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H.B. CATHOLICOS BASALIOS THOMAS I
H. B. Catholicos Baselios Thomas I, Head of the Jacobite Syrian Church, had departed this world for his heavenly abode on Thursday, 31 October 2024. He was 95 years old. He was entombed at St. Athanasius Cathedral at the Patriarchal Centre, Puthenkurishu near Ernakulum on 2nd November 2024. Mor Thomas I was prelate of the Syrian Jacobite Church in Kerala till his departure. He had the fortune to preside over the enthronement of Mor Ignatius Aphrem II as the Patriarch of Antioch in 2014.
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REV. DR. T. J. JOSHUA
Renowned Theologian and glowing Gospel Orator Rev. Fr. T.J. Joshua had passed away on Saturday July 20, 2024 at the age of 96. Fr. Joshua was a distinguished priest of Malankara orthodox Church, who dedicated more than fifty years teaching at the Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam, Kerala. In recognition of his vast services for the Church and society Malankara Orthodox Church honored him with the title Malankara Sabha Guru Ratnam in 2016. Many of the Articles and Messages are published in this Magazine Light of Life.
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V. REV. K. MATHAI COR-EPISCOPA
Our beloved Very Reverend K. Mathai Cor-Episcopa departed us for heavenly abode in the evening of Thursday 12th October 2023. Mathai Achen who was earnestly active during his entire life span, rendered his priestly spiritual service till the previous day of his demise. Achen was 81 years old. Dearly loved Cor-Episcopa Mathai Achen was a pertinent example and epitome for humility and simplicity of a Christian priest.
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REV. FR. BABU VARGHESE
Rev. Fr. Babu Varghese was senior priest of Malankara Orthodox Church, North East Diocese of USA. He was writer of many literature works. He is one of the originator of Light of Life Magazine. He was also known by his pen name Shebaly. He was also Chief Editor of Orthodox Herald. Rev. Fr. Yakob Kathanar, Thiruvinal, priest of Thumpamon Diocese Church, contemporary of Parumala Thirumeni, was his great Grandfather. He was grandson of Fr. Geevarghese Kathanar of Thiruvinal.
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H.H. BASALIOS PAULOSE II
CATHOLICOS
H. H. Basalios Marthoma Paulose II Catholicose of Malankara Orthodox Chuch departed this world for heavenly abode on 12 July 2021. His mortal remains is interred in the Chapel at Catholicate Palace, Devalokam, Kottayam, India. Departure of beloved Bava Thirumeni was quite unexpected and excruciating. Thirumeni was an epitome of love and compassion and personification of celestial mercy and Godly amity. His friendship was warm and awesome. He cared for people of all religion and of all classes.
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MOST REV. JOSEPH MARTHOMA METROPOLITAN
The 89 year old Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan entered into his eternal life in the early morning on 18 October 2020 after a prolonged illness. He was supreme head of The Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church, often condensed as Mar Thoma Church, from 2 October 2007 to 18 October 2020. He was preceded by Most Rev. Philipose Chrysostom Mar Thoma and Succeeded by Most Rev. Theodosius Mar Thoma. Joseph Mar Thoma was a prominent church leader in the country who was champion of the movements against social evils, in the field of charity and in ecumenical efforts for unity of churches.
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LATEST UPDATES
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UPDATE PERIOD: JULY 2024
PASSION WEEK 2024
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Though the followers of Jesus shouted and sang Hosanna, they failed to understand who Jesus was? Lord Jesus was not the earthly redeemer from the yoke of Romans, and His Kingdom was not of this world. Prophet Joel make a serious call to the people, to return and repent, fast and pray, and to seek unto God for mercy, with directions how to do this alright. Our fasting and weeping are worth nothing if we do not tear our heart and turn to Lord.
The sweet-smelling savor and the fragrant aroma rising from the Great Lent is life giving and well pleasing. Moses and Elijah fasted 40 days. Elijah who ascended to heaven also witness this fragrance of the cloud of incense rising from the Lent. Our Lord had given this weapon to us to raise us to the past and lost inheritance and the original glory. Repentance is the key of Lent and the faith of the prayer is the victory of our fasting.
It is valuable to know about mountains in the Bible because they help us to connect with the Lord and place He lived in this world. They bring an understanding of the truth that God lived on earth and they give us joy in His creativity. Whether it be a place where God interacted with man or a place of refuge and safety, the Lord uses mountains for His purposes. The greatness of the mountains points us and reminds us of the majesty and wonder of our Lord.
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MALAYALAM ARTICLE
KOTHINE SUNDAY - WEDDING AT CANA [MALAYALAM]
Passion Week
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H.G. Yoohanon Mar Chrysostomos Metropolitan
Diocesan Metropolitan of Niranam Diocese
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While we remember a marriage of Cana which was the beginning symbol of the public Ministry of Lord Jesus Christ, we are faithfully waiting for another marriage feast at the end of the world, that is the marriage of the lamb as bride groom and Church, as the bride. Apostle John wrote down everything shown to him through visions while he lived in exile on the island of Patmos. One of those visions was of the greatest wedding feast to ever occur, known as the Wedding Supper of the Lamb. In attendance are countless multitudes from every corner of the world, and the Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus.
MALAYALAM ARTICLE
SOME THOUGHTS OF GREAT LENT [MALAYALAM]
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Fr. Bobby Jose Kattikad
Roman Catholic Priest in the Order of Friars Minor Cupuchin
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Great Lent is a holy time of spiritual discipline and connection with God. Most apt Lenten thought is to look through wounds of the marginalized and suffering people. There are many people in the world who are troubled due to various type of life challenges. The love of Christ force us to be vigilant of the wounds of those around us and give care as possible as we can. Try to teach the wounded to smile before they die, should be the biggest prayer of Great Lent.
MALAYALAM ARTICLE
HERITAGE OF ST. THOMAS - MARTHOMMAN PAIKRUTHAM [MALAYALAM]
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H.G. Zachariah Mar Severios Metropolitan
Diocesan Metropolitan of Idukki Diocese
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St. Thomas, the Apostle of India was not there in the congregation when risen Christ appeared first time.
But Lord Jesus Christ had granted permission to the Apostle St. Thomas when Jesus appeared second time to touch His wounds and believe. His sudden realization of truth “My Lord and my God” made Thomas the first person to explicitly acknowledge divinity of Jesus. St. Thomas physically saw, believed and expanded as a fire to witness and spread Gospel of His resurrection to India. This is the real heritage of the Malankara Christians.
BIBLE LIGHT SERIES - DEVINE FOOT TOUCH OF LORD JESUS
CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION TO THE BIBLICAL HOLY LAND [MALAYALAM]
Editor Dr. Rajan Mathew
Land in the Bible is real place on our own earth and not the background of any man-written story or a tale. Bible is a record of unfeigned events, really lived people, at legitimate places of the surface of earth in the span of a great period. It is the message of transcended God who created earth and heaven and everything involved with world. God's association with the world and people is not in an abstract way but in tangible ways involving real people and in comprehensive ways. So Land of Israel in the Bible has huge impact in the history of mankind because of God's involvement. It is the chosen land of God
MALAYALAM ARTICLE
NINEVA LENT, THE DOOR WAY OF GREAT LENT [MALAYALAM]
Nineva Lent
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H.G. Yacob Mar Iraneos Metropolitan
Diocesan Metropolitan of Kochi Diocese
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Fast of Nineveh tend to be a door way of the Great Lent of fifty days. The three day fast of Nineveh commemorates the three days that Prophet Jonah spent inside the belly of the Great Fish and the subsequent fast and repentance of the Ninevites at the warning message of the prophet Jonah. Also Esther and Mordecai pleaded the Jews to fast for the help from heaven. The fasting and prayer evetually got results from heaven.
MALAYALAM ARTICLE
MEDITAIONAL INSIGHT IN ORTHODOX PRAYERS [MALAYALAM]
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H.G. Zachariah Mar Severios Metropolitan
Diocesan Metropolitan of Idukki Diocese
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Praying from the heart means seeking the intervention with God in the depths of our being. It is a prayer that goes beyond words, transcending language. Chanting the holy name of God is the cure to get rid of evils and their effects because the name of God is fire. This type of prayer have meditaional insights and is practiced in all religions.
MALAYALAM ARTICLE
DIVIDE BETWEEN TALK AND ACTION [MALAYALAM]
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H.G. Zachariah Mar Severios Metropolitan
Diocesan Metropolitan of Idukki Diocese
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Lord Jesus Christ warns His disciples not to imitate hypocrisy and pride of the scribes and Pharisees as they talk but do not put into action. This hypocrisy is generated out of the desire for vein glory. The inexperienced should not obtain the spiritual authority. In all our sacraments we are reminded always the futility of life in the world.
MALAYALAM ARTICLE
ST. GEEVARGHESE MAR GREORIOS OF PARUMALA - MEMORIAL MESSAGE
Parumala Pernal Message 2023
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H.G. Zachariah Mar Severios Metropolitan
Diocesan Metropolitan of Idukki Diocese
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Parumala St. Geevarghese Mar Gregorios Thirumeni lived according to the Bible. He showed a model for his followers how to live a life according to the biblical rules. He lived in an era when there was many discriminations based on color, cast etc. prevailed in the society. He lived for the upliftment of the poor and tried to eradicate many of the evils in the society. He always showed love and care for the poor and suffering. So Thirumeni is considered as a social reformist of that time.
MALAYALAM ARTICLE
ROLE OF WOMEN IN JESUS MINISTRY
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Roshan Jacob IAS
Kerala born Malayalee IAS Officer in Utter Pradesh Cadre
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When we think of the role of women in the ministry of Lord Jesus Christ, the most important thing is that Jesus was born from a woman. The only biological relationship Jesus had on this earth was with His mother, Mother Mary. Jesus Honored and obeyed His mother. In public ministry of Jesus good section of his followers were always women. Jesus treated woman with equality among his disciples.
MALAYALAM ARTICLE
BROTHERLY LOVE THROUGH GREAT LENT
Great Lent Message 2022
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H.H. Baselios Marthoma Mathew III Catholicos Malankara Orthodox Church
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Great Lent is a period of renewal and rejuvenation through penitence. In general, a fast is intended, for the honoring and pleasing of God. It is not enough to look demure, to put on a grave and melancholy aspect, to bow down the head like a bulrush that is withered and broken. Real Lent is to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into the house; when you see the naked, to cover him; And not to hide yourself from your own flesh.
MALAYALAM ARTICLE
ECUMENISM: A NEW LIFE STYLE OF HUMAN RELATION
Main Speech Ecumenical Meeting Maramon Convention 2022
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H.H. Baselios Marthoma Mathew III Catholicos Malankara Orthodox Church
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Our Lord Jesus presses upon us that righteousness towards men which is an essential branch of true ecumenism and that leads towards God. The rule in general is whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them. We cannot expect to receive good things from God, if we do not fair things, and that which is honest, and lovely, and of good report among men. The negatively approach of forbidden comes out of a rule, positive commitment comes out of Godly love.
MALAYALAM ARTICLE
RECONCILIATION THROUGH GREAT LENT
Great Lent Message
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Rev. Fr. Dr. T. J. Joshua
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We ought carefully to preserve Christian love and peace with our brothers, and that if at any time a breach happens, we should labour for a reconciliation, by confessing our fault, humbling ourselves to our brother, begging his pardon, and making restitution, or offering satisfaction for wrong done in word or deed, according as the nature of the thing is; and that we should do this quickly because, till this be done, we are utterly unfit for communion with God in holy ordinances.
MALAYALAM TRAVALOGUE
MY JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM [MALAYALAM]
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Saint Geevarghese Mar Gregorios Of Parumala
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St. Geevarghese Mar Gregorios of Parumala, is the first canonized saint of Malankara Orthodox Church. As it was a long cherished desire, Thirumeni visited the Holy Land in 1895. The Holy Land travelogue, Thirumeni had written is a very rich Malayalam literary contribution. Many literary Scholars believe that it is the first travelogue available in Malayalam. This is the original Malayalam Version of the Travalogue written by Parumala Thirumeni.
MALAYALAM ARTICLE
MISSIONARY JOURNEYS OF APOSTLE ST. PAUL [MALAYALAM]
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Dr. Rajan Mathew
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The proofs of Christ’s resurrection with which the gospels closed are abundantly corroborated by the constant and undaunted testimony of those that conversed with Him as illustrated by St. Luke in his Acts of Apostles. The New Testament records Paul taking three missionary journeys that spread the message of Christ to Asia Minor and Europe. St. Pauls' first plan of evangelism was to preach in the town synagogues but when many of the Jews rejected the teachings of Christ, the missionaries recognized God was calling them to witness to the Gentiles.
MALAYALAM ARTICLE
GANDHIAN ETHICS AND ITS IMPORTANCE ON SOCIETY [MALAYALAM]
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Rev. Fr. Dr. K.M. George
Former Principal, Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam
Malankara Orthodox Church
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The most important two ideals of the Mahatma Gandhi were Satyagraha and Ahimsa. Ahimsa is the doctrine of refraining from harming any living being. Ahimsa is one of the cardinal virtues and an important tenet of Jainism. Satyagraha is a term coined by Gandhi on his own. The way of Satyagraha was experimented by Gandhi in South Africa and then followed it in India for the Freedom Struggle. Satyagraha literally means “hold onto the truth.” So, true Satyagraha needs purification of body, mind and spirit. It is the philosophy of nonviolent resistance to authorities.
MALAYALAM ARTICLE
CHRISTIAN WRITERS AND THEIR WRITINGS IN APOSTOLIC AGE [MALAYALAM]
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Dr. Rajan Mathew
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Various Early Apostolic Christian writers wrote gospels and other books, some of which were canonized as the New Testament. The New Testament discusses the teachings and person of Jesus, as well as events in first-century Christianity. Each of the four gospels in the New Testament narrates the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. The Apostolic Fathers were prominent writers who are traditionally understood to have met and learned from Jesus or His personal disciples. The Church Fathers are later writers with no direct connection to the disciples. Apologists defended Christianity against its critics.
ENGLISH ARTICLE
LOOKING FOR THE COMING OF THE KINGDOM [ENGLISH]
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H.G. Paulose Mar Gregorios Metropolitan
Late Diocesan Metropolitan of Delhi Diocese
Malankara Orthodox Church
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How do we find a way to become a dynamic presence in our own nation? Many nations, with their poverty and injustice, dishonesty and corruption, hope and frustration, lack of leadership and initiative are in sad state in the world today. Is there some good news that we can be and bring to our people? In India we Christians need to realise the wide range of salvation that God brings - not just the individual salvation in the ‘other’ world, but corporate and national salvation here and now as well.
MALAYALAM ARTICLE
PLACE OF SACRAMENTS IN CHRISTIAN LIFE
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H.G. Geevarghese Mar Osthathios Metropolitan
Late Diocesan Metropolitan of Niranam Diocese
Malankara Orthodox Church
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Holy Sacraments are the sprit and life giving instruments of Holy Spirit. They are visible sign of an inward divine grace and instituted by Jesus Christ Himself. They are the sign or symbol of a spiritual reality. Sacraments involves matter, form and intention. Holy Liturgy is the queen of all other sacraments.
SERIES [MALAYALAM]
HISTORY AND GROWTH OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION IN EARLY CENTURIES
Christianity and associated Christian Education commenced with Jesus of Nazareth. This work is a humble attempt to overview the history and methods of Christian Education during the public mission of Savior Jesus, Apostolic age, Sub-Apostolic era and the early period of the Christian Church while it was under severe hostilities; all over a span of almost 300 years, till the church was finally given legal status and came out of persecution
SERIES [ENGLISH]
LITURGICAL CALENDAR OF MALANKARA ORTHODOX CHURCH
The Eastern Orthodox Liturgical Calendar describes and depicts the spiritual rhythm of the life in the Orthodox Church. The liturgical year is different from the normal calendar year. Liturgical calendar is organized in a way to commemorate the important events in the incarnate earthly life of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. So, the liturgical year is a distributed annual celebration of the incarnation of Son of God.
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CATHOLICOS
H.H. BASALIOS MARTHOMA MATHEWS III
H.H. Baselios Marthoma Mathews III is the Ninth Catholicos of the East in Malankara succeeding H.H. Baselios Marthoma Paulose II the Eighth Catholicos of the East in Malankara who departed for heavenly abode on July 2021. As a key advancement of the epoch, Episcopal synod of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (MOSC) held at Church headquarters in Devalokam in Kottayam presided over by the eldest Metropolitan Kuriakose Mar Cleemmis, has unanimously nominated Dr. Mathews Mar Saverios as the Catholicos designate and the Supreme Head of the Church. All 24 Metropolitans present in the synod had cheered on the decision. Mar Saverios was the Metropolitan of the Diocese of Kandanad West and the Diocese of Kottayam Central. He is also the former secretary of the Episcopal Synod.
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