ST. MARY’S INDIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH

OF ROCKLAND, INC. NEW YORK 66 E. Maple Ave, Suffern, New York 10901

Tel. (845) 369-9620

http://www.stmarysrockland.org

News Letter –OCTOBER 2004

BOARD OF TRUSTEES &

MANAGING COMMITTEE 2004

Rev. Fr. Dr. Raju Varghese, Vicar Mr. Saji M. Pothen, Treasurer Mr. Jeemon Varghese, Joint Treasurer Mr. Saju George, Secretary Mr. Elias Joseph, Joint Secretary Board of Trustees:

Mr. Abraham Pothen, Mr. Andrews V. Cherian

Mr. Benny Kurian, Mr. Philipose Philip Mr. Chacko Paul, Mr. Thomas Alex Committee:

Mr. Mathai Thomas (Ex-officio) Mr. Manchayil T. Roy Mr. Samuel Daniel Mr. Raju Zachariah Mr. Roy Chengannur Mr. John Muckadackal

Internal Auditor: Mathew P. John Prayer Meeting Coordinator:

Mr. Mathai Chacko Building Engineer:

Mr. G. Kochugeevarghese News Letter Editors

Mr. Benny Kurian, Mr. Abraham Pothen Sunday School:

Mr. John Muckadackal, (Head Master) Mrs. Viji Kurian, (Asst. Head Mistress) Martha Mariam Samajam:

Mrs. Betty Zachariah, Secretary Mrs. Molly Roy, Treasurer M. G. O. C. S. M.

Mr. Liju Paul, Secretary Mr. Bindu Thomas, Treasurer

Dearly beloved, In this issue of the newsletter, I want to talk briefly about raising our children. Parenting is very rewarding and challenging in all aspects of the development and growth. There is a secular aspect and spiri-tual aspect. When the pregnant mother think of the child she is bear-ing, she is so excited to see the child, to carry, feed and give all the love in the world. Some expect the child will grow and look after the parents at their old age. Others do not expect anything. The Holy Bible begins with the family of Adam and Eve, we can call this family as a dysfunctional family. These parents could not keep control their children and in the end the brothers fight and kill. If we look in the last verse in the last book in the Old Testament gives a bigger motivation of a functioning family. Please read Malachi 4:6 “ He will bring fathers and children together again” Malachi’s book is giving a glimpse of the Messiah the redeemer. Here the common question is do we have to raise our children God centered or Child centered?. My opinion is both in good balance. If the child raised in a God fear-ing environment, or giving high priority to the divine part, those children will succeed in all aspects- meaning spiritual and secular. If the family gives high priority to God in their lives, the _expression of that will reflect on humility and humble behaviors. The humbling experience will control the lives of the parents and the children, this is what the ‘togetherness’ we see in Mal: 4:6. John the Baptist was preaching about the kingdom of God. John was humbling himself and giving all majesty to the Son of God. Let us respect each other, giving higher respect to others and especially to our children. God Bless every one. Raju Varghese Achen

PARISH NEWS Annual Convention

Church Annual Convention was conducted on Friday, September 3rd and Saturday, September 4th. Rev. Fr. Dr. O. Thomas was the convention speaker. O. Thomas Achen delivered an enlightening and very meaningful speech that was based on the Orthodox beliefs and tradition. Members from surrounding Churches also partici-pated in the convention. Parish extends sincere love and gratitude towards O. Thomas Achen for accepting the invitation to lead the Church convention and for celebrating the Holy Qurbana on Sun-day Sept. 5th. Special thanks to kids and members who participated in the con-vention choir and presented melodious songs during the conven-tion. Parish also extends thanks to members who helped with food items and church cleaning. Sunday School:

• Sunday school staff meeting was held n Sept. 5th to discuss matters of new school year and the regional Sunday school meeting to be held on Sept.11th.

• Sunday school regional meeting was held at our Church on Sat-urday, Sept. 11th. H. G. Mathews Mar Barnabas Metropolitan of American diocese and H. G. Zachariah Mar Nicholovos, Asst. Metropolitan of the American diocese presided over the meeting. Nearly hundred people attended the meeting. Thanks to the Sunday school headmaster, Asst. Headmistress, teachers and other members who helped during the meeting.

• Sunday School Talent Competitions will be conducted on Sun-day, September 26th and October 3rd.

• Following kids secured ranks in the Sunday school public ex-ams:

Grade 12th – Jerry Jose – First rank, Grade 10th – Linda Baby – Second rank, Grade 8th – Amy Philips – Second rank Congratula-tions! Parish com mends the hard-work of the kids and the their parents and teachers. • Sunday school talent show was held at Saunder’s high school,

Yonkers on Saturday, Sept. 25th. Our Sunday school participated in the show and performed a high-tech skit. Special thanks goes to coor-dinators – Bindu Pappen, Sheeba Mathai, Binu Pappen, Dr. Lisa Paul Viji Kurian and Suja Pothen. Special thanks to participating kids and their parents for their sincere efforts.

Memorial Service:

On September 6th, Pappen family held a memorial service to mark the first death anniversary of Late Mr. Kidangil Pappen. H. G. Mathews Mar Barnabas, metropolitan of the American diocese lead the service. Church members, friends and relatives of Pappen family attended the service. After the service, prayers were offered at the cemetery by the Thirumeni. Prayer Meeting:

• Monthly prayer meeting was be held on Saturday September 18th at the residence of Mr. Saji M. Pothen 15 Durham lane, Suffern, NY 10901.

• This month’s prayer meeting will be conducted on Saturday Octo-ber 16th at 6:30 PM at the residence of Mr. Varghese Cherian (Ben) 50 Cragmere Road, Suffern, NY 10901. (845) 368-1887.

Coffee Hosts for September:

9/5/2004 – Manchayil T. Roy & Family, 9/12/2004 – Elias Joseph & Family, 9/19/2004 – P. K. Mathai and Family , 9/26/2004 – Varghese Cherian & Family Coffee Hosts for October:

10/3/2004 – Simon Thermadam & Family, 10/10/2004 – Chacko Paul & Family, 10/17/2004 – Saji Yohannan & Family, 10/24/2004 – Mathew Thomas & Family, 10/31/2004 – Varghese Geevarghese & Family General Body Meeting:

Church General body meeting was held on Sept. 26th after the service and made the following decisions. • To open a general memorial charity account in memory of all the

departed members of the Parish. The first portion of the collected amount will be distributed in memory of Late Mr. Kidangil Mathai Pappen.

• To start the classes for Keyboard and Vocal. • Do patch up repair work of the roof and get quotations for replace-

ment of roof. • Authorized officials to spend up to $11,000.00 for the installation

of Sign board and repair work of the Annex building.

Church Directory Update:

We are planning to publish updated Church directory soon. Please update your address/Phone number(s), if they have changed. The up-dated can be made to the directory posted on the notice board.

BIRTHDAYS IN AUGEST

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU

WEDDING ANNIVERSSARY IN JUNE

1. Neeta & Dn. Jacob Mathai -07/01 2. Rebecca & Saji Pothen -07/03 3. Ruby & Samuel Abraham -07/15 4. Leelamma & Mathai Mathai -07/17 5. Rachel & John Abraham -07/26 6. Aleyamma & John Muckadackal -07/28

Church Maintenance for September:

9/5/2004 – Thomas Alex & Elias Joseph, 9/12/2004 – P. K. Mathai and Raju Zachariah, 9/19/2004 – Varghese Geevarghese and Lisa George, 9/26/2004 – Thomas K. George and James Jacob

New Born:

Mr. Jacob Yohannan and Deepa M. Jacob were blessed with a baby boy (Dilan)on September 23rd. Congratulations to the proud parents and kin. Committee Meeting:

A joint meeting of the Church board of trustees and Church manag-ing committee was held on Sept. 19th, after the service. Visiting Overseas:

Mr. Jeemon Varghese & Family (Visiting India) Mr. Phlipose Philip and Mrs. Lizy Philip (Visiting China) Demise :

Babu N.Mani, Father of Benoye N. Mani on September 24th in In-dia. Parish express our condolence to the sorrowing family. Donations: Mr. Raju Zachariah and family donated some prayer books for Mar-thamariam Samajam. Sick and Recovering: Mrs. Saramma Abraham (Roseamma) suffered a foot fracture and is recovering at home. We pray for her speedy recovery. Seminary:

A fund-raiser for Seminary was conducted on Sept. 5th. Nearly $3000 was raised. Thanks to all the members for their generosity.

WEDDING ANNIVERSSARY IN OCTOBER

1. Mariamma & Chacko Paul -10/09 2. Annamma & Thomas Varghese -10/31

BIRTHDAYS IN OCTOBER

1. 01- Annamma Varghese 2. 01-Jacob T. Varkey 3. 01- Saji John Thankachan 4. 02- Viji Kurian 5. 03- Simon Thermadam 6. 05- Mariamma Paul 7. 06- Vinu Thomas 8. 09- Baby Varghese 9. 09- Jyothis Jacob 10. 09- Aleyamma Thomas 11. 15- Christina Joseph 12. 15- Aleyamma George 13. 15- Ryan Geevarghese 14. 16- P. K. Mathai 15. 17- Suja Pothen 16. 23 – Basil Aleyas 17. 24- Saju George 18. 24- Sharon Andrews 19. 25- Neetha Thomas 20. 25- Maghen Mathew 21. 25- Siju Philip 22. 25- Rinu Geevarghese 23. 26- Mariamma Andrews

Reminder

• Coffee host list for the year is available. Please fill up the va-cant dates.

• Please e-mail your articles to be published in our news letter To

sajanpothen@yahoo.com or benny@starbeamsoft.com • Church website is live. The web address is http://

www.stmarysrockland.org. You can read newsletters, see church event photos, get directions and download updated church direc-tory from the website.

• For the sake of privacy, the church directory requires a userid and password to access. Members are requested to visit the web-site. Any suggestions to improve the website are welcome. Please contact Secretary for further details.

-

1st Death Anniversary

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Born : October 27th 1939

Died : September 6th 2003

DIOCESEN NEWS Annual Conference Of The M M Samajam In October

New York: Sept.13, 2004: The annual conference of the Marth Mariam Vanitha Samajam of American diocese will be conducted at St. George Orthodox Church of Westchester, New Rochelle, NY 10801 on October 16, 2004. The main speaker of the conference will be Fr. Dr. Baby Varghese (Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam). The theme of this conference will be "A meaningful Participation in Ser-vice by women"

The organizers request all members to contact the Vanitha Samajam officials of their parishes for detailed information or Tel. (914)288-

0675 ,(914)419-8357

Dn. P. G. Roy: Secretary to Diocesan Metropolitan

New York: Rev. Dn. P. G. Roy from Thannithode, Pathanamthitta from the Diocese of Thumpamon has been appointed as the secretary to the American Diocesan Metropolitan H. G. Mathews Mar Barnabas. He had finished his theological studies (B.D. degree) from the Orthodox Theo-logical Seminary at Kottayam in 2001. Soon after the theological studies, he served the secretary to H. G. Philipose Mar Eusebius Metropolitan and His Holiness the Catholicos for 2 years. As per the decision of the Diocesan Council, Dn. Roy came to serve the Diocese Metropolitan as the Secretary. Diocesan Office Secretary: Since March 20, 2004 Leeson Daniel of Staten Island, NY serves the Diocese as the Diocesan Office Secretary.

CHURCH NEWS Toronto Parish Dispute: His Holiness's Order

Toronto: Sept. 24, 2004: "Toronto Parish is Under the di-ocesan Metropolitan Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios and the vicar of the parish is Fr. Philipose Philip. The Church con-stitution of 1934 is applicable to Toronto parish. " in an or-der issued, the supreme head of the Malankara Orthodox Church H. H. Baselius Marthoma Mathews II stated. No Parish Can Leave The Association On Its Own: Ronnie Toronto:Sept.22, 2004: "Malankara constitution which was created by XXXX number of Parish Churches in 1934 doesn't at any place say H. H Patriarch is the Supreme Head of the Malankara Church. Indian Supreme court, after re-viewing all the related papers, Canons and historical events has interpreted the position of the Patriarch as first among equals. That means neither of them, The Patriarch or the Catholicos are superior or inferior in their spiritual pow-ers…….." said Ronnie Daniel, Toronto, Canada in a state-ment given in ICON the largest internet forum for Indian Orthodox Community around the world. "The creation of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Associa-tion of Churches and its Constitution in 1934 – This was exactly similar to the 44 ( correct number ?? ) princely states of India joining the Indian Union when India got freedom from the British. This was an irreversible action. Similarly, the XXXX number of Syrian Orthodox Churches formed a confederation as the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church and made it's constitution in 1934 and this constitu-tion is binding on all participant Parish Churches and no participant Parish church can leave the Association on its own. However, individual members of any participant Par-ish Churches should be allowed to leave the Parish Church by exercising their freedom of religion provided in the In-dian constitution …… That doesn't mean that they can take away the Church along with them if

they have a majority in the Church…" Ronnie continued in his statement. "I think both parties must first obey the law of the land for any peaceful resolution of this crisis. H. H The Patriarch's high profile visit has further aggravated this crisis..." He added " Is it possible for the majority of Kerala Population, if they want to join British rule once again, by exercising a vote now?" many in the church think like Ronnie in the Ma-lankara Church feud.

A Change In The Constitution To Be Noted

Philadelphia, Sept.21, 2004: The 1934 constitution of the Malankara Orthodox Church article 1:1 says " The Ma-lankara Church is a division of the Orthodox Syrian Church. The Primate of the Orthodox Syrian Church is the Patriarch." This was printed in Malayala Manorama Press in 1935.Again in 1976 with some amendments the constitution was re-printed in Catholicate press without any change in article 1:1.Since this is the fact, in 1989 the new print out came from Catholicate press with a change in the article 1:1 as "The Malankara Church is a division of the Orthodox Syrian Church. The Primate of the Orthodox Syrian Church is the Patriarch of Antioch" How come this be possible with out the knowledge of Rule committee, Managing Committee and the Malankara Association?" asked Fr. Abraham Tharakan, the vice President of Clergy and Laity Association. "I have the copies of both the originals printed in 1935 and 1976. Was that a print error or a deliberate addition by some-one overlooked by the concerned church officials" Fr. Thara-kan continued in a statement to Malankara Deepam biweekly from Kottayam.

"How come this be possible or the current version is valid?" many are concerned and look forward for an answer.