1st Edition, Vol. 6,

August 2015

Message from Diocesan Episcopa

to behold the transfigured Christ that radiates light in midst of all the

darkness of the world. Jesus says “I am the light of the world” and also

says “You are the light of the World”. Orthodox Theologian Andreas

Andropaulos says “The liturgical song ‘In your Light We see the light

Jesus, full of light…” has its origin in the understanding of

Transfiguration of Christ that radiates light on us and we become the

reflectors of light. So the transfiguration of Christ calls the Church to

radiate the divine light, revealed in Christ. This is what Mar Thoma

Church means by its Logo “Lighted to Lighten.” Let us be true to our

calling to reflect the light of Jesus.

On 25th July 2015 at Maramon Mar Thoma Church, Rev Govind Besra,

the first fruit of Khariar Road Mission was ordained as the Kassessa of

the Mar Thoma Church and I express my joy of the widening scope of

ministry in the context of North India. On 9th Agust 2015, Delhi

Diocese very wonderfully observed Diocesan Sunday. More than the

collection of money, I emphasized to my team of Clergy and assembly

members to use this opportunity to reach out and incarnate the Diocese

into the lives and homes of our members. That is what this Diocese

believes in. I congratulate my Clergy and all the members for their

wonderful cooperation in making Diocesan Sunday a fruitful one. The

Sevika Sangham Coinference too was a blessed experience and I

congratulate the organizers and especially Rev Eapen Abraham and St.

Thoma Mar Thoma Church, Karol Bagh for being a wonderful host.

Now we look forward to the Church Dedication of the Church in

Jammu on 29th August 2015. It is a historical moment and I would look

to put it on record to appreciate the enterprising and untiring efforts of

Rev Jijo Varghese in this regard. His coordination and hard work was

very integral to the completion of the Church building. Also his

predecessor Rev Bijoy Daniel was instrumental in the buying of the

plot and his sacrificial work bears fruits. I solicit your prayers for the

event of Dedication of the Church.

We look forward to The Diocesan Annual Convention, Gloria, Peoples

Christmas and many more. Let us fervently pray for our nation and

work to further Interdependence than independence in the life of the

nation, where we need everyone and care for everyone.

May God Bless Our Country and all of us

With Prayerful Regards

Dr. Abraham Mar Paulos

August is a very important month as per the Church

Calendar. 1st August to 15th August church observed

the 15 days lent. On 6th of August Church observed

the feast of Transfiguration which observed the Glory

of Jesus on the Mount Tabor witnessed by Peter,

James and John. Transfiguration of Jesus did not

change anything in Jesus. It revealed his divinity to

the 3 disciples. Goal and journey of the church is

Mar Thoma Yuvajana Sakhyam, Delhi

Diocese

Identifying the role of youths in the church and

their contribution in the future functioning of the

church, the Delhi Diocese identified the need to

establish the Yuvajana Sakhyam at the Diocese

level. Therefore the first ever General Body

Meeting of the DYS was held at St. Gregorios

School Sector 11, Dwarka on 15th August 2015

at 4:30pm. At the outset, Rev. Jeff Jack Philip led

devotion from Luke chapter 8. He motivated and

urged the youths to look up to the God Almighty

in times of crisis and to overcome the challenges

of the present world. Rt. Rev. Abraham Mar

Paulos, took this devotion into the next level

while giving his presidential address. He

emphasized and re-inspired the youths to aspire

for the civil services, to be agents of change and

to work diligently for our Nation building. The

agenda also included, speaking with the Diocesan

Representatives of the Delhi center and to ignite

within them the vigour to boost the Youth league

of every parish. This meeting also witnessed the

first ever election of office bearers to officially

handover the task in hand. The following were

elected:

1.Vice President – Rev. Rency Thomas

2.Secretary – Ms. Aniecia John

3.Lady Secretary – Ms. Simi Sara

4.Treasurer - Mr. Rinumon K. Anil

5.Executive Committee-

Mr.Jerin Daniel (Delhi )

Mr. Jeswin George (Lucknow)

Rev. George Varghese (Rajasthan)

Mr Eshan K Das (Bhopal)

6.Auditors – Mr. Manish John

Ms. Liji K Babu

The President has nominated Rev. Jijo Varghese

and Mrs. Mary Varghese to be the Kendra

committee representatives from the Diocese.

Mar Thoma Mission ItarsiMissionary: Rev. Merin Mathew.

Principal: Evg. Binu C. Varghese

History of Itarsi Mar Thoma Parish traces back to 1960s. In the year

1965 the believers community formed a formed a common prayer

group with 11 members of the sister churches were there in this

group. Later under the spiritual leadership of Rev KT Thomas (late),

Sihora Ashram, this group became a congregation. In 1973, this

congregation purchased a plot to construct a building for worships, it

was financially helped Rt. Rev. Dr. Alexander Mar thoma

Metropolitan. Later as a result of continuous prayer and the

leadership of Rev AG Mathew, the congregation decided to

construct a Church building the purchased plot. In 1981 the

construction work was initiated and by 1982 Nov the work was

completed.

Mission

Being a mission oriented church the members decided to start

mission work. 6th October 1996 Rev. Anil George laid foundation

stone of Itarsi Mar Thoma Mission Center. Basically it is a tribal

area and people are very poor and down trodden. With the vision to

eradicate poverty, Mar Thoma Gram Jyoti School at Itarsi started.

Gram Jyoti School at Itarsi is under Mar Thoma Gram Jyoti

Education and Development Society. In 2002 a Gram Jyoti School

was opened in the church premises under the guidance of Rev. Sajit

Thomas John. The main aim was to provide quality education at less

cost in the rural region. Most of the people are labors that are getting

daily wages. The people did not give much priority to education.

They were not ready to send their children to school because of the

financial problem. At present we have 201students studying from

Nursery to 9th standard having 14 teaching and 1 non-teaching staff

and 1 aya. Under the leadership and guidance of Rt.Rev Abraham

Mar Paulose Episcopa this year we started the new building’s

construction.

A clinic is opened at Itarsi Mission Center to make available medical

aid to the Gram Jyoti school students, their parents and the public

residing adjacent to the center. A retired doctor consults patients a

give medicine at free of cost follow up has also been done. This year

also we conducted a medical camp for school children and neighbor

villagers around 60 to 65 people visited the same.

The school now is in construction phase and has a lot of needs. Mar

Thoma Gram Jyothi School, Itarsi is now building 6 more class

rooms, a library and a science lab. The School and Mission is

striving hard to be light in midst of the enveloping darkness.

Mission Focus

Rev. Govinda Besra’s Ordination First Communicants Kolkatta Parish

Rev Govinda Besra, the first fruit of the

Khariar Road Mission Field, was

ordained as the Kassessa of the Mar

Thoma Church on 25th July 2015 at

Maramon Mar Thoma Church by Joseph

Mar Thoma Metropolitan. Rev Besra

now serves as the Assistant Vicar of the

Maramon Mar Thoma Church. Rev

Govinda Besra is married to Manjula and

they have 2 daughters, Christina and

Archana and a, son Avinash.

Diocesan Sevika Sangham Annual Study Conference

Hosted By: St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church Karol Bagh

Diocesan News & Events

Inaugration Rev. Dr. Abraham Mathew (Bible Study) Mrs. Litty Jose (Bible Study)

Rev. K. Thomas (Main Talk) Dr. Ms. Susan Raj Mrs. Liz Mathew

The sixth Annual Sevika Sangham Study Conference of Delhi Diocese was held from 14th August -16th August 2015 at

St. Gregorios School Dwarka, New Delhi. The Conference was attended by 160 Sevika Sangham members from

various parts of North India.

The Conference was inaugurated by Adv. Lily Thomas, a Social Activist, Supreme Court senior Advocate and a

humanist. This year the theme for the Conference was “Envisioning Life: Renewal of Families”. The presence of our

Diocesan Episcopa Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Mar Paulos and eminent speakers were a great blessing to the Conference.

The conference was noted for the challenging and enriching messages by the Speakers.

Rev. K. Thomas in his main talks reemphasized the basic understanding and virtues of a family. It was indeed an altar

call for all to rededicate themselves to be faithful to their divine calling to be in a family. The Bible study sessions

were led by Rev. Dr. Abraham Mathew and Mrs. Litty Jose (General Secretary MTSSS). There were also sessions

based on issues such as “Rights and Responsibilities of Christians towards God’s Creation”, “The Influence of New

Social Media: Focus on Family” and “Women’s health Issues” led by versatile leaders such as Mrs. Dr. Susan Raj,

Mrs. Liz Mathew and Mrs. Dr. Saramma T. Mathai respectively

It was an occasion to revive the spiritual, cultural and social relationship among SevikaSangham members in North

India.

This Conference was definitely a bonding experience for all the participants to get renewed and revitalized in family

relationships. Karol Bagh St.Thomas MTC was the host.

Worship House and Mission Centre

Jammu and Kashmir

Diocesan News

Rt. Rev. Dr Abraham Mar Paulos

Mar Thoma Centre

26, Bhai Vir Singh Marg,

Gole Market,

New Delhi- 110001

Contact Information

Phone No- 011-23342828

Fax No. 011-23348800

Email:marpaulos@marthoma.in,

delhidio@marthoma.in

Editors of the Khazon:

Rev. Jijo Varghese

Rev. Merin Mathew

Khazon logo credits:

Rev. Sunil George Mathew

Diocesan Secretary

Rev. Shibu P.V

Diocesan Treasurer

Mr. P.T. Mathai

It’s a dream come true for the Delhi Diocese of the Mar Thoma

Church. The hard labour put in for the last ten years is yielding

fruits. By the grace of God on the 29th of August the Mission House

and Worship Centre will be dedicated by the Diocesan Episcopa Rt.

Rev. Dr. Abraham Mar Paulos Episcopa.

The constant support of the Ludhiana Mar Thoma Church and the

Delhi Centre Edavaka Mission has been instrumental in buying a

piece of land. The Building is a gift by the Chicago Mar Thoma

Church under the able leadership of Rev. Daniel Thomas and the

Edavaka Mission of the Church.

We are planning to have an hostel and to start a Child Development Centre (CDC) in association with the Compassion India

in the coming year. The preliminary work is going on. With the help of this initiative we will be able to make the gospel

reach to 225 families. We still need funds for the setting up of classrooms and hostel.

Gloria in Exelsis Theme CompetitionThe committee of Gloria which had met on 13th August 2015 at the Diocessan Centre had decided to invite the Youths

to suggest a theme for Gloria and also design a logo for the theme.

The theme should be a burning social issue relevant in todays scenario. The best 2 entries shall be awarded prizes. The

entry should have contestants name, parish name, mail id and cellphone number.

Entries may be mailed to fatherpanachi@gmail.com or thomasphilip79@gmail.com or by post to the Diocessan centre.

All the entries should reach before 1st September 2015.

The Chief Guest was the newly ordained Rev Vijish George. The youths felicitated Achen with a memento on the

Occasion of His Holy Ordination. He later led the youths to a very wonderful Session of Spiritual Disciplines for

Youths basing it on the book of Daniel. He, knowing the context of youths could really connect with them and

challenge them. After the meaningful session, as per Agenda of the General Body, Election was held and the following

were elected.

The Mar Thoma Yuvajana

Sakhyam, Bhopal Centre Kicked off

its activities on 19th July 2015 with

a One Day Retreat. Singing session

was led by ever dynamic Rev

Samson Samuel and the youths were

thrilled by the vibrant singing and

praising. The President opf the

Centre, Rev Merin Mathew,

welcomes the Clergy and the youths

of the 3 Churches of Bhopal Centre.

Mar Thoma Yuvjana Sakhyam, Bhopal Centre

Vice President: Vigin Varghese

Secretary: Zubin T. Mathew

Lady Secretary: Joyce Peter

Treasurer: Anila Thomas.