SCROLL - MGOCSM Shj

TODAY’S PROGRAM Master of Ceremonies: Jebin Jose

16:00 OPENING PRAYER Anoch Johncee Mohan

16:10 BIBLE READING Hannah George

16:15 REPORT READING Rony Varghese

16:18 PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS Fr. George Abraham

16:30 A JOB WORTH LEARNING Mrs. Sherly Matthew

17:00 ACTIVITY - SPIN A YARN Shine V. Daniel

17:30 SESSION Mrs. Premy Thambi

18:00 AIRING YOUR VIEWS

18:15 CLOSING PRAYER Ashich Georgee Mohan

MGOCSM is an organized movement of the

Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church conceived to

promote interest, discussion and learning among

students in matters regarding Church and Faith.

Established in 1908, it is now one of the Church’s

most dynamic spiritual organizations contributing to

her development in a wide range of arenas.

The Sharjah Unit of the MGOCSM is now in its 14th

year, and can claim to have been able to mould many

young hearts to His will. SCROLL is a monthly

newsletter brought out by it, intended to give the

students something to reflect on, after the meeting.

We invite you to be a part of this community and

contribute with your time, effort, ideas and prayers.

(Students for Christ, Reflecting Orthodox Light in Life)

A monthly by MGOCSM – Sharjah Unit

Issue 3 25th SEPTEMBER 2010 Volume XIV

Inside This Issue Presidential Ponderings What is the real life? The dilemma of a baby bird

Worship Eager to sit down? Maybe you misunderstand the Thub’den

Personality in Focus Do you know this Ambassador of our Church?

Miracle in Berlin A 3yr old sees heaven and comes back to tell the tale

Not the Da Vinci Code The Knights Templars and the Holy Nail

Scroll Scrawls Express thoughts and share tidbits on a page solely for you

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PRESIDENTIAL PONDERINGS: WHAT IS REAL LIFE ?

My dear and beloved children,

Let me first welcome you back after your long vacations, into the midst of our MGOCSM fellowship. In this

issue of the SCROLL, I would like you to ponder upon “What is real life?” A lot of people talk about what life is and what it’s not. What do you think life is? Where can you find it?

Jesus said, “I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they

ever dreamed of.” (John 10). Wait — what does that mean? Jesus knows something about

reality that we don’t. He spent time getting to know the people who we might see in our

bars, back alleys, and street corners. Jesus saw how real people were living, and he said

that there was a better way — there was something more. He slammed the religious

leaders of his day on more than one occasion for missing the point. In John 5 he said,

“You search the scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life …. They

bear witness to me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life”. They were

missing the forest for the trees! Jesus wasn’t telling them (or us) not to read the Bible. He

was saying that these leaders were so involved in knowing Scripture that they missed

the life-altering meaning of its actual words.

Do you see the clue there? What the religious leaders did is kind of like what we do. We look for life in so

many different places, when all along real life is really found in Jesus. There’s something about Jesus that’s

different from everyone else. The people who really knew Jesus got it. Peter, one of Jesus’ disciple, said in the

Gospel of St. John, Chapter 6, “Master, to whom would we go? You have the words of real life, eternal life.

We’ve already believed and come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” People who follow Jesus trade

in things that don’t deliver, and in return they get real life — full of solid truth, hope that lasts, love unlike

anything they’ve ever known, and purpose far beyond what they could have ever created for themselves.

And don’t miss this: In John 6, Jesus said — “I am the Bread of Life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and

he who believes in me shall never thirst…… For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son

and believes in him should have eternal life” That’s it — that’s how we get real life. You’re saved from self-

destruction, from giving yourself to things that, in the end, only lead to death. All of us fall short of God’s

perfection, no matter how many good things we do. But God sent his perfect Son, Jesus, to pay the cost for our

sins, giving us his perfection in God’s eyes. We must, however, accept that payment. You trade death for life,

and not just any life — a life beyond your wildest dreams. You’re freed from being a slave to death. But you’re

not just saved from something, you’re saved to something — freedom and new life.

Don’t misunderstand: Once you choose this new life, you

won’t suddenly be perfect, and life may even be harder

sometimes. Having God as your Master, rather than sin

controlling you, will also take time. You’ll mess up —

sometimes again and again. But God forgives. Scripture

reassures us, “No one who believes in Him, shall be put to

shame” (Romans 10). Becoming a Christian is a choice that

we make in our hearts and then the choice is demonstrated in

their lives, in their words, and finally this choice is cemented

through the Sacraments.

I would like you to look at the illustration alongside. Which of

these two eggs would you like to be?

A baby bird feels infinitely more safe and secure within an egg. However its desire for food and its natural

instinct to turn towards the source of warmth and nurture, will prompt it break out of its shell and discover a

whole new world. This world outside is very harsh and tough. But its life would have had no meaning, had the

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chick stayed within the shell. We too long for this new life deep within ourselves. We yearn to discover the

Creator and the Almighty. But often we fear the sacrifices that we have to make to accept this new life. Being

born Christians, we are even offered a glimpse of this fascinating new world. But we often prefer to look

away, feeling afraid or weak to destroy this flimsy shell of the material world built around us. Let us

rediscover the world, let us embrace the new Life that Jesus has promised us, let us be born again into eternal

life.

Yours in his service, George Abraham Achen

Unit President, MGOCSM Sharjah Unit

Headlines Today: Nail from Christ’s crucifixion found - The Telegraph, March 2010

A nail dating back from the time of Christ’s crucifixion has been found at a remote

fort believed to have once been a stronghold of the Knights Templar. The four-inch long

nail is thought to be one of thousands used in crucifixions across the Roman empire.

Archaeologists believe it dates from either the first or second century AD. The nail was

found last summer in a decorated box at a fort on the isle of Ilheu de Pontinha, off

Madeira. Pontinha was thought to have been held by the Knights Templar, the

religious order that occupied Jerusalem during the Crusades in the 12th

century.

Bryn Walters, an arachaeologist, said the iron nail’s remarkable condition suggested

that it had been handled with extreme care, as if it was a relic. While one would expect

the surface to be pitted and rough’, on this nail, it was smooth. That suggested that many people had handled it over

the centuries.

IMPORTANT DATES IN OUR CHURCH CALENDAR (1 September – 15 October)

8 SEPTEMBER: FEAST OF THE BIRTH OF SAINT MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD 9 SEPTEMBER: FEAST OF ST. MARY'S PARENTS, UAKIM AND HANNA 14 SEPTEMBER: FEAST OF THE HOLY CROSS 23 SEPTEMBER: 87

TH COMMEMORATION OF HG ALVAREZ MAR JULIOS

24 SEPTEMBER: FEAST OF SAINT DIMETH 25 SEPTEMBER: 116

TH COMMEMORATION OF PATRIARCH HH IGNATIUS PETER III

28 SEPTEMBER: 13TH

COMMEMORATION OF HIS GRACE PHILIPOSE MAR THEOPHILOS METROPOLITAN

1 OCTOBER: FEASTS OF THE EVANGELIST ST. ADAI, ST. ABHAI THE MARTYR, ST. MALKE. 3 OCTOBER: 325

TH COMMEMORATION OF HIS HOLINESS MAR BASELIOS ELDO

CATHOLICOS 7 OCTOBER: FEAST OF MARTYRS ST. SARGIS AND ST. BAKOS 12 OCTOBER: 152

TH COMMEMORATION OF MALANKARA METROPOLITAN HG PHILIPOS

MAR DIONYSIUS IV, COMMEMORATION OF HG YUHANNON MAR ATHANASIOS 15 OCTOBER: FEAST OF SAINT OSYO THE ASCETIC

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: A Christian should be IN the world and yet not OF the world. How can this be? Consider the fish who, though he lives in the salty sea, does not taste salty.

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STUDY-SCOPE: Personality in Focus

HG DR. PHILIPOSE MAR THEOPHILOSE METROPOLITAN

Born on

Departed on

Education Milestones

Achievements Special Mention Epithets

Interred in

9 May 1911

28 September 1997

B.A. from Cochin Maharaja’s College

M.A. from St. Augustine College, England

M .Th. from Cardiff University, UK

Doctorate in Divinity from Harvard University, USA

Becomes Deacon in 1929, received from St. Geevarghese Mar Dionysius

Anointed Priest in 1944, by HH Baselios Geevarghese II, Catholicos of the East

Consecrated Metropolitan in 1966, by HH Baselios Ougen, Catholicos of the East

Principal of the Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam (Old Seminary). Spearheaded the renovation and extension of the Seminary.

President of the MGOCSM

Metropolitan of the Ankamali Diocese

Metropolitan of Bombay Diocese

In 1988, October 5, he translated the Holy Relics of Blessed Alvares Mar Julios Metropolitan to St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, Goa.

Influential contributor and founding member of the World Council of Churches (WCC), Secretary of Faith and Order division and Central Committee member

Close friend of the Eastern European churches, viz. Serbian Church, Russian Orthodox Church, Romanian Orthodox Church and Bulgarian Orthodox Church

Honored as a special invitee to attend selection of His Holiness Peeman Patriarch of Russian Orthodox Church

Chief Guest of the State during Republic day celebrations of Romania, along with Romanian President and Romanian Patriarch

Has played instrumental roles in mentoring many church leaders including late HH Moran Mar Baselios Mathews I and HG Dr. Paulose Mar Gregorios

Ambassador of the Malankara Orthodox Church; Good Samaritan

Thrikunnath Seminary, Aluva in Kerala

DID YOU KNOW?: On almost all devices with a numeric keypad such as telephones, computers, etc., the 5 key has a

raised dot or raised bar to make dialing easier. Persons who are blind or have low vision find it useful

to be able to feel the keys of a telephone.

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Worship: Thub’den - The Great Intercessions - Compiled by a SCROLL Correspondent

Over the years, the Thub'den has been associated with the time that the laity get to sit down in midst of a long

and demanding service. It is not uncommon to see people nearly falling down, as if struck by lightning, so as to

ensure a good seat. Others opt for settling down a few seconds before the commencement of these

intercessionary prayers. Pay close attention (not to the service) and you may even hear a few snores. However

not many know that the Thub’den have quite a significance in the Holy Qurbana, and that they used to be recited

while the congregation stood in rapt attention.

The Thub’den is better described as the Church's Great Intercessions & Her Celebration of the Communion of

Saints. Also known as the Dyptychs (their Byzantine Orthodox name), they are a living affirmation of the apostolic

faith. Through these we affirm that there is no barrier to separate those we love who have gone on to their reward

in the next world from us who are living our lives in the temporal world. This affirmation is called the communion of

saints, and simply takes Christ at his word: that those who believe in him shall never die.

The church celebrates this reality by recalling the illustrious Christians of past ages who have been extraordinary

examples of how to be Christian men and women. The Thub'den also recall places and

events in the history of the Gospel and of the Church.

See if you can match each Thub’den with its contents:

A. First Thubden

B. Second Thubden

C. Third Thubden

D. Fourth Thubden

E. Fifth Thubden

F. Sixth Thubden

[ ] 1. Canon of the Living Earthly Rulers

[ ] 2. Canon of the Living Fathers and Doctors

[ ] 3. Canon of Departed Fathers & Doctors of the Church

[ ] 4. Canon of the Living Faithful Brethren

[ ] 5. Canon of the Faithful Departed

[ ] 6. Canon of the Theotokos and the Saints

Headlines Today: 3-year old rises from the dead - The Daily Mail, April 2010

A boy of three claims he saw his great grandmother in heaven while he was clinically dead after falling into a pond. Paul Eicke came back to life three hours and eighteen minutes after his heart stopped beating. Paul was found in the pond at his grandparents’ house in Lychen, north of Berlin in Germany. He was transported by helicopter to the nearest hospital within twenty minutes, however doctors were unable to resuscitate him even after trying for hours. They had just given up when Paul’s heart started beating independently.

The boy said that while unconscious he saw his great grandmother Emmi, who had turned him back from a gate and urged him to go back to his parents. Paul said: “There was a lot of light and I was floating. I came to a gate and I saw Grandma Emmi on the other side. She said to me, ‘What are you doing here Paul? You must go back to mummy and daddy. I will wait for you here.’ I knew I was in heaven. But grandma said I should go back home very quickly. Heaven looked nice. But I am glad I am back with mummy and daddy now.”

Doctors at Helios Clinic, where Paul was taken, are clueless and have termed the incident as a miracle. However they have confirmed that Paul is fully well and has not suffered any brain damage.

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Scroll Scrawls

THE FUNNIES

Q. What kind of man was Boaz before he married? A.Ruth-less

Q. Which area of Palestine was especially wealthy?

A. The area around Jordan. The banks were always overflowing.

Q. Who is the greatest baby sitter mentioned in the Bible?

A. David. He rocked Goliath to a very deep sleep.

THE CHRISTIAN

A lthough things are not perfect

B ecause of trial or pain

C ontinue in thanksgiving

D o not begin to blame.

E ven when the times are hard

F ierce winds are bound to blow

G od is forever able

H old on to what you know.

I magine life without His love

J oy would cease to be

K eep thanking Him for all the things

L ove imparts to thee.

M ove out of "Camp Complaining"

N o weapon that is known

O n earth can yield the power

P raise can do alone.

Q uit looking at the future

R edeem the time at hand

S tart every day with worship

T o "thank" is a command.

U ntil we see Him coming

V ictorious in the sky

W e'll run the race with gratitude

X alting God most high.

Y es, there will be good times and yes some

will be bad, but...

Z ion waits in glory...where none are ever

sad!

"Too blessed to be stressed!" The shortest distance

between a problem and a solution is the distance

between your knees and the floor. The one who

kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything.

When you take help from your

Facebook status updates to write your “What I did on my summer vacation”

essay

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This Month

BAPTISM DAYS

ANU ANNA GEORGE

ASHNA JACOB

ATHENA AJIN ALEX

BLESSON BABU

JEMIMA M GEORGE

LAVEENA MARIAM JOHN

MIRIA JOHNSON E

NITHYA R KURIAKOSE

SOUMYA M MATHEW

BIRTHDAYS

CECIL GEORGE

DERYL MARIA RAJU

ELIZABETH GEORGE

JITHIN JOY MATHEW

JOHNSY THANKACHAN

JOSHUA MONSY

JYOTHISH ABY THOMAS

EHA HANNAH DANIEL

PHULIP MATHEW

RENI RENGIT

ROSSAN BABY

SHERIN VARGHESE

SHINE V DANIEL

SHYAM G VARGHESE

SIJU RAJU JOHN

THE SCROLL NEEDS SCRIBES:

Are you interested in becoming a part of the SCROLL team, and contributing your

ideas and skills on a monthly basis? Make a sample of your work and hand it over to

a committee member to become a SCRIBE. Illustrations, art-work, design, articles,

original stories or jokes, poems; cartoon strips…. There’s no end to how you could

help. Get in touch through Facebook or email us on [email protected]

One day, a one dollar bill and a hundred dollar bill got folded together and began talking about their life experiences.

The hundred dollar bill began to brag:

"I've had a great life," he said. "I've been to all the big hotels, Donald Trump himself used me at his casino, I've been in the wallets of Fortune 500 board members, I've flown from one end of the country to the other! I've even been in the wallet of two Presidents of the United States, and once when Princess Diana visited the US, she used me to buy a packet of gum."

In awe, the dollar humbly responded, "Gee, nothing like that has ever happened to me, ...but I have been to church.. a lot!!!"

LESSONS FROM NOAH’S ARK

1. Don't miss the boat.

2. Remember that we are all in the same boat.

3. Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.

4. Stay fit. When you're 60 years old, someone may ask you to do something

really big.

5. Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.

6. Build your future on high ground.

7. For safety's sake, travel in pairs.

8. Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the

cheetahs.

9. When you're stressed, float awhile.

10. Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.

11. No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow

waiting