Bishop laid to rest

Staff Reporter - The Hindu

http://www.hindu.com/2005/06/01/stories/2005060104280300.htm

KOTTAYAM: The mortal remains of Markose Mar Coorilos, Metropolitan of the

Jacobite Syrian Church, who died in Kochi after a prolonged illness on Monday,

was interred in a specially constructed crypt at St. Mary's Church, Pangada,

where he spent much of his life as a priest, in the presence of thousands of his

faithfuls.

The body of Mar Coorilos was brought to St. Mary's Jacobite Syrian Cathedral at

Manarcadu on Monday night from his parent diocese at Ponpally.

On Tuesday morning, after special prayers led by Bishop Thomas Mar Themotheos,

the Metropolitan of Kottayam Diocese of the Syrian Jacobite Church, the body was

taken out in a procession to his final resting place.



Photos: http://www.hindu.com/2005/06/01/images/2005060104290301.jpg

Last rites: The body of Markose Mar Coorilos, who passed away at a private

nursing home in Kochi on Monday being brought to St. Mary's Church, Pangada,

Kottayam, on Tuesday for the last rites.

Mor Koorilose Laid To Rest

By SOCM News Bureau



In an atmosphere filled with emotional feelings of thousands of people assembled

at Pangada St. Mary’s Church, the mortal remains of Markose Mor Koorilose

Metropolitan was laid to rest yesterday (31/05/05) at 2 P.M. The late

Metropolitan was in-charge of Niranom, Thiruvanthapuram and Kuwait dioceses of

Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church.



At the end of the funeral service, the Catholicose Baselious Thomas I labeled

the body with Holy Oil (Zayto) and the Kottayam Diocesan Metropolitan Thomas Mar

Themotheos covered the face with ‘shushefo’ veil.



For more details, please visit: http://www.socdigest.org/news/08may05.html

CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN!





"O Paradise planted anew by Christ our God! O new mystery and

dreadful wonders! There, Adam and Eve lived avowedly among trees

which were physical and visible. Both the tree of knowledge and the

tree of life were different from each other. But here, the new Adam

becomes all things at once for those who believe, both food and a

knowledge which does not lead to death nor banish us from the tree

of life, but rather which teaches us with what words the serpent

ought instead to have been answered: `Get behind me, Satan!' He said

(Mt.4:10), together with the rest. Nor is this all, but that

knowledge leads us to the Life which, again, is He Himself."



St. Symeon the New Theologian.



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



"Remember me, O Lord, with the favor You have toward Your people;

Oh, visit me with Your salvation." Psalms 106:4



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

Commemoration of the Entry of the Lord Christ to Egypt.

Departure of the Prophet Habakkuk.

Martyrdom of the Monk St. Bashnouna El-Maqari

Martyrdom of St. Colluthus of Antinoe (Known as Abu Colta).

Departure of the most honored Layman Ibrahim El-Gohari

1.  "Metropolitan Mor Koorilose laid to rest"  --  SOC Digest

     http://www.geocities.com/malankaravoice9/20050601socdigest.htm



2.  The New Indian Express

     http://www.geocities.com/malankaravoice9/20050601farewellIndExp.htm



3.  Mathrubhumi

     http://www.geocities.com/malankaravoice9/20050601farewellMath.htm



4.  Malayala Manorama

     http://www.geocities.com/malankaravoice9/20050601farewellManor.htm



5.  PHOTOS  of the last rites

     http://www.geocities.com/malankaravoice9/20050531Met_Photos.htm



For more Links, visit:

http://www.geocities.com/malankaravoice9/news_section.htm

http://malankara.cjb.net/  or

http://www.geocities.com/malankaravoice9/Index.htm

Most Respected members of this forum:



I was extremely overjoyed after hearing the responses of many of my dear and

respected friends.  Although many of the responses were quite typical, there

were some that unexpectedly crossed ethical boundaries, for example someone

suggested my affiliation with the persecution of thousands of Syrian Orthodox

Christians.  It is interesting to find certain obscure connections, but in the

spirit of constructive debate, such wild comparisons should be avoided for the

longevity and health of such discussions.



After submitting my last posting, many of my brothers in the IOC questioned my

motives, and many stated that such postings were a waste of time, and would

never lead to peace.  I am sure that simply writing will not lead us anywhere,

but I hope this can at least spark some sort of positive movement towards peace

in the Malankara Church.  I know that as humans, because each and every one of

us is not perfect, we may disagree and agree on certain things.  However, as

Christians, we are called to strive for perfection, or strive to reflect Christ

in our actions.  We are faced with a dilemma that has crossed every sea, and has

seeped into every home, and in every mind, both young and old.  Do we not think

that the story of how our two groups came to a peaceful solution can spread that

same distance?   I think we owe it to ourselves, our families, our future, and

simply our mission towards leading a Christ-like life, that we can come

together, and at least discuss our differences, and set an example of how peace

should be attained.  In America, we have been blessed with so many

opportunities, and at least the members in this continent can come together for

the sake of peace.  So, if there is one idea that I can share, it is the hope

that at least once a year, the youth of both our churches can come together for

a joint, ecumenical conference.



However, I know such dreams cannot be materialized because of many actions that

have been taken by my own church leadership.  I apologize if our leaders have

hurt you in any way.  Our leaders have been entrusted with a great, yet complex

responsibility.  They are human beings, they are Christians.  It is our

responsibility to treat them in a respectful, Christian manner.  I have taken no

part in the administrative actions of this Diocese, and of the church at large. 

I am writing in hopes, not of changing our leaders, but in hopes of finding the

few out there, who are willing to stand for peace, and will not accept any

agreement unless it will lead to the eventual peace between our churches in

Malankara.  If we cannot even agree on a middle ground, then unfortunately I

cannot openly say that we are making a Christian-like attempt for peace.



Now, for the sake of good debate, I am going to offer a few notes on which we

can all ponder:



What about St. Peter's throne?  I do not think the IOC has ever questioned the

doctrine of Petrine supremacy, because if someone does, they are wrong;

furthermore, we acknowledge that the successor of St. Peter has the highest seat

when the heads of our two churches meet.  Although the IOC believe in it, the

ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES do not believe in such.  If they did, then the Pope

of the Coptic Church, the successor of St. Mark, would not have the highest seat

in a meeting of the OO hierarchs (FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW, THE COPTIC POPE HAS

THE HIGHEST PLACE WHEN THE ORIENTAL CHURCH HEADS MEET.)  So, as far as I am

concerned, the IOC is the only church that believes in this among our family of

churches.  In fact, when the heads of the Orthodox Churches (both EO and OO)

meet with the Pope of Rome, it is written that the Pope should be given the

highest honor.  This was because Rome was the capital of the empire in the past,

and not because the Pope of Rome was the successor of St. Peter.



What is wrong with the faith of the IOC?



We believe in the three ecumenical synods, that of Nicea, Constantinople, and

Ephesus, and the decisions that were made there.  This is what makes both the

IOC and SOC, orthodox.  In fact, Fr. Dr. V. C. Samuel is the main authority on

the Council of Chalcedon in the last few centuries.  If anyone wished to even

begin to understand Christology, they cannot do it without the works of Fr. Dr.

V. C. Samuel.  We are grateful for the many gifts that the SOC has given us,

especially mentionable by name, Fr. V. C. Samuel and Mar Paulos Gregorios.  We

are not only grateful, but the rest of Ecumenical Orthodoxy is grateful also. 

Our heads are held up high, as we enter into esteemed, prestigious, and

influential institutions, such as Oxford, Yale, Harvard, and St. Vladimir's, and

we hear the words of our dear Indian fathers being uttered in the halls and

classrooms of these hallowed places.  It only makes me proud to hear people

refer to our church as the church of Fr. V. C. Samuel and Mar Paulos Gregorios.



What is wrong with the faith of IOC?



The majority of the IOC priests are educated in Orthodoxy.  I can say with all

honesty that some of the SOC metropolitans have received their Orthodox ethos at

our Old Seminary in Kottayam like: Mar Yuhannon Philexenos, Mar Themothios

Thomas, Mar Markos Kurilos, and the Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Adai Jacob (Principal of

Udaigiri Seminary).  Remember, these are all qualified high priests. The top

educated leaders of your church studied under the "heretics."  One can certainly

appreciate the irony.



Old Seminary is the minimum qualification for our Priests. Furthermore, Ninety

percent of our priests in America have studied at Old Seminary in Kottayam. 

Many go on and continue with their theological education at places such as St.

Vladimir's Seminary, known for its Orthodoxy.  We have at least twenty graduates

from St. Vladimir's, and including six students that are currently studying

there.  Many of these students have or will graduate with their MDiv's, MTh's,

and DMin's.  In fact, for any of our deacons to receive the order of Yaufedkono

(Sub-deacon), they must have a minimum of a MDiv.  Many other SOC leaders have

studied in this Seminary including Mar Theethos Yeldho, the current Metropolitan

of the Malankara Arch Diocese, and Rabban Fr. Edyp Aydin.  Many bishops of the

SOC such as Mar Cyril Aprem Karim and Very Rev. Fr. John Meno have affiliations

with St. Vladimir's.



What is wrong with the faith of the IOC?



Many say that we should never pray through the intercession of Paurmala

Thiurmani because he himself swore that he would never associate with someone

who spoke against Antioch.  Many of us know that Vattaseril Thirumani and

Catholicos Geevarghese II, which our SOC brethren have respectfully called

"Vridthan Punnoose", were Parumala Gregorios Thirumani's beloved students. 

Vattaserril Thirumani was an instrumental figure in establishing the freedom of

the Church in India.  It is not proper to use Parumala Thiurmani's name in this

argument because the split happened ten years after his earthly demise. 

Although you claim that Parumala Thirumani has cursed our church and our people,

we have seen many miracles happen in his name for the IOC people. If you claim

that it is the prince of demons that is performing these miracles, how can satan

drive out satan?  How can good be done in the name of satan?



It was not any Patriarch of Antioch that started the church in India.  Although

we are grateful for the ardent and dilligent support of the church leaders in

Syria, we will continue to pray for them, and accept the Patriarch of Antioch as

the supreme spiritual head, subject to the provisions of the constitution of the

Malankara Orthodox Church.



In conclusion, let me share with you one hypothetical situation. Let us say that

there is someone from the SOC who wishes to marry someone of the IOC, and this

ceremony would be solemnized by a priest of the IOC.  Because you claim our

priests have no priesthood, would this mean that their marriage is illegitimate?

Could the illegitimacy carry on to their children as well?  Would the family of

the SOC member allow for this illegitimacy?  In my honest opinion, I think they

would, because in the end all that matters is theosis, not petrosis.



And please pray for me, a weak and sinful servant.



With love and prayers,

Dn. Gregory Varghese

St. Thomas Orthodox Church, Yonkers, NY

Member ID: 0178

As per the news coming from certain Methran Kakshi sources, their Catholicose

designate Mar Thimotheos has asked Mannaraprayil Corepiscopa of Thrikkunnathu to

pass on the administrative charges to bishop Pachomios.  Also it is heard that

Yuhonon Milithios (Thrissur) who switched sides to Methran faction in 1996, is

to be appointed as Assistant bishop of Angamaly.  The faction leadership is said

to be greatly worried over the ugly scenes that happened during their last

managing committee meeting in which their secretary Alexander karakkal and a few

deacons were beaten by those people who opposed Pachamios.



In effect, if these changes happens, Milithios will become the sole authority of

the properties of our Thrikkunnathu seminary which had been forcibly taken from

us through backdoor dramas in 1970’s. (In the Thrikkunnathu church we still have

a strength of about 220 families, whereas Methran faction have the support of

less than 12 families.   Also, almost all the Methran Kakshi families there are

migrants from their southern dioceses who were allotted membership in that

church by Bishop Theophilos and Mannaraprayil achen in the 1960-70 periods. 

Inspite of the support of only a very small group, Mannaraprayil Achen is still

continuing there on the basis of a statusquo order issued to him by the court.)



Now Methran Kakshi faction is thinking of appointing Milithios as their diocesan

bishop on their belief that he being a manipulator and fighter, could bring this

largest Malankara diocese under their fold.  Also they want to sideline

Mannaraprayil corepiscopa who is now emerging as a great threat for a section of

their leadership.  For overcoming all these hurdles Methran Kakshi leadership

thinks it is better to give charge of the diocese to Bishop Milithios who is

well known for his aggressiveness.  They also believe that Milithios will be

successful where their late bishop Philipose Theophilos failed.



But there are others in that faction who oppose this idea saying that if

Milithios, whose image as a bishop has fallen far below than anything, is to be

appointed for Angamaly, then there are chances for them to loose the rest of

their few members in the diocese as well.  What these fellows who oppose

Milithios points out is the bad experience their church had experienced 3 years

back when their Catholicose tried to forcibly enter the famous Manaracad Church.

Allegations are still there that it is Milithios who mislead their Catholicose

then.  The fight between Manorama and Milithios intensified from this point of

time which is continuing even now.



T M Chacko

Manarcad

Kottayam.

Member ID # 0903

CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN!



"There remains, I conceive, no possibility of doubt but that the words, `I and

the Father are one,' were spoken with regard to the nature which is His by

birth. The Jews had rebuked Him because by these words He, being a man, made

Himself God. The course of His

answer proves that, in this `I and the Father are One,' He did profess Himself

the Son of God, first in name, then in nature, and lastly by birth. For `I' and

`Father' are the names of substantive Beings; `One' is a declaration of Their

nature, namely, that it is

essentially the same in Both; `are' forbids us to confound Them together; `are

one,' while forbidding confusion, teaches that the unity of the Two is the

result of a birth. Now all this truth is drawn out from that name, the Son of

God, which He being sanctified by the Father, bestows upon Himself; a name, His

right to which is confirmed by His assertion `I and the Father are One.' For

both cannot confer any nature upon the offspring  other than that of the parent

from whom that offspring is born."



St. Hilary of Poitiers.

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

"Hear my prayer, O Lord, And give ear to my cry; Do not be silent at my tears;

For I am a stranger with You, A sojourner, as all my fathers were." Psalms 39:12

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

Prayer Requests:

Please remember me in your prayers.

Please pray for the peace of the world.

"casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

Dear and Respected Brethren,



May I convey my heart felt condolence to one and all, who mourn for the untimely

sad demise of beloved of the Holy Church, H.G, Markose Mar Coorilos

Metropolitan, with whom I have acquaintance from the days when His Grace was Dn.

R.V. Markose, studying at Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam. In those days

I was a regular visitor to the Seminary. While he was a young Semmachen, he was

admired much by his Malpans, V. Rev. Koruthu Malpan and V. Rev. Abraham Malpan,

as he was extra brilliant in Syriac language. I have wondered several times,

while seeing our Church Fathers of yesteryears (of both factions) reading the

Holy Gospels in Malayalam language fluently by reading the Syriac texts. H.G

Markose Mar Coorilos was also a veteran in Syriac, blessed enough like those

Fathers. The book ‘Susroosha Sahayi’ (Acolyte’s companion, having

transliteration of Syriac hymns and prayers in Malayalam Script with

explanations), by him, published when he was a Seminarian, was widely used in

Malankara in south and north alike.



May the soul of Thirumeni rest in peace and comfort.



Jose Kurian Puliyeril

St. George Orthodox Church

Abu Dhabi

Member ID # 0905

Dearly beloved in Christ:



As a member of the Syriac Orthodox Church I would like to present a few

questions before you.  I have been harboring these questions in my mind for a

while now, but failing to find the right answers. I am a second generation in

the line of Malayali Syrian Orthodox Immigrants from the great nation India.  I

have asked these questions to many of the elders of our Church, but have

received contradictory answers from most of them.  I would like to be advised

based on the Canon and the teachings of our Holy Church.



1)Is it forbidden just to attend the services conducted by other Churches, not

receiving their communion?



2)What Churches are we allowed receiving communion from?



3)Is it advisable to attend praise and worship meetings conducted by Protestant

Churches who does not believe in the concept of intercession to St. Mary and

other Holy Saints?



4)What is the Church's standing on a youth member getting married?  What

Churches is he/she allowed taking the bride/bridegroom from?



5)Are the bishops of the Syrian Orthodox Church allowed to eat meat?



6)Are women allowed to serve the Holy altar?



7)Are Priests allowed to get divorced and marry again and still conduct the Holy

Qurbano?



8)Are divorced (or married again) laymen allowed to serve the altar?



9)Does our Church teach that an acolyte have to ask for Shubkono by opening his

arms to the attendees of the Holy Qurbano before folding the Shoshappa?



10)Does an Acolyte have to step out of the `Madhbaho' to recite the Nicene Creed

during the Holy Qurbano?



11)What is the correct Malayalam wording of our daily bread in the Lord's

Prayer?  Is it `appam' or `aaharam'?



12)Do we still need to be ignorant in teaching our kids about the true Syrian

Orthodox tradition that we are following?



It is our ignorance that pilots others to question our true faith. Ignorance

combined with lack of true commitment make us stand baffled at the questions

raised against us challenging our true faith and tradition.  This situation has

to be changed.  We have to forsake fake pride, and step up to learn the truth. 

We have to develop an inner quest to explore into the history of our two

thousand year old church; the struggles that our forefathers went through, the

persecutions they had faced, and the glory we have attained.  This has to be

passed on to the next generation so that they would nourish a true love and

dedication to the mother church,

rather than reluctantly going to church just because their parents are the

members of that church.  In the US, Malayalees would definitely take the rare

honor of raising their children in a way that they will never understand a

single word of Malayalam, hardly speak some `Manglish', and would know nothing

about the true tradition of their mother church but they are `Jacobaya'.



The loaded American Achayans/Amachees will always have the same lame excuse,

"Oh, avanu malayam onnum ariyathilla" (He/She doesn't know Malayalam). 

"Njangalude pillerkku ee Church politics onnum Ishtamilla" (Our kids doesn't

like the church politics).



They say they do not like Church politics.  But, is this politics? that are we

the Syrian Orthodox Church fighting for?  It is not even a fight; it is actually

a struggle for existence.  It is a struggle to stay in the true faith that has

been passed on to us for centuries.  This is a struggle to safe guard our places

of Worship. This is a struggle to protect the cemeteries of our forefathers. How

could some one be ignorant to say "Its all politics".  All they want is peace. 

It is all well and good.  But, would you want peace by giving away your house to

some one who forcefully kicked you out from there.  Would you want peace by

abandoning your father and accepting some one who always tried to demoralize

your father as your new father?  Dn. Gregory had written in the forum about some

30 Jacobite families being members of the Yonkers IO church.  He mentioned that

all these families are satisfied with everything over there; their children are

even getting Sunday school lessons and are learning about IO Church History.  Is

this a shame or is this a special privilege that some Jacobites enjoy due to

ignorance.  I am pretty sure that when they go back to India, they will all go

to their mother churches and make sure that their membership is safe and they

still have all the rights.  As Mr. T.M. Chacko once mentioned, What a Hypocrisy?



We have just bought a new Archdiocesan center for our Church.  We have an

extremely efficient young Bishop to lead the flocks of our Church in the US.  We

have very able clergies and young deacons.  We own a lot of beautiful Churches

and in pursue of buying even more. We have the resource and we have the

potential.  Then, why don't we have a plan for the future, for the future

generation.  Twenty or thirty years from now, what is the use of all this if we

are still ignorant to educate our kids on the true faith and tradition of our

Church?  What are the higher authorities going to do about this?  I am a mere

layman writing all this out of concern.  Let the lord work miracles and envision

all of us.



Theshbuhatho L'aloho



Sons of KEFA

NY Chapter

Member ID 0900

Syriac Summer School



Learn the language of Jesus from its origin and keep it alive



An exciting interdisciplinary Programme for all students

17 July – 8 August 2005, 23 Days.



-Speak, Read, Write Syriac language/ form of Aramaic/, whose many dialects have

been in continuous use since the 11th century BC. Originally the language of the

Aramean people. Jesus and the Apostles spoke and preached in Aramaic.



-Preserve old language that has quietly survived, even as war, assimilation and

time have almost silenced its speakers. Nevertheless, Christians are united in

learning Syriac language/ form of Aramaic/ -Discover through exciting and guided

tours in the old city of Aleppo; as well as the surroundings cities and

villages, the  important historical civilization in Syria, the dead cities,

ruins of old churches and monasteries, and many significant fogotten parts in

the world, dating back to the early history of humankind.



For more informations: http://www.syriacsummerschool.com

Reopening of the Kolencherry St. Peters Church:



Public protest intensifies against Methran faction's Kandanad Bishop

whose stubborn attitude prevents the reopening of the Kolencherry

church.



http://www.geocities.com/malankaravoice9/20050603kolencherryMang.htm



For more Links, visit:

http://www.geocities.com/malankaravoice9/news_section.htm

http://malankara.cjb.net/  or

http://www.geocities.com/malankaravoice9/Index.htm

CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN!



"None of your suffering has come by chance. Nothing

can happen to us without our Lord's consent; and His

consent is not only wise but always dictated by His

love of us. Carefully examine your conscience and your

life, and I am sure you will understand what I mean.

Sorrow weighs you down? Never mind. The grateful

heart, humble and wise - the heart which has become

grateful, humble, and wise - will be greatly consoled

and blessed with serene joy."



			 St. Macarius of Optina.



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



"I cry out with my whole heart; Hear me, O Lord! I

will keep Your statutes. I cry out to You; Save me,

and I will keep Your testimonies." Psalms 119:145-146



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



Prayer Requests:



Please remember the following in your prayers:



Merna - 9 yrs old girl with brain hemorrhage -

multiple skull fractures. Merna is conscious and

talking but apparently she had lost hearing in one

ear. She is doing better overall.

George k - Cancer

Daisy G - Stroke and is non-responsive.

Frances - Brain Tumor

Delaney - 8mon. old baby, hospitalized with severe

burns and possible limb amputation.

Suzanne - Widow w/ 3 kids: liver failure &

complications.

Alber - Cancer

K - Depression, anxiety, addiction, pride and

spiritual estrangement

E. Tawadros - confusion and depression.

Andrew Eskander - car accident. Andrew is out of the

hospital and is doing great

E. Sidhom - Cancer.

Adel Gendy - 10 years old with kidney failure, needs a

kidney transplant.

Bernard - Various drug addiction problems

Joseph - Prostrate Cancer

Mary - Breast cancer

A.K Mathew - Colon Cancer

Enyat - severe diabetes.

Safwat - Kidney problems and Anxiety.

Samy - Bone cancer.

MS - Mercy, Comfort, Strength, Healing and Protection

AAM -- Love, Healing, Comfort, Strength, Support and

Guidance

MM -- Love, Healing, Comfort, Strength, Support and

Guidance

SE -- Love, Healing

GE -- Love, Comfort, Strength, Support, Guidance

Helen - severe epileptic seizures.

Stephan - 48 years old, muscular dystrophy, diabetes,

stroke.

Scott - 4 months old baby desperately in need of a

bone marrow donor.

Douglas McLead - Cancer and kidney failure.

Mrs. McLead - Parkinson disease.

Fr Benjamin, Photini, Marina, Miriam, Moses.

Nicholas - constant back pain.

Michael - 9 years old boy with a progressive brain

tumor.

Sarah - Back problems and might need an operation

soon.

Mayrvat and her 3 kids. She has been separated from

her kids.

Elizabeth - bi-polar disease and other problems.

Fr. Constantine S. Palassis - suffers from symptoms of

dementia.

Heidy - Depression and other problems.

Esther - Intestinal problems.

Nick - chemotherapy.

Sue S. - Advanced Cancer.

Helen P. - severe depression and diabetes.

Pamela P. - chronic depression and financial

difficulties.

Shafika - kidney failure.

Mary Beth - Obesity & Diabetes.

Jean - Neurological back problems.

Therese - Emotional problems.

Reggie - Cancer.

Detra - Stress related health problems.

Walter Sr. - Depression.

Denise I. - Breast Cancer.

Madeline - metastatic breast cancer.

Cuba Plain - cancer that is high up in the breast.

Zouhair - stomach cancer.

Magdy - brain tumor.

John Rittel - cancer of the lymph node and voice box.

Ibtesam Hweamel family.

Eugene - completion of immigration procedures and

securing a job.

Lisa Michelle Morgan's family.

The Christians in Egypt. "Blessed is Egypt My people."

Isaiah 19:25



Please remember me in your prayers.



Please pray for the peace of the world.



"casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for

you." 1 Peter 5:7

Dear Dn. Gregory Varghese,



Thank you for taking the time to respond and continue dialogue.

Great are my sins and follies, and unworthy is the voice that flows from my

heart.  I understand the difficulty of the position you are in. Sometimes one of

the hardest things in this world is to say, "I'm wrong," especially when one's

family and friends are closely involved.



I'm sure if you were born into a (Syriac) Orthodox family, you'd be just as

militant a supporter of the Orthodox faith as you are of the faith of the

Wattasseril faction.  But search your conscience and put yourself in the view of

someone outside the Wattasseril faction.  When it is quiet and you are alone

with God, let your mind be free of worldly concerns and clan loyalties.  When

you let yourself be emptied and let the presence of He who created heaven and

earth overshadow every part of you, you will find yourself face to face with the

truth.  Being enlightened with the truth can be insightful or sharply painful. 

It is this blunt form of honesty we must always keep close to ourselves, so that

each of us do not let the deceiver escort us into sin.



On Ethical Boundaries



You may attempt to free yourself of the guilt of being affiliated with the

persecutors of the Orthodox Christians by casting this reality off as an

"obscure connection," or "a wild comparison," but in the end, you'll only be

convincing yourself.  Know the truth, and the truth will set you free. 

Regardless what you will admit to me, the good members of this forum, or anyone

on earth regarding this matter, when you are in front of God, there is no

escaping the reality.  The individuals who yearned to appropriate wealth for

themselves, and in doing so rebelled against the Orthodox Church, waited for one

of the most vulnerable moments in the history of Oriental Christendom to carry

out their plans.  Taking advantage of Islamic persecution of one's Orthodox

Christian spiritual fathers is equal to being a collaborator with the

persecutors.  Of course, you did not murder anyone, just as the Jews never drove

the nails into Christ's body. But can we say that the Jews are blameless as far

as Christ's death is concerned?  There are Jews today who champion the Jewish

leaders who effectively brought death of Jesus Christ; is this any different

than anyone in the IO church who champions the men who desired to invent the

Wattasseril faction?



I too have ancestors who, during the course of history, were Syrian Christians,

left the faith, and are guilty of mayhem and murder.  I would be a fool to

convince myself otherwise.  But I have a choice:  I can glorify these people, or

I can recognize that they were wrong and use my time on this earth to do good. 

None of us are guilty of Adam and Eve's sin, though we inherit the consequences

of it (our fallen nature).  Like the example above however, we can uplift their

disobedience of God, or we can use our time on this earth to do what

is right.



The Rev. Dn. Zachariah Varghese asked you a series of ethical questions, which

you avoided in your reply.  Will you tell Nicolovos to return the churches he

took from the SOC in the USA? Or his aramana? Or will you speak to the other

bishops who wrote books strongly defending SOC and then switched sides? Aren't

you ashamed that you share ordination with these people?



Muslims believe that stealing and lying are divinely permissible.  Is it also

ethically, as well as divinely permissible for the Wattasseril faction to steal

churches, seminaries, hospitals, the bodies of people's ancestors, and the

bodies of saints?  Is it likewise ethical when you embrace an ex-bishop, who is

guilty of lying, and further lies in order take what does not belong to him? 

What sort of gospel is being preached by these deeds?  (This is also against the

16th canon of Nicea)



Of course, NO ONE is perfect--myself especially.  Clergy of every Orthodox

jurisdiction have fallen to sin, lying being one of them. But where we make our

mark as men before God is by the manner in which we deal with such situations. 

Most Wattasseril faction folks are unaware of their own history, so they are

blameless.  You, on the other hand, are a chemachen in your church; you have a

responsibility where others might not.



Truth has no middle ground.  The Muslims who conquered the Near East offered the

Syrians a middle ground.  The Syrians would not be put to the sword if they

converted to Islam or paid the Jaziyah (the tax non-Muslims had to pay to

Muslims).  Instead of looking for a middle ground, which will shift over time,

let us simply look for the truth.  Christ has no middle ground, for he who is

not with Christ, is against Him (Matthew 12:30).



No one can blame you for the confusion you bring forth on the issue of St. Peter

and the respect of the ancient sees.  There are many competing positions

regarding this issue, some of which being Orthodox, others not.  The position of

the ancient Sees of the Church is an issue of piety not unlike St. Peter's

relationship to the apostles.  The cities of the ancient Sees took on different

positions of respect based on their prominence: among the four, Antioch is last,

and when Jerusalem is included, Jerusalem is last without any jurisdiction

outside the city itself!  Each of the three original Sees mentioned at Nicea is

Petrine (St. Mark was also a disciple of St. Peter, and only returned to Egypt

after St. Peter's martyrdom in Rome).  This is what distinguished these three

(Rome, Alexandria, Antioch) cities from others during the early days: their

connection to St. Peter.  Many other cities were apostolic, especially in the

Near East.  Yet the council of Nicea affirmed only three.



I have a Syrian Orthodox friend who was baptized by the Coptic Pope of

Alexandria when the Coptic Pope (Patriarch) visited the US.  His family wanted

him baptized by Syriac clergy who were the boy's relatives, but out of piety and

respect for the  Alexandrian patriarch, yielded to the Alexandrian patriarch's

wishes.



This is a matter of piety that is a necessary part of being Orthodox. One cannot

simply say that recognizing the three ecumenical synods makes one orthodox. 

There are tons of groups in America alone which dress up in our vestments and

claim to believe in these three synods; that however, does not make them

Orthodox.  It only means that the group is orthodox insofar as their acceptance

of the synods is concerned.  The true point behind accepting the synods and the

ancient Sees is one of piety.  Christianity is not a legalistic religion, but

these canons are in place to help strengthen the soul.  Just as St. Peter was

honored as the head of the apostles, so too we must honor the ancient Sees in

accordance with piety.  This is the piety that the Wattasseril faction's own

Paulos Morhoon Gregorios wrote about: "We in India belong to this Patriarchate

even if we have our own Catholicose and are autonomous. We have no other sources

from which to renew our ancient tradition, except the tradition of Antioch, of

the Great Syrian Church, which once had spread through the length and breadth of

Asia, right up to China and Korea. It would be the height of ingratitude and

most deplorable folly on our part if we grieve his heart (the Patriarch) with

any world which seeks to dissociate ourselves with the patriarchate of Antioch."



Now, when your church seeks to ally with anti-Christian Hindus in order to

prevent the spiritual leader of the Antiochian Church from entering India, that

is unorthodox as well as anti-Orthodox. Orthodoxy is a matter of heart, my dear

deacon.  We cannot justify the deeds of the Wattasseril faction because our

deeds are our living testimony of the Gospel.  But we can say: "This is wrong. I

stand against it. I'm sorry.  Forgive me and accept me."



Your venerable statement to Fr. Dr. V.C. Samuel is a bit of an exaggeration. 

Whatever contributions he has made to Chalcedonian dialogue really have no

bearing on how one understands Christology.

It is perfectly reasonable to have a firm grasp of Christology without touching

his book.



You further mention, `The top educated leaders of your church studied under the

"heretics." One can certainly appreciate the irony.' Where is the irony?  This

has been common since the time of St. Paul, who studied under Gameliel.  Many of

our leaders studied under Theodoret and Hibo.  Bar `Ebroyo studied under

Nestorians, and other leaders have studied in Greece or Rome.



Again you say, "Many say that we should never pray through the intercession of

Paurmala Thiurmani because he himself swore that he would never associate with

someone who spoke against Antioch." Perhaps it is my fault that I missed such a

comment, but I am glad you seek this saint's intercession.  The issue you aren't

addressing is the irony or lack of sense in such intercession.  St. Gregorios

was a militant Jacobite, not unlike St. Athanasios Paulos.  Of course it is

wonderful that you seek their intercession, but with regard to the methodology

of the Wattasseril faction, it makes little sense.  You're seeking the

intercession of people you vehemently fight against.  Considering this, the

question is "why?"



What you say regarding the spiritual head of the Orthodox Christians of the East

and also the Wattasseril faction, makes little sense.  "We will continue to pray

for them, and accept the Patriarch of Antioch as the supreme spiritual head,

subject to the provisions of the constitution of the Malankara Orthodox Church."

What sort of acceptance is this?!



A man asked Jesus what he must do to enter paradise and Jesus replied "You lack

one thing; go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have

treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."  What happened after that?  The man

accepted Christ's spiritual authority, but subject to his own temporal

constitution.  The following verse clearly states: "At that saying his

countenance fell, and he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions."

(Mark 10:21-22)  This is a classic example of what is happening in Malankara,

except the Wattasseril faction does not walk away with a fallen countenance,

realizing that spiritual authority is ultimately the same; they stand in

opposition to their fathers.  You cannot split issues like spiritual and

temporal.  Ultimately, they are the same.  The argument the Wattasseril faction

makes would be greater (but still invalid) if it was simply two people competing

for property rights, but it isn't.  The Wattasseril faction is fighting each

parish community who rightfully deal with their own properties.  These

properties do not belong to you, to me, or anyone else but those who created

them.



As for the hypothetical situation, this is ultimately the call of the bishop in

the area.



Do you think you'll attain theosis by continued combat against God's Church?  If

the patriarch called you and told you to leave the Wattasseril faction, receive

the holy myron, and join the (Syriac) Orthodox Church, would you do it in your

quest to attain theosis?



Mike Wingert

St. Mary's SJ Syrian Orthodox Church

Santa Fe Springs, CA

Member ID # 0902

Priest initiates pilgrim tours to W. Asia

(Report from Manorama Online, 29.05.2005)



Dubai: A Kerala-based Christian priest's initiative in organising pilgrimage

tourism in West Asia is catching up with Keralites and Goans living in Gulf

countries.



''275 Indian, Filipino and Pakistani nationals living in Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE

and Oman have undertaken group tours to the region in the past four months,''

Father Sleeba Kattumanagttu.



The idea of promoting pilgrimage tourism among Asian nationals in the Gulf

countries was initiated by Kattumangattu in collaboration with Qatar Airways,

Gulf Times of Doha reported.



''Since Qatar hosted the last Tourism Summit, I have received a number of

inquiries from among Asian nationalities in the region, especially Indians and

Filipinos for organising tours to the West Asian locations,'' the Kochi-based

priest said.



Next month, he is taking a big group of UAE nationals, besides Western

expatriates in Kuwait, for the trips to Jordan, Egypt and other locations.



In the past 10 years, Kattumanghattu has taken 64 travelling groups to the

region, at least a dozen of them in the last one year alone.



http://www.manoramaonline.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=manorama/MmArticle/\

CommonFullStory&c=MmArticle&channel=News&cid=1117361817128&colid=1002258272845&c\

ount=10&p=1002366458812

(Manorma Online)

====================================



PS:  Royal Omania Tours and Travels - http://www.omaniatours.com is founded and

managed by Rev. Sleeba Kattumangattu, Cor-Episcopa an ordained Christian Priest

belonging to the Syrian Orthodox church. He is the parishoner of the famous

Marthoman Church at Mulanthuruthy(S.Kerala, India),a 1000 year old Jacobite

Syrian Orthodox Church which is known as the 2nd Jerusalem of India.

Webpage of Mulanthuruthy Church:

http://sor.cua.edu/ChMon/Cochin/MulanthuruthyMarthoman.html

Dear All,



Couple Justy & Sholy (Bahrain) request to pray for them for a child.



Gijo Jacob

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

St. Mary's Cathedral - Manarcad

Dear Dn,



Months back we had been exchanging our ides on "peace" through this forum. But

you became silent for some time. Its good to see you again active on that ever

elusive word.



Being a layman without any theological studies, other than being an alter boy

for 8 years, can you please be specific on some of your comments on you last

mail, so that myself and many others like me may get enlightened on certain

matters.



>"""So, if there is one idea that I can share, it is the hope that >at least

once a year, the youth of both our churches can come >together for a joint,

ecumenical conference."""



For you to have an ecuminical conference of youth of IO Church and malankara

wing of SOC, your leadership have to first accept the fact that the malankara

wing of SOC exists!!!. How can you have an ecuminical conference with our youth

(including myself) when your own

leadership doesnt accept the existence of the SOC in india.



>"""However, I know such dreams cannot be materialized because of >many actions

that have been taken by my own church leadership."""



Dear dn, I dont have any comments on this statement. You have to be your own

judge. But one thing i can tell you. The peace efforts before parumala

association was thrawted by none other than your leadership. and they where

succesfull in putting that blame on the feet of "divanasious", claiming that

"divanasious" wants to be catholica. ( You forgot the fact that HG could be the

catholicos wheather the church unites or not, as is the present condition)



>"""What about St. Peter's throne?  I do not think the IOC has ever >questioned

the doctrine of Petrine supremacy, because if someone >does, they are wrong;

furthermore, we acknowledge that the >successor of St. Peter has the highest

seat when the heads of our >two churches meet."""



Sincerly i hope that the above statement from you was not a typing error.

Because it cuts into the "IO Church theology" for the past 30 years.



Dn, can you please sent the above suggestion to IOCN or DEEPAM and get the

responce. We will communicate after that.



But if the above statement of yours is accepted by IO Church, then we are more

than half way down the road to "peace"



>""" I can say with all honesty that some of the SOC metropolitans >have

received their Orthodox ethos at our Old Seminary in Kottayam >like: Mar

Yuhannon Philexenos, Mar Themothios Thomas, Mar Markos >Kurilos, and the Very

Rev. Fr. Dr. Adai Jacob (Principal of >Udaigiri Seminary).  Remember, these are

all qualified high >priests. The top educated leaders of your church studied

under >the "heretics."  One can certainly appreciate the irony."""



From 64 to 74 old seminary was not being under the heretics. Are'nt you aware

that the moment ougen themotious got ordained by HH the Patriarch the erstwhile

"metran faction" ceased to exist. And where is the question of "heretics" in old

seminary from 64 to 74



I can be specific on this because because my uncle (Fr John Punnachalil

corepiscopa of Kandanad church) was a student during the same period. He was a

class mate of HG Youhannon Mar Phelexinos of malabar.



But the interesting fact is something else. Even at that time there was unrest

in old seminary among students because of the growing tensions between the two

factions outside.



And do you know who was the leader of "patriarch faction" inside old seminary.

None other than "mannaraprayil corepiscopa" of Angamaly. He had the "previlage"

of tearing up 34 constitution and throwing it towards the room of ougen

catholicos.



Later on mannarapra cori changed sides. When shown the assets of trikunnath

seminary, his eyes shined and mouth watered. Even now an appointment in

Nedumbaserry high school fetches him 7/8 laks.



Your sabha secretery got beaten up last week by people from alwaye. Its a

continuation of the power struggle inside trikunnath seminary between pacomious

and mannarapra. ( when you have only 1.75 churches to rule in angamaly, what

else to do but to fight for assets)



But those assets were created by the sweat and tears of Valiya Thirumeny. And

you people have made sure that past 30 years, that tomb is closed.



>"""Vattaserril Thirumani was an instrumental figure in establishing >the

freedom of the Church in India."""



If you believe in freedom of your church and still wants to have peace, then

there is something seriously wrong with you.



>"""It was not any Patriarch of Antioch that started the church in >India."""



After St Thomas, can you give atleast a shabby list of your bishops or atleast

an idea of how this church was administered. (dont feed me with that list of

maphrianates of edessa/tigris/mosul. i have that list with me)



>"""we will continue to pray for them, and accept the Patriarch of >Antioch as

the supreme spiritual head, subject to the provisions of >the constitution of

the Malankara Orthodox Church."""



Thanks for your magnaminity in praying for HH and accepting HH the Patriarch,

subject to your 34 constitution.



But you can keep that previlage with yourselves, as we have entirely different

ideas as was prooved in 2002.



rgds



Baby Gleeson Zachariah

St George Jacobite Syrian Church

Arakunnam

Kolencherry Church:   Government officials inspected the extent of damage;

Hartal by the united Action Committee on June 7th.



http://www.geocities.com/malankaravoice9/20050604kolencherryMathr.htm



For more Links, visit:

http://www.geocities.com/malankaravoice9/news_section.htm

http://malankara.cjb.net/  or

http://www.geocities.com/malankaravoice9/Index.htm

Reading: From the Gospel according to St. John 6: 35-46.



Dear and Respected Brethren,



In today’s reading we find that our Lord is giving us a self introduction.

In verse 35 our Lord says that He is the bread of life. With the self

introduction, our Lord says ‘one who comes to me shall never hunger; and he

that believes on me shall never thirst’. Hunger and thirst are the two

unavoidable needs of human beings. One who is totally short of food will

long for a piece of bread and when he will have it, immediately he will long

for some more of better quality and taste. This is the case of the thirst

also. From this we come to know that food and drinks are the factors that

give the satisfaction. The modern man has everything to enjoy in the worldly

life, but all are lacking one thing which all could not identify. All will

say there is shortage of something in the life. The ‘satisfaction’ is the

shortage in everyone’s life.



Our Lord’s mission on the earth was the re-instating of man in God. When man

would live in God and God will live in man, there is no question of worldly

needs. If man is in such a condition, he would definitely have the

‘satisfaction’ of no hunger and no thirst. Our Lord offered his own body and

blood to the mankind to re-instate the man in God. Our Lord says that it is

the will of God the Father. (see verse 38) And again says that “this is the

will of God that sent me, that every one who see the Son and believes on him

will have everlasting life and I will raise him up at the last day. (Verse

40) Our Lord established the Holy Eucharist and entrusted the Church to

continue until His second coming for the salvation of the entire mankind and

the universe. Our Lord said “this is my flesh and this is my blood, come and

partake from this. If so you will have everlasting life”. When the clergy

administer the Holy Eucharist to us, we are qualified for the eternal life.

Manna given to the Israelites was the shadow of the Holy Eucharist. But

Manna could provide the temporary satisfaction of success over the hunger.

It never offered the eternal life. That is why our Lord is saying “Moses

gave you not that bread from heaven, but my father gives you the true bread

from heaven. For the bread of God is he which comes down from heaven, and

gives life unto the world” (St. John 6: 32-33) For our salvation we will

have to build up a strong faith in Him, before we might partake his body and

blood. The need for doing so, we could see in St. John 5:24. We will have to

believe in Him. Remember that our Lord’s first command to the world was to

repent and believe the gospel. The offer of His own flesh and blood is the

gospel. Without repentance one cannot believe in God or in his message of

salvation, which is the Holy Sacrament of Eucharist.



Whenever we are going to the Church, our Lord is telling each and every one

of us “I am the bread of life, come and partake”. We must make sure that we

are giving heed to such a saying of our Lord. In fact we all are pretending

that we did not hear. It is better to remember always that we cannot fool

our Lord God. He is watching and noticing what we think, what we do and what

we say. We must make sure that we will not create a situation where He could

say as reported by St. John in Chapter 6: verse 36. Where we read, “But I

said unto you, That you also have seen me and believe not.” Whenever we will

attend the worships, we must utilize the opportunities available to partake

from the Holy mysteries. Why we are insisted to have forgiveness for our

trespasses before we might accept the Holy mysteries. When we are united to

our Lord God, we must clean our body, mind and spirit as God is free from

evils and He is perfectly holy. Unholy branches cannot remain in the true

vine. And the branches must bear fruits also. Other wise He would remove

such branches. Our Lord tells, “Now you are clean through the word, which I

have spoken unto you” St. John 15:3. Then only we could abide in Him and

bear fruits. As He is holy we must also be holy.



When people cannot accept the truth, they will murmur. We could notice

murmuring in different stations. We must put an end to such a behavior.



May God bless us all.

With love and prayers,



Jose Kurian Puliyeril

St. George Orthodox Church

Abu Dhabi

Member ID # 0905

Dear honorable members



Greetings in HIS name



To keep the forum debate's authenticity, we the moderators of this forum, have

decided to implement a new guideline.



As per the new guideline from 26th of October 2004, we will not publish any

messages without proper signature. Your signature should contain full name,

family name, home parish, present parish attending along with proper references

like that of the parish priest's; name, e mail address and telephone number,

where we can verify the genuineness of the e mails.



After the verification of your identity, we will provide a member ID Number

which can be used as your signature for future postings and by member ID numbers

we can verify your mails. However, If you want your name to be withheld from the

messages published, we will comply to your request and then only the ID number

will be published.



These personal contact details will be stored in our database and will not be

published in the forum.



However, if you are hesitant to reveal the name and identity, you can still be a

member of the forum and get the daily digests in your e-mail id supplied, if you

wish so.



This new guideline is applicable to all members, regardless of their Christian

denomination.



We hope our members will appreciate it and cooperate with us.



Be with us and be part of us.



In Our Lords Love

For & on behalf of

SOCM-FORUM Moderators



Thomas Daniel (Reji)

(Forum Owner)

St. George Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church

Cheppaud, Alleppy Dist, Kerala, India.

http://groups.msn.com/StGeorgeSyrianOrthodoxChurchCheppaud

CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN!



"When he devil with his demons had succeeded in having man banished from the

garden of Eden through transgression, and in separating from God, he acquired

access to the reasoning power of every man, so that he can agitate a man's mind

by day or by night; sometimes much, sometimes a little, and sometimes

exceedingly. And there is no protection against this except through constant

remembrance of God; in other words, if the memory of God, engraved in the heart

by the power of the cross, strengthens the mind in its steadfastness. To this

end lead all the efforts of mental struggle, which it is the duty of every

Christian to practice in the field of faith. That man will struggle in vain for

whom this is not so."



St. Symeon the New Theologian.



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



"Save Your people, And bless Your inheritance; Shepherd them also, And bear them

up forever." Psalms 28:9



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



Prayer Requests:



Please remember the following in your prayers:



Merna - 9 yrs old girl with brain hemorrhage - multiple skull fractures. Merna

is conscious and talking but apparently she had lost hearing in one ear. She is

doing better overall.

George k - Cancer

Daisy G - Stroke and is non-responsive.

Frances - Brain Tumor

Delaney - 8mon. old baby, hospitalized with severe burns and possible limb

amputation.

Suzanne - Widow w/ 3 kids: liver failure & complications.

Alber - Cancer

K - Depression, anxiety, addiction, pride and spiritual estrangement

E. Tawadros - confusion and depression.

Andrew Eskander - car accident. Andrew is out of the hospital and is doing great

E. Sidhom - Cancer.

Adel Gendy - 10 years old with kidney failure, needs a kidney transplant.

Bernard - Various drug addiction problems

Joseph - Prostrate Cancer

Mary - Breast cancer

A.K Mathew - Colon Cancer

Enyat - severe diabetes.

Safwat - Kidney problems and Anxiety.

Samy - Bone cancer.

MS - Mercy, Comfort, Strength, Healing and Protection

AAM -- Love, Healing, Comfort, Strength, Support and Guidance

MM -- Love, Healing, Comfort, Strength, Support and Guidance

SE -- Love, Healing

GE -- Love, Comfort, Strength, Support, Guidance

Helen - severe epileptic seizures.

Stephan - 48 years old, muscular dystrophy, diabetes, stroke.

Scott - 4 months old baby desperately in need of a bone marrow donor.

Douglas McLead - Cancer and kidney failure.

Mrs. McLead - Parkinson disease.

Fr Benjamin, Photini, Marina, Miriam, Moses.

Nicholas - constant back pain.

Michael - 9 years old boy with a progressive brain tumor.

Sarah - Back problems and might need an operation soon.

Mayrvat and her 3 kids. She has been separated from her kids.

Elizabeth - bi-polar disease and other problems.

Fr. Constantine S. Palassis - suffers from symptoms of dementia.

Heidy - Depression and other problems.

Esther - Intestinal problems.

Nick - chemotherapy.

Sue S. - Advanced Cancer.

Helen P. - severe depression and diabetes.

Pamela P. - chronic depression and financial difficulties.

Shafika - kidney failure.

Mary Beth - Obesity & Diabetes.

Jean - Neurological back problems.

Therese - Emotional problems.

Reggie - Cancer.

Detra - Stress related health problems.

Walter Sr. - Depression.

Denise I. - Breast Cancer.

Madeline - metastatic breast cancer.

Cuba Plain - cancer that is high up in the breast.

Zouhair - stomach cancer.

Magdy - brain tumor.

John Rittel - cancer of the lymph node and voice box.

Ibtesam Hweamel family.

Eugene - completion of immigration procedures and securing a job.

Lisa Michelle Morgan's family.

The Christians in Egypt. "Blessed is Egypt My people." Isaiah 19:25



Please remember me in your prayers.



Please pray for the peace of the world.



"casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

SAUDI ARABIA LAUNCHES BIGGEST CRACKDOWN ON CHRISTIANS



On Saturday, May 28. 2005 at 8:30 p.m. Chittirical John Thomas (Passport #

A9757690), an Indian national, was pulled from work in Riyadh by Saudi “Muttawa”

(Religious police), dragged to his home, and beaten in front of his maid and 5

year-old son.  The Muttawa gathered his Bible and all religious paraphernalia,

and took 37 year-old Thomas to the Shemaissy Detention Center. Thomas's wife,

who is 5 months pregnant, has not heard from her husband since.  In addition to

John Thomas, 7 other Indian nationals were arrested in similar fashion and

detained for their faith as Christians while they were asleep on Saturday night.



Valiakalail Samuel Daniel (Passport # Z1101522), Koil Pillai Vijaykumar

(E3188388), Mutham Plackal Mathai Thomas (E2584732), Pathivadathil James George

(U3128086), George Matthew (E7881606), Biju Thomas (E4201849), and Georgekutty

Thomas (A5717194) are the confirmed names of the others arrested.  These arrests

followed the detention of Samkutty Varghese's detention outside of his bible

study on March 22, 2005.  Varghese (Passport # E8421022) possessed the names and

numbers of other Christians attending the same fellowship group.  ICC has

received credible reports that Varghese was sentenced to 10 months in prison

along with numerous lashes.



All other Christian congregations are in danger too, all are afraid. Please pray

for their release and for the protection of all Christians. Only in this country

there is such persecution for Christians.  The World should know this

wickedness.



Who will question them?



Please pray for us



Posted By

Prosecuted Christian

(Name withheld)

Dear Deacon,



That was a sensible note.Sensible in the same lines of all those advocates of

peace from metran faction. Referring theology, ecclesiology and diplomacy in

prescribed dosages would definitely help in wriitng such beautiful mails.But, I

doubt its fruitfulness.



I am definitely not interested in replying with that same false diplomacy (like

those Indo-Pak discussions)...But, few clarifications on your note from a

layman's view.I maynot be correct as I am not having theological

education.But,again...





>After submitting my last posting, many of my brothers in the IOC questioned my

>motives, and many stated that such postings were a waste of time, and would

>never lead to peace. I am sure that simply writing will not lead us anywhere,



I disagree here. This had been the habit of one half of methran faction crowd

for all these ages.And this same habit had been proved successful when your

church leadership were able to hijack the influence of these thoughts among

followers of JSOC to snatch more material benefit from us time and again.



> I think we owe it to ourselves, our families, our future, and

>simply our mission towards leading a Christ-like life,



In that case, why cant this peace suggestions be backed with returning all those

asstes which were taken away from JSOC? OR withdrawing atleast few church cases?

Or, not filing new cases?



>In America, we have been blessed with so many

>opportunities, and at least the members in this continent can come together for

>the sake of peace.



That could be a possibility.But, I think there are much more elderly people in

this forum who could comment on the other side for this.



>that at least once a year, the youth of both our churches can come together for

>a joint, ecumenical conference.



Does ecumenism have the meaning of compromising on one's faiths, beliefs and

traditions?



>I am writing in hopes, not of changing our leaders,



Thats why its called a waste of time.



>What about St. Peter's throne? I do not think the IOC has ever questioned the

>doctrine of Petrine supremacy,



You Did. There had been many mails in this forum itself saying " every bishop is

seated on a throne and its all the same".Again, in that case, why did the great

invention of 'throne of St.Thomas' happen?



>we acknowledge that the successor of St. Peter has the highest seat

>when the heads of our two churches meet.



Not exactly..You say "FIRST AMONG EQUALS"..and its just as complex as itself and

I wonder why it always sounds like an oxymoron.



>What is wrong with the faith of the IOC?



Will be an essay paper..But, will restrict to your points itself for the time

being



>We believe in the three ecumenical synods, that of Nicea, Constantinople, and

>Ephesus, and the decisions that were made there.



And you had decided long back to add-on more to that as per your

convenience.....



>This is what makes both the IOC and SOC, orthodox.



A better phrase would be "This is what makes IOC also orthodox"



>The majority of the IOC priests are educated in Orthodoxy.



I thought all were. Do you say, there are 'other line of thought' also in

methran faction?



>I can say with all honesty that some of the SOC metropolitans have received

their Orthodox ethos at

>our Old Seminary in Kottayam like: Mar Yuhannon Philexenos, Mar Themothios

>Thomas, Mar Markos Kurilos, and the Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Adai Jacob (Principal of

>Udaigiri Seminary). Remember, these are all qualified high priests. The top

>educated leaders of your church studied under the "heretics." One can certainly

>appreciate the irony.



Be sensible dear deacon. When did it become 'Old Seminary in Kottayam'? In case

you dont know, It was OUR's.Means it had been the seat for theological education

for the Malankara Suriyani Sabha.And You, methran faction, managed to take that

also from us. I wont be surprised on seeing 'Our Thrikkunnathu Seminary' or 'Our

Zion Seminary' or 'Our Kolencherry Medical College' or 'Our Kattappuram Church'

from you. This is as simple as that. The 'heretics' managed to steal the high

seat of education also from us.



>Many say that we should never pray through the intercession of Paurmala

Thiurmeni



No one could make such a statement. Even protestants come and pray at Parumala.

Many would have just pointed out the irony in you people making statements like

"Our Parumala Thirumeni" as mentioned above. We all accept with due respect that

its our thirumeni that you have in your church premises in parumala.



>we have seen many miracles happen in his name for the IOC people.



For that, you need faith only.I dont even believe that you need to be a

christian to experiance that.As far as metrahn faction (not its people) should

be concerned, the greatest miracle happened from that tomb would be the famous

'crack on the wall' ......



>we will continue to pray for them, and accept the Patriarch of Antioch as

>the supreme spiritual head, subject to the provisions of the constitution of

the Malankara Orthodox Church.



Why you need to do that? For the court cases? To be frank, we dont care on whom

you accept as your head.During last apostolic visit , HH Patriarch had made

clear (even in media) on HH's view towards methran faction. So,why are you still

hanging on?



>In conclusion, let me share with you one hypothetical situation. Let us say

that

>there is someone from the SOC who wishes to marry someone of the IOC,



If I marry an methran faction girl, the matrimony will be solemnized by a priest

of the JSOC and I wouldnot allow methran faction priest to get involved in the

same. The girl would be obviously returning to the mother church and I would be

happy to bring back one from the lost flock.In fact now also, I dont go for

kaimuthu from any methran faction preists/bishops. Whenever I go to an methran

faction church (for occassions like marriages or something) I just walk out

after the ceremony. Eventhough most of your churches belong to us (which

motivates the thought of visiting the church) the priests inside are preachers

who is against us,right?



>And please pray for me, a weak and sinful servant.



Will definitely do that for sure.



Regards

Jojo

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



Alex Jojo Joseph

St.Mary's JSO Cathedral, Queen's Road, Bangalore

St.George JSO Chapel, Kavumbhagom, Thiruvalla

Member ID # 0910

Members of the rival Malankara churches held a Joint protest march at

Kolencherry; Hartal tomorrow.



http://www.geocities.com/malankaravoice9/20050606KolencheryMang.htm



For more Links, visit:



http://www.geocities.com/malankaravoice9/news_section.htm

http://malankara.cjb.net/  or

http://www.geocities.com/malankaravoice9/Index.htm

CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN!



"By the death of martyrs religion has been defended, faith increased, the Church

strengthened; the dead have conquered, the persecutors have been overcome. And

so we celebrate the death of those of whose lives we are ignorant. So, too,

David rejoiced in prophecy at the departure of his own soul, saying: "Precious

in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." He esteemed death better

than life. The death itself of the martyrs is the prize of their life. And

again, by the death of those at variance hatred is put an end to."



St. Ambrose of Milan.



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



"I love the Lord, because He has heard My voice and my supplications. Because He

has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live."

Psalms 116:1-2



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



Prayer Requests:



Please remember me in your prayers.



Please pray for the peace of the world.



"casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

Dear Dn Varghese,



Your stated intentions appear noble and I would like to congratulate you for

them.



While it is good to seek peace, we should not forget that there are precursors

to peace and mutual respect and honest intentions are two of the most important

ones. It is anybody's guess as to the extent of mutual respect present.



Togetherness is not essential for a Christ-like life, peaceful coexistence is

what is essential. If you observe the responses from Methran Group and JSC, you

can easily determine who wants peaceful coexistence.



To me it appears humanly impossible for a 'free' 'independant' son to respect

his sibling who still wants to stay with the father. Of course I have seen but a

few years of life and may not be the best person to comment on this.



In a bid to take this discussion forward, I would like to know your opinion on

the following topic.



I have learned in Sunday School and have taught my students that there are two

kinds of opponents to the church.



a. Heretics - Those who propound and hold onto a faith (Heresy) that is

different from that of the church.



b. Schismatics - Those who cannot accept the authority of the ecclesiastical

hierarchy of the church. They may have the same faith as that of the church, but

their unwillingness to obey authority, makes them opponents or enemies of the

church.



You have painstakingly tried to prove with a lot of anecdotes, the similarity in

faith. I must confess I am not an authority on this topic and cannot comment on

it for the above reason. If the IOC does not obey HH the Patriarch (supreme

spiritual head as per your constitution if not anythign else), are you possibly

guilty of schism in the church, the body of Christ?



I do not want to sit in judgement here, but would like to raise this point for

consideration.



Just for information sake, I am aware that one of the SOC metropolitans that you

mentioned as having studied from Orthodox Theological Seminary (OTS) at

Kottayam, left the Seminary in the mid 70s when the sudden appearance of 'a

throne of St Thomas' caused another round of issues. He later completed his

education at the Dayro at Manjanikkara. So inspite of all that orthodox ethos he

received at OTS, thirumeni had to leave because of something he held as

important. You can easily figure out as to what that cause must have been. Even

the other metropolitans whom you mentioned would have felt the same way.



My personal opinion is that your argument that we do not consider Mor Gregorius

of Malankara in this discussion does not hold water. Mor Gregorius is our

blessed and saintly forefather who guided us and led us in our faith. The SOC

wants to stick to the faith of its forefathers as taught and handed down to us.



The spirit of introspection that you have displayed in your mail is very well

received and appreciated



Please remember me in your prayers,



Prayers and Regards,



Abraham Kurian Plamthottam

St Mary's Cathedral, Bangalore

St George Jacobite Church, Rockland County, NY

Member Id - 1011

Dear Baby Gleeson Zachariah,



You are confused, and you are trying to confuse others.  You please look at

these postings and their authors carefully before making ridiculous accusations

and comments!  The posting which you attribute to me was written by another

deacon - please check it out.

Your zeal to fight and find fault with anyone not agreeing with you has overcome

your ability to reason and understand -- a common tendency these days in such

forums.



Personally, I am tired of hearing the same song over and over again.  In such

cases, it is better to remain silent.  There are definitely two different tunes

being sung.  There can be no peace where there cannot be conversation and a

genuine attempt to discuss

issues and come to compromise.  I don't know if the people in both churches

really believe what they say, or if they simply are too stubborn to lose their

points.  In any regard, as HH the Patriarch has stated during his last trip to

Kerala, if we cannot exist

united, let us exist as sister churches.  That means most of the negative

rhetoric expressed of being separate, not allowing children to marry, no

con-celebrations, etc. is meaningless and against the

wishes of the Patriarch (isn't that heretical?). Christ established ONE church,

man divided it and continues to divide the church.  Again, I ask are we

following human, frail, men or the One Tri-Une God? If there was truly love in

the church, then there would only be one church today.  We are called to be

Christians, followers of Christ, in this world.  Man's pride and ego have

corrupted the Holy Church - we need a revival and renewal in the Malankara

Church - we

need strong, spiritual leaders who do not see factions or division, but one

church and unity.  There is no need to harp on thrones and dominions and

temporal/spiritual power, but to realize that Orthodoxy is the true faith that

has been passed on from generation to generation.  That faith holds that Christ

is the Son of God who came to this world to redeem us from the bondage of sin

and return us into the favor of Almighty God.  Both the Syrian Church founded by

St. Peter and the Malankara Church founded by St. Thomas should be proud of

their apostolic heritage, rather than downgrading and degrading each other.



> Being a layman without any theological studies,

> other than being an alter boy for 8 years, can you

> please be specific on some of your comments on you

> last mail, so that myself and many others like me

> may get enlightened on certain matters.



Does God enjoy this split in the Holy Church?  Does He enjoy seeing His children

fight and bicker?  Does He enjoy seeing brother pitted against brother?  Does He

enjoy seeing hypocrisy and lukewarmness in His Holy Church?  Do you really seek

enlightment?  Then, seek God and His will.  For, only the Holy Spirit can

enlighten us on the ways of God, for the ways of the current churches is not the

ways of God.  If anyone wants peace, let him love and respect his neighbor. What

can we do individually, as families, as parishes, as diocese, as chruches to

create a peaceful worship environment today?  What unites us?  That is what we

should be focussing on.



Dn George Mathew

Member ID: 0178

Kolencherry Church:

Methran faction deeply divided over the issue of reopening of the church;

Prominent members of Methran faction against their bishop.

http://www.geocities.com/malankaravoice9/20050607Kolencherry.htm



For more Links, visit:

http://www.geocities.com/malankaravoice9/news_section.htm

http://malankara.cjb.net/  or

http://www.geocities.com/malankaravoice9/Index.htm

Matrimonial Digest / 0059-05



Dear members



We do not take or assume any responsibility for the particulars

given by the advertiser. Concerned parties are encouraged to verify

the particulars. As per the request of some advertisers we withheld

the contact details and will forward any reply to the advertiser for

further personal contact.



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 # 027/04

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Jacobite parents invite remarriage proposals for their

daughter/white&fair/28/152cm/M.com, DCA. Recordical proof only

existed for the first marriage and the  court declared the same as

null and void. Please contact by e-mail with details at at

simiraj@...



+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Matrimonial; Code # 026/04

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++



Suitable alliance invited for a God fearing Jacobite Girl, Working

in UK, as staff nurse she is in25, 5.4?, 59 KG, will be coming by

middle of April. Her father is a retired teacher; an active member

of church, Mother is housewife and one brother, working in Delhi.

The boy should be God fearing, fair, caring, having good manners and

preferably from the medical background (BPT or any other).



Interested parents may please contact at basilpaul@...;

basilpaulk@... , 9818730557 04842678110 (K.K Paulose)



+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Matrimonial; Code # 025/04

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Suitable alliance invited for a God fearing Jacobite boy, MSc.

Computer Science , 28, 173 cm, working in Chennai as Software

Engineer. The boy hails from a well-known family at Kanjirappara,

Kottayam. His father is a Planter and mother house wife. Two elder

sisters got married. Interested parents may contact

punnoosekuttyj@... or at 098400-87509



++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Matrimonial; Code # 024/04

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Suitable alliance invited for a God fearing Jacobite boy, B.Sc

Computer Science, 29,5'8",63 kg, fair,working in Riyadh, Saudi

Arabia. The boy hails from a well-known family at Kundara, Kollam.

His father is a retired Supt. in Court, mother Rtd. State

Coordinator in Rural Dept. One elder brother doing Business and one

elder sister got married. Interested parents may contact

joby007in@... or Thomas Abraham, +966 1 4885339 or

+9660507432962



++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Matrimonial; Code # 023/04

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Suitable alliance invited for a jacobite Girl, 22 years, 164cm,slim,

M.com final. Parents in Saudi Arabia. Family belongs to Angamally

Diocese. Interested parents may contact vvmvvm2003@...



++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Matrimonial; Code # 022/04

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Suitable alliance invited for a God fearing Jacobite boy, B.Tech.

(Electronics & Communication), 28,173 cm, fair, presently employed

as Senior Software Engg in a reputed MNC in Bangalore. The boy hails

from Kottayam. His father is management executive in a reputed

company in Kottayam, mother is housewife. He has got one younger

sister (B-Tech, Software Engg in reputed MNC, Bangalore), who is

married. The girl should be God fearing, fair, caring, having good

manners and preferably employed. Interested parties may please

contact at taabraham2004@...



++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Matrimonial; Code # 021/04

++++++++++++++++++++++++++



Looking for a good boy computer professional/engineer from a middle

class family from kerala preferably cochin orthodox/jacobite aged

over 28 for our second daughter aged 27 MCA slim good looking.

interested persons may wish to contact at george_kunju@...

giving the details with code # MP-021/04.



++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Matrimonial; Code # 020/04

++++++++++++++++++++++++++



JacobiteChristian parents settled in Canada invite proposals for

their daughter, 27 years old, fair, slim 5;5''tall with very high

moral value. she is working after finishing masters in chemical

engineering. Proposals are invited from parents of well educated

boys from any christian denomination in North America. Please e-mail

thomekurian@... giving the details with code # MP-020/04.



++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Matrimonial; Code # 019/04

++++++++++++++++++++++++++



Jacobite parents seeking alliance for their beautiful daughter

31yrs, height 5.6'' postgraduate teacher in a public school. Born

and brought up outside kerala. Parents settled in Angamally. The boy

should be God fearing educated & employed. Preferance will be given

to boys working outside Kerala. Please contact on

mcsm53@... giving the details.



Please contact on mcsm53@... giving the details with code

# MP-019/04.



++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Matrimonial; Code # 017/04

++++++++++++++++++++++++++



Suitable alliance is invited for a jacobite deacon,age 31, 5ft 5inch

B.A.,B.Ed.,B.D., M.Th., at present doing research work in university

of Toronto, canada)teaching in the seminary. family background:

father, senior corepiscopa in the church.mother house wife. one

elder sister, lecturer, got married and one younger brother

advocate. for more information, mail to me

kjpunnachalil@... or moderator_socm@... with code

# MP-017/04



++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Matrimonial; Code # 016/04

++++++++++++++++++++++++++



Suitable alliance invited for a God fearing Jacobite boy, B.E.

(Electrical & Electronics), 26, presently employed in Bangalore as

Electrical Engineer in a Consultancy firm. The boy hails from a well-

known family at Kumarakom, Kottayam. His father is a retired KSEB

Sub Engineer, mother is Govt. UP school headmistress and got one

younger sister, who is married. The girl should be God fearing,

caring, having good manners and preferably employed (In India or

abroad). Interested parties may please contact the boy's uncle at

monthiruvanchoor@... or moderator_socm@... with code

# MP-016/04



++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Matrimonial; Code # 015/04

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Suitable alliance invited from Jacobite parents for a Jacobite girl

23 years /157 cm, God-fearing (Education :M.Sc in Electronics).



Please respond to pvvarughese@... or

moderator_socm@... with code # MP-015/04



++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Matrimonial; Code # 014/04

++++++++++++++++++++++++++



Retired PWD Contractor's family (Jacobite, Middle Class, Ernakulam

District)invites suitable proposal from middle class Jacobite

parents of God fearing girls under 28, 5'1', 48 Kg, employed or

qualified to be employed (prefer teachers or lecturers) in or around

Ernakulam Dist. She has to look after home affairs as the brother

and sister of the boy to be working overseas.



Their son (32, 5'3" 55 Kg) is a Vet. surgeon in Kerala Government

Service, posted within few kilometers from home, fair, clean habits,

soft spoken, thin built and God fearing.



His has an elder brother and younger sister, both married.



Genuine enquiries may be posted to varkod@... or

moderator_socm@... with code # MP-014/04



++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Matrimonial; Code # 013/04

++++++++++++++++++++++++++



Jacobite parents from Ernakulam Dt.invites proposals to her

daughter, who is presently working at Bangalore. Educated and

employed Jacobite youths working at Bangalore are preferred. The

proposals to be made from middle class family. The boy should be God

fearing. The girl is 25 yrs of old, 5.3". She had Completed

B.Sc.maths and have GNIIT, (3 yr computer diploma)course Certificate)

Please respond to eldhoshimmy@...> or

moderator_socm@... with code # MP-013/04



+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Matrimonial; code # 012/04

+++++++++++++++++++++++++



Proposals invited from parents of god fearing BSc nurses for a

handsome Jacobite boy, hailing from Kolencherry, 29/168 Graduate,

only son, working as Marketing Executive for a reputed Co. in

Kuwait, active in church matters and having family visa status. He

has two sisters and both of them are well settled. The girl will

have good job prospects in Kuwait.



Interested please respond to:yeljoseph@... or

moderator_socm@... with code # MP-012/04



++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Matrimonial; Code # 011/04

++++++++++++++++++++++++++



Suitable alliance invited from Jacobite parents for a Jacobite girl

(24 years/161 cm),fair,smart and God-fearing,B-tech with MBA,working

in a leading firm in Techno-Park,Trivandrum.



Please respond to thomasvt@... or moderator_socm@...

with code # MP-011/04



++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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 # 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,

mediumcomplexion, 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

Senior priest of Jacobite Churchr Very Rev.K.V.Thariyan Core- Episcopa Passess

away at 1.45 pm today. He was 84 yrs of old. The funeral will be held at

St.Mary’s Hermon Jacobite Syrian church tomorrow. H.B.and all  other

metropolitans of Jacobite church will attend the function.



Rev.Tharian Core-Episcopa was the Headmaster of Mar Athanasious High School for

More than 30 yrs. He served as the vicar of Azhakam and Mookkannoor churches. He

was the church managing committee member for many years.



Eldho. P V

St.Mary’s Hermon Jacobite Syrian church Azhakam,

Member ID 0932

CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN!



(Wishing to show us that no one enters there clothed in mourning, the Master

made this clear in the parable when He said: "Friend, how did you get in here

without a wedding garment?" and then: "Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into

the outer darkness" (Mt.22:12-3). Now, I think that this was said not as if the

man had first sneaked past by Him Who is without error, but because it was not

yet time to reveal such mysteries. Because, at that time, He did not want to say

more plainly that "No one will enter there without wearing the robe of My

divinity," He uses this saying to suggest it. St. Paul, too, when he had been

taught this by Christ speaking within him, said: "Just as we have borne the

image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven"

(1Cor.15:49).)



St. Symeon the New Theologian.



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



"Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; O Lord, make haste to help me!." Psalms

40:13



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



Prayer Requests:



Please remember the following in your prayers:



Merna - 9 yrs old girl with brain hemorrhage - multiple skull fractures. Merna

is conscious and talking but apparently she had lost hearing in one ear. She is

doing better overall.

George k - Cancer

Frances - Brain Tumor

Delaney - 8 mon. old baby, hospitalized with severe burns and possible limb

amputation.

Suzanne - Widow w/ 3 kids: liver failure & complications.

Alber - Cancer

K - Depression, anxiety, addiction, pride and spiritual estrangement

E. Tawadros - confusion and depression.

Andrew Eskander - car accident. Andrew is out of the hospital and is doing great

E. Sidhom - Cancer.

Adel Gendy - 10 years old with kidney failure, needs a kidney transplant.

Bernard - Various drug addiction problems

Joseph - Prostrate Cancer

Mary - Breast cancer

A.K Matthew - Colon Cancer

Enyat - severe diabetes.

Safwat - Kidney problems and Anxiety.

Samy - Bone cancer.

MS - Mercy, Comfort, Strength, Healing and Protection

AAM -- Love, Healing, Comfort, Strength, Support and Guidance

MM -- Love, Healing, Comfort, Strength, Support and Guidance

SE -- Love, Healing

GE -- Love, Comfort, Strength, Support, Guidance

Helen - severe epileptic seizures.

Stephan - 48 years old, muscular dystrophy, diabetes, stroke.

Scott - 4 months old baby desperately in need of a bone marrow donor.

Douglas McLead - Cancer and kidney failure.

Mrs. McLead - Parkinson disease.

Fr Benjamin, Photini, Marina, Miriam, Moses.

Nicholas - constant back pain.

Michael - 9 years old boy with a progressive brain tumor.

Sarah - Back problems and might need an operation soon.

Mayrvat and her 3 kids. She has been separated from her kids.

Elizabeth - bi-polar disease and other problems.

Fr. Constantine S. Palassis - suffers from symptoms of dementia.

Heidy - Depression and other problems.

Esther - Intestinal problems.

Nick - chemotherapy.

Sue S. - Advanced Cancer.

Helen P. - severe depression and diabetes.

Pamela P. - chronic depression and financial difficulties.

Shafika - kidney failure.

Mary Beth - Obesity & Diabetes.

Jean - Neurological back problems.

Therese - Emotional problems.

Reggie - Cancer.

Detra - Stress related health problems.

Walter Sr. - Depression.

Denise I. - Breast Cancer.

Madeline - metastatic breast cancer.

Cuba Plain - cancer that is high up in the breast.

Zouhair - stomach cancer.

Magdy - brain tumor.

John Rittel - cancer of the lymph node and voice box.

Eugene - completion of immigration procedures and securing a job.

The Christians in Egypt. "Blessed is Egypt My people." Isaiah 19:25



Please remember me in your prayers.



Please pray for the peace of the world.



"casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7