A brief description of the various Church Ministries
The Church as a whole, has developed specific ministries to cater to the challenges our faithful face. These ministries provide seminars, bible studies, retreats, conferences and so much more to assist our faithful in their journey as an Orthodox Christian.
The Diocese continues to seek ways to stay true to her motto of 'not to be served, but to serve', by developing more ways serve to our faithful through these ministries.
Orthodox Syrian Sunday School Association of the East (SUNDAY SCHOOL)
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 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 tow 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.
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it”
Marth Mariam Vanitha Samajam (Women’s Wing of Orthodox Church of India)
Marth Mariam Vanitha Samajam is the Women’s wing of the Malankara Orthodox Church of India. It is one of the major spiritual organization of the church combining all the female members. It is spread throughout the world in all the 30 Dioceses and functioning in all parishes of the church.
The organization was founded in 1928 aimed at the spiritual progress of women. The founders named it “Marth Mariam Samajam”after the Blessed Virgin Mary whom they accepted as their interceding saint. It was started under the patronage of the Late Very Rev. M.C.Kuriakose Ramban and with the leadership of K.M. Annamma. and co-workers.
Mar Gregorios Orthodox Christian Student Movement (MGOCSM)
Mar Gregorios Orthodox Christian Student Movement (MGOCSM) is the student wing of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. The students and senior leaders of our church who were residing in Madras (Chennai), India in the early part of this century felt the need for an organization to bring together our students in various colleges and high schools with a view to deepening their spiritual life and to create in them a livelier sense of fellowship. So they founded the Syrian Student Conference in 1907 and first conference was convened on January 1st, 1908 at Tiruvalla, Kerala, India. Annual conferences have been a regular feature since that year. The Syrian student conference, the parent organization, assumed its present name MGOCSM in 1960. Ours is the oldest Christian student organization in India. Our motto is Worship – Service – Study.
MGOCSM have been maintaining inter-disciplinary contacts in the academic field for along time by the formation of its wings. There are college student’s wing, high school student’s wing, University teacher’s association, School teacher’s association, Medical Auxiliary, Technical Auxiliary, Missionary forum, Literary forum, Publication wing, and etc.
Our student centers at Kottayam, Trivandrum, Always stand as fitting monuments to the continuous and tireless efforts of the movement during the past years. The long cherished dream of other centers at Kothamangalam, Pampady, and Bangalore is also coming to life. Each student center provides hostel facilities in addition to chapel, auditorium, reading room and guest rooms.
MGOCSM Book shop and publishing house at Kottayam, India, continues to function purposefully. The movement publishes books relating to historical, patristic, and sacramental matters of the Church.
Above all, the greatest contribution the movement had made to the church is that, it has prepared and provided able and outstanding leaders for his/her service from time to time. In spite of the chaos in the academic world, the movement is going ahead with its dynamic programs seeking the intercession of our patron St: Gregorios of Parumala.
The Orthodox Christian Youth Movement
The Orthodox Christian Youth Movement (OCYM), the Youth-wing of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church is in its 77th year of active leadership and Christian witness in the Church and society. It contributes to the goodness and progress of the Church and community in the three-fold path of worship, study and service. It aims at molding the minds and visions of the youth against the background of the contemporary issues.