the letter - St.Mary`s Indian Orthodox Cathedral

THE LETTER
Parish Bulletin – St. Mary’s IOC Victoria
ISSUE: XI
November 2012
Website: www.stmarysioc.org.au
Email: vicar@stmarysioc.org.au
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new
is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
From the Vicar’s Desk
My challenge, yours too…
Dearly Beloved Ones,
We enter another liturgical year in our spiritual journey. On 4th of November, Sunday we celebrate
the New Year, Kudosh Eetho. The Holy Church invites us to consecrate ourselves, in preparation to
undertake a new cycle in our spiritual expedition. This is the time of self-examination, assessing our
spiritual strength to continue the journey. If we are found weak in our inner self, the rejuvenating
energy should be received by the active participation in the sacramental life of the church, especially
by receiving the spiritual food of His holy Body and Blood.
The Church is holy as it is the Body of Christ. We constitute the Body of Christ. We are called to be holy, as God our Father
is holy. But if we are profane, the holiness of the Church cannot be maintained. The Church retains its holiness by the
godly life of its members. Fortunately we have godly people, even though a few in numbers, to preserve the holiness of the
church. We celebrate the memorial feast one such great spiritual pillar of the Church, St. Gregorios of Parumala, along with
the New Year.
Parumala Thirumeni is a celestial gift for the Church. It does not mean that he was sent from heaven as the Son of God
was. Rather Parumala Thirumeni was born and brought up in the village of Mulanthuruthy, by pious parents, as any other
Malayalee of the times. It is his way of life that differentiated Parumala Thirumeni from his contemporaries and us, his
predecessors. He strode a different way that they and we do not prefer to stride. When we long for physical comforts, he
placed preference to the inner well being. When we concentrate on our own well being, he identified with the sufferings of
others. When we deliberately broke the communion with our Creator, he constantly maintained that relationship.
Dear ones, as the Church celebrates the Centenary of the establishment of Catholicate, it is high time that we assess our
spiritual growth in the last 100 years. Despite the fact that the Church could produce rare gems like Parumala Thirumeni,
we cannot sit back and relax, delegating our responsibilities to the saints. My challenge, and of course yours too, is to be
Parumala Thirumeni of our age. The very attempt is a better way to celebrate the feast of Parumala Thirumeni.
May God Almighty enable us to lead a spotless life and may the intercession of St. Gregorios facilitate us to achieve this
goal!!!
Yours in His Service,
+Shinu Achen.
Prayer is the inspiration of childhood, the refuge of youth and peace during old age. Parumala Thirumeni
The Letter Issue XI/2012
Parish Christmas Carols
December 1,2 & 15,16
This Month…
November 2
November 3
November 3
November 4
November 9
November 10
November 17
Festival Evening Prayer @ St. Greogorios Chapel, 730pm
Holy Qurbana, rasa, nercha @ St. Greogorios Chapel, 815am
Festival Evening Prayer @ St. Mary’s Cathedral, 630pm
Holy Qurbana, rasa, nercha, Harvest festival @ St. Mary’s Cathedral, 8am
Evening Prayer, Intercessory to St. Mary @ St. Mary’s Cathedral, 730pm
Holy Qurbana @ St. Mary’s Cathedral, 830am
Youth Movement Retreat
Prayer Meetings
November 11
November 18
November 25
St. Kuriakose @ residence of Anthrayose C, Le Page Run, South Morang
St. Dionysius @ residence of Sabu V Thomas, 29 Wodalla Pl, Lyndhurst
St. Thomas @ residence of Roy Nedumannil, 2 Kubba Rd, Ringwood North
f Anil Marcus, 16 Peppermint Wlk, South Morang
Taming the Tongue
October 21
St. Dionysius @ residence of Sujob Chacko, 34 Mackillop Way, Clyde North
October 27 St. Thomas @ residence of Sherin Mathew, 78 Orange Groove, Bayswater
Aleyamma Joy
Proverbs 21:23 “Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity”
Our tongue is the tool to express our thoughts and so has enormous power. It can wound or heal, hurt or soothe
and destroy or create. How do we train it to be an instrument of peace and goodwill and avoid being destructive?
The most important step is to think carefully before we speak. Weigh our words to see whether what we say will be
of use to the listener. If it is a bit of gossip, hold your tongue. It will not enrich the mind of the listener; rather it sp oils
someone’s reputation.
Make sure you do not speak in anger. Harsh words leave a scar in the hearts of the listener. “A bit tongue shortens
relationships.” Speak to console the grieving, support the weak, express your gratitude in humility and when you
find yourself in the wrong ask for forgiveness.
The best way to use our tongue is to follow the teachings
of Jesus Christ. When we follow his footsteps, we will
spread happiness and peace to all around us.
Answer to last month’s quiz (Life of Christ...)
1. Annunciation to St. Mary
2. Birth & Baptism of Christ
3. Public Ministry of Christ
4. Last Supper of Christ
5. Crucifixion & Resurrection of Christ
6. Ascension of Christ
7. Second coming of Christ
When we pray with a heart full of devotion, God accepts it and we receive blessings in return. Parumala Thirumeni
--2--
Private Circulation Only. All rights reserved.
The Letter Issue XI/2012
Show me thy God
Theophilus of Antioch (Sixth Bishop of Antioch in Syria, d 188 AD)
But if you say, "Show me thy God," I would reply, "Show me yourself, and I will show you my God."
Show, then, that the eyes of your soul are capable of seeing, and the ears of your heart able to hear; for as those who
look with the eyes of the body perceive earthly objects and what concerns this life, and discriminate at the same time
between things that differ, whether light or darkness, white or black, deformed or beautiful, well-proportioned and
symmetrical or disproportioned and awkward, or monstrous or mutilated; and as in like manner also, by the sense of
hearing, we discriminate either sharp, or deep, or sweet sounds; so the same holds good regarding the eyes of the soul
and the ears of the heart, that it is by them we are able to behold God.
For God is seen by those who are enabled to see Him when they have the eyes of their soul opened: for all have eyes;
but in some they are overspread, and do not see the light of the sun. Yet it does not follow, because the blind do not see,
that the light of the sun does not shine; but let the blind blame themselves and their own eyes. So also thou, O man, hast
the eyes of thy soul overspread by thy sins and evil deeds.
As a burnished mirror, so ought man to have his soul pure. When there is rust on the mirror, it is not possible that a
man's face be seen in the mirror; so also when there is sin in a man, such a man cannot behold God.
Do you, therefore, show me yourself, whether you are not an adulterer, or a fornicator, or a thief, or a robber, or a
purloiner; whether you do not corrupt boys; whether you are not insolent, or a slanderer, or passionate, or envious, or
proud, or supercilious; whether you are not a brawler, or covetous, or disobedient to parents; and whether you do not sell
your children; for to those who do these things God is not manifest, unless they have first cleansed themselves from all
impurity. All these things, then, involve you in darkness, as when a filmy defluxion on the eyes prevents one from
beholding the light of the sun: thus also do iniquities, O man, involve you in darkness, so that you cannot see God.
Source: http://www.icbs.com/prayer/Sermons/show-me-thy-god.htm
Liturgical Year
The liturgical year of the church begins with Koodosh Etho which falls on the Sunday between October 30 and November
5.
The church year is divided into six parts:






From
From
From
From
From
From
Koodos Etho to Yeldo (Birth of the Lord)
Yeldo to Kothine (miracle of turning water to wine)
Kothine to Kymtha (Resurrection)
Kymtha to Pentecost
Pentecost to Sleeba (feast of the cross)
Sleeba to Koodos Etho.
The six periods are arranged in such a way that the Church celebrates the history of the universe each year. We start
with the story of the creation on the first Sunday, then go through the Redemption of Christ, and end with the hope of His
Second Coming on the last Sunday of the year.
Source: http://www.icon.org.in/church_lityr.icon
If there is a quarrel in the family, keep away from it. A quarrelsome house is the haven of the devil; and
God is nowhere near it. Parumala Thirumeni
--3--
Private Circulation Only. All rights reserved.
The Letter Issue XI/2012
SMIOC Youth organizes dinner cruise
Coburg: For the very first time, a dinner cruise was organized by the SMIOC Youth, to raise funds for the
development projects of the church. The dinner was held on ‘Lady Cutler’ on October 27. The event was
attended by nearly 200 parishioners. The evening began with prayer by Parish priest Rev. Fr. Shinu Thomas.
Face painting, magic show and live music kept the attendees entertained throughout the evening. The
cruise sailed through the Dockland taking in amazing sights of the city and of the harbor. A sumptuous
Asian dinner was served. The youth raised $8583 toward the projects and deserve hearty congratulations for
their efforts.
SMIOC remembers Rev. Fr. Skariah
Coburg: The second death anniversary of Rev. Fr. Skariah, founding Vicar of SMIOC, was celebrated on
October 18. Incense was offered in his memory after evening prayer at Cathedral. Fr. Skariah was also
remembered in Holy Qurbana, offered at Cathedral and Chapel, on Sunday October 21.
St. Gregorios Chapel parsonage blessed
Clayton: The new parsonage for the Asst. Vicar of the SMIOC was blessed on October 20 by Rev. Fr. Shinu
Thomas and Rev. Fr. Charlsmon Philipose. The blessing was well attended. Refreshments were served after
the blessing.
Forgiveness is strength. It gives a person a good name. It is the distinguishing feature of righteous people.
Parumala Thirumeni
--4--
Private Circulation Only. All rights reserved.
The Letter Issue XI/2012
Life in Christ through Sacraments
Sham Jacob
The Biblical references for the Holy sacraments are written in the Book of Acts.
There are 7 Sacraments according to Jesus Christ and they are: Baptism,
Chrismation, Confession, Ordination, Holy Qurbana, Anointing of the Sick, and
Matrimony.
We come across these sacraments at various times in our lives and I will take
you through these sacraments.
First comes baptism, Baptism is when the baby is baptized the baby joins the
family of Christ. The God parents on behalf of the baby accept Jesus as the
Saviour.
Chrismation: is when the baby getting baptized in the holy Mooron or (Holy Oil)
and this is part of the baptism.
Confession: is when you realize your sins and repent to God and they will be
forgiven.
Holy Qurbana: Being baptised its every child’s duty to attend the Holy Qurbana,
receiving the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
Ordination: is when a boy or a male is being accepted as a deacon in the
holy altar.
Matrimony: is when a marriage is performed in the presence of God and with
his blessings.
Anointing of the sick: is when the priest goes to the sick and anoints them
with the holy oil.
It is important to follow all the sacraments in our lives at various stages to be
happy and live the values of the holy sacraments
--5--
Private Circulation Only. All rights reserved.
Orthodox Churches reflect on WCC Assembly theme
Orthodox churches have reaffirmed their commitment to “unity, justice and peace” saying that the
“supreme act of God’s love is the economy of salvation”. This and other theological reflections were shared
in an inter-Orthodox consultation in Kos, Greece, that place from 11 to 17 October. It brought together
representatives of Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches to prepare for the World Council of Churches
(WCC) 10th Assembly, which will take place from 30 October to 8 November 2013 in Busan, Republic of
Korea. The participants shared diverse theological reflections on the theme of the assembly “God of life,
lead us to justice and peace”. These reflections provide an Orthodox contribution to the WCC Assembly.
The participants expressed their commitment to pray and work together for justice, peace and Christian
unity in a communiqué issued at the end of consultation. “The supreme act of God`s love is the economy of
salvation, which is understood as the re-creation and restoration of humanity. The call for unity, justice and
peace remains our calling today, as our incarnate Lord prayed for these before His passion (St John. 17),” the
communiqué reads.
The participants also offered prayers for Greece, expressing hope for a resolution of the economic crisis
currently faced by the country. Prayers for peace in Syria were also shared at the consultation, initiated by
the Orthodox churches in the Middle East. The event was held at the invitation of the Ecumenical Patriarch
of Constantinople Bartholomew I and was hosted by Metropolitan Nathanael of Kos and Nisyros.
WCC Eastern and Oriental Orthodox member churches:
Church of Cyprus
Church of Greece
Ecumenical Patriarchate
Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa
Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East
Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem
Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania
Orthodox Church in America
Orthodox Church in Japan
Orthodox Church in the Czech Lands and Slovakia
Orthodox Church of Finland
Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church in Poland
Romanian Orthodox Church
Russian Orthodox Church
Serbian Orthodox Church
Armenian Apostolic Church (Holy See of Cilicia)
Armenian Apostolic Church (Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin)
Coptic Orthodox Church
Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church
Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East
Source: http://theorthodoxchurch.info/blog/news/
As far as possible never do evil to anyone: or it will ruin you, your children and your house. Parumala Thirumeni
The Letter Issue XI/2012
Catholicos advocates ‘church as a home’ concept for the elderly
His Holiness Moran Mar Baselious Marthoma Paulose II, Catholicos of the East and Indian Orthodox
(Malankara) Metropolitan, has called upon upholding family values and for helping the cause of the old and
the infirm. The Catholicos said for the first time the Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Syrian Church, now
celebrating its centenary year (1912-2012), was espousing the cause of the elderly and palliative care with an
exclusive project for the aged and the infirm who were left alone and had none to care for in their twilight
years.
Terming this as a “burning issue”, the Catholicos pointed out the problem needs to be tackled on an urgent
basis. Titled “Palliveedu” (church as a home), the elderly will be taken care for a day in a church on
Sunday’s. They will be engaged in discussions, prayers, reading magazines and providing them with food
and will be picked up from their homes in church vehicles and also provided with palliative care.
A committee in each of the parish will be set up to implement the project and those irrespective of castes
can take part in the project. Initially, the project will be launched among big churches that have the
resources and the capacity. Slowly this will be extended to each of the 30 Orthodox Church dioceses all over
the globe.
Related to the scheme is the launch of the three-month awareness programme and action plan on the care
for the elderly and palliative care “Sneha Thanalil Ee Sayahnam.” This will be launched in all parishes of
Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Churches in the months of October, November and December 2012 which is
being initiated by the Ministry of Human Empowerment of Malankara Orthodox Churches.
Source: http://theorthodoxchurch.info/blog/news/
This month’s QUIZ
Holy Sacraments – How well do you know them:








The Matrimony Service has two parts: Blessing of the ____________ and blessing of the ___________.
In wedding service, couples recite vows and exchange rings: T/F
A major theme in the wedding hymns and prayers is the relationship between ___________ the bridegroom
and _____________ the Bride.
Biblical foundation of anointing of the sick is found in which book of the Bible.
The prayers that are said in the Anointing of the sick are only for the physical healing of the person: T/F
Once a person is ordained as ______________, he can no longer marry.
When the godparent is rejecting Satan on the child’s behalf, the godparent and child are facing which
direction
In the Baptismal service, the child is anointed with the Oil of Gladness which is made from which oil.
Those who disobey their parents and join their enemies are liable to be cursed by them. Parumala Thirumeni
--7--
Private Circulation Only. All rights reserved.
The Letter Issue XI/2012
The Lost Orthodox Christians of St Gregorious of Parumala in Dindigul
Tamil Nadu: Dindigul in Tamil Nadu is the one of the oldest centers of Orthodox Christians. Metropolitan
Mor Julious Alvaris (Arch Bishop of Goa and Ceylon) started a center here as part of his reunion movement
to the Orthodox Church in India. More than 5000 families from the Roman Catholic Church reunited with
the Orthodox Church, but later on they disintegrated due to lack of proper care from the Indian Malankara
Orthodox Church. Most of the families returned to the Roman Catholic Rites. In Brahmavar-Goa area there
are more or less 850 families presently, taken care by the Brahmavar Orthodox Diocese of the Indian
Malankara Orthodox Church.
The author was able to locate a family near Dindigul which believe and practice the elements of Orthodox
faith with the intercession of St Gregorious of Parumala (The First Canonized Indian Saint). This family and
their faith in Orthodoxy can be considered as a reminiscence of the mission started by Mor Julious Alvaris
in the early 1900s in south India.The lost faithful in Dindigul and other parts of Tamil Nadu might be part of
the 5000 reunited families under the leadership of Metropolitan Mor Julius Alvariz and Saintly Padre
Nuronaoh (Brahmavar).
At present there remains just one family in Dindigul. They lead more or a less an isolated life. They believe
in St. Gregorious of Parumala and practice ‘Siddha’ Medicine (Traditional medicine) and perform treatment
with the intercession and blessing of St.Gregorious of Parumala. They are indigenous people speaking Tamil
language. Once in a while they use to visit Parumala Church (Burial Place of St Gregorious of Parumala) and
Bethel Orthodox Church at Chenganoor (A Church situated in the Diocese of Cheganoor of the Indian
Malankara Orthodox Church) as pilgrims.
They have a separate burial yard and practice unique life unlike other Orthodox Christians. At several
instances they have lost connections to the past and their Orthodox origin. Hence they also find it hard to
recall their lost Orthodox past.
Family is headed by Mr. Pal Raj and consists of his wife children, their spouses and grand children. Though
Orthodox Christians in origin they attend a Roman Catholic Church and practice their sacraments. We are
not sure whether there are more indigenous Orthodox families in Dindigul and Tamil Nadu area.
“Parumala Ayya”; is how they respectfully address St Gregorious of Parumala. They have drawn a portrait of
St. Gregorious at their home. The family believes that their practice of ‘Siddha Medicine’ is a blessing from
‘Parumala Ayya’ and Sidhan. They have special practices of treating fractures and dislocation in the name
and intercession of St. Gregorious of Parumala.
Source: http://theorthodoxchurch.info/blog/news/2012/10/the-community-of-st-gregorious-of-parumala-in-dindigul-exposed-exclusive/
Condolences…
 Mr. K.C. Varghese, father of K.V. Philip, passed away on October 18.
 Mrs. Jesse Cherian, 70, mother in law of Mathew Titus, passed away on October 28.
 Mrs. Saramma Jacob, mother of Paulson Jacob, passed away on October 29.
--8--
Private Circulation Only. All rights reserved.
The Letter Issue XI/2012
Famous Failures
So you have tried something and you have failed. Maybe numerous times. You may have been told you have no talent, aren't
cut out for "this business" or are never going to "make it in this line of work". Well don't be discouraged. The following are
stories of other people who were told the same thing or something similar and went on to be major successes! You might just
recognize a few. As you can see, these are just a few of the people who refused to listen to the criticism or the "experts". If
they could do it - so can you!
The Vice President of Columbia told this actor that he was never going to make it in the business. The actor? - Harrison Ford
His first book was rejected by 12 publishing houses and sixteen agents. - John Grisham
Turned down by a recording company saying "We don't like their sound and guitar music is on the way out" They were talking
about the Beatles
Was told by his father that he would amount to nothing and be a disgrace to himself and his family - Charles Darwin
Told by a music teacher "as a composer he is hopeless" - Beethoven
Fired from a newspaper because he "lacked imagination and had no original ideas" - Walt Disney
Told by a teacher he was "too stupid to learn anything" Thomas Edison
Failed the sixth grade - Winston Churchill
Wasn't able to speak until he was almost 4 years old and his teachers said he would "never amount to much" - Albert Einstein
Did poorly in school and failed at running the family farm - Isaac Newton
Was cut from the high school basketball team, went home, locked himself in his room and cried - Michael Jordan
Producer told her she was "unattractive" and could not act - Marilyn Monroe
Auditioned for All My Children and got rejected - Julia Roberts
Received 30 rejections and the author threw it in the trash. Luckily his wife fished it out again and encouraged him to
resubmit it. The book was Carrie - the author Stephen King
Source: http://voices.yahoo.com/inspirational-stories-famous-failures-their-2132113.html
--9--
Private Circulation Only. All rights reserved.