[The inauguration speech delivered by Most. Rev. Philipose Mar Crysostum Marthoma Valia Metropolitan on Feb 9, 2003 during the 108 th Maramon Convention - Original in Malayalam]

For the last few weeks, I was sick and was under treatment in the hospital. During that time, not only the members of the Marthoma Church, but many thousands of people prayed for me and it helped me for the curing of my sickness. Doctors had told me that the prayers of the people had given me such an early curing of my sickness. I am highly obliged to you all for your prayers for me. Also I thank Athanasios Thirumeni and the Gospel Team, which he represents, for the announcement speech about my Episcopal Golden Jubilee Celebrations.

'And he arose, and came to his father' St.Luke 15:20

Who told this to whom? This was a question in forth standard when I was studying in Sunday school. The scriptures describes that the Prodigal Son did this act when he was among the swine (Pigs). The word 'Prodigal Son' is a misnomer. The associated verses refer to three different lost items.

1. Lost sheep
2. Lost Silver Coin
3. Lost Son.

Do these are really lost or redeemed? Yes, they are the ones, which are redeemed. So now a days, the redeemed ones are known as ‘Prodigal’!!! All the above three, we see returned or brought back to their owners.

The prodigal son was born in an aristocratic family. As per the views of a common man, God had given him all the blessings. But he had forgotten his father and God who blessed him with all the providences. He was not ready to accept or approve his benevolence; rather he had chosen to reject God and his father. All those who refuse and reject the blessings of God are the grant sons of this prodigal son. In my opinion many of us belong to this group. Each one thinks that I am capable of my own, and refuse to accept the gifts given by God. Eventually he becomes similar to swine or swine itself.

Do we find any men in our society with humanity? While the TV personnel interviewed me, they asked me, what I would like to achieve through this 108th Maramon convention. Even though I was feeling to tell them that what I intend is not going to happen; I told them my desire that at least some people regain their lost humanity with the relation with God.

In our State of Kerala and in the whole world, there should be people with humanity. This is what I honestly desire to achieve through this Gospel feast. Now a days, man had turned out to be 'beastly'. While we read the daily News Papers, really we feel to cry. The Church, which is the body of Christ, should reveal the nature of God. The Ministers of the Church, like me, do they defile God or reveal God through their life? Our State which is known as 'Country of God’, as seen by others, what opinion they will form about God?

As the prodigal son told, 'I will go to my father', we should achieve a come back to God. Our totally shattered community, family, country, the leaders and the people as a part of those who attend this convention should come back to the Father God.

As a result of this, we should get relieved from our beastly state. We have to rise up from the current scenario. Secondly, for all those who attend this convention, let this be an influencing force. Let all the people as Family, Church and Country stage a return back and rejoice at, as the family of the prodigal son rejoiced on his return. In their circumstances of each one of us, let that be a great experience of joy, peace and hope. Let the 108 th Maramon convention become the means of that great occasion of rejoicing.

With great hope and giving glory to God, goodness to the society, peace to the country, with prayers and all greetings and with the permission of all of you, I officially announce to open the 108th Maramon Convention.