Northeast American Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church

The first annual Clergy conference of the newly formed Northeast American Diocese was held on Friday and Saturday, the 2nd and 3rd of October, 2009, at the St. Thomas Indian Orthodox Church, Unruh Ave, Philadelphia, under the esteemed leadership of the diocesan metropolitans, H.G. Mathews Mar Barnabas and H.G. Zachariah Mar Nicholovos.  54 members attended the conference including Cor-episcopos, priests, deacons, Seminarians and Kochammas. Priests from the Northeast America and Canada were in attendance. The two-day conference was filled with very creative presentations, discussions and a resolve for a renewed and energized fellowship in future.

Friday, October 2, 2009

In the morning of the first day of the conference, members arrived by 8.30 AM. After breakfast and registration, the meeting started at 10AM in the chapel with prayer led by H. G. Mar Barnabas metropolitan who presided over the conference. Clergy Association Secretary the Very. Rev. Dr. Yohannan Sankarathil Cor-Episcopa, the Vicar of the St. Thomas Church, Long Island made the introductory remarks. Rev. Fr. M.K. Kuriakose, Vicar of the host parish welcomed the gathering. The members introduced themselves. Rev. Fr. Santhosh K. Joshua, vicar of St. Thomas Orthodox Church, Washington delivered the devotional address based on Genesis 37: 9-10 . Achen focused primarily on two aspects Joseph’s vision, namely, the reluctance of people to recognize reality and each one to count another as better than himself.

Following the devotional address, H.G. Zachariah Mar Nicholovos, presented the theme of the conference, “Effective ministry to the third generation of Malankara Orthodox Christians – dreams, hopes and challenges.” In his key note address, His Grace spoke of the need to have dreams and dared every one to dream about the Diocese and the Church. In moving on to hope His Grace made it clear that hope is more realistic than dreams for it is based on faith. Thirumeni enumerated the external challenges facing ministers and stressed the importance of moving forward with vision, hope and courage to face the inherent challenges. A group discussion that lasted an hour followed the speech. At the end of the group discussion noon prayer was conducted and lunch served.

After the lunch break a seminar started at 2.00 PM , three narrations of 20 minutes each were made by three priests: Very Rev. Cherian Neelankal Cor-Episcopos, vicar of St. Thomas Orthodox Church, Yonkers, Rev. Dr. George Koshy, vicar of St. George Orthodox Church, New Rochelle, and Rev. Fr. Andrew Daniel, assistant vicar of St. Gregorios Orthodox Church, Cherry Lane.

1. Very Rev. Neelankal Cor-Episcopa led the first session of the seminar. His speech was based on “Glory of the past: Origins of the Ministry in America.” He described the history of the beginning and the growth of the orthodox parishes in various cities in America, such as the churches in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Detroit, Chicago, Houston, Dallas and so on and the thick and thin sides of the early stages. In the initial stages, orthodox priests who came for higher studies in America conducted the Holy Qurbana occasionally. It was in 1970 when Rev.Fr. Mathai Yohannan Sankarathil (now Very Rev. Dr. Yohannan Sankarathil Cor-Episcopa) started the regular Orthodox service with the co-operation of Rev. Fr. K.C. George and Rev. Dn. Cherian Neelankal (now Very Rev. Cherian Neelankal Cor-Episcopa) and a handful of the faithful at the Union Theological Seminary, New York, where Very Rev. Dr. Simon Cor-Episcopa, the Vicar of the Antiochean Patriarch, was conducting Knanaya service (Ecumenical in nature). Very Rev. Nelankal Cor-Episcopa stated that the growth of the church in America was due to the immigration reform of 1968 and the consecration of H.G. Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios as the Metroploitan(1975) and the subsequent establishment of the American Diocese in 1979. He stressed that the parishes in America were formed because of the dedication and hard work of the priests without remuneration in the early seventies. He mentioned the names of the priests whose were instrumental in organizing Orthodox parishes in various cities in the USA before declaring a diocese for America, Canada and UK, in 1979.
2. Rev. Fr. Dr. George Koshy addressed the Clergy Conference on the topic : “The Strength of the Present: Contemporary Ministry in America”. Achen attempted to clarify the immigrant situation of the Malankara Orthodox Community in America and also outlined the struggles facing the Church in the present. Fr. George Koshy pointed out that the Malankara immigrant community differs from the general immigrants to America in two respects. Firstly the immigrants were educated and professionally qualified. Secondly unlike the other Christian immigrant communities, the priests preceded the people. After describing the history of the Diocese in brief, Fr. George Koshy delineated the present Malankara community into four segments, namely: 1. The first generation immigrants who came to this country. 2. The children of this group. In Achen’s experienced opinion this group is relatively active in parishes and appreciates Malayalam services. 3.The younger children who are quite apathetic to church. 4. The grandparents are the neglected ones in this community. They live a life of seclusion at the home and Sunday’s trip to the church is their sole refuge. Fr. George Koshy continued to describe the challenges facing America in ministering to these various groups. Spirituality, family problems and seminary education are the major issues that Achen addressed.
3. Rev. Fr. Andrew Daniel addressed the issue of “Hope of the future: Future ministry in America.” Achen explicitly revealed the attitude and expectations of the second and third and subsequent generations of the Indian community. Achen said that all worship and sermons should be in English for the children’s better understanding and involvement. He said all liturgical and sacramental service books have to be translated into English and used. Otherwise the diocese may lose children for ever. Also he said that young men have to be ordained as deacons and priests to lead the English speaking generations.

After the three talks on the specific topics the floor was open for discussion, which lasted for an hour. There was a Baskyomo’s meeting at 4:30 PM, after discussions Mrs. Susan Varghese was elected Secretary for the ‘Baskyomo Association’.

Following the evening prayer The Very Rev. Dr. M. Yohannan Sankarathil Cor-Episcopa delivered the devotional address based on Ephesians 4:1-3. Achen related these verses to the call that Jesus gave to his disciples to “come and see”, “follow me”. Achen touched primarily on four major points: (i) the condition and character of the men that were chosen, (ii) the work that they were to be performed, (iii) the help that they received , (iv) the lesson from this. The lessons were, to take the responsibilities and to lead the life according to one’s call, and the need to rely on God for His help through prayer.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

On the second day after morning prayer Rev. Fr. M.K. Kuriakose, the Vicar of the host church delivered the devotional based on 1 Tim. 4:15-16. Achen pointed out the need for following the model of St. Paul’s attitude of affectionate guidance given to Timothy his beloved disciple. This gives a lesson of cooperation among colleagues. Achen warned about the need for ministers to pay close attention to their teaching because it can save the preacher and his listeners.

Following the devotional address Rev. Fr. Dr. P.K. Mathew Parackal, Toronto, spoke on the topic of “stewards of the mysteries of God”, based on 1 Corinthians 4:1. Achen explained the term mystery, having gone over its back ground in the Old Testament and the mystery religions of Biblical era. Achen clarified the uniqueness of mystery in Christian faith. Achen connected the topic of mystery and sacrament.

H.G. Mathews Mar Barnabas, Metropolitan of the Northeast American Diocese led the retreat based on St. Mathew 26:28. The talk was titled “Covenant in the Blood”. His Grace connected he verse from the Gospel to the Old Testament reference in Exodus 24. Based on the prophesy of Jeremiah 31:31-34, His Grace reminded every one that in the era of the New Covenant the law will be written in the hearts of all believers. His Grace reminded the listeners of the need to live a life of love.

Yohannan Cor-Episcopa extended thanks to the metropolitans for their leadership, and to all, especially the St. Thomas Orthodox Church Vicar and members who participated and helped to make the conference a success. Then, noon prayer was conducted. The metropolitans said the benediction, the lunch was served and thus the conference ended by 2.30PM.

Group discussions and resolutions

On both days there were group discussions and resolutions made on a variety of spiritual and administrative matters for the betterment of the diocese. The summary of the discussions is given below for the benefit of future review:

1. Identify the struggles and confusions that the second and third generations facing regarding the views and practices of ethical and moral matters from the society they were born and brought up and live in. The local community’s views and values are different from those of the Indian community. For example, the younger generation thinks that pre-marital sex is only a norm that they can do. This is a big challenge and it needs plans to train our youngsters in the right path. All members were of the opinion that no compromise on true faith and biblical teachings is possible, no matter whatever the circumstances may be.
2. There is a need for full time ministry, so that more activities can be organized and get the youngsters involved in. It is high time to develop a plan for an efficient campus ministry.
3. It is essential to maintain relationship with our sister Churches like Coptic, Armenian, Ethiopian churches having the same faith and creed of ours. We need to find common ground to work with them for the good of our own and theirs.
4. 4. Next year’s (2010) clergy family conference will be from Sept. 30th through October 2nd. The venue is the newly built Aramana at Mutton Town, New York. Very Rev. Dr. Yohannan Sankaarthil Cor-Episcopa will be in charge of the food arrangement for the conference, while Rev. Fr. Philip C. Abraham in charge of the accommodation for clergy and family who are in need.
5. Clergy Lenten Retreat would be hosted by St. George Orthodox Church, Staten Island. The date will be Saturday March 13th, 2010.
6. Achens and families may contribute $100.00 each for the charity fund to help the clergy family in serious financial trouble in India or anywhere. It will be on a need basis and when need arises the achens will be contacted for the same.
7. All churches in the diocese should pay $100.00 for the clergy conference each year. The clergy should encourage churches to pay the amount in the beginning of the year. The clergy’s participation in the conference is mandatory.
8. A request has to be made to the Malankara Sabha office to publish and distribute Sabha Panchangam (Church Calendar) and all kalpanas in English also, especially for the dioceses in outside Kerala.
9. All clergies united in requesting H.H. Bava Thirumeni and Assistant Bava Thirumeni to send ‘Kalpanas’, in English only to the vicars of the churches, instead of putting it in the website accessible to all including the laity. It may cause problems in the parishes.
10. All acolytes should wear ‘kuppayam’ before they get into the Madbaha, the most holy place.
11. Those who are ordained to be acolytes by Bishop/Priest in India without first consulting it with the Vicar of his parish, should not be permitted in the Madbaha in the parish in America when they return. All clergy unanimously said it in the meeting.
12. The bishops visiting parishes in the Northeast American Diocese from India may not administer any sacrament or sacraments here without the permission of the Diocesan Metropolitan.
13. The bishops or priests visiting parishes of the NE American Diocese for raising fund for their project(s), or their involvement in the internal official matters of the diocese without the permission of the Diocesan Metropolitan should be discouraged and stopped. The matters like this should be presented and discussed in the Holy Synod by the diocesan metropolitans.
14. Due to a complexity of the nature of the pastoral duties in American Orthodox parishes as mentioned above, the NE American Diocese should facilitate timely in-service training for the priests to prepare them for better and efficient pastoral services.
15. The vicars have the authority to appoint the Sunday School Principal and the teachers in their parishes.
16. The priests should make themselves available for the conference, and for retreats on behalf of the MGOCSM to help the youth with the Sacrament of Confession.
17. The vicar is the authority to approve membership application in a parish.

Very Rev. Dr. M. Yohannan Sanakarathi Cor-Episcopa
(Clergy Association Secretary of the Northeast American Diocese)