My Presentations in a New Book

“Dalit Tribal Interface: A Ray of Hope for Healing and Restoration” a book published by CWM/ISPCK/MWM/NCCI/PCI contains collection of presentations on Khandhamal issue where Christians were attacked and property destroyed by religious extremists. A consultation on the issue was held in Bhubaneswar, Orissa on January 17 to 22, 2011 where I also was also invited to participate. The book has a Bible study and a note from me.

This volume was edited by Mrs. Elizabeth Joy, wife of Rev. Fr. Joy George, vicar, St. Thomas Orthodox Church, Middlesex, UK, with Dr. Hrangthan Chungi of NCCI. Mrs. Elizabeth has worked as the Executive Secretary, Mission Education of Council for world Mission and was the main organizer of this consultation. She has been instrumental in me participating in the consultation with many other similar consultations in other parts of the world organized by CWM (I had posted these events in this forum). I thank her for these opportunities where I was able to share my thoughts in the world ecumenical forum. Mrs. Elizabeth currently serves as the Asst. Secretary for Ecumenism of the diocese of UK, Europe, Africa. She has gifted 70 copies of the book to the St. Thomas Orthodox Theological Seminary community, Nagpur.

These notes were posted earlier in the blog. But now since it has come as part of a book, I am posting them again.

My Presentations at Bhuvaneswar

First Ever Malayalam Bible

It is popularly considered that Western missionaries were responsible for making India know Jesus Christ including translation of the Holy Bible  in Malayalam and its distribution. Of course with the technology and imperial support they did a lot, but even without them the Malankara Church would have done enough though a bit slow. Without ever understanding the sentiments of Malankara Church, some of the Western missionaries (some Easterners too)  tried to reform the Church according to the understanding and mis-understanding they had about Christian religion, its faith, practices and the Bible. This caused numerous divisions in the Church.

Here is one of the proofs for our commitment to make the religion local.

My Days in Nagpur

I was at St. Thomas Orthodox Theological Seminary, Nagpur for two weeks fulfilling my annual teaching assignment. I also participated in the Outside Kerala Dioceses Sunday School Teachers’ Annual General Body Meeting during.

 

OSSAE-OKR 10Th ANNIVERSARY AND ANNUAL GENERAL BODY MEETING 2011-12

The 10th Anniversary and Annual General Body of O.S.S.A.E O.K.R was held at STOTS, Nagpur, 15 – 16th September. H.G Dr. Yuhanon Mar Milithios, the Metropolitan of Thrissur Diocese and a visiting Professor at STOTS inaugurated the two day meet. H.G Dr. Joseph Mar Dionysius, the President of O.S.S.A.E-O.K.R presided over the meeting. The theme for the two day meeting was “Gospel values Vs Popular values of the Dominant Culture Today”. H.G Yuhanon Mar Milithios led sessions based on the theme to the gathering.  H.G Dr. Joseph Mar Dionysius hoisted the flag commencing the beginning of the Annual General Body Meeting. The Seminary Sunday school students led the prayer song. Mrs. Mercy John, a faculty member of the seminary conducted a Bible study about values selecting St. Luke 17: 36-50. An official word of welcome was accorded by Fr. Dr. Geevarghese K., the Director of O.S.S.A.E- O.K.R to the guests of honor, clergy, Sunday school Directors, headmasters, teachers, award winners and all who were attending the meeting. In his speech he highlighted the coincidence of the Centenary of the establishment of the Catholicate in India and the tenth anniversary of OSSAE-OKR.  H. G. Joseph Mar Dionysius released the 10th Anniversary Souvenir and the annual Report by handing over a copy to H.G Yuhanon Mar Milithios. Fr. Dr. Bijesh Philip, Principal STOTS and Fr. P. T. Thomas, Vicar St. George Orthodox Cathedral, Nagpur, presented their felicitations. The post lunch session began with the Executive meeting followed by the business session. On the second day, H. G. Joseph Mar Dionysius celebrated the Holy Qurbana. The General Body Meeting paid homage to the late Lamented Metropolitans H. G. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Osthathios, H. G. Job Mar Philexinos, and H. G. Paulose Mar Pachomios. Kumari Steffy Ann Sabu, Sunday school Gana Sugandhi set the tone for the proceedings of the award ceremony, with a melodious song. Fr. Philipose Venattu extended a warm welcome to all the delegates and the prize winners. The Sunday school teachers who completed their
valuable service more than twenty years were honored in the meeting awards. K. J. George Memorial Cash Awards were distributed to the first two toppers of 12th classes. The title holders of the InterDiocesan competitions were also honored. Ms. Jomy Thomas, the Gana Sugandhi gave a brief response speech narrating her experiences in the Sunday school. Mr. Thomas Paul, the outgoing O.S.S.A.EO. K.R, UAE Zonal Inspector was given farewell. The meeting came to an end with a pledge owing the responsibility of Sunday school teachers to up bring the students in accordance with true faith, tradition and Gospel values. Over hundred delegates from seven dioceses attended this meeting.

Malankaraorthodox.tv has uploaded few pictures from the meet.

http://malankaraorthodox.tv/news_bureau/2012/September/19/ossae/index_html.html

My Presentation at CSI Youth Assembly

I was invited to be one of the resource persons at the Church of South India Central Kerala Diocese Pre- Youth Assembly study camp held at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Kottayam on 30th and 31st of August 2012. The main theme was വിശ്വാസം, വിമോചനം, വിളംബരം: ഒന്നാകാന്‍ (Faith, Liberation, Proclamation: To Become One). I gave two presentations on 30th and 31st.

The text of the presentation is given in pdf format. It seems the last line of the text is missing.  Sorry about that.  It should read: നമ്മെ വെല്ലുവിളിക്കുന്നു, ചെവി ഉള്ളവര്‍ കേള്‍ക്കട്ടെ!

CSI Youth

Pookalam by OCYM units of the Diocese

Orthodox Christian Youth Movement (OCYM) Thrissur diocese celebrated Onam on 30th of August with much enthusiasm and payasam. They had a pookkalam competitions too. I inaugurated the day’s events.

Few pictures.