Syriac community ritual takes place in Adıyaman

The 10th Great Ritual of the Syriac Kadim Community took place in the
eastern Turkish province of Adıyaman on Saturday with the participation
of Assyrians from Turkey and abroad.

The ritual was conducted by the patriarchal vicar of the Syriac
Orthodox Church of Turkey, Mor Filiksinos Yusuf Çetin, and Metropolitan
of the Syriac Orthodox Church in the province of Adıyaman Melki Ürek,
who is also responsible for Syriac churches in Şanlıurfa, Malatya,
Hatay, Mersin and Elazığ. Assyrians prayed and lighted candles during
the ritual, which was held at Mor Petrus-Mor Pavlus Church.

For more details,
http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=146186

SOCM News Bureau

Saint Ephrem Universal Syriac Orthodox Medical Mission Inaugurated.

Grand opening of the Saint Ephrem Universal Syrian Orthodox Medical
Mission, the social ministry of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church of
Antioch was held at the Saint Ephrem Seminary in Ma'raat Saidnaya,
Damascus, Syria.

For more details, please visit: http://www.socmnet.org/News.htm

Flash News - 2 New Bishop designates to Malankara

Holy Episcopal Synod of Malankara Jacobite Syrian Christian Church
approved the names of 2 bishop-designates elected by the respective
dioceses.

Rev. Dr. Kuriakose T Abraham elected as the new Bishop of Idukki
diocese and Fr. Ullas Varkey is the new Bishop of Kozhikode diocese, it
was confirmed by the Holy Synod.

Rev. Dr. Kuriakose T Abraham
http://www.socmnet.org/photos/Fr_Kuriakose_T_Abraham.jpg

Rev. Fr. Ullas Varkey
http://www.socmnet.org/photos/Fr_Ullas_Varkey.jpg

SOCM News Bureau - Puthencruz

"Shubho" - Radio Malankara - - A new venture of SOCM

Dear All

Barakmore / Shlomo

On the eve of our 8th birthday, SOCM-Forum is crossing another
milestone in its development, by adding another activity to its
operation. We have started an Internet radio named as "Shubho", for
those members who love to listen the beauty of the Syriac Orthodox
Worships, liturgical, traditional and special occasions songs, as
well as hearing spiritual messages. It will be officially broadcasted
from 10th September 2008.

In the Syriac Aramaic language, "Shubho" means, "Glory"

Psalms 150: 1-6 says

1: Praise ye the LORD.
Praise God in his sanctuary:
praise him in the firmament of his power.

2: Praise him for his mighty acts:
praise him according to his excellent greatness.

3: Praise him with the sound of the trumpet:
praise him with the psaltery and harp.

4: Praise him with the timbrel and dance:
praise him with stringed instruments and organs.

5: Praise him upon the loud cymbals:
praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.

6: Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD.

These verses alone is our great inspiration for this project.

This project is initiated by SOCM-FORUM and it was a collective and
successful effort of our faithful from different parts of the world.
The mission of the team behind "Shubho" is to praise HIM and to
uphold the true faith of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, handed
over to us by our forefathers, as well as to make a platform for all
Syriac Orthodox Christians around the world to listen the beauty of
the Holy Syriac Orthodox Church worship. Our vision is to
take "Shubho" to new heights and to be the premier broadcasting
station of its kind on internet.

We are fully aware that the e-radio "Shubho" is presently in its
infancy and its further development and success will be entirely
dependent on your right feed back and encouragement. The test
broadcasting is now started on a 24-hrs basis, and you can hear it on
the following URL: http://www.radiomalankara.org . We request all of
you to hear the radio and give us your valuable comments about the e-
radio.

Also please support us by remembering this project in your prayers
and providing us more audio (MP3) recordings of Syriac Orthodox
worship, songs of different occasions and spiritual talks of our
prelates, clergy and church recognized lay ministers.

We submit this project for the ultimate glory of our Lord Almighty
and for the Holy Church.

Keep us also in your prayers,

In Our Lord's Love
SOCM Forum Moderators.
http://www.socmnet.org

Dear friends and brethren,

The July 2008 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
ourcommunity's interests in coming years.

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

Radio Malankara - You can participate in broadcasting!!!

Dear Members,

We would like to give a chance to all our members to participate in
the broadcasting of 'Radio Malankara'.

We are intending to broadcast the complete Bible in Malayalam, now
starting with "PSALMS" chapter by chapter, through the 'Radio
Malankara'. We invite all the members, who are interested to
participate in this broadcasting, to submit us ONE Chapter of any of
the PSALMS, which you may read clearly in Malayalam and recorded in
an MP3 format, so that the audition test can be done on your voice
and finally select the members who all will be reading the Bible and
participate in this broadcasting. For the audition test reading, now
you may use either "Vishudha Grantham' or 'Satya Veda Pusthakam',
which is available with you now, but the finally selected people will
be reading the Bible chapters from "Vishudha Grantham" only.

Please send us your recording to info@... at the
earliest.

We hope this offer from us will be utilised by all our members, for
the ultimate glory of our God Almighty.

In HIS Love,

SOCM Forum Moderators

Listen to: http://www.radiomalankara.com

New Rambans (Rabban- Monk) Ordained for Malankara

Rev. Fr. Kuriakose Abraham Thukalan and Rev. Fr. Paul (Ullas) Varkey
Vettikkunnel who were chosen as Metropolitan designates for the
dioceses of Idukki and Calicut recently, were elevated to the order
of Ramban (Rabban- Monk) by His Beatitude the Catholicos Mor Baselios
Thomas I at a solemn function held at the St. Athanasius Cathedral,
Puthencuriz today afternoon.

Rev. Fr. Kuriakose Thukalan will henceforth be known as 'Sthepahnos'
and Rev. Fr. Paul Varkey will be known by name 'Shemavun'.

Metropolitans Their Eminences, Mor Polycorpus Geevarghese
(Evangelical Association) , Mor Severios Geevarghese (Knanaya
Archbishop), Mor Athanasius Geevarghese (Bahrain & Qatar), Mor
Theophilos Kuriakose(Seminary), Mor Mathews Aphrem (Angamali High
Range), Mor Chrysistmos Markose (Evangelical Association), Mor
Theovodosius Kuriakose (Kollam), Mor Koorilose Geevarghese (Niranam),
Mor Athanasius Elias (Patriarchal Cathedral) and Mor Ivanios
Kuriakose (Kanaya) participated in the holy ceremony.

On Sunday 24th August, both the newly elevated Rambans will be
consecrated as Metropolitans for the dioceses of Idukki and Calicut
by the supreme head of the Church His Holiness the Patriarch of
Antioch & all the East at the St. Peter & St. Paul Cathedral, Mor
Aphrem Seminary, Damascus.

Photos of Ramban ordination
http://www.syrianchurch.org/Photos/RambanOrd11August08/index.html

SOCM News Bureau - Puthencuriz

The August 2008 edition of "Shroro " is now online.

Dear friends and brethren,

The August 2008 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
ourcommunity's interests in coming years.

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

Malankara Church is today blessed with two more Metropolitans as the
bishop-designates were consecrated as new shepherds.

His Holiness Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas consecrated
Very Rev. Raban Sthepahnos ( Kuriakose Mor Clemis) and Very Rev. Raban
Shemavun (Palouse Mor Ireneous) as the metropolitans for the of
Idukki and Calicut of Malankara Church at the Monastery of St. Aphrem
the Syrian, in Ma`rrat Sayyidnaya, Damascus, Syria on 24 August 2008.

The Catholicos His Beatitude Aboon Mor Baselious Thomas I, Mor
Timotheos Aphrem Aboodi (Former Patriarchal Vicar for Canada), Mor
Theophilos George Saliba (Secretary to the Holy Synod), Mor Gregorios
Joseph (Metropolitan of Kochi Diocese & Malankara Episcopal Synod
Secretary), Mor Selwanos Petros AL-nemeh ( Metropolitan of Homs &
Hama), Mor Philexinos Mathias Nayis (Patriarchal Assistant &
Metropolitan of St. Aphrem Theological Seminary, Ma'arrat Saidnaya,
Damascus) , Mor Severios Malke Mourad (Patriarchal-Vicar for
Jerusalem & Jordan), Mor Justinos Paulos Yousef Safar (Patriarchal-
Vicariate of Zahle & Beqa', Zahle, Lebanon.), Mor Aphrem Mathews
(Angamali Highrange Area ) assisted His Holiness in the consecration
ceremonies.

It 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 and 40 Syriac Orthodox Faithful from
Malankara.

Glory to God for granting our Holy Church another two more
Metropolitans.

Photos: http://www.socmnet.org/Aug242008.htm

SOCM News Bureau - Damascus, Syria

Nation pays homage to Colonel Jojan Thomas, son of the Syriac Orthodox
Church.

The mortal remains of the Colonel was laid to rest with full state
honours in the city on Monday, Aug 25. Earlier, hundreds of people
visit the colonel's home at Manekshaw Vihar in the city after his body
was flown in on Saturday, Aug 23. The 43-year-old Colonel was killed in
a fierce battle between a militants and the quick reaction team of 45
Rashtriya Rifles of which he was in the lead. His team killed six
militants but the officer was also fatally injured in the
encounter.

The body was taken for funeral service at St Geroge Kanaya Syrian
Church at Domlur in the city. H.E Kuriakose Mor Severios, the
Archbishop of Malankara Syrian Knanaya Jacobite Archdiocese led the
funeral servcie. Speaking to newspersons after paying his tribute, Mr
Yeddyurappa said has said that the Colonel had set an example for
bravery and the whole nation was indebted to him.

More details & photos: http://www.socmnet.org/Col_jojan_thomas.htm

Official inauguration of "shubho" - Radio Malankara

Dear All

By the grace of our Lord God, the supports of the SOCM members and
well-wishers, the team of "shubho"  - Radio Malankara
(http://radiomalankara.com/) is completed the works of the streaming
of Radio.

The official inauguration of the Radio will be done at Manarcad St.
Mary's Cathedral on 04 September 2008 at 2:00 PM by the Catholicose
H.B Aboon Mor Baselios Thomas I.

Please keep support us by remembering this project in your prayers
and providing us more audio recordings of Syriac Orthodox worship,
songs of different occasions and spiritual talks of our prelates,
clergy and church recognized lay ministers.

We submit this project for the ultimate glory of our Lord Almighty
and for the Holy Church.

In Our Lord's Love
SOCM Forum Moderators.
http://www.socmnet.org

"Shubho" – Radio Malankara officially inaugurated

Sep 4, 2008, Manarcaud: Today at a grand function held in connection
with the famous Eight-day lent festival at the Manarcaud Morth Mariam
Jacobite Syrian Cathedral, the internet radio of the Syriac Orthodox
Church, "Shubho" – Radio Malankara (http://radiomalankara.com ),
promoted by http://SOCMNet.org was officially inaugurated by His
Beatitude the Catholicos Aboon Mor Baselios Thomas I, the head of the
Church in India.

Early in the morning itself the live broadcasting from Manarcaud
Cathedral was started with Morning Prayer followed by Holy Qurbono by
H.E. Mor Theophilos Kuriakose, the resident Metropolitan of Malankara
Syrian Orthodox Theological Seminary. It was at 2.30 pm the RADIO
MALANKARA was officially inaugurated by H.B. the Catholicos. Their
Eminences Metropolitans, Mor Thimotheos Thomas of Kottayam &
Archdiocese of Greater India, Mor Gregorios Joseph of Kochi diocese &
Malankara Synod Secretary and Mor Dioscorous Kuriakose, Abbot of
Malecuriz Dayro & metropolitan of Simhasana churches, were present
during the occasion. Ministers of State, Sri. Mathew T Thomas and
Sri. Mons Joseph, Opposition leader of Kerala Legislative Assembly
Sri. Oommen Chandy, Kottayam M.L.A Sri. V Vasavan, local Panchayat
members and other dignitaries also attended the function.

For the last few weeks, the Radio Malankara was broadcasting programs
on a test basis and ever since was popular among the Christian
population around the world. Holy Qurbano of our Catholicos and
Bishops, Traditional & Liturgical songs, Christian Devotional Songs,
audio biography etc were broadcasted during these test period.

Those who are interested in supporting this unique project may kindly
do so by providing the promoters with more audio recordings of Syriac
Orthodox worship, songs of different occasions and spiritual talks of
our prelates, clergy and church recognized lay ministers.

Photos:
http://www.socmnet.org/shubho04_2008.htm
http://www.syrianchurch.org

Live broadcasting from Manarcaud Morth Mariam Jacobite Syrian Cathedral
will be starting tomorrow (07 September 2008) at 8.00 AM (IST), in
order to broadcast the services of saphro ( Morning Prayer) followed by
Holy Qurbono by Catholicose His Beatitude Aboon Mor Baselios Thomas I,
phelgo d-yawmo (Noon Prayer) and the historic "Nada Thurakkal" in order
to give an opportunity for the public to venerate the portrait of St
Mary and Baby Jesus once a year.

The live audio broadcasting can be heard in "shubho" – Radio Malankara
at http://www.radiomalankara.com

Tuned in and be blessed

Beatification of three more departed Church fathers of Malankara.

Conferring to the wishes of the multitude of faithful, the Malankara
Episcopal Synod of today (09 September 2008) requested His Holiness
the Patriarch, to beatify Maphryono Mor Baselios Shakralla (Shukr
Allah)- Maphryono of the East (AD 1748-'64) - Entombed at the
Kandanad church, Mor Qurillos Yuyakim - Reesh Episcopa of Malankara -
Entombed on the north side of the Marthoman Church Mulanthuruthy, Mor
Koorilos Paulose Kochuparambuil - Malankara Metropolitan, 1911 - '17 -
entombed at Panampady St. Mary's Church near Kottayam).

Catholicose His Beatitude Aboon Mor Baselios Thomas I, called all
faithful to be in prayer and fasting for this beatifications, which
will be held at Patriarchal Center Cathedral, Puthencurizu during the
apostolic visit to Malankara by the Supreme head of the Universal
Syriac Orthodox Church, H.H. Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas in
October 2008

The Supreme head of the Universal Syrian Church and the Patriarch of
the Apostolic see of Antioch & all the East, His Holiness Ignatius
Zakka I Iwas, is to visit India in the second week of October 2008 to
attend the concluding function of the sacerdotal Golden jubilee
celebrations of the regional head of the Church in India, His
Beatitude the Catholicos Aboon Mor Baselios Thomas I.  As per the
program schedule finalized by the Malankara Episcopal Synod, His
Holiness is expected to reach Cochin International Airport on October
17 and will proceed to the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church
headquarters at Puthencurizu. The Holy father will be accorded the
status of State Guest by the honourable Government of Kerala. This
will be His Holiness' fourth apostolic visit to India, the last visit
being in 2004.

On Sunday 19th October, the Sacerdotal Golden jubilee function of His
Beatitude the Catholicos will be held at Marine Drive grounds in
Cochin. His Holiness will Chair the jubilee function. Besides the
representatives of the State Government, the heads of the Episcopal
Churches in India and the other communities will be invited for the
function. A 501-member committee has been chosen by the Malankara
Association for making preparations for the grand jubilee function.
The Episcopal Synod Secretary and Metropolitan of Kochi diocese, His
Grace Mor Gregorios Joseph is the Chairman of the committee.

The Malankara Episcopal Synod and a meeting of the Jacobite Syrian
Christian Association will be convened under the president-ship of
His Holiness during this apostolic visit. After attending a few more
programs in Kerala, His Holiness will proceed to Banglore and will
leave for Damascus on October 27th. Hectic preparations has already
been started in Malankara to welcome the supreme head of the
Universal Syrian Christian community.

Biographies
http://www.syrianchurch.org/bio/MorShakralla.htm
http://www.syrianchurch.org/bio/MorKoorilosKochuparambil.htm

The 28th Anniversary of Patriarchal Enthronement

The 28th 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 2008.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
Severios Malke Mourad (Patriarchal-Vicar for Jerusalem & Jordan) and
Mor Julius Abdulahad G Shabo (Archbishop of Sweden)were the chief
celebrants and

Mor Severios Jamil Hawa (Baghdad, Iraq)
Mor Timotheos Mousa Al Shamani (Bartellah, Ninawa, Iraq)
Mor Gregorios Saliba Shamoun (Mosul, Iraq)
Mor Severius Ishak Zaka (Mosul, Iraq)
Mor Athanasius Aphrem Barsaum (Museitbeh, Beirut)
Mor Theophilos George (Bouchrieh Fardous St., Lebanon)
Mor Philexinos Matta Shamoun (Atshaneh, Bikfaya, Lebanon)
Mor Yusphinos Paulose (Zahle, Lebanon)
Mor Philexinos Mathias Nayis (Damascus, Syria)
Mor Dionysius Behnan Jajawi (Damascus, Syria)
Mor Clemis Daniel Malak Kourieh (Damascus, Syria)
Mor Osthatheos Matta Rohum (Hassakeh, Syria)
Mor Selwanos Petros AL-nemeh (Homs, Syria)
Mor Timotheos Samuel Aktas (Midyat-Mardin,S.E. Turkey)
Mor Filuksinos Yusuf Çetyn (Beyoglu,Istanbul, Turkey)
Mor Philoxenos Saliba Özmen (Mardin,S.E. Turkey)
Mor Gregorios Malke Ürek (TR - Adiyaman - Turkey)
Mor Nicholovos Matti Abd Alahad (La Plata, Argentina)
Mor Clemis E. Kaplan (Western - United States of America)
Mor Athanasius Elia Bahe (Canada)
Mor Timotheos Aphrem Aboodi(Former Patriarchal Vicar for Canada)
Mor Dionysius Geevarghese (Simhasana Churches of Kottayam & Environs,
India)
Mor Militheos Yuhanon (Thumpamon - India)
Mor Polycarpus Eugene Aydin (Netherlands)
Mor Dionysius Isa Gürbüz (Switzerlands & Austria)
Mor Severios Hazail Soumi ( Belgium and France)
Mor Julius Hanna Aydin (Northern Germany)
Mor Athanasius Touma Dakkama (Great Britain)
Mor Militius Malke Lahdo (Australia & New Zealand)

were the co-celebrants of the Holy Qurbono

Moran reserved his time exclusively for meeting of priests and
believers a group of 90 who came from India to attend the
celebrations.

His Holiness decorated Thomas Alexander of Muscut Church as Commander
and Abraham Joy of Victory House, Kudamalore, Kottayam as Chevalier.

Guests took part in the banquet hosted by Moran in one of the big
hotels in Ma`arat Saydnaya.

From 19.00 hrs onwards the concert by the different choirs of the
Syrian Orthodox parishes all over the world reasserted the beauty of
our church music.

SOCM News Bureau - Damascus, Syria.

Three priests of our Holy Church elevated to the order of Ramban
(Rabban- Monk)on yesterday 14 September 2008 by His Beatitude the
Catholicos Mor Baselios Thomas I at a solemn function held at St.
Athanasius Cathedral, Puthencuriz.

Fr. Scaria Alukkal, Fr. George Varghese and Fr. Wilson Varghese Puliyan
will henceforth be known as "Sakriya Ramban, Mekaeil Ramban and Gabrial
Ramban".

Metropolitans Their Eminences, Mor Gregorios Joseph, Mor Dioscoros
Kuriakose, Mor Severios Abraham, Mor Athanasius Geevarghese, Mor
Chrysistmos Markose, Mor Mathews Aphrem, Mor Theovodosius Kuriakose and
Mor Athanasius Elias participated in the holy ceremony.

His Holiness Aram I visited Patriarch His Holiness Ignatius Zakka I
Iwas in Damascus

On 09 September 2008 evening His Holiness Aram I and the delegation
visited Patriarch Zakka I Iwas in the Syrian Church's summer
residence. The Synod of Syrian Bishops is underway presently. Upon
his arrival, His Holiness was received by the Patriarch and the
Bishops.

Patriarch Zakka I warmly welcomed the Pontiff underlining the
friendly relations between the two churches. The Patriarch recalled
the Fellowship between the Coptic and Syrian Churches and the
Catholicosate of Cilicia, set up by the efforts of His Holiness Aram
I 12 years ago.

Making a brief overview of the relations between the Armenian and
Syrian Churches, His Holiness Aram I said: "Our two churches have had
the same theological approach and have together against all external
heretical movements. We must further strengthen our cooperation in a
world in which we are facing many challenges patching the daily life
of our communities. He called upon the Bishops to continue the strong
cooperation between the two churches with the same spirit
particularly at the level of the Dioceses."

The meeting was followed by a reception during which Syrian Bishops
asked His Holiness questions about theological and ecumenical issues.

To view the photos: http://socmnet.org/Aram_Zakka_09sept08.htm

Two churches attacked in Kerala

ANGAMALY (Kerala): Two churches, one of them among the oldest in
India, were vandalised by unidentified people in the early hours of
Sunday at Akapparambu in Nedumbassery panchayat, about 35 km from
Kochi city.

A seven-foot statue of Christ in the cemetery of the 467-year-old
Garvasis and Prothasis Church, belonging to the Syro-Malabar Church,
was broken and knocked off its pedestal. Next door, at the Mor Sabore
Afroth Jacobite Syrian Cathedral Church, the glass windows of a
chamber that houses the sandalwood cot used by St. Paulose Mor
Athanasius were smashed. The cathedral, said to have been built in
825 A.D., is one of the ancient churches of the Jacobites.

Fr. Paulose Arackaparambil, vicar at the cathedral church, toldnthat
the glass windows must have been smashed between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
As  soon as a church employee informed him of the incident, he
reported it to the police and they arrived soon. At the Catholic
church, the destruction of the statue was noticed by early
worshippers and church staff.

While the police and church authorities suspect a deliberate attempt
to instigate communal ire, Nedumbassery and nearby panchayats, which
are home  to scores of churches of various denominations, remained
calm.

Coming in the wake of the violence against Christians in Orissa and
attacks  on churches in Karnataka, the Akapparambu attacks
immediately raised  concern across Kerala, but no related incident
was reported from anywhere.

Church leaders played down the incident, saying it could be an
isolated  attack, while the authorities set up a special team to
investigate the sacrilege.

In few hours after the incident, Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan
and  Fisheries Minister S. Sarma visited the two churches that stand
on  adjoining compounds and spoke to the church functionaries and lay
people. Senior police officers, heads of government agencies, top
functionaries of  political parties and religious leaders also rushed
in.

The working committee of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church has
protested against the attack on the Jacobite Church, Akapparambu. The
State government must take action against those involved, the
committee said and called upon the people to maintain calm.

The police have set up a special investigation team to nab those
behind the vandalism of two churches at Akapparambu at Nedumbassery
grama panchayat on Sunday morning. Aluva Deputy Superintendent of
Police P.N. Unniraja is heading the team. The police are probing
various angles, including religious extremist groups. Inspector-
General of Police (Ernakulam range) Vinson Paul and Ernakulam Rural
SP P. Vijayan visited the churches within a few hours of the attack.

Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, who visited the churches around
noon, said the government would take all efforts to nab the
culprits. "We will not allow any force to upset the communal harmony
of the State," he said.

In the evening, an all-party, all-community peace rally was taken out
in Nedumbassery. Senior functionaries of the Syro-Malabar Church and
Jacobite Church, leaders of Hindu and Muslim organisations as well as
politicians took part in the rally. The Jacobite Church's Catholicos
Baselios Thomas I and the Syro-Malabar Church's Bishop Thomas
Chakiath led the rally along with Fisheries Minister S. Sarma and
United Democratic Front (UDF) convener P.P. Thankachan. P.C. Thomas
and Lonappan Nambadan, MPs; the former Minister T.U. Kuruvilla; and
Collector M. Beena were also present.

Mr. Sarma was the first government leader to arrive at the church. He
held meetings with church functionaries and the police. At a meeting
held at the Mar Sabore Afroth Cathedral church hall, Mr. Sarma called
upon the people to be vigilant against any move to upset communal
harmony. The vicars of the two churches told the meeting that the
vandals could have struck between midnight and 5 a.m.

It was the cleaning employee at the cathedral who first noticed that
the holy chamber in which the sandalwood cot of St. Paulose Mar
Athanasius Valiya Thirumentni was kept was damaged.

The five window glasses of the chamber, which is located adjacent to
the `madbaha' (altar), were smashed, though the palanquin kept
outside the chamber was left untouched. A Christ statue in the
cemetery of the St. Gervasis and Prothasis Church has been damaged.

Attack condemned

The Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC) has termed the attack on
churches at Nedumbassery isolated acts of violence by anti-social
elements.

A spokesman for the KCBC condemned the attacks and described them as
unbecoming of people of India.

"These attacks do not suit the great culture of our country and the
great religious harmony in Kerala," said the spokesman.

He said that the church did not see in these incidents a continuation
of the violence against Christians in Orissa and Karnataka.

"These isolated acts are carried out by those trying to take
advantage of the particular situation," he added.

The UDF condemned the attacks on the churches. Convener P.P.
Thankachan said in a statement here that the attacks were carried out
by forces bent on creating communal disharmony.

State general secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party A.N.
Radhakrishnan condemned the attacks. A statement from Mr.
Radhakrishnan said that the incidents were aimed at creating
disharmony.

Source: www.thehindu.com www.manoramaonline.com www.deepika.com
www.mangalam.com

Syriac Contributions to Italio-Byzantine Art
Fr. Dale Johnson

Often Syriac culture is undervalued for its wealth of contributions to
the Byzantine world. The dominance of Greek culture has often swallowed
up creative contributions of the Syriac world and claimed it for
themselves. The Gospel of Rabbula is a primary example of primal
creativity that has affected western art for centuries. Even in later
Syriac iconography where cross fertilization of ideas merge, Syriac
artists continue to make original contributions.

To read more: http://www.socdigest.org/articles/01sep08.html

Kurisummoode (shrine of cross) of St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral,
Karthigappally, one of the oldest church in Malankara, vandalized by
unidentified people in the early hours of Friday at Karthigappally
junction in Alappuzha district of Kerala.

While the police and church authorities suspect a deliberate attempt to
instigate communal ire, Karthikappally and nearby panchayats, which are
home to scores of churches of various denominations, remained calm.

The Catholicose designate of MOSC condemned the attack. The Malankara
Orthodox Syrian Church has termed the attack on churches isolated acts
of violence by anti-social elements.

SOCM News Bureau - Alappuzha

Dear All

Few photos of The 28th Anniversary of Patriarchal Enthronement (14
September 2008) of His Holiness Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, the Patriarch of
Antioch & all the East, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Syriac
Orthodox Church are uploaded in SOCMNet.org

Please visit:
http://www.socmnet.org/28th_Anniversary_Patriarcha_Enthronement.htm

Kurisummoode (shrine of cross) of St. Mary's Jacobite Syrian Church at
Illickel, near Kottayam, vandalized by unidentified people yesterday
(03 October 2008). The painted image of St. Gregorios of Parumala,
placed inside the shrine of cross, and the candle-holders were found
lying on the ground. However, the collapsible grills on three sides of
the shrine were intact. The police said the incident may have occurred
after midnight.

SOCM News Bureau - Kottayam

Eighth annual Orthodox Prayer Service & Reception For the United
Nations Community

THE STANDING CONFERENCE OF THE ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES &THE
STANDING CONFERENCE OF CANONICAL BISHOPS IN THE AMERICASCordially
invite the public to the eighth annual Orthodox Prayer Service &
Reception For the United Nations Community

Thursday, October 30, 2008 Six-thirty in the evening

GUEST SPEAKER
His Excellency Ambassador Negash Kebret Botora
Permanent Representative of the Federal Democratic Republic of
Ethiopia to the United Nations

HOMILIST
His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian
Primate, Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)

MASTER OF CEREMONIES
Mr. Raffi V. Balian
Legate's Committee, Diocese of the Armenian Church (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue (corner of 34th Street)
New York City

A reception will follow in the Haik & Alice Kavookjian Auditorium For
more information, please call Maral at the Diocesan Center -
212.686.0710

Syrian Christian Association - October 25, 2008

Kochi, October 24, 2008:  At the forthcoming 'Jacobite Syrian
Christian Association' meet at Kothamangalam on 25th of this month,
His Holiness Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, the prince Patriarch & the
Supreme head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch & all
the East, who is also the Chief Patron of the Association, will
preside. The arrangements for the Malankara Association has already
been started.

The Program committee is presently in the process of chalking out the
schedules and other details  of the 4th Apostolic Visit of the Holy
father.  As per the latest information, His Holiness will arrive at
Kochi International Airport (Nedumbasserry) at 9.20 AM on October
17th and will be received to the Church headquarters at Puthencuriz
near Kochi, by His Beatitude the Catholicos, the regional head of the
Syriac Church of India,  the Metropolitans and other office bearers
of the Church.

On October 19th at 4 pm, His Holiness will inaugurate the grand
public function to be held at the Marine Drive grounds in Kochi,
marking  the end of the year-long Sacerdotal Golden Jubilee
celebrations of His Beatitude Catholicos Baselios Thomas I.  Eminent
personalities from different walks of life are expected to
participate in that function.

On October 22, a special meeting of the Managing Committee and
Working Committee will be convened at the Patriarchal centre, the
Church headquarters in Puthencuriz, under the president ship of His
Holiness.

On October 23, His Holiness will offer prayers at the tomb of his
predecessor, Saint Ignatius Elias III at the Mor Ignatius Dayro,
Manjinikkara. Later the Holy father will visit the St. Mary's
Cathedral  in Pathanamthitta, which is the main church of the
Thumpamon diocese. From here His Holiness will proceed to Kavumbagam
near Thiruvalla to consecrate a new Syrian Orthodox Church there.

October 24th 2008 will be an important day for the Jacobite Syrian
Orthodox Christians when the Patriarch is expected to formally
announce the beatification of Mor Koorilose Paulose Kochuparambil,
the former Malankara Metropolitan and head of the Malankara Syrian
Church. The declaration will be held at the Panampady St. Mary's
Church near Kottayam, where the late Metropolitan is entombed.
Another major program of His Holiness for the day is the consecration
of the newly built Church of the Syrian Orthodox Christians at
Puthuppally.  His Holiness will also visit the 200 year-old
Attamangalam Church at Kumarakom on the same day. The evening will be
spend at the famous Marian Pilgrim Centre, the St. Mary's Cathedral,
Manarcaud. This will be the third visit of His Holiness to this
parish which has been declared a Cathedral by the holy father in
2004.  Way back in 1982, it was in this 1000 year-old church that the
Patriarch Mor Ignatius Zakka I consecrated the Holy Moroon, which was
His Holiness' first Moroon consecration in India and the third Moroon
consecration ceremony ever held  by any Church head in the Indian
soil.

The very next day on October 25, the Holy father will visit the 'Mor
Athanasius College' at Kothamangalam which is one of the oldest
higher education centers of the Church and also the St. Gregorios
Dental College at Chelad near Kothamangalam.

On October 26, His Holiness will participate in the combined meeting
of all the spiritual organizations of the Church at the Church
headquarters in Puthencuriz and will also visit the sacred tomb of
late lamented Catholicos of the East,  Aboon Mor Baselios Paulos II
at Malecuriz Dayro.

During this Apostolic visit, His Holiness will also conduct the
Moroon consecration of the St. Athanasius Cathedral at Puthencuriz.
On October 27th, the holy father will return.

Program details from Mangalam daily:
http://mangalam.com/index.php?page=detail&nid=80861

For more details, visit Apostolic-Visit website:
http://www.syrianchurch.org/AV2008/index.htm

http://www.PatriarchofAntioch.org
http://www.SyrianChurch.org

Hi all,

     Again, Catholic Church quote St Paul, in Hebrew 1:14 "Are they not
all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be
heirs of salvation?"
     So what our church teaches? and Why?

regards
Varghese Chacko

-------- Original Message --------

Hi all monks & priests of the church,

I have a question regarding Guardian Angel.

As per Catholic belief, all people has a guardian angel, who always
guards them. There is "Feast of Guardian Angel" on Oct 2nd.
They teach that when children sin, the angel cries. The sin by adults
keeps angel away.
Also the angel protects us from all problems/troubles
They also teach that, for saints, their Guardian Angel will be called
back at some moment of time.
So saints need to face more problems/troubles on earth.

They quote Mathew 18:10 as the base for the belief. In KJV it says,
"Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto
you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father
which is in heaven."


So the question is, Do we follow the same belief as catholics?
if yes, why our church is NOT teaching that concept to the children?

Regards
Varghese Chacko


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

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference

...Robert Frost

Dear Members,

The selected attacks against Christians in Mosul, Iraq, is increasing
day by day displacing about 3000 families from the city and killing
christians including Syriac Orthodox church members living in the
city  Mosul. Attacks against christians is a growing concern in
entire Iraq, especially, in Mosul. About 10 christians have been killed
in the month of October. Suroyo members from the Mosul city reported to
us that the situation there is very pathetic. The christians there are
helpless with no help from government, military or other law
enforcement forces.

We request every one to pray for our brothers and sisters in our
faith who suffer in Iraq from the islamic extremists.

Related links:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27131493/

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/ML_IRAQ?
SITE=DCUSN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Dear brethren,

The October 2008 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
ourcommunity's interests in coming years.

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

Muslim, Christian leaders take up global issues at high-level London
meeting
By Matthew Davies, October 15, 2008

[Episcopal News Service] A multi-national group of Christian and
Muslim leaders, including the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Grand
Mufti of Egypt, concluded a three-day meeting at Lambeth Palace
October 15 with a firm recognition of the need for deeper
understanding and mutual respect as they increasingly find themselves
drawn together by globalization and interdependence.

During the meeting, titled "A Common Word and Future of Christian-
Muslim engagement," the leaders addressed issues such as the global
economic crisis and the persecution of minorities in Iraq, and
identified education as a priority for both faiths.
...........................................................
............................................................

Williams was joined at the briefing by the Grand Mufti of Egypt,
Sheik Ali Gomaa; Metropolitan Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim of the Syrian
Orthodox Church; Dr. Ingrid Mattson, president of the Islamic Society
of North America and professor of Islamic Studies and Christian-
Muslim Relations at Hartford Seminary in Connecticut; and Professor
David Ford, Regius professor of divinity at the University of
Cambridge, England.
....................................................................
...................................................................

To read more on it: http://www.episcopal-
life.org/79901_101593_ENG_HTM.htm