Apostolic Visit to Greece - 2009

From 16 to 22 May 2009, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas went on
an official visit to Greece, as the guests of the Greek Government and the Greek
Orthodox Church. His Holiness was accompanied in this visit by His Eminence Mor
Philexinos Mathias Nayis, Patriarchal Assistant, His Eminence Mor Daniel
Kourieh, Metropolitan of Beirut, and two monks: V. Rev. Fr. Mata Khouri, and Dr.
Georges Khouri. The main purpose of the visit was to congratulate the new
archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Church: His Beatitude Irenemos, and to renew
the relationship between both the churches.

For more details:- http://socmnet.org/Apostolic_Visit_Greece_2009.htm

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photo of Primates who attended the conference

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

Dear brethren,

The May 2009 edition of "Shroro - The Syriac Orthodox Christian
digest" http://www.socdigest.org is now online.

Your dedication to the faith has given birth to "Shroro", and your love and
interest has made the tremendous growth in this magazine leading to its
immediate success.

We ask that you pray for us, so that we may better serve our
community's interests in coming years.

Shroro Editorial Board
http://www.socdigest.org

99th anniversery of consecration of ST ATHANASIUS PAULOSE - 9th June

Today is the 99th anniversery of the consecration of the former Malankara
Metrpolitan & head of the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church in India, ST.
ATHANASIUS PAULOSE, popularly known as 'VALIYA THIRUMENI of Malankara'.  It was
on 9th June 1910, Kochu Paulose Ramban was consecrated Metropolitan (Archbishop)
by name 'MOR ATHANASIOUS PAULOSE', at his home parish, the ancient Mor Sabor and
Mor Afroth church, Akaparambu, by H.H. the Patriarch of Antioch and all the East
Mor Ignatius Abded' Aloho (Abdulla II).

The 'SUSTHATHIKON' linked here is the (copy of the original text) statement of
empowerment given in writing  to ST ATHANASIOUS PAULOSE (Valiya Thirumeni),
after his ordination as a Metropolitan of the Angamali diocese of the Jacobite
Syrian Church by the Chief Primate of the Church, His Holiness Ignatius
Abded'Aloho II, the Patriarch of the Apostilc See of Antioch & All the East on
5th October 1910. The original document is about 10 ft (3 meters) long and 1.5
ft wide.

http://www.socmnet.org/Resource/SusthathikonStAthanasius.pdf

Also linked here is the Malayalam translation of the'SALMUSA'  (the declaration
of faith submitted by Mor Athanasius Paulose, to his Supreme spiritual supreme
of the Church, His Holiness the Patriarch of Antioch).

http://socmnet.org/Resource/SalmusaStAthanasius.pdf

Source: http://syriachchurch.org

3rd Annual Oriental Orthodox Churches Youth Spiritual Gathering

On Saturday June 20, 2009, the Oriental Orthodox Churches of Southern California
will be joining together at the Saint Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church of
Pasadena, CA for the 3rd Annual OOC Youth Spiritual Gathering!

His Grace Bishop Serapion, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Archbishop Eugene Kaplan and various clergymen from all over the
Southern California Oriental Orthodox Archdiocese are due to attend this special
day engaging in discussion, lectures and activities carefully crafted for our
youth to participate in.

The event is due to begin at 10:30 am with Registration and Check In. Morning
Prayers will begin the event with hymns sung by all four Oriental Orthodox
Churches. Following Morning Prayers, an Ice Breaker activity and Lunch will
allow youth to meet, while having fun and participating in fun filled special
activities. Discussion Group presentations/discussion led by Spiritual
Leaders/Youth will then allow youth to educate themselves on various topics of
Oriental Orthodoxy, while encompassing the them of the event: Me, Myself and
Christ. Closing prayers will then conclude the event.

We pray to our Lord Jesus Christ to bless this event and allow it to be fruitful
for all youth who attend. We ask Him to guide our future events for the glory of
His Name.

More information will be given as it becomes available, please email any
delegates regarding any questions meanwhile.

Blessings,
Sophia Allaf
Chairwoman of the OOC Youth
http://www.oocyouth.org
sophiaallaf@...

Midyat, Turkey (06-24-2009) -- The Turkish court issued two decisions today in
the case of the embattled Syriac-orthodox monastery St. Gabriel and postponed
until September 30 another decision. The dispute is over the so-called forest,
land that lies within the monastery grounds and which is comprised of half grown
bush.

According to today's court decision this land is now owned by the Forestry
Department (a Turkish authority). The monastery lost some 34 hectares of land
(136 acres). The court decided that the Forestry Department, on behalf of the
Turkish State Government, now owns the land and can do whatever it wants with
it. Despite the fact that the protective wall that shields the monastery staff
and its guests lies on that land. The great surprise for the most of the
international representatives was that the Turkish state involved itself in such
a "minor" matter that is vital for a religious community and affects a historic
monument.

The case against the director of the monastery foundation, Mr Kuryakos Ergün,
was held in another court room; he was charged with intentionally violating the
law by building the protective wall that surrounds the grounds of the monastery.
This case has been postponed to 30th September.

The Turkish State Treasury Authority lost its other case against the monastery.
Twelve parcels of land both inside and outside the wall of the monastery,
amounting to some 24 hectares of land (96 acres) remain in the possession of the
monastery, though the board of the monastery believes this decision will be
appealed.

The Monastery of St. Gabriel was founded in 397 A.D. and is a great and
historically important Christian symbol in the middle of Turkey; it is for the
Syriac-orthodox faith what St. Peter's in Rome is for the Catholics.

The Turkish state and three village leaders are trying to expropriate land that
is legally are owned by the monastery.

International interest in the case is so great that the local court authorities
had to refurnish the court rooms. As in the previous trials politicians,
diplomats and NGO:s where present from the entire European Union. The local and
national press of Turkey were also there in force.

Rudi Sümer, one of the monastery's lawyers, said "we will appeal to Ankara and
if we wont win there we will go to the European Court."

Reported by Nuri Kino

For complete coverage of the St. Gabriel Monastery case.
http://www.aina.org/releases/20090120141229.htm

Dear brethren,

The July 2009 edition of "Shroro - The Syriac Orthodox Christian
digest" http://www.socdigest.org is now online.

Your dedication to the faith has given birth to "Shroro", and your love and
interest has made the tremendous growth in this magazine leading to its
immediate success.

We ask that you pray for us, so that we may better serve our
community's interests in coming years.

Shroro Editorial Board
http://www.socdigest.org

100th DUKRONO OF MOR DIONYSIUS  JOSEPH PULIKOTTIL

The 100th death anniversary of Mor Dionysius Joseph Pulikottil, the former
Malankara Metropolitan & regional head of the Syriacs in India,  falls on July
11, 2009. The occasion will be marked with special prayers in remembrance of the
holy father, during the Sunday Mass on 12th July in all the Malankara Syrian
churches.

Mor Dionysius V Joseph Pulikottil is one of those illustrious fathers of the
Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church who is remembered with great reverence and
affection.  For nearly four and half decades he led the Malankara Church; first
as assistant to the Apostolic delegate Mor Kurillos Yuyakim and later as the
'Malankara Metropolitan', the chief of the Malankara Archdiocese. The Syrian
Christian community of India owes a lot to this spiritual father for his able
and dedicated leadership. H.E. Mor Divanasios (Dionysius) Pulikottil is widely
acknowledged as the architect of the modern Malankara Church.

Born in the 'Pulikottil' family of Kunnamkulam, Mor Divanasios rose to the order
of Metropolitan in AD 1865. The sufferings he faced as Metropolitan to retain
the Syrian Orthodox faith in Malankara was unprecedented.  In those period, the
British were the dominant force in India and they supported the Anglican Church
who tried to introduce their protestant faith among the Syrian Christians.  As a
consequence of this, many of the churches in Central Travancore (Southern
Kerala) including the lone Seminary of the Jacobite Syrian Christians at
Kottayam, came under the influence of the Church Missionary Society (C.M.S).
However with the arrival of Mor Ignatius Peter IV, the Patriarch of Antioch and
all the East, in AD 1875, the situation changed for better. The discussions held
by the Patriarch with the British authorities at London on his way to India,
helped a lot in changing their attitude towards the Malankara Church. Since then
the Government and judiciary under British rule, started to function
impartially. But the internal administration of the Malankara Church remained a
complicated affair. So the Patriarch held series of discussions with the
representatives of the Syrian Christian community to find out a longstanding
solution to the problems pertaining the Malankara Church.

In June AD 1876, Patriarch Mor Ignatius Peter IV convened a Synod at the
Mulunthuruthy Mar Thoman Church, which gave birth to the popular and democratic
'Syrian Christian Association Committee'; a body comprising of representatives
from the Parishes of Malankara. As per the decision of this historic Synod,
Malankara Edavaka (Syrian Archdiocese in India) was divided into six new
dioceses for administrative convenience, and  Metropolitans were ordained for
each (St.Gregorios of Parumala was one of those new Metropolitans ordained by
the Patriarch Mor Ignatius Peter IV).  Decision was also taken to elevate the
senior most Metropolitan of Malankara Church 'H.E. Mor Divanasios Joseph
Pulikottil', as the first Metropolitan President of the newly formed Association
and as the chief of the local Synod, with the designation MALANKARA
METROPOLITAN. Since then His Excellency came to be called 'Mor DIVANASIOS V', 
being the fifth Metropolitan of the Indian Church known in the same name. (The
first of the Malankara bishops who adorned the title 'Divanasios' was Marthoma
VI in 1770. He died in 1808).

His Grace Mor Divanasios V continued as the head of the Church in Malankara for
33 long years and by then, he was able to re-establish the lost glory of the
Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church. It was at his insistence many of the spiritual
organizations like the students movement, Sunday school etc. were organized in a
systematic order for the first time in Malankara.  He is also the founder of the
famous Seminary at Parumala.  His administrative capability was considered to be
extraordinary.  Pulikottil Mor Divanasios V is undoubtedly one of the greatest
Metropolitans of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church.

Exclusive website by Malankara Syriac Christian Resources on the life of Mor
Dionysius Joseph Pulikottil:

http://www.syrianchurch.org/PulikottilII/Pulikottil.htm
http://www.syrianchurch.org/PulikottilII/Pulikkottil.htm

Damascus, Syria: His Holiness the Patriarch Ignatius Zakka-I Iwas, who was on a
week long visit to Germany for a detailed medical check-up has returned to the
patriarchate in Damascus on July 7th. A comprehensive medical examination has
been carried out and the results have been found excellent which confirmed the
stability of H.H.'s health. Mor Philoxinus Mattias Nayis, the Patriarchal
Assistant, Mor Clemis Daniel Kourieh, Metropolitan of Beirut, Sister Hanina
Hubayl, President of Sister's monastery of Mor Jacob El-Baradei and a few others
accompanied the holy father during the trip. H.E. Mor Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim
of Aleppo who was in Germany leading the Bishop's committee meetings on German
affairs and Mor Julius Hanna Aydin, the Patriarchal vicar to Germany were also
with His Holiness during the visit.

On his way back, the Patriarch met Mor Filuksinos Yusuf Çetyn,
Patriarchal-Vicariate of Istanbul & Ankara, the parish priests, and
distinguished members of the Milli Mejlis at the Ataturk Airport in Istanbul.

SOCM News Bureau - Damascus

Celebration of the Holy mass at the ancient Church of St. Thomas in Mosul, Iraq,
on St. Thomas day.

Mosul, Iraq - July 3, 2009: Marking the Apostle St. Thomas Day on 3rd July 2009,
Holy Mass was celebrated at the historical church of St. Thomas, in Mosul, Iraq,
by Metropolitan H.E. Mor Gregorios Saliba Shamoun of the Archdiocese of Mosul.
Hundreds of faithful participated in the Holy Mass and other commemorative
celebrations. A traditional procession by the faithful led by the priests was
also held on the occasion.

It was from this church of St. Thomas, the holy relics of the Apostle was
discovered by our present Patriarch 45 years back when he was the Archbishop of
the diocese. The history says that St. Thomas was martyred while on his
Apostolic mission to India on 21st December AD 72 and was buried there.

Persecutions in the subsequent years made the Christianity in India, that was
spread through the Apostolic mission of St. Thomas, to be confined to just the
present southern Indian state of Kerala (Malankara) where large number of St.
Thomas Christians exists to date, and as a result the burial place of the
Apostle which was located miles apart from this Christian settlement area, faded
into obscurity. The arrival of more Syrian Christian missionaries from mid-4th
century and the subsequent revival of Christian practices, increased the
importance of the Apostle's burial place and the church fathers who visited the
place decided to transfer the relic to safer place. Thus in AD 394, the sacred
relics of St. Thomas was transferred from India to Edessa by the church fathers
and was established in the Cathedral of St. Thomas there. It is this day of
establishment of the St. Thomas relic in the Cathedral of St. Thomas in Edessa
which is celebrated as Apostle St. Thomas day universally.

During the great Christian persecutions of subsequent years the church in
Edessa, like all other churches in Holy Land, was ransacked by its enemies and
this prompted the church fathers to transfer the relic to safer places. A major
portion of this Apostle's relic (bone) was taken to Mosul and was hidden in the
walls of the ancient Syrian Orthodox church there which remained undiscovered
for many centuries until it was rediscovered by our Patriarch 5 decades ago.

Sixteen centuries after the said transfer, a part of the Holy relic found its
way back to India when the late lamented Patriarch Ignatius Yakub III of blessed
memory presented it to the Indian Syriac Church in 1964. Later in 1994 our
present Patriarch, who was entrusted by our Lord, to rediscover the sacred relic
of the great architect of Indian Christianity, presented a portion of relic to
the ancient & famous Cathedral of St. Thomas in Mulanthuruthy, Kochi, India,
where the feast of St. Thomas is celebrated with great importance both on July
3rd and on the Apostle's martyrdom day on December 21st.

For Photos: http://syrianchurch.org/

Celebration of the Holy mass at the ancient Church of St. Thomas in
Posted by "Gabriel Rabo" grabo@... in suryoyo-online@...
18. Jul 2009 15:04


Celebration of the Holy mass at the ancient Church of St. Thomas in Mosul, Iraq,
on St. Thomas day.

Mosul, Iraq - July 3, 2009: Marking the Apostle St. Thomas Day on 3rd July 2009,
Holy Mass was celebrated at the historical church of St. Thomas, in Mosul, Iraq,
by Metropolitan H.E. Mor Gregorios Saliba Shamoun of the Archdiocese of Mosul.
Hundreds of faithful participated in the Holy Mass and other commemorative
celebrations. A traditional procession by the faithful led by the priests was
also held on the occasion.

It was from this church of St. Thomas, the holy relics of the Apostle was
discovered by our present Patriarch 45 years back when he was the Archbishop of
the diocese. The history says that St. Thomas was martyred while on his
Apostolic mission to India on 21st December AD 72 and was buried there.

Persecutions in the subsequent years made the Christianity in India, that was
spread through the Apostolic mission of St. Thomas, to be confined to just the
present southern Indian state of Kerala (Malankara) where large number of St.
Thomas Christians exists to date, and as a result the burial place of the
Apostle which was located miles apart from this Christian settlement area, faded
into obscurity. The arrival of more Syrian Christian missionaries from mid-4th
century and the subsequent revival of Christian practices, increased the
importance of the Apostle's burial place and the church fathers who visited the
place decided to transfer the relic to safer place. Thus in AD 394, the sacred
relics of St. Thomas was transferred from India to Edessa by the church fathers
and was established in the Cathedral of St. Thomas there.
It is this day of establishment of the St. Thomas relic in the Cathedral of St.
Thomas in Edessa which is celebrated as Apostle St. Thomas day universally.

During the great Christian persecutions of subsequent years the church in
Edessa, like all other churches in Holy Land, was ransacked by its enemies and
this prompted the church fathers to transfer the relic to safer places.

A major portion of this Apostle's relic (bone) was taken to Mosul and was hidden
in the walls of the ancient Syrian Orthodox church there which remained
undiscovered for many centuries until it was rediscovered by our Patriarch 5
decades ago.

Sixteen centuries after the said transfer, a part of the Holy relic found its
way back to India when the late lamented Patriarch Ignatius Ya`qub III of
blessed memory presented it to the Indian Syriac Church in 1964. Later in 1994
our present Patriarch, who was entrusted by our Lord, to rediscover the sacred
relic of the great architect of Indian Christianity, presented a portion of
relic to the ancient & famous Cathedral of St. Thomas in Mulanthuruthy, Kochi,
India, where the feast of St. Thomas is celebrated with great importance both on
July 3rd and on the Apostle's martyrdom day on December 21st.

For Photos: http://syrianchurch.org/

Very. Rev. P.J Jacob Cor-Episcopo, to be ordained as auxiliary metropolitan for
Honavar Mission on 23 August 2009 by His Holiness Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius
Zakka I Iwas at the Monastery of St. Aphrem the Syrian, in Ma`rrat Sayyidnaya,
Damascus, Syria. The Catholicos His Beatitude Aboon Mor Baselious Thomas I, Mor
Gregorios Joseph (Metropolitan of Kochi Diocese & Malankara Episcopal Synod
Secretary), and other metropolitans of Syriac orthodox Church will assist His
Holiness in the consecration ceremonies.

The General assembly of Honavar Mission elected P.J Jacob Cor-Episcopo as their
Metropolitan-designate on 06 December 2007.

Brief Biography of the Bishop Designate
http://socmnet.org/Jacob_CorEpiscopo.htm

Dear brethren,

The August 2009 edition of "Shroro - The Syriac Orthodox Christian
digest" http://www.socdigest.org is now online.

Your dedication to the faith has given birth to "Shroro", and your love and
interest has made the tremendous growth in this magazine leading to its
immediate success.

We ask that you pray for us, so that we may better serve our
community's interests in coming years.

Shroro Editorial Board
http://www.socdigest.org

23 August 2009: Damascus, Syria

On Sunday, August 23, 2009, His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas,
Patriarch of Antioch, the Supreme Head of our Universal Syrian Orthodox Church,
celebrated the Holy Qurbono at the St. Peter's & St. Paul's Patriarchal
Cathedral of the St. Aphrem the Syrian Monastery at Ma'arrat Seydnaya, Damascus,
Syria, and during the Holy Qurbono, His Holiness consecrated Yacoub Ramban
(Very. Rev. P.J Jacob Cor-Episcopo) with the name, " Mor Anthonious Yacoub" as
Auxiliary Bishop for St. Antony's Mission, Honnavar of the Malankara Jacobite
Syrian Christian Church under the Holy Apostolic See of Antioch and All the
East.

The Catholicos His Beatitude Aboon Mor Baselious Thomas I, Their Eminences Mor
Philoxinos Mattiyas Nayis (the Patriarchal Assistant), Mor Dionnasios Behanam
Jajavi (Retired), Mor Severius Ishak Zaka (Metropolitan of St. Aphrem Seminary,
Mosul), Mor Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim (Archbishop of Aleppo & Environs), Mor
Selwanos Petros AL-nemeh (Metropolitan of Homs & Hama) Mor Yulios Kuriakose
(Senior Metropolitan of the Simhasana churches & Institutions in India, Mor
Gregorios Joseph (Metropolitan of Kochi Diocese & Malankara Episcopal Synod
Secretary) and Mor Aphrem Mathews (Auxiliary Metropolitan of Angmali-High Range
Diocese and Metropolitan of UAE) attended and assisted His Holiness at this
blessed consecration ceremony.

The solemn function was also attended by a large gathering of Rabans (Monks),
Priests, Deacons, Nuns, the Syrian Orthodox Faithful and other Distinguished
Guests from Syria, India and Syriac Orthodox Faithful from Malankara including
Rev. Fr. Sunny John Plamthottathil, Ardiklo M'hero De Eto Commander Santhosh
John

Photos:
http://www.socmnet.org/News_MorAnthonious_23aug09.htm

Syrian Catholic Patriarch of Antioch visits His Holiness

On Thursday August 20, 2009, His Beatitude Mar Ignatius Joseph III Younan, the
Syrian Catholic Patriarch of Antioch, made his first official visit to our
Patriarch His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka Iwas I at the St. Aphrem
Monastery in Ma`rrat Sayyidnaya, Damascus. At a reception meeting held soon
after in honor of the visiting Syrian Catholic primate, the holy father
expressed his warm greetings to Mar Ignatius Joseph III Younan who assumed the
office in early 2009. Mar Ignatius Joseph III in his reply speech thanked the
holy father for hospitality and honor given to him and also presented a Gift of
Holy Cross to His Holiness.

Earlier the visiting Syrian Catholic Patriarch and his entourage was received at
the entrance of the Monastery by Their Eminences Mor Philoxinos Mattiyas Nayis
(the Patriarchal Assistant), Mor Dionnasios Behanam Jajavi, Mor Gregorios
Yohanna Ibrahim (Archbishop of Aleppo & Environs), Mor Theophilos George Saliba
(Archbishop of Mount Lebanon and the secretary of the Holy Synod) Mor Osthatheos
Matta Rohum (Metropolitan of Euphrates) Mor Selwanos Petros AL-nemeh
(Metropolitan of Homs & Hama), Mor Clemis Daniel of Beirut diocese.

For more details & photos:
http://www.socmnet.org/news_%20SyrCathpatAug2009.htm

Ancient faith of their Middle East fathers

Guardian Weekly reader Catherine Ann Lombard writes on a visit to Mor Ephrem,
the Syrian Orthodox Monastery at the far eastern border of the Netherlands and
meets 45 boys who are learning to read and chant in kthobonoyo, the litur­gical
language that only about 300 people in the world speak today.

The morning is hot and sticky, but I have promised Dayrayto Shmuni to help in
the monastery kitchen and put on my long-sleeved T-shirt. How the nun manages
during the summer months in her long black habit and cowl is a miracle. After a
short bike ride through the wooded fields, I walk into the kitchen that is
bustling with women and the sounds of Aramaic.

I am on the far eastern border of the Netherlands, but I might as well be in
southeastern Turkey. The madrashto, or summer school, is in session at Mor
Ephrem, the Syrian Orthodox Monastery, and 45 hungry boys will be lining up
after the midday prayer for lunch. My husband works as a teacher for the church
and so I volunteered to help.

With only a few words in Aramaic, the ancient language that Jesus spoke, I spend
these mornings chopping vegetables and washing pots and pans. It is Wednesday,
which is a fasting day, so the menu is simple. Baked potatoes, lentil soup,
sesame-covered rolls, fish cakes, pickled vegetables, and melon. No meat, eggs,
milk products or sweets.

The boys are all Dutch, learning to read and chant in kthobonoyo, the
litur­gical language that only about 300 people in the world speak today. Their
parents are immigrants, having fled the Turkish government and Kurds in the
1970s and 80s, leaving their homes and farmlands in Tur Abdin. Others escaped
from Iran and Syria, and, recently, from Iraq. They are a complex diaspora
community of 300,000 worldwide, only united by their Aramaic dialect and
Christian faith. As man in his 30s told me, "We have no land. We have no
­nation. We only have the church. Without it, we are left with no identity."

One of the women is now humming a chant; the window is open and I can hear some
of the boys chanting as they sit outside. I am slicing melon and its juicy
sweetness makes my mouth ­water. We women will eat only after all the teachers,
priests, monks, boys and archbishop have finished their meal, which is eaten in
silence. I steal a piece of melon and hurry to finish my task before the chapel
bell rings, calling us to prayer.

Afterwards, I have to remind myself that I am in the Netherlands. What will
happen to all this as the newer generations become more European? How will this
refuge of ancient Christian life survive in our secular world?

Source: http://www.guardianweekly.co.uk/?page=editorial&id=1231&catID=23

The 29th Anniversary of Patriarchal Enthronement

The 29th anniversary of Patriarchal enthronement of His Holiness Ignatius Zakka
I Iwas, the Patriarch of Antioch & all the East, Supreme Pontiff of the
Universal Syriac Orthodox Church was held at Damascus, Syria on 14 September
2009.The thanksgiving Holy Qurbono and other services were held at the St. Peter
& St. Paul Cathedral in the Mor Ephrem Monastery, Ma`arat Sayyidnaya, near
Damascus. Mor Dionysius Behnan Jajawi (Damascus, Syria) and Mor Julius Abdulahad
G Shabo (Archbishop of Sweden) were the chief celebrants and

Mor Severios Malke Mourad (Patriarchal-Vicar for Jerusalem & Jordan)
Mor Theophilos George (Bouchrieh Fardous St., Lebanon)
Mor Osthatheos Matta Rohum (Hassakeh, Syria)
Mor Selwanos Petros AL-nemeh (Homs, Syria)
Mor Severius Ishak Zaka (Former Metropolitan of St. Aphrem Seminary, Mosul)
Mor Dionysius Isa Gürbüz (Switzerland & Austria)
Mor Ivanios Mathews (Kandanad, India)
Mor Clemis Kuriakose (Idukki, India)
Mor Irenious Paulose (Kozhikode & Malabar, India)
Mor Yusphinos Paulose (Zahle, Lebanon)
Mor Militius Malke Lahdo (Australia & New Zealand)
Mor Clemis Daniel Malak Kourieh (Museitbeh, Beirut)
Mor Philexinos Mathias Nayis (Damascus, Syria)
Mor Athanasius Touma Dakkama (Great Britain)
Mor Ivanios Paulose Al Souky (Patriarchal-Vicariate of Damascus)

were the co-celebrants of the Holy Qurbono.

Moran reserved his time exclusively for meeting of priests and believers of a
group of 60 who came from India to attend the celebrations. Guests took part in
the banquet hosted by Moran.

Photos & more details
http://www.socmnet.org/29th_Anniversary_Patriarcha_Enthronement.htm

SOCM News Bureau - Damascus, Syria

Dear brethren,

The September 2009 edition of "Shroro - The Syriac Orthodox Christian
digest" http://www.socdigest.org is now online.

Your dedication to the faith has given birth to "Shroro", and your love and
interest has made the tremendous growth in this magazine leading to its
immediate success.

We ask that you pray for us, so that we may better serve our
community's interests in coming years.

Shroro Editorial Board
http://www.socdigest.org

The October 2009 edition of Shroro is now online

Dear brethren,

The October 2009 edition of "Shroro - The Syriac Orthodox Christian
digest" http://www.socdigest.org is now online.

Your dedication to the faith has given birth to "Shroro", and your love and
interest has made the tremendous growth in this magazine leading to its
immediate success.

We ask that you pray for us, so that we may better serve our community's
interests in coming years.

Shroro Editorial Board
http://www.socdigest.org

TEARS CONTINUE TO FLOW FROM THE EYES OF THE MOTHER MARY IN THE PORTRAYAL OF MOTHER MARY WITH INFANT JESUS

The Miracle that is being happening at our Kattachira St. Mary’s Chapel since 21st of this month is still continuing for the 9th day in succession. And I am one of those fortunate ones who could witness the great Miracle today.

Strenuous Prayers, day & night, is continuing here with Holy Qurbono every morning. Lot of people are coming to this small church to pray. (and also there are many who are coming here with a doubting mind as well !). Earlier the parishioners had planned to end the continuous prayers on the 8^th day, but they are now afraid to stop it since the miracle is continuing and one more incidence has happened since yesterday. Hence they decided to continue the 24-hour prayers for 21 days with Holy Qurbono every day.

I firmly believe that the miracle happening in this simple portrait printed in flex and nailed to a wooden frame, with clear visibility on back side, is undoubtedly a Gods sign. It is simply kept in the floor, in the middle part of the church. The tears like fluid, coming from the eye part of Mother Mary, appears to be slightly oily and is collected in a small vessel covered by white cloth on which the picture is kept in the floor.

(In the photo one can see only the wet cloth, The vessel is kept below it. On the first few days the fluid was collected in an open vessel, but since lot of dust particles has come into it they put a white cloth above it. Achen told me that they haven’t removed the cloth for the last few days and hence they don’t have any idea how much fluid is collected inside the vessel now and what is in it, but he relieved that at least they will get the cloth.)

Another miracle also started happening from Thursday 29^th when the Knanaya Metropolitan H.G. Kuriakose Mor Gregorios was celebrating Holy Qurbono. And again the same has repeated on 30^th Friday during the Holy Mass.  The priest who celebrated the mass today personally testified it.

This is one church which consists of only poor people with no big shots to name and they have been suffering a lot for many many years because of various reasons known to all of us and still they withstood all the obstacles. This small church is a place where tears of the parishioners has fallen much and now the God seems to be working wonders through His Mother.

I have no more words to explain. I firmly believe in what I have seen in this smallest of the small church of Malankara.

I have uploaded photos which I have taken today in http://www.syrianchurch.org/ along with the concerned news that was published on October 23^rd

John Philip Kottapparambil

Kottayam.

The November 2009 edition of  Shroro

Dear brethren,

The November 2009 edition of "Shroro - The Syriac Orthodox Christian
digest" http://www.socdigest.org is now online.

Your dedication to the faith has given birth to "Shroro", and your love and
interest has made the tremendous growth in this magazine leading to its
immediate success.

We ask that you pray for us, so that we may better serve our community's
interests in coming years.

Shroro Editorial Board
http://www.socdigest.org

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,I have been trying to find
a Syrian Orthodox church in Minneapolis-St.Paul and there doesnt appear to be
one.There is a Coptic,Armenian,Ethiopian,and of course probably 20 different
Eastern Orthodox churches(chalcedonian).There is also 2 Syrian-Maronite Catholic
churches but as I said no Syrian Orthodox or Malankara Syriac Orthodox
churches.Does anyone know if there might be a small Syrian Orthodox mission
church up here meeting in another church or building?I am an Orthodox Christian
very spiritualy drawn and connected to the Holy Syrian Orthodox church and would
love to go and be a member of the Syrian Orthodox church if there is one up
here.I was raised Eastern Orthodox but entered the Oriental Orthodox church 20
yrs ago through the Coptic church and was ordained a Deacon By his grace,The
Thrice Blessed Bishop Karras of blessed memory.I have been attending the local
Antiochian Orthodox church(Eastern-chalcedonian Orthodox)for the last year since
moving to Minnesota for language reasons since the liturgy is all in English and
the local Coptic church uses far to much Coptic and Arabic with hardly any
English and the Priest told me I would have to cut my hair to serve as a deacon
in his church.It's very common for Eastern Orthodox clerics,exspecially Russian
and Greek to have long hair they keep in ponytails or in a bun as well as having
a beard.This is done in rememberance of Samson and the ancient Hebrew vow of the
Nazarite.St.James,the brother of our Lord and first bishop of Jerusalem was a
Nazarite as well as St.John the Baptist,Jeremiah,ect.,being concecrated from
their mothers womb to the glory and service of God.It is also clear on the Holy
shroud of Turin of our Lord,which is held by myself and many Orthodox and
Catholics to be the true buriel shroud of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,that
our Lord also wore his hair long,as this is also shown on all the icons of our
Lord.I used to spend alot of time at St.Antonys Coptic monastery and was never
told to cut my hair.Pope Kyrollos of the Coptic church before Pope Shenouda wore
his hair long.Needless to say this priest up here was judging me on external
appearance rather then on my deep love and devotion to Christ,the Orthodox
church,and my love for all God's children and creatures he created.My love and
spiritual connection to the Syrian Orthodox church is very strong and I hold it
in the highest respect as it is the daughter church of the original mother
church of Jerusalem with St.James as it's first bishop and then transfering to
Antioch in Syria with St.Peter as its first bishop.I love the fact that the
Syrian Orthodox church still celebrates the original Divine Liturgy of St.Jame's
in Aramaic,our Lord's language and the Apostles.If anyone can help me find out
if there is a Syrian Orthodox or Malankara Syriac Orthodox church I would much
appreciate it.Yours in Christ,Michael.

His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians
visits Holy Father at the St. Ephraim, the Syrian Monastery in Damascus.

His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians
visits Holy Father at the Monastery of St. Ephraim, the Syrian here on November
13, Friday.

The delegation was received at the entrance of St. Peter's & St. Paul's
Cathedral here by Arch Bishop of Aleppo His Eminence Dr. Mor Gregorios Yohanna
Ibrahim, Arch Bishop of Lebanon & Holy Episcopal Synod Secretary His Eminence
Mor Theophilose George Saliba, Arch Bishop of Jazirah & Euphrates His Eminence
Mor Osthatheos Matta Rohum, Patriarchal Vicar for Zahle His Eminence Mor
Yusphinos Paulose Yusuf Safar, Assistant to Patriarch & Director of St. Ephraim
Seminary His Eminence Mor Philexinos Mathias Nayis and Arch Bishop of Beirut &
Patriarchal Institutions in Atchaneh His Eminence Mor Clemis Daniel Malak
Kourieh.

For more detials
http://www.socmnet.org/News_KarekinII_visits_ZakkaI_13Nov09.htm

Yesterday (22 October 2009) at the chapel of St: Mary's Jacobite Syrian Church
Kattachira, near Kayamkulam tears started to form from St: Mary's picture
printed in flex. Thinking that the picture was wet because of rainwater the
women who gathered for Wednesday prayer took it and wiped it clean. But they
noted that the picture was becoming wet again. They immediately called upon the
Vicar, Rev Fr. Roy Kattachira and he came to look into this. Vicar also tried to
wipe it clean but noted that water was coming from the eyes. This happened in
the late forenoon and faithful of all denominations are rushing to see the
miracle happening.

First video footage of Miracle at St Mary's Kattachira, Kayamkulam

http://wm6.spacialnet.com/malankara_vision/miracle_kattachira/miracle_kattachira\
\
.wmv

Photos

http://socmnet.org/photos/Miracle_Kattachira/Miracle_Kattachira_DSC00167.JPG
http://socmnet.org/photos/Miracle_Kattachira/Miracle_Kattachira_DSC00177.JPG

Hail Mary , Full of grace.....
Holy Virgin , Theotokos Pray for us
With prayers
SOCM News Kattachira

Greetings,

I was wondering what the position of the church is on the use or reading of the
Gospel of Thomas? Does it hold any significant value in it content to the
christian community?

God bless

The Gospel of Thomas is allegedly a Gnostic text, the complete version of which
(in Coptic) was discovered in 945, although separate portions of a Greek version
were discovered as early as 1897. It was never accepted as part of the NT canon
in any mainstream church including the Syriac Orthodox.

Modern scholars do not consider that it was written by Apostle Thomas. In the
4th cent. Cyril of Alexandria suggested that it was written by a Thomas who was
a disciple of Mani. Scholars date the text between AD 60 and 140. Being an early
witness to Christ outside the New Testament canon it has scholarly significance.
However, from the Orthodox viewpoint it has no canonical authority.

Rgds,
Thomas Joseph


--- In SOR-Forum@yahoogroups.com, "larry.quintana" <ddque2@...> wrote:
>
> Greetings,
>
> I was wondering what the position of the church is on the use or reading of
the Gospel of Thomas? Does it hold any significant value in it content to the
christian community?
>
> God bless
>

Thank you Dr Thomas for your reply. Would it be advisable to read this book? Or
should we avoid its contents as Orthodox Christians?

Thank you
+

--- In SOR-Forum@yahoogroups.com, "drthomas_joseph" <thomas_joseph@...> wrote:
>
> The Gospel of Thomas is allegedly a Gnostic text, the complete version of
which (in Coptic) was discovered in 945, although separate portions of a Greek
version were discovered as early as 1897. It was never accepted as part of the
NT canon in any mainstream church including the Syriac Orthodox.
>
> Modern scholars do not consider that it was written by Apostle Thomas. In the
4th cent. Cyril of Alexandria suggested that it was written by a Thomas who was
a disciple of Mani. Scholars date the text between AD 60 and 140. Being an early
witness to Christ outside the New Testament canon it has scholarly significance.
However, from the Orthodox viewpoint it has no canonical authority.
>
> Rgds,
> Thomas Joseph
>
>
> --- In SOR-Forum@yahoogroups.com, "larry.quintana" <ddque2@> wrote:
> >
> > Greetings,
> >
> > I was wondering what the position of the church is on the use or reading of
the Gospel of Thomas? Does it hold any significant value in it content to the
christian community?
> >
> > God bless
> >
>