The
Third European Family Conference
by Fr. Jomy Joseph
The Third European Family Conference of Malankara Syrian Orthodox Churches in Europe ends with a Nostalgic Memory.
The Third European Family Conference of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Churches in Europe was held on 2007 May 18 - 20 at Basel (St. Gregorio’s Nagar), Switzerland with the blessings of H.H. Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I was I, The Patriarch of Antioch, The supreme head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church and All the East, H.B. Aboon Mor Baselios Thomas, The Catholicose of the East and under the guidance and leadership of H.E. Dr. Mor Theophilose Kuriakose, Metropolitan and Patriarchal Vicar of Europe. St. Mary’s Syrian Orthodox Church Switzerland, one of the prominent MSO churches in Europe opened the red carpet for this years European Family Conference. Distinguished Guests from spiritual and secular arena have added colours to this mega event of oinonia. H.G. Mor Dionysius Isa Gurbuz Metropolitan`s Representative Very Rev. Elia Ramban, Mrs. Helena Jacob, Minister of Schwitz State (Switzerland) and Syrian Orthodox Church Member, Mr. Herald Rein (AGCK President - Christian Oragnisation), Mr. Stefan Denzler (IKFO President - Orthodox Organistaion) were attended and addressed the gathering. The priests in Europe - Rev. Fr. Eldhose Koungampillil ( U.K.), Rev. Fr. Geevarghese Thandayathu ( U.K.), Rev. Fr. Dr. Biji Chirathillattu, Rev. Fr. Biju Parekkattil ( Austria), Rev. Fr. Thomas Puthiyamadathil, Rev. Fr. Jobymon Skaria, Rev. Fr. Babu Alias ( Ireland) and Rev. Fr. Jomy Joseph (Switzerland) and the faithful from U.K., Ireland, Austria, Germany and Switzerland were attended the conference.
The family conference is specially designed to build and mould "Christian Households" in the busy European schedule. The three days conference was focussed on "Build Your Home Rooted in Christ." The eminent personalities Rev. Fr. Dr. Varghese Pulickan (Director of Family Apostolate, Cochin), Rev. Fr. Abey Mathew (U.A.E.) led the seminar and meditation respectively. There were classes on Faith, Tradition and Liturgy of the Syrian Orthodox Church by the priests of Europe. There were special sessions for the Youth and Sunday school children that which covered a wide range of interesting headings. The main attraction of this years conference was the All Europe Bible Quiz competition for churches and the winners were awarded Kakkattu Varghese Memorial Ever-Rolling Trophy
On Friday evening (18.05.07), H.G. Dr. Mor Theophilose Kuriakose hoisted the Patriarchal Flag in the St. Gregorios Nagar (Conference Centre, Basel) and there after the distinguished guests and participants were welcomed by the St. Mary’s Syrian Orthodox Church, Switzerland (hosting Church) to the Main Conference Hall by a procession. The
program started with the evening prayer led by the Metropolitan, assisted by Very. Rev. Elia Ramban and 10 priests. After the dinner, the public function has started under the presidential chairing of the Metropolitan. In his Presidential address, H.G. Dr. Mor
Theophilose emphasized the need of the hour - to build and mould "Model Household" so that we can uphold our Identity as Syrian Orthodox on one side and our rich tradition on another. So this is a platform in which we are handing over to our coming future - the legacy of Apostolic faith we are living with. Very Rev. Elia Ramban says. "The faithful of India has a great place in my heart, I regard as a privilege to be here in your midst and the union of families
in turn unite and strengthen the Church and Society at large." Later Very Rev. Elia Ramban inaugurated the gathering by lightening the lamp. In the felicitation, Mr. Herald Rein (AGCK - President) praised in heights the rich traditions of the Diaspora community of the Syrian Orthodox Church, their traditions and the family
conference will really become a model to root the families in this modern world were relations are just for sake. The first day ends with the self introduction of the participants
On Saturday (19.05.07), after the morning prayer in the Main Conference, Hall Fr. Dr. Varghese Pulickan starts with family counseling classes. It went on amphiphonically with
humor and thoughts extracted from Biblical images and events. At the same time, in other Halls, there were classes for Youth conducted by Rev. Fr. Dr. Biji Chirathillattu and for Sunday School children by Mr. Eldhose Palppath and Team. The afternoon session started with a class by Rev. Fr. Biju Parekkattil on "The Faith and Traditions of Syrian Orthodox Church", followed by All Europe Quiz Competition. 8 Teams participated in the
competition made the event a real "contest" and a breath taking finish by St. George Syrian Orthodox Congregation, Galway, Ireland, taken for the first time the Kakkattu Varghese Memorial Ever-Rolling Trophy. Then, Rev. Fr. Thomas Puthiyamadathil covered a session on "The Liturgy of Syrian Orthodox Church."
After the evening prayer, there were a Cultural Eve by the participant churches that which highlighted the folk values of Indian culture. The Cultural Eve was inaugurated jointly by Mrs. Helena Jacob (Schwitz State minister) and Mr. Stephan Denzler (IKFO - President). Mrs Helena Jacob has acknowledged her identity as Syrian Orthodox and "proud to be here with the children of same blood." Mr. Stefan Denzler has conveyed
his greetings and wishes for the event that which works for the betterment of the Church through families. Later the talents of young to old (is gold) came out in flying colors, performed in a real professional style, carved the Cultural Eve in the hearts of all who have gathered.
On Sunday (20.05.07), the meditation by Rev. Fr. Abey Mathew has taken the hearts to a "real moving" that which followed by Holy Confession. Then the Holy Qurbono was celebrated by H.E. Dr. Mor Theophilose Kuriakose. After
lunch, there was a plenary session and the official curtain down of the conference was by handing over the Patriarchal Flag to the next years hosting church - St. Gregorios Syrian Orthodox church, Dublin, Ireland
By Gods abundant grace and care, the Third European Family Conference of Malankara Syrian Orthodox Churches in Europe ends with a "Hearts-full experience and a renewing spirit." The intercession of St. Mary and St. Gregorios felt throughout the event that which even made the weather possible with bright sunny days. When the flag down after the conference, all the participants set out to their respective destinations with a hope that they can meet in Dublin, Ireland on 2008.
The Malankara Syrian Orthodox Churches in Europe is a Diaspora community from India scattered over U.K., Ireland, Austria, Germany and Switzerland. Under the dynamic leadership of H.E. Dr. Mor Theophilose Kuriakose, the Metropolitan and Patriarchal
Vicar for Europe, there are 14 churches, 8 congregations and Prayer Fellowships function under this umbrella and 10 priests are ministering around. A council comprising of churches headed by the Metropolitan is the regulatory body
which is accounted for the day to day life of MSOC in Europe.
