MGOCSM-NEWS AND VIEWS

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MGOCSM

News and Views

Published by MGOCSM of India

FOUNDED IN 1908

Mar Gregorios Orthodox Christian Student Movement of India

Orthodox Christian Student Centre,

P.B.No.610. Kottayam.686001

Phone: 0481-2567338; 2567215

(For Private Circulation )

Vol. 2 July - September 2004 Book 6

Message
HAVE ASRAM MOVEMENT DEGENERATED INTO COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTRES?
“In recent times many of them have taken up different service projects like schools,
hospitals, orphanages etc. as tangible expression of their concern in witness. This brings forward
a danger to the Ashram life at least in some cases, where the Ashram is swallowed up by the
number of institutions, in due course.....
The fact remains that the Gospel is presented and Christ and His teachings are made
meaningful to many through these centres... The evangelistic work of making Christ known
to fellowmen is going on everyday through the Ashram. It is perhaps not in the numerical
number of converts gained every day or month that this evangelistic work is to be measured
but in the way Christ and His teachings are made relevant and acceptable in one’s own life
situation, or in the way Christ becomes meaningful in one’s own life style” H.G. PHILIPOS
MAR EUSEBIUS, PRESIDENT, MGOCSM

Courtesy:- Page 244. PRATHIBADHATHAYUDE PRAVACHAKAN.

ED:- FR. T. A. EDAYADI

“The Christian is not one who has gone all the way with Christ. None of us has. The
Christian is one who has found the right road.” Charles Allen
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EDITOR’S SPACE
Holiness
God alone is Holy. Then why we address our Catholicos as “His Holiness”?. Holiness is
the quality or the state of being holy. It is divinity; blessedness; sanctification. It is used as a title
for high religious dignitaries; Catholicos, Pope are examples.
So one explanation is that Catholicos is the head of the Church. Church is the body of
Christ. So the position Catholicos holds is Holy. So he is addressed as His Holiness.
If I remember correctly, this doubt was raised in the 86th Annual conference of the
MGOCSM (at Trivandrum in 1994) to H.G. Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios who was chairing a
session. As far as I can remember and in my words, Thirumeni’s reply was as follows: God alone
is Holy. Though we are only mundane creatures of God, we can become holy. We have been
created by God in His image. He has also shown us the way to acquire His nature. The mantle
of Holiness falls on us the moment we become part of God by participating in His flesh and
blood. In other words when we repent and get absolved of all our sins and take part in the
Koinonia of Christ’s blood and flesh, we become part of God and thus become Holy. Thus all of
us can become holy, at least at that moment of participating in the Eucharist. Jesus clearly gave
the mandate when at the Last Supper he offered his high-priestly intercession, praying that the
disciples and all those who believe in him “may all be one. Father! May they be in us just as you
are in me and I am in you” (John 17:21). So repentance is the road to holiness.
Saints were constantly in touch with God and were ever ready to repent. Hence God was
constantly absolving them from their sins. Thus Saints have been Holy. So all who are ready to
be in constant touch with God and participate in Eucharist can be part of God and Holy.
Parumala Thirumeni, Vattaseril Thirumeni, Baselius Geevarghese IInd of Kurichy were
all thus in continuous contact with God and hence we call them saints. Our Bawa’s greatest
blessing is his continuous prayer. So he is Holy not only because he is the head of the Church,
but also because he is in constant contact with God.
Prof.Joseph K.Alexander

Executive Editor & Treasurer of MGOCSM

Rev.Dr. M.C. Zacharia Remban writes.......

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
MGOCSM is planning to conduct its 96th Annual Conference at
St. Mary’s College, Sultan Battery, from 27th -31st Dec. 2004. We need
your prayer for the blessing of the conference. Three financially backward
Dioceses in our Church are Malabar, Idukki and Sultan Battery. In 1999
the conference was at Malabar Diocese and 2003 in Idukki Diocese.
One of our aim is to start new MGOCSM units in the Sultan Battery
Diocese and spend some days with them. Please pray for the Diocese
and the people there.
We hope to complete the new student centre at Iritty which is in Sultan Battery Diocese.
With love and prayers.
Rev. Dr. M.C. Zacharia Ramban
Gen. Secretary and Chief Editor
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Note:- Seventh Memory of the late H.G. Philipos Mar Theophilus, long time president and

architect of the presentday MGOCSM is on 28th September 2004. Let us pray for him and for

his intercession in our prayers to God. Executive Editor

What are fasting and prayer?

Fasting is the subjugation of the body, prayer is converse with God, vigil is a war against
Satan, abstinence is being weaned from meats, humility is the state of the first man, kneeling is
the inclining of the body before the Judge, tears are the remembrance of sins, nakedness is our
captivity which is caused by the transgression of the command, and service is constant
supplication to and praise of God.

“The Paradise of the Holy Fathers”. Quoted by Mark Sadek

Blessed is the person who is too busy to worry in the daytime, and too sleepy to worry

at night”. Leo Aikman

MGOCSM CENTRE NEWS

General Assembly

MGOCSM General Assembly was held on 21st Saturday 2004 at the Mar Theophilus
Study Centre of the MGOCSM Complex at Kottayam.
It was preceded by the Leaders Conference held on 20th which was addressed by H.G.
Paulos Mar Milithios and the devotional talk was by Rev. Fr. K.M.Koshy Vaidyan. On 21st
morning the audience was addressed by Rev. Fr. Yohannan Sankarathil and Rev.Fr. Philen P.
Mathew.
The General Assembly presided by the President H.G. Philipos Mar Eusebius, commenced
at 2 P.M. After the Presidential address the Annual report for 2003-’04 was presented by the
Gen. Secretary Ver. Rev. Dr. Zacharia Remban.
The Accounts was presented by the treasurer Prof. Joseph K. Alexander. Both were passed.
Thereupon the Gen. Secretary presented the Plan of Activities for 2004-’05 which was discussed
and approved. This was followed by the election to the Executive committee. The following
members were elected / nominated to the Executive Committee for the year 2004-’05.
1. Senior Vice President - Prof. E. Jacob John, Tvm
2. Student Vice Presidents - a. Vivek Geevarghese Alex, K.G. College, Pampady
b. Sherin M. Thomas, St. George, Puthuppally
3. General Secretary - Rev. Dr. Zachariah Remban
Acting Gen. Secretary - Rev. Dn. Issac B. Prakash
4. Associate Secretaries - a. Kurian Kunju, Baselius College
b. Priya Jacob, M.G.H.S.S., Thumpamon
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5. Student Jt. Secretaries - a. Abraham Mathew, S.B. College, Changanachery
b. Teema Mary Cheriyan, Catholicate HSS Pathanamthitta
6. Treasurer - Prof. Joseph K. Alexander
Asst. Treasurer - Prof. Issac P. Abraham
7. Executive Committee
Seniors : - a. K.V. Varghese, b. Adv. Alex George
c. Oommen Kochummen, d. Mrs. Sallymol D. Thomas
Students : - a. Jitheesh, Sultan Battery
b. Santhosh Thankachen, St. Gregorios, Kottarakkara
c. Jobins Peter T., Kunnamkulam,
d. Teena Susan Mathew, Niranam
e. Feba Anna John, Vazhoor
8. UTOCA Secretary - Prof. George Varghese Koppara, Catholicate College
9. HSSTOCA Secretary - Dr. Mathew P. George, Catholicate HSS
10. STOCA Secretary - Varghese Pothen, HSS, Mattom
11. Medical Auxiliary (V.P.) - Dr. Varghese Punnoose, Medical College, Alapuzha
12. Technical Auxiliary (V.P.)- Eng. Chikku Abraham, Pathanamthitta
13. Missionary Forum (V.P.) - Prof. Rajan Idukkula, St. George College, Kottarakara
14. Literary Forum (V.P.) - Binu K. Sam, St. Mary’s H.S. Pathanamthitta
15. Secretary of the Forum - Yardley, Metropolitan HSS, Puthenkavu

The Assembly appointed Very Rev. M.C. Zacharia Remban, the present General secretary

as the Executive Director of the Centenary Programme of the MGOCSM.

Rev. Dn. Issac B. Prakash has been appointed as the Acting General Secretary of the
Movement during the absence of the Gen. Sec. This, he will hold in addition to his present post
of Organising Secretary.
Permission has been granted to the Organizing Secretaries Rev. Dn. Isaac B. Parkash and
Mr. Koshy Mathew to conduct a tour in the Gulf Countries to propagate the Centenary
Programme. They are Scheduled to be back by the end of September.

Congratulations Newly Ordained Deacons

LAIJU MATHEW THAMPY VARGHESE
Ms. DIANA ANN ISSAC
3rd Rank B.Com., M.G. University
D/o. Prof. Issac P. Abraham
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NEW STUDENT CHAPLAINS FOR MGOCSM
Two student chaplains for MGOCSM : Fr. Paul T. Varughese for Bangalore and Fr.
Thomas Philip for Mangalore regions have been appointed. MGOCSM sponsored them for
their theological studies in our seminary and they successfully finished their courses and
joined the movement for service. Those who are studying in Bangalore, Devengere, Kolar,
Ananthapur etc. please contact Fr. Paul T. Varughese or Mr. T.V. Varughese in Bangalore.
Fr. Thomas Philip, staying in Mangalore is planning to contact students in different colleges
in Mangalore, Manipal, Sulliya, Nitte, Shimoga, etc. There will be regular services on every
third and fourth Sunday in Manipal UCC Chapel. If your children, friends or relatives are
studying in these areas, Ver. Rev. Dr. M.C. Zachariah Remban requests you to please contact
MGOCSM or these regional chaplains.

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Venue: Mar Theophilus Study centre. Dates 22,23,24 August 2004, Theme: “God
has called you - to Holiness”.
Over 180 students from different parts of Kerala participated. H.G. Paulos Mar
Pachomios Vice President of MGOCSM inaugurated the Conference. Revd. Fathers Philen
P. Mathew, Mohan Joseph, Josy Jacob, Paul T. Verghese, Thomas Zacharia, Dr. Mathew
Baby and Mr. Cherian Verghese were the main resource persons. H.G. Philipos Mar Eusebius
President of MGOCSM conducted the Holy Qurbana on the final day and presided over
the closing session. Delegates went with a determination to attend all future MGOCSM
conferences.

VISION 2004

This is an Indian Orthodox Mercy Fellowship (IOMF) project of Kuwait Parishes
established in association with, MGOCSM in Kerala. MGOCSM is arranging 20 Eye Camps,
one in each Diocese. IOMF is helping poor patients in getting Eye care, medicines and Eye
operations for those who need it. The cost of the camps, medicines and operations are all
met by IOMF of Kuwait. Eye Camps were held in this quarter at Kunnakurudy, Koottical,
Konni and Alampara St. Gregorios School. The Alampara Camp on 23rd July 2004 was
under the auspices of The Mercy fellowship, Trivandrum.
EYE CAMP AT KUNNAKURUDY 24TH JULY 04 EYE CAMP AT KOOTTICKAL, MUNDAKAYAM ON 2ND AUGUST 04
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EYE CAMP AT ATHIRUNKAL, KONNI

Rev. Fr. Dr. M.C. cherian has been ordained to the order of Remban

Congratulations.....

REV. DR. M.C. ZACHARIAS REMBAN IMMEDIATELY AFTER
ORDINATION AT DEVALOKAM WITH MGOCSM MEMBERS

MGOCSM PROJECT VISION 2004

Vacation in India for spiritual
insight on Orthodox Nurture. This is a
project of MGOCSM exclusively for
outside Kerala Students. 15 students
from Gulf Area Parishes of our Church
came on 17th July. In 4 days they toured
heritage places of our Church. Rev. Dn.
Isac B.Prakash and Mr. Koshy Mathew,
Organising Secreatries of the Movement and Sisters of Chegamanad Convent conducted
them through all the scheduled heritage centres.
His Holiness Marthoma Mathews II inaugurates the Total Education
Programme in the presence of H.G. Philipos Mar Eusebius, and other
dignitaries

TOTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMME

MGOCSM has started another of its
Centenary projects.This Total Education
Programme is symbolic of what our church
must do immediately. 2012 is the Centenary
year of the reactivation of the Catholicate in
Malankara. By that year, there shall not even
be a single student in our church who do not
have the proper ambience and resources to
develop his God-given faculties. In these days
of globalised competition and growing
PHOTO TAKEN AT THE OLD SEMINARY WITH GUIDES OF THE TOUR REV.
DN.ISSAC B. PRAKASH, K.C. SACHARIA, KOSHY MATHEW AND MS. VINI.
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marginalisation and unemployment of Youth (14.4 % of the working population of the worldas
compared to 6.2 % of the elder group. ILO Report 2004), it is the duty of each parish in
our church to identify students who require help and provide the necessary resources and
prayer to make them grow into productive and respectable members of our Church.
MGOCSM has symbolically started this work, more as a model for the Parishes to
emulate. We decided to adopt 100 primary students from the Parishes in Kerala , who are
good at studies and require external aid to continue their studies. Applications were invited
and we could select 80 students from all over Kerala for the aid. These students will be
provided funds for their studies up to post-graduate or post-doctoral studies, provided they
keep up their studiousness and marks. H.H.Baselius Mar Thoma Mathews IInd distributed
the first year instalments of the aid to these students in July 2004 in a grand function attended
by the Dignitaries of the Church and the media.

MGOCSM DIARY 2005

MGOCSM Diary 2005. Dear brothers and sisters in Christ. MGOCSM is publishing its
Diary 2005 in Nov. 2004 at Parumala on the Perunal Day. Send your comments and suggestions
for the new one. Send the Tel.No. of parishes and institutions. If possible send Rs. 2000/
- as one page sponsor of a full page advertisement. Wish you all a caring onam festival.
With love and prayers, VER. REV. DR. M.C. ZACHARIAH RAMBAN.

St. Basil Association of the Catholicate College: Pathanamthitta. It was formally

inaugurated on 24th September 2004 by Ver. Rev. Dr. Zacharia Remban, Gen. Sec. of

MGOCSM in a public meeting presided by H.G. Philipos Mar Eusebius, President of

MGOCSM and a large gathering of students and elders.

USA NEWS
Divina Mary Varghese, San Antonio Reports:
An MGOCSM unit was inaugurated at the St. George Indian Orthodox Church of
San Antonio for the benefit of UTSA and the youth group of the other surrounding colleges
and schools. It was inaugurated by His Grace Geevarghese Mar Coorilos, the Metropolitan
of Bombay Diocese. Following members were selected as office bearers for 2004-2005.
Vice-President: Joby Jacob, Treasurer: Divina Mary Varghese, Secretary: Thomas
Kuruvilla, Bible Study Coordinator: Juby Joy, Adult Advisor: Mini Varghese.
MGOCSM NEWS & VIEWS
Articles, Short Stories, Poems and sharing your experiences are invited from
members of MGOCSM in Word Format by e-mail josekan@vsnl.net to Exe. Editor
Prof. Joseph K. Alexander, Kanianthra, 14/2144, Medes lane, Trivandrum-34. Phone:
0471-2321955.
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President resident H..G G. . PHILIPOS MAR EUSEBIUS
Senior Vice P President resident Prof rof rof. . E E. . JA JACOB COB JOHN
Student Vice P Presidents residents A. VIVEK GEEV GEEVARGHESE ARGHESE ALEX ALEX, K..G G. . COLLEGE P PAMP AMP AMPAD AD ADY
SHERIN M. THOMAS THOMAS, ST ST. . GEORGE GEORGE, , PUTHUPP PUTHUPPALL ALL ALLY
Associate Secretaries KURIAN URIAN K KUNJU UNJU UNJU, BASELIUS COLLEGE
PRIY PRIYA A JA JACOB COB COB, , M.G G..H H..S S..S S., ., THUMP THUMPAMON AMON
Student Jt. Secretaries ABRAHAM MA MATHEW THEW THEW, S..B B. . COLLEGE COLLEGE, , CHANGANA CHANGANACHER CHER CHERY
TEEMA MAR MARY Y CHERIY CHERIYAN AN AN,
CA CATHOLICA THOLICA THOLICATE TE HSS HSS, , P PATHANAMTHITT THANAMTHITT THANAMTHITTA
Rev ev ev..F Fr. . Philen P P. . Mathew DIRECT DIRECTOR OR AND WARDEN WARDEN, TRIV TRIVANDRUM ANDRUM CENTRE
Executive Editor Prof rof rof. . JOSEPH K K. . ALEXANDER (TREASURER)
Chief Editor Rev ev ev. . D Dr. . M.C. ZA ZACHARIA CHARIA REMBAN (GEN GEN. . SECRET SECRETAR AR ARY) Y)
E--MAIL MAIL: frcherian@hotmail.com
VISIT MAR GREGORIOS REHABILITATION CENTRE WEBSITE : www.charityfordisabled.com
and VISIT MGOCSM WEBSITE : www.mgocsmindia.com
INTERNATIONAL GUEST HOUSE
“A Home away from Home”, Orthodox Student Centre, Contact:
Ph: 0471 - 2477604, 2469408
People are funny, they want the fromt of the bus, the middle of the road, and the back of the church.
Fr. John Brian
“Whoever does the will of God is my brother, sister and mother”. (St. Mk. 3:35) Let us follow the example
of St. Mary, who is considered as the greatest of all saints.
Mathews Barnabas Metropolitan USA
Printed and published by Rev.Dr. M.C. Zacharia Remban, Gen. Sec. MGOCSM at Jayem Press,
Trivandrum. For Private Circulation. Only Donation Price Rs. 2/-. Those who require copies by
post may please send necessary amount for postage
EDITORIAL BOARD