebody once helped me out, the way I'm
helping you. If you really want to pay me back, here is what you do: Do not let
this chain of love end with you."

Well, there were tables to clear, sugar bowls to fill, and people to serve,but
the waitress made it through another day. That night when she got home from work
and climbed into bed, she was thinking about the money and what the lady had
written. How could the lady have known how much she and her husband needed it?
With the baby due next month, it was going to be hard.

She knew how worried her husband was, and as he lay sleeping next to her,she
gave him a soft kiss and whispered soft and low, "Everything's gonna be all
right. I love you, Bryan."

Good friends are like stars....You don't always see them, but you know they are
always there.

Gibu Jacob Chacko,
StMary's Jacobite Syrian Church,
Rackad,Muvattupuzha.

"Acquire the grace of the Holy Spirit also by practicing all the
other virtues for Christ's sake. Trade spiritually with them; trade
with those which give you the greatest profit. Accumulate capital
from the superabundance of God's grace, deposit it in God's eternal
bank which will bring you immaterial interest, not four or six
percent, but one hundred percent for one spiritual trouble, and even
infinitely more than that. For example, if prayer and watching gives
you more of God's grace, watch and pray; if fasting gives you much of
the Spirit of God, fast; if almsgiving gives you more, give alms.
Weigh every virtue done for Christ's sake in this manner."

St. Seraphim of Sarov.

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

"If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth
and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me." John
8:42

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Thank you for your prayers. I already finished one paper on high-k
dielectrics. Now, I need to finish another paper on ferroelectrics and prepare
myself for my oral presentation final. I still need your prayers. I need to
coach my team mates about the silicon nitride experiment.

Please pray that I will be able to lead my team to victory in the final.
Please pray that I will have more insights in the silicon nitride experiment.
Please pray that I will somehow find a way to interpret all of the data and
analysis. I am totally clueless. Please pray for me. Also, pray that my team
mates will work a lot harder.

In Christ,
Joseph Yosuk Lee
8th Grade Sunday School Teacher
Cerritos Presbyterian Church at Artesia, California

Dear Mr.Thomas P,

This will be the last response from me on this issue. I would like to note the
following points to you and to all the readers.

1. I started this series of letters to seek clarification from Mr.Thomas on his
negative comment on my book, 'Perumpilly Thirumeni- Malankara Sabhayude Kal
Noottandu'. from which Mr.Thomas Daniel(Reji)quoted in his article. I have
repeatedly asked Mr.Thomas P on what ground he said this. Finally his attitude
was revealed here that no historiograhical or factual error in my book did 
compel him to say that. It was his 'prejudice' that my book was promoting
factionlism and disunity among the OO members in India. To my humble opinion the
disunity is the result of the separation in the unity of oneness the Malankara
Church had in faith and life with the Universal Syrian Church before 1912 and
regained in 1964. The Church in Malankara was having strong spiritual ties in
its life with the Universal Syrian Church . The book of Fr.Jacob proves this.
This is my main point. None of the argument of Mr.Thomas P proves the contarary.
If this attitude is brought back there will be no problem among its  members.

2.I had made it very clear that the OFFICIAL Document of the Addis Abbaba
Conference was not published by the CHURCH HEADS as is mentioned by Fr.Jacob in
his book. I made myself clear that I have not read the document which Thomas is
relying. Eventhough he forwared the document (of size10085KB) I could not open
it or read it. I am trying to open it. I could not manage to read the book form
either. So I cannot comment on that. I have never seen this document quoted by
the writers in Malankara. It may be my mistake or my lapse. This is the reason
why I made a public appeal for this. I will be happy to have a printed book.

3.It is a very strange argument that the delegation or the representatives from
Malankara paricipating in a world forum will make it a different Church. The
Malankara division of the Church is having a synod and a regional head and is an
autonomous entity.Will that make an  independant Church? Here is the importance
of the book of Fr.T.C.Jacob. He vividly makes it clear that the Church can be
one with strong ties with the Patriarch even after this OO Conference or even
after having a Malankara delegation in a world forum. Or it makes clear that the
present argument of Mr.Thomas was not dreamt by Moran Catholicose and his
delegation during those times! If you will not read or promote seeing such
documents you are guiding the readers with one blind eye!

4.Pro oriente and other forums welcome IOC because SOC is also willing to accept
IOC as a sister church. But the problem is that IOC is not willing to accept the
view of the church members to continue their traditional allegience with the
Patrirach. They are forcibly entering the SOC churches and continueing legal
battles. Even they  try to molest into their churches with police protection!
Why not Mr.Thomas P, you take initiative to settle issues between the brothers
and sisters in the local parishes? You talk much about the OO unity but supports
the rivalry and litigations among the Indians! You blame the SOC for this
strife! Why not you consider the peace in Malankara more important? If this is
made the unity and fratenity of the OO will be much easier.

5.Your claim that the Pope of Rome accepts the IOC as an independant Church is
nothing unique. Their ecumenical approach accepts even denominations as such in
their persuit of unity. They accepts us as what we ourselves wants to be. It is
their attitude to other churches and denominations. But this same argument can
be taken into the Kerala situations. Most of the Indian secular writers mention
that the Malankara Church was traditionally under the Patriarch of Antioch. The
Church under Catholicose Mor Thomas 1 is considered by other churches and
Government as the division under the Pariarch of Antioch. It is to your logic
then the Church under Catholicose Thomas 1 must be accepted by IOC as under the
Patriarchal juruisdiction.

6.Your argument on the supremacy of Damascus versus Kottayam is really illogic.
In the church the Supremacy is spiritual. It should transcend the limitations of
regionalism and temporal authorities. You seem to believe that the Catholicose 
who sits at Kottayam ipso facto has all authority and control of over all the
parishes and its assets! I cannot hold this view because the venue of the seat
of the Patriarch or the Catholicose is not the important    critereon, but it is
the tradition and the decision of the synods that matters. Accordingly the
Patriarch of Antioch has jurisdiction over the church in the East. So your
terminology of the 'Damasus' authority is unworthy. Wherever the Patriarch lives
he is the 'Patriarch of Antioch', Likewise the Catholicose is not of
Kothamangalam or Kottayam. He is 'of the East'. The Indian Church is having its
identity but its connection with the Patriarchate is adding to its glory and
oneness. It is becoming the part of a very glorious
tradition,theology,patrimony, literature,etc. etc. through it. Without this
oneness the Malankara Church is cutting its main root and/or head. To me,
limiting this oneness is marring its identity.I also will join to say with you
that any argument that promotes to divide the Syrian Church from its
Patriarchate should be discouraged.

7. The relation between the EO and RC are the two sides of a coin. Both shall be
encouraged and promoted. But to the Church in India relation with the RC is more
contextual and relevant. So naturally it took more momentum. But the SOC is
actively engaged in bilateral dialogue with EO partners along with the common
dialogue with them. Both these should be viewed very openly and wholeheartedly.
Meaningful  collective dialogue will take place if we settle our issues in a
brotherly and mutually respective atmosphere.I pray you all to take intiative in
this direction. May God Bless us.

8.I don't want to prolong this exchange of letters unendingly. I hope you will
publish this letter in its entirety as the Moderators promised the other day.

Lovingly,Moolelachen.

V 22,23 - Fulfillment of the Isaiah (BC 742) prophesy 7:14.
Emmanuel, which is interpreted, as "Our God with us".
V 25 – "And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn
son: and he called his name JESUS.".
We can learn two things from this
1) Virgin birth of Jesus Christ
From this verse it is clear that Birth of Jesus is not from a
man (i.e. from Holy Spirit). There were many heretic teachings
against this scripture. Main proponents of this heresy were Cerynthos
( 2nd century) and Ebionites. But their effort did not succeed.
But there are some even today who subscribe to those views.
2) Ever virgin St. Mary
Since the usage is "And he knew her not, until she had borne her
firstborn son", some people started propagating that `she knew after
the birth of the firstborn'. It was one `Helviduss' who started this
heresy. He said that people referred as "brothers of Lord " were
brothers born this way. But let us look at some views point s from
New Testament
a. Child Jesus along with Joseph and Mary went to festival at
the synagogue. And Jesus was lost in the crowd. But they search
the child among their own people. Instead if there were younger
children, they would have searched among `those young children'. As
per the teaching of Hevlvadyos, if Jacob etc were younger brothers of
Jesus, then when they went for this festival Mary should have taken
the 9 year old Jacob and 6 year old Yosi and 3year old Simon and
possibly Mary should be carrying an younger sister too. But there
not even pointer to believe that this was the case.
b. If Jesus had 3 brothers and a sister, then during the time of
crucification, our Lord would have entrusted His mother to those
brothers and sister. Not to apostle John. Even if He entrusted His
mother to John, would these brothers and sister allow their mother to
go with Apostle John? But St. Mary went with Apostle John and lived
with him in Ephesus till her death.
c. But if you look at some old Translation the usage is `with
his brethren" not brothers.
d. The church fathers of the first few centuries also were of
the opinion our Lord did not have any brothers.

Jews used the word `brethren' to address children born of same
parents, people having blood relation, the people that belong to same
caste (Duet 15:12, Nehemiah 5:7, Exodus 32:37) or even friends (2
Samuel 1:26; 1 Kings 13:30). Even Christians also did the same way.
(Acts 9:17; Romans 14:15, Philippians 2:25; I John 2:9)
Another argument was that since the usage is Jesus as `firstborn
son," So the argument was the St. Mary did not know man till the
first born son but there could be sons other than first born (second
born, third born etc) and so St. Mary should know man for this. The
meaning of the word `first born' is born first. But whether some one
was born or not after the first born he was called "first born".
That means even if that child was the only child, still he was
called "first born". (Exodus 22:29, Duet 21:17, 25:6; 2 Kings 3;
27). For the Jews, there were some special laws and customs for
the "first born". "First born" is also used for our Lord in Colo
1:5; and Hebrew 1:6. So by this argument can we argue that God has
other sons too?

We have seen that Helvidyos argued since it is written `and he knew
her not, until she had borne her firstborn", it is possible that she
know man after first born's birth. See some other usages with same
usage
· And he sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until
the waters were dried up from off the earth (Genesis 8:7)
· I will be your God throughout your lifetime--until your hair
is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry
you along and save you. (Isaiah 46:4)
· The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until
I make thine enemies thy footstool ( Psalm 110:1)
· Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the
day of her death ( 2 Samuel 6:23)
So should we believe that after the occurrence of the
incident "till", directly opposite has occurred? The words from St.
Jerome will clarify this.
"We believe that God was born of a virgin, because we read it. We
do not believe that Mary was married after she brought forth her Son,
because we do not read it. Nor we do say this in order to condemn
marriage; for virginity itself is the fruit of marriage… You say that
Mary did not remain a virgin. As for myself I claim that Joseph
himself was a virgin, through Mary, so that a Virgin Son might be
born of a virginal wedlock."
The Birth of Jesus Christ
The time of birth is described in Luke 2:1 to 3
( that we will see in next lession ..)
==============================================================================
From the Desk of the Moderators

We withheld the name of the member who posts this message as per his request.

Reading: From the Gospel according to St. Luke 14: 7-11.

Dear and Respected Brethren,

In this small portion of devotion, St. Luke is narrating our Lord’s attempt
to teach a great lesson through a parable, as He saw how others were
selecting the chief rooms on the basis that they were invited for the
function. We have to evaluate the incident in the light of our devotional
thought of last week, rather than in the light of a social custom. Last week
we have seen that our Lord’s offer of His own flesh and blood, were real
invitations to the heavenly feast, organized and arranged by the Heavenly
Father. Our Lord God invites us all to attend the heavenly feast to develop
and to bind us together in the love of God. When a faithful accepts the
invitation, he or she is being united with God the Father as well as with
the entire flock of faithful. Suppose we are getting ready to attend the
heavenly feast. Most of us attend all weekly Holy Eucharist. Do we keep a
feeling that we are attending the Holy Eucharist as our Father in Heaven
invites us? When we go to church every week, what is our thought? Most of us
are keeping one aim of seeing others and being seen by others. Our Lord
Jesus taught us that the Holy Eucharist is the heavenly and spiritual feast
arranged by our Father in Heaven. The bread from heaven gives life to the
faithful. (St John 6: 32-33)

The parable taught by our Lord is to be meditated by us all. See the
teaching of Lord Jesus. “When you are bidden, go and sit down in the lowest
room” (Verses 10) Our Lord wants us to have humility as a sign of our lives.
“The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom and before honor is
humility” (Proverbs 15:33) In our mother tongue there was a famous saying
“one must have either fear of God or of man”. The modern man is not afraid
of God or of his own fellowmen. Solomon the wise again says “before
destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility”
(Proverbs 18:12). The modern man is not sure that he is standing on the edge
of destruction and hence he keeps his heart at the top level of haughtiness.
He has no time to listen to the teaching of our Lord regarding the eternal
life. We could find so many small groups of intellectuals under the shades
of the trees in the Church compound when the heavenly feast is going on in
the Church. What would be their interests and aims? In almost all our
Churches, there was a small door on the main entrance on the western side
and entrance to the church was meant through it only, even if the wide doors
on sides were kept open. It was to show our humbleness, by bowing a little
before God Almighty. At the moment this type of door are out of sight. Even
if we are entering through the wide doors, we must humble ourselves and say
the prayer before entering the Church by making the sign of cross. While
entering the Church, a faithful is accepting the invitation to partake the
royal, heavenly and highly spiritual feast. After entering the Church our
attention must be to the prayers, hymns and sayings of the celebrant and the
team assisting him. While attending the Holy Eucharist there is no question
of chief seats or lowest seats. The high and low or chief or lowest etc are
in hearts only. By controlling our hearts and thoughts we could do justice
to the teaching of our Lord. During the service we could listen to many
exhortations like “at this moment our thoughts, minds and hearts must be on
the right side of our Father in heaven, where our Lord Jesus is seated”. We
have to reply such exhortations meaningfully and must do as we confess. One
who keeps the humbleness only do it meaningfully.

In Verse 11, we read, “For whosoever exalts himself shall be abased and he
that humbles himself shall be exalted”.  Kindly read Job 22:29, Psalms
18:27, Proverbs 29:23, St. Matthew 23:12, St. Luke 18:14, St. James 4:6, and
I St. Peter 5:5

Let us try to adopt humbleness as an unavoidable virtue of our lives. During
these days we meditate more on the life of St. Mary, mother of God. She is
the noblest example of being a perfect devotee who could be a prefect
humble. Let the prayers and intercessions of St. Mary mother of God and the
blessed Apostles help us to achieve more and more humbleness in our lives,
in the real word, deed and thought.

May God bless us all.
Jose Kurian Puliyeril
St. George Orthodox Church
Abu Dhabi

29.07.2004

May we place on record our deepest sympathy and  hearty condolences on the
untimely passing away of Mor Severius Saliba of Lebanon.

May Our Lord keep the bones and soul of Mor Saverius in the very same place
were
HE keeps it of his beloved Holy Men & Martyrs.

Till we all meet in that Glory on HIS second coming,

Vicar & Parish members of
ST: GEORGE UNIVERSAL SYRIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH, KUWAIT

Dear Mooleachen,

Your reply to Thomas P is very informative. Thanks very much achen. I have read
your book ‘Perumpally Thirumeni Kal Nootandu',.

Rev. Fr. T C Jacob’s comments on the Adis Ababa meeting deserves special mention
as it proves without any doubt that the Church in India was part of the
Universal Syrian Orthodox Church. As you have said in IOC forum, this book by
Rev. T C Jacob achen (an IOC priest) can be relied more than any other book on
the subject as the same was published with the blessing kalpana of Catholicose
Mor Augen I and was recognized as the unified Church’s official position. So
morally, no one in the present Orthodox faction under Devolokam Catholicoses can
ever claim that the unified Church in India was ever part of the Syrian Orthodox
Church in thr 1965 period.

Jacob George
Arthat St.Mary’s Church
Kunnamkulam

CHRISTIANS FEAR PERSECUTION IN THE NEW IRAQ
(ABC NEWS)

BAGHDAD, Iraq July 26, 2004 — On a Sunday afternoon, attendance at mass at St.
Peter and Paul's Cathedral in Baghdad was decidedly thin.

A handful of Syrian Orthodox loitered on the steps of the church afterward,
women removing their dainty white lace veils as they chatted with friends. For
many, church on Sunday is the only time they can really socialize because of
safety fears.

Most Christians blame concern over a tumultuous security situation for keeping
them away from church, but it's only a small part of a greater, and growing,
predicament.

Numbering some 750,000, Christians are a minority here, and even as secular
Iraqis worry about the growing tide of Islamic fundamentalism, so long repressed
under Saddam Hussein, their Christian compatriots are feeling the effects closer
to home. They're anxious about their place in the new world around them, one
that often sees them as collaborators with their American occupiers.

The new Iraq seems destined to be dominated by a mix of Kurds, Sunnis and
Shiites, leaving many Christians wondering if it is time to leave.

"It never used to be something we talked about at work," said one woman, who
asked not to be named, butterfly clips pulling blond streaks away from her face.
"But I hear it all the time from the Muslims in my office they say we should be
part of the insurgency, they say we should all fight together against the
Americans, that we should be involved."

"You know, we're all Iraqis in the end, we need to stick together," said one
man, who was quickly shushed by his impatient wife, juggling an infant on one
hip and stroking the hair of her pigtailed daughter with her free hand.

An initial subtle difference in the way her Muslim co-workers in a government
office treated her soon evolved into full-fledged disdain, she claims.

"We feel it, we feel it so much more. Suddenly they don't like our clothes, we
can't wear what we like, I'm afraid for our daughters," she said.

Now she wants to leave.

"Give me a ticket out of here, I would love it!" she exclaimed.

It's a delicate issue for Christians here who want to be seen to be supporting
their reborn nation's attempts at clawing back toward a better way of life,
specially when for many, the worsening circumstances was undeniable.

They were able to practice their faith in relative security, free from
persecution under Saddam Hussein, and threats from Islamic radicals about liquor
stores and beauty salons were always firmly dealt with.

Eighteen-year-old Fadi, studying accounting at Baghdad's university, spoke of
learning to hold his tongue when Muslim students turned on him and his Christian
friends.

"They think that because the Americans are Christians and we're Christian that
we must be collaborating with them," he said. "There's more of them than there
are of us, so we have to pull back without answering back."

Christians who fled Iraq before the war are in neighboring Jordan and Syria,
waiting and watching before deciding whether to return, said Bishop Andreas at
the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Church.

"They're very afraid," he admitted.

Of the 750,000 Christians in Iraq, the majority are Chaldean Roman Catholic, the
rest Syrian Catholic, Syrian Orthodox and Assyrian. Most live in Baghdad and its
outskirts and some dwell further to the north.

Islamic radicals have warned Christians running liquor stores to shut down their
sales, and have turned their sights on fashion stores and beauty salons. The
increasing attention on this minority community has many within looking for a
way out.

Local newspapers reported that last week, the Chaldean Patriarch, the Rev.
Emmanuel Delly, met with Iraqi interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi and told him
that Christians wanted to flee the country because they feared for their lives
in the new Iraq.

Allawi's office wouldn't comment on the report and Delly reacted furiously when
confronted with the question.

"How can you ask me a question like that? Do I ask you who you visit?" he raised
his voice at a reporter, knocking down a tape recorder.

He later softened to say the visit was "merely to congratulate him and his new
government and to wish him all the best." He told his diocese to stand firm.

"I tell them that we love our nation, and we will work for a better Iraq," he
said, fingering a large silver crucifix around his neck. He said he didn't know
anything about threats to Iraqi Christians and their livelihoods.

Many Iraqi Christians are in neighboring countries applying with foreign
embassies for travel visas to countries like Australia, said one Christian
woman, who also declined to be named.

Shaking the hands of the last worshippers to leave the Cathedral, Father John
could only shake his head at the dwindling number of parishioners coming to Mass
each week. He said that while Saddam Hussein dragged the country through "war
after war," Christians felt safer when he was in charge.

"We have no future in Iraq now," he said.
http://www.abcnews.go.com/wire/World/ap20040726_40.html

http://www.armeniandiocese.org/news/index.php

FUNERAL SERVICES FOR BISHOP BAGDASIAN TO BE HELD AUGUST 10

Longtime Armenian Church leader, Rt. Rev. Bishop Houssig Bagdasian
passed away on Tuesday, July 27, 2004.

A wake will be held at the St. Mary Church in Livingston, NJ, on
Sunday, August 1, 2004 with viewing from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 and the
wake service at 7 p.m.

The Divine Liturgy and last anointment, presided over by Archbishop
Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of
America (Eastern), will be held at the St. Mary Church at 10 a.m. on
Tuesday, August 2, 2004.

A hokejash will follow. The St. Mary Church is located at 200 W. Mt.
Pleasant Ave. in Livingston, NJ.

Bishop Bagdasian will be buried in Providence, RI, where he was born
in 1934.

"His entire life was devoted to serving our church and our people,"
Archbishop Barsamian said. "As a pastor, his flock always held a
special space in his heart. He left his mark by planting the seeds of
leadership in people who lead our church today and the others who
will in coming years."

LONGTIME SERVANT OF THE LORD

A graduate of the Seminary of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem,
Bishop Bagdasian was ordained a priest in 1959. In 1960 he was
appointed Patriarchal Vicar of Israel, and was responsible for the
Armenian community in Israel as well as the properties of the
Armenian Patriarchate.

During his 11 years of service in the Holy Land, Bishop Bagdasian
helped renovate several Armenian churches, including St. Nicholas in
Jaffa, St. Elijah in Haifa, and St. Krikor Loosavorich in Jerusalem.

Returning to the United States in 1971, he was assigned to the St.
Mary Church, then in Irvington, NJ. He led the church in its move to
Livingston in 1974. After the church was destroyed by fire in 1980,
Bishop Bagdasian's leadership was key in helping the parish faithful
pull together to rebuild the church, which was consecrated in March
1982.

His service to the Diocese was not limited to the St. Mary parish. He
was appointed Vicar General of the Diocese and headed the Diocesan
Finance Committee. He had also served as a member of the Diocesan
Council. And he was dedicated to the Armenian homeland, leading a
group of 26 ACYOA members to the region devastated by the 1988
earthquake to help with reconstruction efforts.

Upon the recommendation of His Beatitude Patriarch Torkom Manoogian,
Bishop Bagdasian was consecrated a bishop in Armenia in September
1992 by His Holiness Vazken I, the late Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians.

"He was a great leader, a dedicated pastor, and above all else, a
kind friend to so many," Archbishop Barsamian said. "His dedication
to the faith he was called to serve was strong, as was his love for
his flock. He will surely be missed in Livingston, throughout the
Diocese, and in the worldwide Armenian Church family."

In HIS Love
Thomas Daniel (Reji)
St. George Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church
Cheppaud, Alleppyn Dist, Kerala, Inida