By the grace of God, we are once again set, to enter into the 50 days, ‘Great Lent’ – the biggest of the 5 canonical fasts of the Holy Church that leads us to greatest episode of memory of Christ’s Resurrection (Kymtho), the center of the liturgical year in the Read more
Can the Holy Sacraments be classified or numbered? Though the number of the Sacraments is not limited, the chief sacraments are seven. All sacraments are perfected through Holy Qurbana. Customarily in the Orthodox Church, we speak of Seven Main or chief Sacraments. The Church Fathers themselves disagreed as to the Read more
His Grace Mathews Mar Epiphanios was born in Chenkulam, near Kollam on November 25, 1928. He was the elder son of Mr. M. Kurikeshu and Mrs. Sosamma, Koottarazhikathu Puthenveedu, Chenkulam. Thirumeni spent the majority of his childhood days at his maternal house in Vengoor. Thirumeni undertook his elementary education in Read more
Mar Abo hailed from Nineveh, now in Iraq. He travelled through a number of places and reached Kollam. He was soon held in high esteem by the people from all walks of life due to his moral and spiritual conduct. He spread the gospel of God through his spiritual discourses Read more
Severios was one of the Great, Celebrated Father, Teacher, Patriarch and ‘Crown of the Syrians – (togho dsuryoye’) of the Oriental Churches. He was born into an affluent family in the city of Sozopolis of Pisidia in AD 465. His father was a council senator of the city. His paternal Read more
St. John Chrysostom describes the Holy Sacraments as “the symbols of our salvation perceivable through faith”. Throughout the centuries there were various definitions of the Holy Sacraments emerged. St. Augustine’s definition became a classic one since the fifth century: A Sacrament (Holy Mystery) is a visible sign of an invisible Read more
Mar Kauma, a 5th century saint stands as a luminous star, in the heavenly abode of Saints and Prophets. He was also known as St. Shemvun Qaumo Abilo. His strenuous ways of life and consistency in faith for God has bought him the title ‘the angel of earth’. The word Read more
St. Barsauma (Barsuma/Barsoma) was born in 380 A.D. in the village of Autan (Otan, Awtan or Wetan) near Samosata (Shmeeshat) an ancient city on the right (west) bank of the Euphrates. His parents were Hanock and Zachia. As a child, Barsauma went with his relatives to Samosata, for a festival. Read more
The Feasts of Commemoration of Saints Righteous Simeon and the aged, Prophetess Anna, is celebrated on the Feast Day of Presentation of our Lord to the Temple (Ma’ altho), on 2 February. The Glorious, Righteous, Prophet Simeon (Symeon) the God- receiver, was, a just, devout man waiting for the consolation of Israel, Read more
Pathrose Mar Osthathios a great missionary and social reformist was born on 20 June 1886 as the ninth and youngest child to pious and devout Cherian Puravathen and Kunjumariamma of Mookencheril family in Tripunithura. His childhood pet name was Kochupilla. After his initial preliminary education under Chandy Aashan and Pailey Read more