Organizations Under Indian Orthodox Church


There are many spiritual organizations under theIndian Orthodox Church. The main Organizations are:
Orthodox Syrian Sunday School
Orthodox Vacation Bible School (OVBS)
MGOCSM
Martha Mariam Vanitha Samajam
Servants of the Cross
St.Thomas Orthodox Vaidika Sangam
Malankara Orthodox Baskiyamma Association
The Orthodox Christian Bala (Balika) Samajamf
The Malankara Orthodox Church Prayer Group Association
Akhila Malankara Orthodox Susrusha Sangham
St. Paul’s & St. Thomas Suvishesha Sangam
The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Mission Board
National Association For Mission Studies
emblem
Catholicate Emblem of Indian Orthodox Church

Sunday School

ORTHODOX SYRIAN SUNDAY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION OF THE EAST

This is a spiritual organization functioning in all the parishes of the Orthodox Church throughout the world. It takes care of the spiritual nurturing of the children, by bringing them up in the knowledge and fellowship of Jesus Christ and His Church.The Orthodox Church from the very beginning took utmost care in educating the Children the Values of Christian life, the contents of the Bible and the Church history.

The “Koonenkurish Sathyam” in 1653 was a turning point. It emphasized the need for Catechism and Scriptural studies. During the 1765-1808 period, the study of sacraments and prayers were also included in the lessons. This was the beginning of the Sunday school in the Church. The Sunday School Samajam started functioning in 1931 with the appointment of Puthencavu Geevarghese Mar Philexinos as its President and Fr.K.David as the General Secretary. On 15 October 1964 it got its present form as “Orthodox Sunday School Association of the East” (OSSAE). The classes are conducted in Malayalam for the children in Kerala and for others in English. It has a separate wing for the outer Kerala region.

The classes range from Pre-primary classes to the 12th class. As in secular schools, class ten concludes the secondary level and a certificate is awarded –Sunday School final Certificate (SSFC) to the successful candidates. Higher Secondary course is for another two years. We follow a curriculum, jointly prepared and published by the Oriental Orthodox Churches which is revised from time to time.

The vacation Bible School conducted during the mid summer holidays (OVBS) is a very vibrant wing of the O.S.S.A.E. we publish separate text books, devotional materials, song books and cassettes for the OVBS every year.

PATRON

His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Didymus 1st Catholicos of the East

PRESIDENT

H. G. Dr Yacob Mar Iraneus.f

DIRECTOR GENERAL

Rev. Fr. Dr. O. Thomas , Ph: 0479 2472339

PUBLICATION OFFICER

Rev. Fr. K.V.Thomas.

TREASURER

Sri. Santhosh Baby A. K.

Head Quarters

The headquarters of O.S.S.A.E is located in the complex of the Devalokom Catholicate Aramana, Kottayam.

Address

O.S.S.A.E CENTRAL OFFICE,
Devalokam P.O Kottayam 38. South India.
PHONE 0481 2572890
visit us at http://www.ossae.org
Office Manager Mr Cherian Mathew
( Kunnamthanam@hotmail.com )

Office Staff

Mr. Chady Samuel. (Babu) Accountant
Mr .Sunil P Korah
Mr. Benny M C
Mr. Thomas C V
Mr. Reghukumar M P
Mrs. Marykutty Joseph

O.V.B.S
The Orthodox
Vacation Bible School
Conducted during the midsummer holidays is a very vibrant wing of the OSSAE

Theme for OVBS 2007 was ISAIAH 6: 8

Rev. Fr. K.V. Elias Ph: 0484 2765060

Outside Kerala Region of O S S A E (OKR )

Office

St Thomas Orthodox Theological Seminary,
Ubali Road, Brahmani P.O Kalmeshwar, 447501,Nagpur, Maharashtra
PHONE 071118-271696, 271994
okrsundayschool@rediffmail.com

President

H.G. Dr. Yakob Mar Iraneus

Director

Rev. Fr. Dr. Regi Mathew

Treasurer

Rev. Fr. Alex Daniel

Editor

Rev. Fr. Dr Shaji P John

MGOCSM (Mar Gregorios Orthodox Christian Student Movement)

MGOCSM is the student wing of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, It was formed to bring together Orthodox students at colleges and high schools levels and to create in them brotherly love. Initially the movement was started in 1907 by a group of Students and Senior leaders in Madras under the name ‘Syrian Student Conference’ and its first Annual meeting was held at Thiruvalla on January 1, 1908.The “Syrian Student Conference” assumed its present name “MGOCSM” after Mar Gregorios of Parumala, its Patron Saint with the moto ” Worship, Study, Service ” in the year 1960. MGOCSM is the oldest Christian Organisation in India. The Platinum Jubilee of Student’s Movement was celebrated in 1983 on a grand scale in the Old Seminary.

Over the years several wings of MGOCSM like the High School wing, University wing, University Teachers wing, Medical Auxilliary wing, Technical Auxilliary wing, Missionary wing, Publication wing came into existence.
It also experienced tremendous growth with the establishment of MGOCSM Centers at Kottayam, Trivandrum, Alwaye, Kothamangalam, Pampady, and Bangalore.Each Centre provides hostel facilities in addition to Chapel, Auditorium, Reading room, and Guest rooms.

Any student of a College or a High School who belongs to the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church shall be eligible to become a member of the Movement. Any person other than a student belonging to the Church and subscribing to the aims and objects of the Movement shall also be eligible to become a member of the Movement.

The high ideals behind finding of the Movement included bringing together the Orthodox Christian students of different educational institutions into one body in order to get them rooted in Orthodox faith and traditions and to strengthen them in spiritual life and Christian fellowship. The Movement has grown as an international one with about 1500 units all over the world. It has been maintaining inter-disciplinary contacts in the academic field for a long time by the formation of its wings. They are the high school, higher secondary, college-post college wings; University, higher secondary, high school teachers association, medical auxiliary, technical auxiliary, missionary forum, literary forum and publication wing.

The greatest contribution the Movement has made to the Church and society is that it has prepared and provided able and outstanding leaders from time to time. Heading towards the centenary in 2008, the Movement looks forward to venture into new areas and to establish more centers for effective work.

Motto of MGOCSM

Worship
Study
Service
Three Fold Aims of MGOCSM

To deepen the spiritual life of the students.
Helping them to grow up as loyal members of the Church and encouraging them to dedicate themselves for the ministry of GOD.
Help them to be good citizens wherever they are.
Office Bearers:

President : H.G. Philipos Mar Eusebius Metropolitan
General Secretary : Fr. Dr. V. M. Abraham Ph: 0481 2569338,
Office Secretary : Sri. K. C. Zachariah Ph: 0469 2611231

Address: (Central Office)

MGOCSM,
Orthodox Student Center,
Post Box No.610,
Kottayam – 686 001
Kerala State / India
Phone: Kottayam:+91-481-2567338, 2567215 / Trivandrum:+91-471-2477604

Official Website: http://www.mgocsmindia.com/

Matha Mariam Samajam

Saint Mary Womens Association (Martha Mariam Samajam) is the womens association of the Indian Orthodox Church. It is a vibrant association of the women and depends on the intercession of Holy and Ever Virgin Saint Mary, the Mother of our Lord.

The Samajam has its humble origins as prayer groups in the various parishes scattered all over the Malankara Church in India around 1928 with the objectives “Pray, Illumine and Act”. Mrs. K.M. Annamma (Kandathil), the visionary lady behind the Samajam, and the Rev. Ramban Barskeepa brought the entire parish based womens prayer groups under one umbrella, The Martha Mariam Vanitha Samajam. Mrs. Kandathil Annamma served as the organizations first Secretary and helped it grow into a viable womens wing of the Church in India. In 1964, the constitution of the organization was recognized by the Synod. The head office is the ‘Vanithasamajam Mandiram’ in Kanjikuzhi, Kottayam. More than hundred thousand women are members of the Martha Mariam Samajam.

Address:

Marthamariam Mandiram,
Kanjikuzhi , Kottayam 686 004
Kerala State , India
Phone: 0481- 2571840

The Chief Office bearers:
Persidents

Barskepa Ramban (1928-31),
Puthencavu Geevarghese Mar Philexinos (1931-51),
Fr.Alexios O.I.C,
Mathews Mar Ivanios,
Yuhanon Mar Sevarios,
Mathews Mar Barnabas (1981-92),
Zechariahs Mar Anthonios (1992-95),
Paulose Mar Pachomiose (1995-)
H. G Dr. Zachariah Mar Theophilus Metropolitan (Present)

General Secretary:

K.M. Annamma Kandathil (1928-64),
Alice Mani (1964-91)
Accamma Paul (1991-) Phone: +91 479 2303352

Vice President : Rev. Fr. John Sankarathil (Ph: 04812 582518)

Motto of the Samajam:

Pray
Act
Shine

The Orthodox Christian Bala (Balika) Samajam

Bala Samajam

Bala-Balika Samajam is the student wings of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Malankara Orthodox Christian BalaSamajam aims at the integrated personal development of the youth in Malankara Orthodox Church. The main objectives are worship, study and community living. The Balasamajam was organized on an all Malankara basis in 1982. The Balasamajam was already functioning very actively in the southern dioceses.

The Chief Office bearers:
Geevarghese Mar Dioscorus (1982-86)
Thomas Mar Athanasios (1987-)

General Secretary:

Rev- Fr. Mathai Kunnil (Present General Secretary)
Fr.Mathew Koshy (1987-)
Fr.Daniel Puliel (1986-87)
Fr. Thomas Muttuveli (1982-85),

Address: Bethel Aramana, Chengannur

Office Bearers

Dr. Yuhanon Mar Chrisostomos Metropoltan (President)

Rev. Fr. Biju Mathew (Vice-President)

Rev Fr. Mathai Kunnil (General Secretery)

Rev. Sr. Rosilin (Joint Secretery)

Balika Samajam

The Balika Samajam was organized on an all Malankara basis in 1981. It was Daniel Mar Philexinos Metropolitan who first started the Balika Samajam (Thumpamon Diocese). The Balika Samajam has been organized in several of the southern diocese. The objectives of Balika Samajam are worship, study and community life. Membership is open to all girls below the age of 18. The central office is at ‘Vanitha mandiram’ in Kanjikuzhi, Kottayam.

Chief Office bearers:
President Mathews Mar Barnabas (1981-92),
Zechariah Mar Athanasios (1992-95),
Paulose Mar Pachomiose (1995-)

General Secretary
G. Thankamma (1981-89),
Mariamma Samuel (1989-)

Diocesan Secretaries:

Deenamma Jacob (Thiruvanthanapuram),
Thankamma Oommen (Kollam), Kunjamma Jacob (Thumpamon),
Annamma Joseph (Chengannur),
Valsamma Mathula (Niranam),
Annamma Abraham (Kottayam),
Annamma Varghese (Kottayam Central),
Mary Mathews (Idukki),
Sarakutty Varghese (Kochi),
Thankam Charlie (Malabar)

Address:

Martha Mariam Mandiram,
Kanjikuzhi,
Kottayam 686 004
Phone: 0481 571840

Office Bearers

H.G Paulose Mar Pachomiose Episcopa(President)

Associations:

There are many associations under the Indian Orthodox Church. The main Associations are as follows:

1. Prardhana Yogam (The Malankara Orthodox Church Prayer Group Association)

2. St. Thomas Orthodox Vaidika Sangham

3. Malankara Orthodox Baskiyamma Association

4. Akhila Malankara Orthodox Susrusha Sangham

5. Choir Association

6. DivyaSandhesham

7. SnehaSandhesham

8. Sextons Association

Mission Board

6. The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Mission Board

7. National Association For Mission Studies

8. St. Paul’s & St. Thomas Suvishesha Sangam

Social Welfare Projects

Sleebadasa Community

House Building Scheme:

Scheme for Community Marriage

Mariamma Samuel (General Secretery) Ph. +91 481 431786

Prardhana Yogam (The Malankara Orthodox Church Prayer Group Association)

Address:
General Secretary,
Prarthana Yogam
Catholicate Office,
Devalokam, Kottayam
Kerala State / India

Prarthana Yogam, the Prayer wing of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, was started on 21 September 1993. The objective of this group is to ascertain the inculcation of firm faith, love of the church and brotherhood and bring about the spiritual, material and educational upliftment of the people. A unit consists of 20-30 heads of families and grown-up men. However, the women and children of these families can participate in these meetings. Once in a week (preferably Sunday) the prayer meetings are conducted at a convenient time in different houses or in a common place of convenience. Each unit has the vicar of the parish as the president and should have a secretary who should maintain the credit and debit account as well as the report. Once in three months, a common meeting as per the directions of the Vicar is to be convened with a general Secretary to oversee the conduct of the meeting.

Chief Office bearers:

H.G.Dr. Thomas Mar Athanasius Metropolitan (President)
Rev. Fr. Ninan V. George (Vice- President)
Rev. Fr. Eby Philip (General Secretary)

The Devalokam Catholicate Aramana is the head office.

If anyone interested in the publications / journals of Prarthana Yogam, contact the above address.

St.Thomas Orthodox Vaideeka Sangam

Vaideeka Sangam is the Association of all priests of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church started with the objectives of worship, study and fellowship among the Priests of the Church. A monthly magazine “Purohithan” is published by this Organisation. The origin of this clergy association can be traced back to the time of Parumala Thirumeni, who organized the first meeting of the Priests and grouped them as an Association. It was revived again during the days of Joseph Mar Dionysius II, the founder of the M.D. Seminary.

Office Bearers:

H.G. Dr. Mathews Mar Severius Metropolitan (President)
Rev. Dr. John Mathews (Secretary)
Fr. Dr. John Panicker (Joint Secretary)
Address:

STOVS Office
P B No.98
Kottayam – 686001
Ph:+91-481-2566526

Buskiyama Association

Buskiyama Association is the organization for the wives of the married priests of the Malankara Orthodox Church. Here the Buskiyamas can get together in prayer and share their views. This organization was started in 1977 with the objectives of “worship, study and fellowship”. Late Poulose Mar Gregorios Thirumeni was the first president. Seminars, counseling, study classes are some of the activities of the association.
Current Office Bearers:

H.G. Dr. Mathews Mar Severius Metropolitan (President),
Rev. Fr. George Mathew, Mrs. Marykutty Mathew (Vice Presidents),
Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas (General Secretary)(Ph. +91 479 2472339)
Mrs. Aleyamma Poulose (Treasurer)

Previous Office Bearers:

Dr.Mathews Mar Sevarios (President),
Fr.K.V. Eapen, Leelamma Jacob (Vice President),
Dr. Aleyamma Isac (General Secretary)(Ph. +91 474 2415412)
Rachel Samuel (Joint Secretary)
Mary George (Auditor)

Previous Diocesan Secretaries:

Ponnamma Thomas (Thiruvananthapuram),
Sally Thomas (Kollam),
Sally Mary Mathews (Thumpamon),
Saramma Mathew (Chengannur),
Babykutty Tharakan (Niranam),
Baby George (Kottayam),
Ammini Kuriakose (Kochi),
Annamma Peter (Angamali),
Chinnakutty Simon(Kandanad),
Dr. Annamma Mathai (Sultan Bathery),
Sheeba Thomas Panicker (Bombay)
Kunjala George (Kunnamkulam)

Akhila Malankara Orthodox Susrusha Sangham

President : H.G. Dr. Gabriel Mar Gregorios Metropolitan
Vice President: Rev. Fr. M.P. George
Organizing Secretary: Rev. Fr. Varghese George

Malankara Orthodox Choir Association

“Malankara Orthodox Choir Association” (MOCA) the Central Organization of all the music groups of the Malankara Orthodox Church was started in 1994 with the objectives of bringing uniformity in worship, and to impart awareness regarding worship through music. Our present Catholicose H.H Baselious Mar Didymus I has raised the MOCA to an organization level and has placed it under Sruti School of Liturgical Music.

Sruthi (School of Liturgical Music)

Sruthi (School of Liturgical Music), is located in the campus of the Orthodox Seminary. Thus it is a part of the Orthodox Theological Seminary. More than 226 choir groups of the Church have registered in this school. It was established on Jan 9th 1989, by the late Metropolitan Dr. Paulose Mar Gregorios who was then the Principal of the Orthodox Seminary, with the approval of the Holy Episcopal Synod.

Chief Office Bearers

H.H. Baselios Mar Thoma Dydimus I (President)
Rev. Fr. M.P.George (Director)
Rev. Fr. Varghese George (Co-ordinator)

Address:

Orthodox Sabha Gayak Sangham
Sruthi,
Orthodox Seminary
Kottayam. – 686001
Ph: 0091-481-2585384

Divya Sandhesham

Divya Sandhesham is the visual media project of the Malankara Orthodox Church. The main aim of this project is to spread the message of pure spirituality by means of an electronic media to all the viewers around the world. In this era of modern communication and technology, electronic channels have a major role to play in our lives. The Malankara Orthodox Church is aware of this fact and knows the importance of starting a powerful media to spread the uncorrupted spiritual wisdom of the Orthodox faith. Thus we have launched into the process of creating an Orthodox TV Channel for the church.

The church has also made a tie up with Shalom TV and has obtained a permanent time slot on all Tuesdays 11 – 1130 AM and on all Thursdays 0930 – 1000 AM. More than 50 devotional talks of eminent Orthodox personalities were already broadcasted.

Address:

A Visual Media Project of the Malankara Orthodox Church
Catholicate Palace,
Kottayam – 686 038,
Kerala,
India
Ph: +91-475-2328200

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