Another Syrian Orthodox Christian man was killed on July 5, in the latest of a
series of targeted acts of violence against Christians in Mosul, Iraq.

Behnam Sabti died when an explosive device planted in his car detonated.

Although Mosul is patrolled by US troops along with 18 Iraqi military
battalions, the city's Christian minority remains in danger because of a
campaign of intimidation.

Source & more details
http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Another-Christian-killed-in-Mosul-18858.html

THE FINAL STATEMENT FOR THE SECOND ALEPPO SYRIAC COLLOQUIUM ON THE LIFE AND
WORKS OF BAR EBROYO

ALEPPO JULY 1st – 4th, 2010

A Colloquium commemorating the life and works of Barhebraeus, the famous Syrian
polymath and renowned Church father, was held in Aleppo, Syria, July 1st – 4th,
2010.

The participants who came from Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy,
Japan Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Turkey and the United States as well as from
Lebanon and Syria enjoyed the papers presented at the Colloquium by scholars and
specialists in Syriac studies. These contributions, which included fourteen
papers that were delivered in seven sessions, discussed the writings of the
celebrated scholar and polymath Mor Gregorios Abul- Faraj Bar Ebroyo 1286+
(Barhebraeus) as a chronicler, grammarian, philosopher, physician, theologian,
ecumenist, mystic and as a major contributor to church liturgy and canon law.

Prior to the start of the Colloquium, the new conference facility that
had been prepared for the event at the Aleppo Syrian Orthodox
Archdiocese was consecrated under the name Bar Ebroyo Centre for Syriac Studies
with a special prayer by his Eminence Mor Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim,
Metropolitan of Aleppo.

The proceedings also included an opening session in which a letter of
blessing from his Holiness Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, Patriarch of
Antioch and all the East, was read. The welcoming address and the first paper of
the Colloquium were delivered by Mor Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim, Metropolitan of
Aleppo and the host of the Colloquium.

The Colloquium programme included visits to a number of archaeological
and historical locations. These included a tomb structure in Sirreen,
East of Mabug, that contains an old Syriac inscription dating back to 74 AD, the
grave of Sulaiman Shah one of the forefathers of the founder of the Ottoman
empire, Qalaat Najm (Citadel) on the western bank of Euphrates river where Bar
Ebroyo was imprisoned by Hulagu when he tried to intercede on behalf of the city
of Aleppo, and the town of Mabug, the birth place of Theodora, the Syrian Queen,
and the seat of Mor Philoxenus of Mabug (+ 523).

In its final session, the Colloquium resolved the following:

1. The proceedings of the Colloquium will be published in English
by Gorgias Press and in Arabic by Dar Mardin Publishing House. The full texts of
the papers should be submitted to Gorgias Press by March 31, 2011. The editors
for the proceedings are: His Eminence Mor Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim, George
Kiraz, Hidemi Takahashi and Herman Teule.

2. It has been decided that the 3rd Aleppo Colloquium would be held
July 5th – 8th, 2012. Several themes were discussed including:
Severus of Antioch, Aleppo in the period 1400 – 1800, The Syrian
Orthodox Church following the time of Bar Ebroyo and before the Ottoman invasion
(early 14th century to early 16th century). The final theme will be set at a
later date by Mor Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim.

3. The participants expressed their profound appreciation and
thanks to the host of the Colloquium, Mor Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim, for his
initiative to hold the Colloquium, for his tireless efforts, which ensured its
complete success, and for the generous hospitality. The participants also
expressed their deep thanks to the secretariat of the Colloquium, to the monks
and deacons and members of the different working groups of the Aleppo Syrian
Orthodox Archdiocese.

List of Scholars

1. Metropolitan Mar Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim (Syria)

2. Pier Giorgio Borbone (Italy)

3. Deena Dinno and Khalid Dinno (Canada)

4. Margherita Farina (Italy)

5. Jan van Ginkel (Netherlands)

6. Hubert Kaufhold (Germany)

7. Fr. Elias Kesrouani (Lebanon)

8. George Kiraz (USA)

9. Hidemi Takahashi (Japan)

10. Sara TanoÄŸlu and Ishak TanoÄŸlu (Turkey)

11. Herman Teule (Belgium)

12. Fr. Baby Varghese (India)

13. Dorothea Wetecke (Germany)

* His Holiness Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas consecrated the St. Thomas Syriac
Orthodox Cathedral, London

* His Holiness installed the Holy Relics of St. Thomas, brought from Mosul, at
the Cathedral

* Messages of Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth, The Right Hon. Dr. Gordon Brown
and Most Rev. Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury were read.

LONDON: His Holiness Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas consecrated St. Thomas
Syriac Orthodox Cathedral on July 03, Saturday here. The Cathedral, situated at
7-11 Armstrong Road, Acton, London, W3 7JL, had been built in a mere six months
at the cost of around 1.8 million pounds. The Church is situated on the first
floor with a spacious community hall below it and offices and clergy living
accommodation upstairs. Metropolitans Their Eminences Mor Philoxenos Mathias
Nayis (Assistant to the Patriarch), Dr. Mor Coorilos Aphrem Karim Archbishop,
Eastern USA), Mor Athanasius Touma Dokkoma (Patriarchal Vicar, Great Britain)
assisted His Holiness.

His Holiness Patriarch Zakka was borne into the Cathedral on his throne, carried
on the shoulders of several deacons, whilst the congregation clapped, the women
ululated and the children threw flower petals. The proceedings opened with words
of welcome and the gratitude of the community (largely Syriac Orthodox from
Iraq) expressed in their warm statements about British hospitality and the
singing of the British National Anthem. Among messages received were one from
Her Majesty The Queen, The Right Hon. Dr. Gordon Brown and the Archbishop of
Canterbury, Most Rev. Rowan Williams. The Patriarch was accompanied by a large
retinue of Syriac Orthodox metropolitans and clergy and relics of St. Thomas had
been brought from Mosul for the new Cathedral. Among the ecumenical guests were
HE Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateira (Ecumenical Patriarchate), HE Metropolitan
John of Western & Central Europe (Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch), the
Archbishop of Westminster (Mgr. Vincent Nichols) and the Bishop of Gibraltar in
Europe (Right Rev'd Geoffrey Rowell). The Oriental Orthodox clergy, who joined
the Syriac Metropolitans in the sanctuary, included HE Archbishop Antonios of
the Ethiopian Orthodox Church) and from the Coptic Orthodox Church HE
Metropolitan Seraphim
(who read the Epistle in English), HG Bishop Missael of Birmingham, HG Bishop
Antony of Scotland, Ireland & NE England, HG Bishop Elia of Khartoum and HG
Bishop Angaelos (General Bishop for UK). A number of priests from the Coptic,
Ethiopian, Eritrean, Armenian and Malankara churches were also present.

View Photos
http://malankarasyriacvoice.com/Albums/ConsecrationofStThomasCathedralLondonJuly\
2010byHisHoliness/index.html

BBC Report in Arabic - Consecration & Inauguration of St. Thomas Syrian Orthodox
Cathedral, London, UK.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/arabic/multimedia/2010/07/100704_sf_syriac_church_tc2.shtml

Turkish church defaced with Islamist graffiti
Mehmet Ali Bulun

Police have started an investigation after a suspected group of people defaced
the façade of the 1,700-year-old Mor Jacob Syriac Orthodox Church in Nusaybin,
in the southeastern province of Mardin, with pro-Islamic slogans. The offenders
allegedly defaced the stone walls of the church on Monday with various slogans,
such as "Clear off, bastards," "Clear off, Zionist dogs," "Heretics, lay off,"
and "Zionist powers, clear off," in Turkish and, "Allah u Muhammed," and
"Prophet Muhammad, fight the infidels and hypocrites," in Arabic. The police
will fingerprint the lid of a paint tin found on the ground at the site of the
graffiti and will also fingerprint the wire fence surrounding the church, which
is currently undergoing restoration.

Nusaybin Mayor Ayºe Gökkan and members of the town council also went to the
church upon hearing of the vandalism, denouncing the act.

Gökkan said the graffiti was an insult to all members of the Nusaybin
community, whether Syriac Orthodox, Kurdish, Arabic, or Yezidi.

According to Gökkan, the offense was not committed by one person but by a group
of people. Noting that renovators had placed a wired fence around the church for
construction purposes, Gökkan said it would have been impossible for one person
to climb and tear down the fence, enter the church grounds and deface the walls.

"If the police respect all cultures, they should quickly solve this case and
prosecute the offenders. The case is going to be followed closely by the
municipality. [The municipality] is not going to regard this as an ordinary
crime. Mor Jacob Church is an asset to people of all religions who belong to
this community, and the community is going to protect this asset," he said.

The church reportedly dates from 313 A.D. and is currently being restored by the
Mardin Directorate of Museums.

Mehmet Deniz, the directorate's resident art historian, Ural Züngör, a museum
restorer and member of Istanbul University's Department of Restoration faculty
and Süleyman Bayar, an archaeologist, went to the church to investigate the
incident.

The three collected paint samples and said the graffiti could be removed without
damaging the church's historical texture.

The church is expected to re-open its doors once the restoration project is
complete.

Source:
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=syrian-orthodox-church-in-mardin-gets-s\
pray-painted-with-offensive-statements-2010-07-14

Messages delivered by His Holiness Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas
during the consecration of St. Thomas Syriac Orthodox Cathedral, London.

In the Name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, the one true God Amen.

Your Eminences our beloved Metropolitans, Very Rev. Dr. Patrick Sookhdeo and
Associates of the Barnabas Fund, the Reverend Clergy, distinguished guests and
our beloved spiritual children.

We may at first express our extreme happiness to be here with you all, at this
solemn occasion of the consecration of this new church. The honourable
government of this esteemed nation permitted us to build a church of our own
here. Depending on the grace and mercy of God, when you all committed yourselves
for this divine task of building a House of God, He heard your prayers and has
made it a great success. And today is the day of the fulfilment of your efforts.
Hence first of all, let us thank our Almighty Lord God for helping us to see our
dream fulfilled. We personally thank God, for enabling us to see the loving
faces of you all - our beloved spiritual children.

We all are now blessed through the consecration of this new house of our Lord.

It was the wish of the prophet and king David, to build a house for Yahweh. But
that was not realized during his time. And only his son, Solomon got the grace
to fulfil that mission. It is thus a providence of God, to be partakers in
building a House for Him. Now you have got this good fortune to see such a dream
fulfilled through your hands.

We would like to remind you that, as we consecrate this church, we ourselves
also should be consecrated and are to become the dwelling places of God. St.
Paul the Apostle says: "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy
Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were
bought with a price. So glorify God in your body "(I Corinthians 6:19, 20). We
must mould ourselves and the paths of our lives, based on the pattern of our
Lord Jesus, looking for the will of God in everything. And not it be based on
the momentary and volatile luxuries and attractions of this world. As God is the
God of mercy, we, the children also should bear the image of that heavenly
Father and we also are to love others and be merciful with them. We should set
our primary goal to work for the eternal life and to achieve the eternal
treasures. May God remould our lives and let us go ahead with a new insight and
mission, renewing ourselves every day.

May the prayers of St. Thomas - the patron saint of this church be with us and
let us follow his dedication to our Lord Jesus. Our Syrian Orthodox Church ever
esteemed the relics of saints as treasures and as divine sources of blessings.
Dearly beloved, as you are aware, God enabled our humble self to find out the
Holy Relics of the blessed Apostle Saint Thomas, during the time we were serving
as the Metropolitan of Mosul in Iraq. This was an important finding and parts of
it were then installed at our different churches all over the world. St. Thomas
is the Patron Saint of this church and we were pleased to install a small part
of it in this church as well. Thus this church has now achieved a special status
and has become the house of that special treasure of blessings.

We thank the government of this esteemed country. The relationship of our church
with the British rulers dates back to more than a century, when the late
Patriarch Mor Ignatius Peter the Fourth, of blessed memory, visited Queen
Victoria in the year 1875 and established a warm relation with the British
Government. Also our relation with the Church of England, especially with the
Archbishop of Canterbury, His Grace Rowan William is a very cordial and pleasant
one. We pray God for blessing this nation with peace and prosperity.

We congratulate and pray for the all, who supported and contributed for the
construction of this church. We cannot but mention the name of the BARNABA FUND,
without the help of which, this project would not have been so successful. Very
Rev. Dr. Patrick Sookhdeo, the Director of Barnabas Fund and all the members of
the Barnaba Fund extend their invaluable help and support for our Syrian
Orthodox Church, not only here, but in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Turkey and
everywhere. We can never forget the various forms of help and support, being
rendered by the Barnaba Fund to our church. Very Rev. Dr. Patrick Sookhdeo is a
friend of us and of our church in General. Our gratefulness to him and to all
the officials and supporters of the Barnaba Fund, and to Ms. Caroline Kerslake,
its Director of Projects, are beyond words. We keep them all in our daily
prayers.
Our faithful here, in cooperation with His Eminence Mor Athanasius Touma
Dakkama, Metropolitan and our Patriarchal Vicar for the UK, worked day and
night, to fulfil the completion of this church. His able leadership and his
sincere efforts to build this beautiful church are praiseworthy. May God
strengthen him for the further growth of our church here. All our faithful from
the different countries, and dioceses extended their earnest support for this
noble task. May God Almighty bless them all, and reward them from His heavenly
treasure, by thirty, sixty and hundred folds.

Let us conclude. We have great pleasure in thanking all our beloved
Metropolitans, Clergy and our distinguished guests, for their valuable
participation in this consecration service and for gracing the occasion. We once
again thank you and congratulate you all, especially, His Eminence Mor
Athanasius Touma Metropolitan. The church managing committee and the other
bodies and all our faithful here, deserve laud appreciation for all their
dedication, support and care for all these arrangements. Also we thank you for
inviting us, and for the warm reception accorded to us along with the delegates
accompanied.

Now, as a token of our appreciation and thankfulness, we have great pleasure in
honouring Very Rev. Dr. Patrick Sookhdeo, the International Director of the
Barnaba Fund, with a pectoral cross and chain. We honour the distinguished
clergy of our church in this manner. Also the St. Ignatius Decoration of
Commander is being conferred upon Very Rev. Dr. Patrick. We ask Very Rev. Dr.
Patrick to come forward. By considering the sincere services and contributions
to the construction of this church, we are now happy to decorate also the
following honourable members of this parish with the Mor Aphrem's Decoration of
Commander. They may now come forward.

May God Bless you all.
Thank you

Communion Openly

There is a scriptural reading from John chapter 6 that is the sublime teaching
about Holy Communion. The Malankara-Syrian calendar also appoints a reading from
Hebrew (end of Chapter 4 and beginning Chapter 5) that speaks about Jesus Christ
as our high priest. Fr John Brian brings the mystical into the practical in this
sermon.

This sermon lesson uses the readings and services appointed from the Malankara
Syrian lectionary and was given on Sunday, July 18, 2010 by Fr. John Brian
Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

"Thanks be to God for His incomparable gifts." 2 Corinthians 9:15

PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD: http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
http://frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xml
LISTEN ONLINE HERE:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/07/communion-openly.html


Previously
Psalm 20 - Disciple's Psalm
Speaking about disciples and apostles, Fr John Brian discusses the role of the
called and anointed in the divine, mystical and wondrous works in this world.
The lesson is a thread that can be seen in the Sunday liturgical readings from
Matthew, Acts, and Corinthians - all leading to an appreciation of Psalm 20.
This sermon lesson uses the readings and services appointed from the Malankara
Syrian lectionary and was given on Sunday, July 4, 2010 LISTEN ONLINE HERE:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/07/psalm-20-disciple-psalm.html


Before that:
Terminal Uniqueness and Miracle Needs
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/06/terminal-uniqueness-and-miracle-needs.htm\
l

Disciples' Joy
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/06/disciples-joy.html

SPIRIT COMPASS
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/06/holy-spirit-compass-text.html

Apostle Power and the Church
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/06/apostle-power-and-church.html


Top FIVE sermons with some Honorable Mentions
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2009/05/top-five-audio-sermons-of-fr-john-brian.h\
tml

PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD all sermons: http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
http://frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xml

For more articles and sermons, visit www.Frjohbrian.blogspot.com

+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Parish
621 N. Sherman Avenue, Suite B3
Madison, Wisconsin - Sundays 9:30am
608.242.4244 ~ transfiguration@...
www.maruroopa.blogspot.com
o HEALING LIFE o DEEPENING FAITH
o ENRICHING PRACTICE o REFRESHING SPIRIT
[check out our mission pictures]
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
"Neighbors, Strangers, and Everyone Else"
Latest book by Fr John Brian - www.lulu.com/transfiguration
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
Get "A Little Spiritual Help" twice a week
Subscribe: spiritualhelp-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiritualhelp/
Also on Facebook

SOME THOUGHTS ON PRAYER

Prayer is not form, it is function.
It is not posture, it is relation.
However, proper posture and proper form give prayer more profound function and
deeper relationship.
One cannot know this until one has made the effort.

We will put effort into how and when we pray only after an honest appraisal of
our distance from God and our lack communication with Him during the activities
of our day-to-day life. These problem in our relationship with God become
evident in times of sorrow and struggle.

"Lord, teach us to pray" is a request that reveals the Lord's prayer in the
scriptures. In Holy Qurbana (liturgy), the priest announces the congregation's
willingness to be taught the fullness of the Lord's prayer, by asking God:
- to open our mouths and our lips
- to cleanse our bodies and our souls
- purify our hearts and our minds
- so that we may invoke Thee and Pray to Thee, saying:
Our Father...

Why do you bow down before the altar?
1. that is what in the book instructions (rubrics) - obedience
2. that is what I need to do for proper worship and prayer - humilty
3. this is my proper position before God - honesty
4. I need to present myself before God for His mercy on us all - sacrifice


Humbly written and submitted by a servant for edification and spiritual
development.

Fr John Brian
Holy Transfiguration Mission
Madison, Wisconsin

Spiritual Transfiguration in Mission and Practice

For the feast of Transfiguration - a festival of the fullness of God - Fr John
Brian preaches about the need for spiritual transfiguration in Orthodox mission
and practice. This sermon speaks about how all Orthodox Christians can look
forward to being with Jesus Christ on Mount Tabor. This Holy Transfiguration
festival sermon is takes inspiration from the Transfiguration story in Luke
chapter 9 and the Epistle reading from the end of Romans Chapter 11.

This sermon lesson uses the readings and services appointed from the Malankara
Syrian lectionary and was given on Sunday, August 8, 2010 by Fr. John Brian
Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

"We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency may be of the
power of God and not of us." 2 Corinthians 4:7.

PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD: http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
http://frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xml
LISTEN ONLINE HERE:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/08/spiritual-transfiguration-in-mission.html


Last Week:
Godward Hearts
Can Christian adults find the heart of a child within them? Fr John Brian
examines this problem presented in Matthew 18 by preaching from Romans Chapter
10, the Epistle reading for the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost. This sermon lesson
uses the readings and services appointed from the Malankara Syrian lectionary
and was given on Sunday, August 1, 2010 - LISTEN ONLINE HERE:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/08/godward-hearts.html


Previously:
U A Good Judge?
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/07/u-good-judge.html

Communion Openly
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/07/communion-openly.html

Psalm 20 - Disciple's Psalm
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/07/psalm-20-disciple-psalm.html

Terminal Uniqueness and Miracle Needs
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/06/terminal-uniqueness-and-miracle-needs.htm\
l


Top FIVE sermons with some Honorable Mentions
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2009/05/top-five-audio-sermons-of-fr-john-brian.h\
tml

PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD all sermons: http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
http://frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xml

For more articles and sermons, visit www.Frjohbrian.blogspot.com

+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Parish
621 N. Sherman Avenue, Suite B3
Madison, Wisconsin - Sundays 9:30am
608.242.4244 ~ transfiguration@...
www.maruroopa.blogspot.com
o HEALING LIFE o DEEPENING FAITH
o ENRICHING PRACTICE o REFRESHING SPIRIT
[check out our mission pictures]
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
"Neighbors, Strangers, and Everyone Else"
Latest book by Fr John Brian - www.lulu.com/transfiguration
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
Get "A Little Spiritual Help" twice a week
Subscribe: spiritualhelp-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiritualhelp/
Also on Facebook

Spiritual Refuge is in Mary

As the feast of the Assumption of Mary is about the St Mary, Mother of God, it
is also about her lasting place as a refuge in Holy Orthodoxy. Fr John Brian
preaches about the need for us to avoid fanaticism on one hand and secularism on
the other and how we find in St Mary and the story of her assumption at her
death clarity and comfort in our own spiritual development. This festival sermon
is takes inspiration from the Epistle reading from Hebrews Chapter 2:14-18.

This sermon lesson uses the readings and services appointed from the Malankara
Syrian lectionary and was given on Sunday, August 15, 2010 by Fr. John Brian
Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission
Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

"We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency may be of the
power of God and not of us." 2 Corinthians 4:7.

PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD: http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
http://frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xml
LISTEN ONLINE HERE:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/08/spiritual-refuge-is-in-mary.html

Last Week:
Spiritual Transfiguration in Mission and Practice
For the feast of Transfiguration - a festival of the fullness of God - Fr John
Brian preaches about the need for spiritual transfiguration in Orthodox mission
and practice. This sermon speaks about how all Orthodox Christians can look
forward to being with Jesus Christ on Mount Tabor. This Holy Transfiguration
festival sermon is takes inspiration from the Transfiguration story in Luke
chapter 9 and the Epistle reading from the end of Romans Chapter 11. This sermon
lesson uses the readings and services appointed from the Malankara Syrian
lectionary and was given on Sunday, August 8, 2010  - LISTEN ONLINE HERE:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/08/spiritual-transfiguration-in-mission.html


Previously:
Godward Hearts
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/08/godward-hearts.html

U A Good Judge?
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/07/u-good-judge.html

Communion Openly
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/07/communion-openly.html

Psalm 20 - Disciple's Psalm
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/07/psalm-20-disciple-psalm.html



Top FIVE sermons with some Honorable Mentions
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2009/05/top-five-audio-sermons-of-fr-john-brian.h\
tml

PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD all sermons: http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
http://frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xml

For more articles and sermons, visit www.Frjohbrian.blogspot.com

+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Parish
621 N. Sherman Avenue, Suite B3
Madison, Wisconsin - Sundays 9:30am
608.242.4244 ~ transfiguration@...
www.maruroopa.blogspot.com
o HEALING LIFE o DEEPENING FAITH
o ENRICHING PRACTICE o REFRESHING SPIRIT
[check out our mission pictures]
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
"Neighbors, Strangers, and Everyone Else"
Latest book by Fr John Brian - www.lulu.com/transfiguration
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
Get "A Little Spiritual Help" twice a week
Subscribe: spiritualhelp-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiritualhelp/
Also on Facebook

PRESS RELEASE: Syriac Universal Alliance

DATE: 17 August 2010

CONTACT: Daniel Gabriel ( <mailto:daniel.gabriel@...>
daniel.gabriel@...)

MONASTERY BOUNDARY CASES DECLARED
NULL AND VOID IN ANKARA COURT BATTLE:
BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD FOR THE MONASTERY

Ankara, Turkey â€" The Syriac Universal Alliance (SUA), the recognised United
Nations NGO representing the Aramean (Syriac) people worldwide, reports that the
Supreme Court in Ankara handed down its long awaited decision regarding the St
Gabriel Monastery (“Monastery�) land boundary battle with neighbouring
villages of Yayvantepe (Qartmin) and EÄŸlence (Zinol) in southeast Turkey. In a
shocking verdict, the Ankara court has decided against the Monastery, resulting
in its earlier victory on 22 May, 2009, becoming null and void.

The case dates back to an original decision by the Midyat Cadastre Directorate
in May 2008 to redraft the Monastery boundary lines and grant the neighbouring
villages 110 Hectares of land, all originally owned by the Monastery for over
1600 years. The Monastery disputed this decision at the Turkish Land
Registration court, but lost the case on 29 August 2008. The Monastery then
appealed the decision of the Registration court to the local Midyat court at
which point the surrounding villages claimed an additional 190 Hectares of
Monastery land. Following the Monastery victory in May 2009 at the local Midyat
court, the neigbouring villages appealed the decision to the Ankara court in
June 2009.

Since the Midyat court victory, the Monastery was confident that the Ankara
Supreme Court would uphold the original lower court decision. The Midyat Court
decision originally found that the neighboring villages of Yayvantepe and
EÄŸlence had no basis on which to argue that the some 300 Hectares of land
belonged to them. This evidence presented by the Monastery, relating to land
title and financial/tax documents, undoubtedly showed ownership of the land by
the Monastery.

However, in a remarkable decision, the Ankara Court decided on 13 August 2010
that the Midyat Court, which officially began hearing the trial on 19 November
2008, never had jurisdiction to hear the case in the first instance. This means
that the boundary lines drafted by the Midyat Cadastre Directorate back in 2008
are back in effect and that the Midyat court case proclaiming victory for the
Monastery of its original Boundary lines is null and void.

The Monastery now has an urgent decision to make in response to Ankara’s
unjust decision. The options available to the Monastery are as follows:

Appeal the decision back to the Ankara Supreme Court, arguing that the judge is
wrong in law and that the Midyat court did have jurisdiction to make the
decision in favour of the Monastery. The SUA expects that the chance of victory
in this situation will be very small; or

Take the case to the local Mardin court to be heard instead, although this would
involve commencing the cases all over again, thus making all the hearings from
Midyat since December 2008 worthless.

Another option to be considered by the Monastery is to commence proceedings at
the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. This follows from a spate of
similar cases at the ECHR (almost 100 in 2009) which ruled that Turkey had
violated ones right to a fair and quick trial. Arguing unreasonable length in
proceedings by the Turkish Court system may be an avenue through which the trial
can be moved to Strasbourg. The Monastery could potentially take this path after
all domestic remedies have been exhausted, according to the generally recognised
rules of international law, and within a period of six months from the date on
which the final decision was taken. Additionally, there may be ground for
arguing violation of right to the protection of property, right to a fair trial
and right to freedom of religion.

Despite all the above options being available, inside sources inform the SUA
that the Monastery will appeal the decision back to the Ankara Supreme Court.

Mr Daniel Gabriel, the SUA Human Rights and UN NGO Director states that “I am
shocked by this decision. As a lawyer myself, it makes no logical sense at all.
But I guess I really shouldn’t be surprised given the history of Turkey’s
judicial system and constant abuse of human rights within the country. The court
case was heard for 18 months in Midyat with no one suggesting for a moment that
the court didn’t have jurisdiction. Now it goes to Ankara and they decide
after 14 months of consideration that the Midyat case is abrogated? This flies
in the face of all the fundamental principles of the European Union and the
Council of Europe. This is another shocking example of Turkey’s backward legal
system and its desire to acquire the land of the Aramean (Syriac) people and
diminish their rights once again.�

Mr Johny Messo, President of the Syriac Universal Alliance states that “to
argue that the Midyat Court does not have jurisdiction in such legal matters is
plain incorrect. Local courts in Turkey have legitimately held similar land
cases in the past. There is something else definitely going on here and we must
all begin to acknowledge that the justice system in Turkey is intentionally
taking aim at the Aramean (Syriac) people â€" causing delays, heartache,
insecurity, financial ruin and continued human rights abuse.�

The SUA urgently calls upon the general public, media outlets and all those
concerned with protecting human rights, to help the Aramean (Syriac) people. The
Monastery is now at a crossroads. It has until 5 September 2010 to appeal the
decision back to Ankara (which appears likely). As stated previously, the two
remaining options are to begin a trial in Mardin at huge legal expense again or
it can simply admit defeat in the Turkish legal system and go to Strasbourg as
the Syriac Universal Alliance recommends.

In addition to all this, there are still four (4) other land related cases
taking place in and around the Monastery. These cases are as follows:

1. Forestry Land Case 1: inside the outer wall â€" 20. Law Department
â€"2009/14177 basic;

2. Forestry Land Case 2: outside the outer wall â€" 20. Law Department
â€"2009/14178 basic;

3. State Treasury Land Case: 20. Law Department â€"2009/15267 basic; and

4. Kuryakos Foundation Case: Midyat Local Court (adjourned) â€" Postponed to 3
November 2010.

Throughout the southeast of Turkey, there are approximately 30 Aramean (Syriac)
populated villages which face similar issues of land theft, occupation and
judicial prejudice and unfairness.

Choice of God's Love

As the Holy Church continues in the festival remembrance of St Mary, Mother of
God, the lesson for today brings the Christian back to the basics of living the
Christian life and doing good in this world. It all comes down to a simple
choice. Then, as Fr John Brian asks, "when are we to do the good we are created
for?"

Using the reading from I Samuel a prophetic Old Testament reading as a backdrop
for the important lesson in Orthodoxy.

This sermon lesson uses the readings and services appointed from the Malankara
Syrian lectionary and was given on Sunday, August 22, 2010 by Fr. John Brian
Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

"We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency may be of the
power of God and not of us." 2 Corinthians 4:7.

PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD: http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
http://frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xml
LISTEN ONLINE HERE:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/08/choice-of-god-love.html

Last Week:
Spiritual Refuge is in Mary
As the feast of the Assumption of Mary is about the St Mary, Mother of God, it
is also about her lasting place as a refuge in Holy Orthodoxy. Fr John Brian
preaches about the need for us to avoid fanaticism on one hand and secularism on
the other and how we find in St Mary and the story of her assumption at her
death clarity and comfort in our own spiritual development. This festival sermon
is takes inspiration from the Epistle reading from Hebrews Chapter 2:14-18. This
sermon lesson uses the readings and services appointed from the Malankara Syrian
lectionary and was given on Sunday, August 15, 2010 LISTEN ONLINE HERE:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/08/spiritual-refuge-is-in-mary.html

Previously:
Spiritual Transfiguration in Mission and Practice
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/08/spiritual-transfiguration-in-mission.html

Godward Hearts
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/08/godward-hearts.html

U A Good Judge?
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/07/u-good-judge.html

Communion Openly
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/07/communion-openly.html

Psalm 20 - Disciple's Psalm
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/07/psalm-20-disciple-psalm.html



Top FIVE sermons with some Honorable Mentions
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2009/05/top-five-audio-sermons-of-fr-john-brian.h\
tml

PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD all sermons: http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
http://frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xml

For more articles and sermons, visit www.Frjohbrian.blogspot.com

+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Parish
621 N. Sherman Avenue, Suite B3
Madison, Wisconsin - Sundays 9:30am
608.242.4244 ~ transfiguration@...
www.maruroopa.blogspot.com
o HEALING LIFE o DEEPENING FAITH
o ENRICHING PRACTICE o REFRESHING SPIRIT [check out our mission pictures]
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
"Neighbors, Strangers, and Everyone Else"
Latest book by Fr John Brian - www.lulu.com/transfiguration
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
Get "A Little Spiritual Help" twice a week
Subscribe: spiritualhelp-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiritualhelp/
Also on Facebook

Dear Brethren

Malankara Vision - teshbuhto- is broadcasting Ettu Noimbu Perunnal (The Feast of
Virgin Mary's birth) live from Marthamariam (St. Mary's) Cathedral, Manarcad
from 01 September 20109 – 08 September 2010.

Broadcast will start everyday 09:00 AM (IST)
URL http://www.malankaravision.com/ (Please refresh your browser)

Our regular programs can be viewed at following URL
http://www.malankaravision.com/index-mv.htm

Tuned in and be blessed
teshbuhto - Malankara Vision
http://www.malankaravision.com/

Bad Bosses and Burning Books

As the Holy Church anticipates in the festival of the Holy Cross, the
lessons for this Sunday deal with avoiding participation with evil by
changing "an eye for an eye" to "turn the other cheek." Fr John Brian brings the
Gospel (Matthew 5:38-48) into focus by talking about "Bad Bosses" and "Burning
Books" and the basics of living the Christian life and doing good in this world.

The other readings for the day are mentioned: 1 Peter 2:1-5; 1 Corinthians
3:16-23

This sermon lesson uses the readings and services appointed from the
Malankara Syrian lectionary and was given on Sunday, September 12, 2010 by Fr.
John Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison,
Wisconsin.

"We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency may be of the
power of God and not of us." 2 Corinthians 4:7.

PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD: http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
http://frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xml
LISTEN ONLINE HERE:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/09/bad-bosses-and-burning-books.html


Last Week:
Our Human Problem
As the Holy Church continues in the festival of St Mary, Mother of God, the
lessons for today deals with our common human dilemma and the basics of living
the Christian life and doing good in this world. Using the reading from Ezekiel
18:21-24, a prophecy, as a backdrop for the important lesson in Orthodoxy. Then
explains St Paul's epistle lesson in light of this human problem (2 Corinthians
10:1-7). This sermon lesson uses the readings and services appointed from the
Malankara Syrian lectionary and was given on Sunday, September 5, 2010 LISTEN
ONLINE HERE:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/09/our-human-problem.html

Previously:
Who Is In Hell
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/08/who-is-in-hell.html

Choice of God's Love
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/08/choice-of-god-love.html

Spiritual Refuge is in Mary
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/08/spiritual-refuge-is-in-mary.html

Spiritual Transfiguration in Mission and Practice
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/08/spiritual-transfiguration-in-mission.html

Godward Hearts
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/08/godward-hearts.html


Top FIVE sermons with some Honorable Mentions (through May 2009)
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2009/05/top-five-audio-sermons-of-fr-john-brian.h\
tml

PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD all sermons: http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
http://frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xml

For more articles and sermons, visit www.Frjohbrian.blogspot.com

+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Parish
621 N. Sherman Avenue, Suite B3
Madison, Wisconsin - Sundays 9:30am
608.242.4244 ~ transfiguration@...
www.maruroopa.blogspot.com
o HEALING LIFE o DEEPENING FAITH
o ENRICHING PRACTICE o REFRESHING SPIRIT
[check out our mission pictures]
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
"Neighbors, Strangers, and Everyone Else"
Latest book by Fr John Brian - www.lulu.com/transfiguration
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
Get "A Little Spiritual Help" twice a week
Subscribe: spiritualhelp-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiritualhelp/
Also on Facebook

Program for 30th Enthronement anniversary celebrations of HH The Patriarch:
Venue: Monastery of St. Ephraim in Ma'arat Saydnaya, Damascus.

13/09/2010 Monday, 7:00pm - Performance by St. Ephrem Syriac Choir, followed by
Syriac Orthodox Scout March to Salute HH, Firework.

14/09/2010 - Tuesday - 10:00am:  Holy Qurbono - Feast of the Exaltation of the
Holy Cross, Enthronement day of HH the Patriarch - felicitations.

14/09/2010 - Tuesday - 6:00pm - Consecration of the new guest house building -
Saint Ignatius Patriarchal center  and also the consecration of the associated
chapel devoted to Saint Ignatius of Antioch.

19/09/2010 Sunday - 10:00am : Consecration of Holy Mooron (Chrism).

Who Is In Hell

A question of salvation? A question of justice and divine retribution? Or a
question of God's mercy? Do decisions of life over death become decisions of
heaven or hell? These and other questions are addressed in Fr John Brian's
sermon. The Sunday reading from Luke is alluded to as Fr John Brian begins with
Ecclesiastes 7:1 then moves to the reading from 2 Thessalonians chapter 5.

This sermon lesson uses the readings and services appointed from the Malankara
Syrian lectionary and was given on Sunday, August 29, 2010 by Fr. John Brian
Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

"We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency may be of the
power of God and not of us." 2 Corinthians 4:7.

PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD: http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
http://frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xml
LISTEN ONLINE HERE:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/08/who-is-in-hell.html

Lat week:
Choice of God's Love
As the Holy Church continues in the festival remembrance of St Mary, Mother of
God, the lesson for today brings the Christian back to the basics of living the
Christian life and doing good in this world. It all comes down to a simple
choice. Then, as Fr John Brian asks, "when are we to do the good we are created
for?" Using the reading from I Samuel a prophetic Old Testament reading as a
backdrop for the important lesson in Orthodoxy. This sermon lesson uses the
readings and services appointed from the Malankara Syrian lectionary and was
given on Sunday, August 22, 2010  LISTEN ONLINE HERE:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/08/choice-of-god-love.html

Previously:
Spiritual Refuge is in Mary
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/08/spiritual-refuge-is-in-mary.html

Spiritual Transfiguration in Mission and Practice
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/08/spiritual-transfiguration-in-mission.html

Godward Hearts
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/08/godward-hearts.html

U A Good Judge?
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/07/u-good-judge.html

Communion Openly
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/07/communion-openly.html


Top FIVE sermons with some Honorable Mentions
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2009/05/top-five-audio-sermons-of-fr-john-brian.h\
tml

PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD all sermons: http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
http://frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xml

For more articles and sermons, visit www.Frjohbrian.blogspot.com

+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Parish
621 N. Sherman Avenue, Suite B3
Madison, Wisconsin - Sundays 9:30am
608.242.4244 ~ transfiguration@...
www.maruroopa.blogspot.com
o HEALING LIFE o DEEPENING FAITH
o ENRICHING PRACTICE o REFRESHING SPIRIT
[check out our mission pictures]
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
"Neighbors, Strangers, and Everyone Else"
Latest book by Fr John Brian - www.lulu.com/transfiguration
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
Get "A Little Spiritual Help" twice a week
Subscribe: spiritualhelp-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiritualhelp/
Also on Facebook

Our Human Problem

As the Holy Church continues in the festival of St Mary, Mother of God, the
lessons for today deals with our common human dilemma and the basics of living
the Christian life and doing good in this world.

Using the reading from Ezekiel 18:21-24, a prophecy, as a backdrop for the
important lesson in Orthodoxy. Then explains St Paul's epistle lesson in light
of this human problem (2 Corinthians 10:1-7).

This sermon lesson uses the readings and services appointed from the Malankara
Syrian lectionary and was given on Sunday, September 5, 2010 by Fr. John Brian
Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

"We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency may be of the
power of God and not of us." 2 Corinthians 4:7.

PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD: http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
http://frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xml
LISTEN ONLINE HERE:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/09/our-human-problem.html


Last Week:
Who Is In Hell
A question of salvation? A question of justice and divine retribution? Or a
question of God's mercy? Do decisions of life over death become decisions of
heaven or hell? These and other questions are addressed in Fr John Brian's
sermon. The Sunday reading from Luke is alluded to as Fr John Brian begins with
Ecclesiastes 7:1 then moves to the reading from 2 Thessalonians chapter 5. This
sermon lesson uses the readings and services appointed from the Malankara Syrian
lectionary and was given on Sunday, August 29, 2010 LISTEN ONLINE HERE:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/08/who-is-in-hell.html

Previously:
Choice of God's Love
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/08/choice-of-god-love.html

Spiritual Refuge is in Mary
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/08/spiritual-refuge-is-in-mary.html

Spiritual Transfiguration in Mission and Practice
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/08/spiritual-transfiguration-in-mission.html

Godward Hearts
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/08/godward-hearts.html

Communion Openly
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/07/communion-openly.html


Top FIVE sermons with some Honorable Mentions
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2009/05/top-five-audio-sermons-of-fr-john-brian.h\
tml

PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD all sermons: http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
http://frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xml

For more articles and sermons, visit www.Frjohbrian.blogspot.com

+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Parish
621 N. Sherman Avenue, Suite B3
Madison, Wisconsin - Sundays 9:30am
608.242.4244 ~ transfiguration@...
www.maruroopa.blogspot.com
o HEALING LIFE o DEEPENING FAITH
o ENRICHING PRACTICE o REFRESHING SPIRIT [check out our mission pictures]
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
"Neighbors, Strangers, and Everyone Else"
Latest book by Fr John Brian - www.lulu.com/transfiguration
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
Get "A Little Spiritual Help" twice a week
Subscribe: spiritualhelp-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiritualhelp/
Also on Facebook

30th Enthronement anniversary celebrations live

Sadadna.com will be broadcasting 30th Enthronement anniversary celebrations of
His Holiness The Patriarch will be broadcasted through the following URL

http://www.sadadna.com/alhafer/30live/30live.htm

SOLNews 15.9.2010 - Long-time Reesh Dayroyo of Deir Za`faran (Kurkmo Dayro),
Rabban Abrohom Türker (74), died today in Midyat, Turkey, after a bout with
cancer. Dayroyo Abrohom was born in 1936 in Midyat. In 1958, late bishop  Mor
Philoxenos Hanna Dolabani of Mardin, tonsured him a monk at Deir Za'faran. He
assumed responsibilities at the monastic school which was closed in unfortunate
circumstances by the Turkish government in 1978. After H.E. Mor Philoxenos
Saliba Özman became bishop of Mardin in 2003, Rabban Abrohom was appointed abbot
of the monastery of Mor Abrohom and Mor Hobel in Midyat. He revived the
monastery which was abandoned since 1980, assisted by two nuns, and established
new buildings for guests; this encouraged the faithful from Europe to visit Tur
Abdin, their homeland.  He dedicated himself to the service of the church all
his life.

Gabriel Rabo

For news in German and photo of Rabban Abrohom, see
http://www.suryoyo.uni-goettingen.de/news/abrohomtuerker.html

The Cross Makes All Things New

During this festival of the Holy Cross, Fr John Brian emphasized the last verses
of the opening hymn from the Ma'de'dono (Book of the Church Festivals) in his
sermon:

+ + +
By Your Cross everything was made new;
By Your Cross everything was reconciled;
By Your Cross everything was confirmed;
By Your Cross everything was made perfect.

+ + +
Glory to You, O worshipped Son,
Praise be to Your invisible Father,
Thanksgiving to the Holy Spirit.
May Mercy and compassion be upon us
+ + +

This sermon lesson uses the readings and services appointed from the
Malankara Syrian lectionary and was given on Sunday, September 19, 2010 by Fr.
John Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox
Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

"We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency may be of the
power of God and not of us." 2 Corinthians 4:7.

PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD: http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
http://frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xml
Listen on-line here:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/09/cross-makes-all-things-new.html


Last Week:
Bad Bosses and Burning Books
As the Holy Church anticipates in the festival of the Holy Cross, the
lessons for this Sunday deal with avoiding participation with evil by
changing "an eye for an eye" to "turn the other cheek." Fr John Brian brings the
Gospel (Matthew 5:38-48) into focus by talking about "Bad Bosses" and "Burning
Books" and the basics of living the Christian life and doing good in this world.
The other readings for the day are mentioned: 1 Peter 2:1-5; 1 Corinthians
3:16-23 This sermon lesson uses the readings and services appointed from the
Malankara Syrian lectionary and was given on Sunday, September 12, 2010 - LISTEN
ONLINE HERE:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/09/bad-bosses-and-burning-books.html

Previously:
Our Human Problem
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/09/our-human-problem.html

Who Is In Hell
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/08/who-is-in-hell.html

Choice of God's Love
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/08/choice-of-god-love.html

Spiritual Refuge is in Mary
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/08/spiritual-refuge-is-in-mary.html

Spiritual Transfiguration in Mission and Practice
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/08/spiritual-transfiguration-in-mission.html


Top FIVE sermons with some Honorable Mentions (through May 2009)
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2009/05/top-five-audio-sermons-of-fr-john-brian.h\
tml

PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD all sermons: http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
http://frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xml

For more articles and sermons, visit www.Frjohbrian.blogspot.com

+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Parish
621 N. Sherman Avenue, Suite B3
Madison, Wisconsin - Sundays 9:30am
608.242.4244 ~ transfiguration@...
www.maruroopa.blogspot.com
o HEALING LIFE o DEEPENING FAITH
o ENRICHING PRACTICE o REFRESHING SPIRIT
[check out our mission pictures]
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
"Neighbors, Strangers, and Everyone Else"
Latest book by Fr John Brian - www.lulu.com/transfiguration
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
Get "A Little Spiritual Help" twice a week
Subscribe: spiritualhelp-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiritualhelp/
Also on Facebook

His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury (Dr. Rowan Williams) opened an exhibition
of photographs of Tur Abdin by the Italian photo-journalist, Giulio Paletta On
Monday, 27 September.

Tur Abdin in south-east Turkey has been the home of Syriac Christians since the
ealy days of the church and these villages were once the flourishing centre of a
great Christian culture, which suffered during the unsettled years which marked
the fall of the Ottoman Empie and the persecution faced by ethnic minorities. In
more recent times the Syriac Christians were caught up in the violence of
Kurdish separatism and a population of some 20,00 had fallen to a mere 2,000 by
1995. Today the ancient monastery of Mor Gabriel stands as the centre of Syriac
culture in this area but is under threat from predators who lay claim to ancient
monastic lands.

This exhibition was organised by the Tur Abdin Focus Group to raise awareness of
the Christians of Tur Abdin and to show concern and support for the problems
they are facing. In welcoming the Archbishop, the Bishop of Woolwich (The Right
Rev'd Christopher Chessun), who is the chairman of the  Group, read out letters
of greeting and appreciation from Archbishop Samuel Aktas of Tur Abdin as well
as H.H. Mor Ignatius Zakka I, the Patriarch of Antioch. Dr. Williams spoke
movingly of the invaluable spiritual tradition embodied in the Tur Abdin
community and of its spiritual and cultural value to the wider community.

The opening was well supported and attended both by His Excellency the Syrian
Ambassador and representatives of the Turkish Embassy and covered by both
Turkish and Syriac media including Suroyo TV, Suroyo SAT and Hurriyet.
Metropolitan Mor Polycarpos Aydin, Patriarchal Vicar in the Netherlands,
represented the Patriarch of Antioch. Abba Seraphim, attended as a member of the
Tur Abdin Focus Group, and represents the Council of Oriental Orthodox Chuerches
in the United Kingdom.

The photographs are not merely of churches and liturgical ceremonies but contain
some very striking images of the simple rural life of the Suriani and personal
portraiture which highlight the vitality and uniqueness of this community. The
exhibition can be viewed at Southwark Cathedral until 18 October after which it
will be moved to Chichester Cathedral and travel to other centres.

Tur Abdin focus group website
http://www.focusmorgabriel.com

Source:
http://britishorthodox.org/1348/giulio-palettas-photographs-of-tur-abdin/

Oriental Orthodox Churches Joint Divine Liturgy

28 September 20101, Burbank, USA. On Tuesday, September 28th the annual Oriental
Orthodox clergy conference and joint Divine Liturgy was held at St. Ephraim
Cathedral. The Liturgy began at 10 am and was according to the Rite of Syriac
Orthodox Church. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate of the Armenian
Church of Cilicia, H.E. Archbishop Mor Clemis Eugene Kaplan, Prelate of the
Syriac Orthodox Church of the Western US, and H.G. Bishop Serapion, head of the
Coptic Orthodox Church, presided over the Liturgy. There were also in attendance
many priests from all three Archdioceses. H.E. Archbishop Hovnan Derderian of
the Armenian Church of Etchmiadzin apologized for not being able to attend due
to meetings.

For more details and photos
http://socmnet.org/News_OOChurches_Joint_Divine_Liturgy_28Sept2010.htm

Translucent Transitions

During this season of the Holy Cross, the loss of a loved one can emphasize the
understanding of the divine and unique purose of each of us.  Fr John Brian used
a few verses from the Sunday readings and some quotes from St Ephrem the Syrian
(circa 4th Century) to aid and comfort those in mourning:

Here is one of the quotes from Sunday's sermon:
"For just as in the case of the limbs of the body, their individual needs are
fulfilled by one another, so too the inhabitants of the world fill  in the
common need from the common excess.  We should rejoice in this need on the part
of us all, for out of it is born harmony for us all; for in that people need one
another, those in high position stoop to the lowly and are not ashamed, and he
insignificant reach out to the powerful and are not afraid. Even in the case of
animals, seeing that we have a need for them, we take care of them.
Clearly our need for everything binds us with a love for everything."(from
Letter to Hypatius as found in The Luminous Eye - The Spiritual World Vision of
Saint Ephrem the Syrian, 1985 by Sebasatian Brock, page 167)

This sermon lesson uses the readings and services appointed from the Malankara
Syrian lectionary and was given on Sunday, September 262010 by Fr. John Brian
Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox
Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

"We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency may be of the
power of God and not of us." 2 Corinthians 4:7.

PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD: http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
http://frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xml
Listen on-line here:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/09/translucent-transitions.html



Last Week:
The Cross Makes All Things New
During this festival of the Holy Cross, Fr John Brian emphasized the last verses
of the opening hymn from the Ma'de'dono (Book of the Church Festivals) in his
sermon:
+ + +
By Your Cross everything was made new;
By Your Cross everything was reconciled;
By Your Cross everything was confirmed;
By Your Cross everything was made perfect.
+ + +
This sermon lesson uses the readings and services appointed from the Malankara
Syrian lectionary and was given on Sunday, September 19, 2010 Listen on-line
here:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/09/cross-makes-all-things-new.html


Previously:
Bad Bosses and Burning Books
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/09/bad-bosses-and-burning-books.html

Our Human Problem
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/09/our-human-problem.html

Who Is In Hell
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/08/who-is-in-hell.html

Choice of God's Love
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/08/choice-of-god-love.html

Spiritual Refuge is in Mary
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/08/spiritual-refuge-is-in-mary.html


Top FIVE sermons with some Honorable Mentions (through May 2009)
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2009/05/top-five-audio-sermons-of-fr-john-brian.h\
tml

PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD all sermons: http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
http://frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xml

For more articles and sermons, visit www.Frjohbrian.blogspot.com

+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Parish
621 N. Sherman Avenue, Suite B3
Madison, Wisconsin - Sundays 9:30am
608.242.4244 ~ transfiguration@...
www.maruroopa.blogspot.com
o HEALING LIFE o DEEPENING FAITH
o ENRICHING PRACTICE o REFRESHING SPIRIT
[check out our mission pictures]
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
"Neighbors, Strangers, and Everyone Else"
Latest book by Fr John Brian - www.lulu.com/transfiguration
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
Get "A Little Spiritual Help" twice a week
Subscribe: spiritualhelp-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiritualhelp/
Also on Facebook

H.H. Ignatius Zakka I Iwas declared Karingachira Cathedral as the Georgian
Pilgrim Centre of India.

15 October 2010, Karingachira, Kerala: St. George Jacobite Syrian Orthodox
Cathedral, Karingachira was declared as the "Georgian Pilgrim Centre of India"
by His Holiness Ignatius Zakka I Iwas Patriarch. The concluding ceremony of the
Centenary celebrations of Karingachira Cathedral deed submission and Platinum
Jubilee of the re-election of St. Athanasius Paulose Valiya Thirumeni as
Malankara metropolitan were held at the Cathedral premises on 16th October.

For more details and photos
http://www.socmnet.org/News00.htm

The Servant Chooses

How do we access the presence of God and show Him our love? In Luke 16, Jesus
Christ answers by saying "A servant cannot serve two masters."

Fr John Brian uses Psalm 42 and the Gospel appointed for this Sunday of the
Cross to discuss the choice of servants and how to move into the presence of
God, the good Master - if we choose to serve Him.

This sermon lesson uses the readings and services appointed from the
Malankara Syrian lectionary and was given on Sunday, October 10, 2010 by Fr.
John Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison,
Wisconsin.

"We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency may be of the
power of God and not of us." 2 Corinthians 4:7.

PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD: http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
http://frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xml
Listen on-line here:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/10/servant-chooses.html


Last time:
Translucent Transitions

During this season of the Holy Cross, the loss of a loved one can emphasize the
understanding of the divine and unique purpose of each of us.  Fr John Brian
used a few verses from the Sunday readings and some quotes from St Ephrem the
Syrian (circa 4th Century) to aid and comfort those in mourning. Here is one of
the quotes from Sunday's sermon:
"For just as in the case of the limbs of the body, their individual needs are
fulfilled by one another, so too the inhabitants of the world fill in the common
need from the common excess.  We should rejoice in this need on the part of us
all, for out of it is born harmony for us all; for in that people need one
another, those in high position stoop to the lowly and are not ashamed, and he
insignificant reach out to the powerful and are not afraid. Even in the case of
animals, seeing that we have a need for them, we
take care of them. Clearly our need for everything binds us with a love for
everything."(from Letter to Hypatius as found in The Luminous Eye - The
Spiritual World Vision of Saint Ephrem the Syrian, 1985 by Sebastian Brock, page
167)
This sermon lesson uses the readings and services appointed from the
Malankara Syrian lectionary and was given on Sunday, September 26,2010
Listen on-line here:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/09/translucent-transitions.html


Previously:
The Cross Makes All Things New
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/09/cross-makes-all-things-new.html

Bad Bosses and Burning Books
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/09/bad-bosses-and-burning-books.html

Our Human Problem
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/09/our-human-problem.html

Who Is In Hell
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/08/who-is-in-hell.html

Choice of God's Love
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/08/choice-of-god-love.html


Top FIVE sermons with some Honorable Mentions (through May 2009)
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2009/05/top-five-audio-sermons-of-fr-john-brian.h\
tml

PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD all sermons: http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
http://frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xml

For more articles and sermons, visit www.Frjohbrian.blogspot.com

+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Parish
621 N. Sherman Avenue, Suite B3
Madison, Wisconsin - Sundays 9:30am
608.242.4244 ~ transfiguration@...
www.maruroopa.blogspot.com
o HEALING LIFE o DEEPENING FAITH
o ENRICHING PRACTICE o REFRESHING SPIRIT
[check out our mission pictures]
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
"Neighbors, Strangers, and Everyone Else"
Latest book by Fr John Brian - www.lulu.com/transfiguration
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
Get "A Little Spiritual Help" twice a week
Subscribe: spiritualhelp-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiritualhelp/
Also on Facebook

Final decree in Mary Roy case executed
By: George Jacob

Legal battle for equality in property rights for Syrian Christian women

KOTTAYAM, October 21, 201: More than a quarter of a century after Mary Roy began
her legal battle for equality in property rights for Syrian Christian women with
their male siblings of the family, the very property that is the basis of the
case has finally come into her hands as the principal sub-court here ordered
execution of the final decree in her property suit on Wednesday.

"It has been 26 years since I had started my fight for justice. I am happy that
our share of the property has finally come into our hands, mine and my sisters,"
said Ms. Roy from her residence on the Pallikkudom campus near here.

George Isaac, Ms. Roy's brother, against whom she had filed the property suit,
would now move to another house. In fact, he had already sold out his share of
the property in Kottayam town to a private chit company.

Landmark verdict

It was in 1986 that Ms. Roy had obtained a landmark judgment from the Supreme
Court entitling Syrian Christian women to an equal share in their father's
property. Till then, the Syrian Christian community followed the provisions of
the Travancore Succession Act, 1916 and Cochin Succession Act, 1921 even as
members of the community in other parts of the country were governed by the
provisions of the Indian Succession Act, 1925. As per the Travancore and the
Cochin Acts, daughters were eligible for one quarter of the sons' share or
Rs.5,000, which ever was less, if the father died intestate.

Another legal tangle

The Supreme Court judgment triggered another legal tangle to the whole story as
Ms. Roy approached the Kottayam sub-court in 1988 praying for her share of the
property left by her father, P.V. Isaac, who had died in 1960.

As per the provisions of the Indian Succession Act, her mother, Susie Isaac, was
entitled to enjoy one-third of the property until her death, but without the
right to alienate it. The remaining two-thirds were to be shared among her, her
sister, Molly Joseph, and two brothers, Ms. Roy said in her prayer.

Though the lower court rejected her prayer, accepting the contention of the
respondents, who maintained that they had transferred their shares in another
property, held by their father P.V. Isaac, in Ooty in lieu of her share in his
Kottayam property, which was spread over two locales, one in Kottayam town and
another at Nattakom grama panchayat.

However, Ms. Roy, approached the Kerala High Court in 1994 and got the judgment
of the lower court overruled.

Later, after her mother's death in 2000, she approached the Kottayam sub-court
praying for the final decree. The case went on for eight long years until the
final decree was pronounced in December 2008.

Following this, Ms. Roy filed the execution petition in January 2009, which was
finally ordered on Wednesday.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com

Another Burden to Carry, Then Discard

In Matthew 23, one of the last sermons of Jesus before His crucifixion, we are
to obey "those that sit on Moses' seat," but not act as they act.

This works well into the Epistle reading from 1 Timothy Chapter 6, where there
is a special challenge to Clergy and those that wish to serve God.

Fr John Brian uses the Gospel and Epistle appointed for this Sunday of the Cross
to discuss the burdens we must carry and then discard in order and how to move
into the presence of God, the good Master - if we choose to serve Him.

This sermon lesson uses the readings and services appointed from the Malankara
Syrian lectionary and was given on Sunday, October 17, 2010 by Fr. John Brian
Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

"We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency may be of the
power of God and not of us." 2 Corinthians 4:7.

PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD: http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
http://frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xml
Listen on-line here:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/10/another-burden-to-carry-then-discard.html

Last Week:
The Servant Chooses
How do we access the presence of God and show Him our love? In Luke 16, Jesus
Christ answers by saying "A servant cannot serve two masters." Fr John Brian
uses Psalm 42 and the Gospel appointed for this Sunday of the Cross to discuss
the choice of servants and how to move into the presence of God, the good Master
- if we choose to serve Him. This sermon lesson uses the readings and services
appointed from the Malankara Syrian lectionary and was given on Sunday, October
10, 2010 Listen on-line here:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/10/servant-chooses.html

Previously:
Translucent Transitions
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/09/translucent-transitions.html

The Cross Makes All Things New
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/09/cross-makes-all-things-new.html

Bad Bosses and Burning Books
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/09/bad-bosses-and-burning-books.html

Our Human Problem
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/09/our-human-problem.html

Who Is In Hell
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/08/who-is-in-hell.html


Top FIVE sermons with some Honorable Mentions (through May 2009)
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2009/05/top-five-audio-sermons-of-fr-john-brian.h\
tml

PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD all sermons: http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
http://frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xml

For more articles and sermons, visit www.Frjohbrian.blogspot.com

+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Parish
621 N. Sherman Avenue, Suite B3
Madison, Wisconsin - Sundays 9:30am
608.242.4244 ~ transfiguration@...
www.maruroopa.blogspot.com
o HEALING LIFE o DEEPENING FAITH
o ENRICHING PRACTICE o REFRESHING SPIRIT [check out our mission pictures]
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
"Neighbors, Strangers, and Everyone Else"
Latest book by Fr John Brian - www.lulu.com/transfiguration
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
Get "A Little Spiritual Help" twice a week
Subscribe: spiritualhelp-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiritualhelp/
Also on Facebook

246th Dukhrono of Saint Baselios Sakralla Maphriono concluded at Kandanad Morth
Mariyam Cathedral.

23 October, 2010, Kandanad, Kerala: 246th Dukhrono of Saint Baselios Sakralla
Maphriono concluded at Morth Mariyam Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Cathedral here on
October 22, 2010, Friday. Metropolitan Mor Ivanios Mathews was the chief
celebrant for the Holy Penta Mass celebrated at the cathedral on Friday.
Thousands of faithful participated in the Holy Penta Mass, followed by Nercha
and Rassa.

On October 21, Thursday, His Beatitude Catholicos Aboon Mor Baselios Thomas I
offered Dhoopa Prarthana at the sacred tomb of Saint Baselios and led Evening
Prayer at the Cathedral. Metropolitans Their Eminence Mor Ivanios Mathews, Mor
Clemis Kuriakose, Mor Athanasius Elias, Mor Theodosius Mathews and Mor Anthonios
Ya`qub accompanied His Beatitude.

View Photos
http://picasaweb.google.com/editor.msv/Kandanad#

Website of Morth Mariyam JSO Cathedral
http://www.stmaryschurchkandanad.org

Brief Biography of Saint Baselios Sakralla Maphriono
http://www.syrianchurch.org/bio/MorShakralla.htm