Shroro

The Syriac Orthodox Christian Digest - June, 2005

Annual Camp of the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Christian Youth Association in India

By Mr. Jerrin Joseph, Malankara Voice

The annual camp of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Youth Movement of India was held at the Manarcad St. Mary’s Cathedral, Kottayam, during May 27th - 29th. More than 1800 delegates from different dioceses of the State had registered for the 3 day camp.

The meeting was inaugurated by His Beatitude the Catholicos Aboon Mor Baselios Thomas I Bava, the head of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church of India and the Metropolitan Trustee of the Malankara Church Association.

Rev. Fr. Rejo Nirappukandom, the working president of the Youth Association made the welcome speech; the introductory speech was delivered by the President of the Youth Association H.E. Mathews Mor Ivanios (Kandanad).

The Holy Episcopal Synod Secretary H.E. Joseph Mor Gregorios made the presidential address. The Metropolitans, H.E. Geevarghese Mor Polycarpus (EAE), H.E. Thomas Mor Thimotheos (Kottayam & outside Kerala), H.E. Geevarghese Mor Divanasios (Manjanikkara), H.E. Yuhanon Mor Milithios (Kollam, Thumpamon) and H.E. Kuriakose Mor Theophilos (Seminary & Europe) also spoke during the inaugural session.

Felicitation messages were delivered by Smt. Mercy Ravi (Member of legislative Assembly), B.Gopakumar (Municipal Chairman, Kottayam), Smt. Susan Cherian (President, Manarcad Panchayath), Very Rev. Mathew P Elias Corepiscopo (Vicar, St. Mary’s Cathedral) and Rev. Fr. Kuriakose Kalayil, the chief coordinator of the camp. Vote of thanks was made by Sri C.V. Jose, the secretary of the Youth Association. Later the theme presentation was done by the President Metropolitan of the Association. The theme of the Youth Camp 2005 is “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation” (Mathew 26:41).

On Saturday (28th), special classes were held on different subjects by Rev. Fr. Dr. George Mathew Nalunnakkal, Prof. O M Mathew Oruvittithara and Shri Siji Antony. In the evening an interactive session was held for the delegates. The Member of Parliament Sri. K Premachandran, Police Superintend S Srijith IPS, Shri Santhosh George Kulangara, Dr. Dani Vincent MD and Adv. Philipson Mathews lead the session.

The annual camp ended on Sunday, 29th. The Chief Minister Oommen Chandy was the chief Guest of the closing session. The synod secretary H.E. Joseph Mor Gregorios Metropolitan presided. The district collector Srimati Rani George spoke on the occasion.

The camp leaders of this youth conference 2005 are Rev.Fr. Jose Paranayil (Kothamangalam), Rev.Fr. Joy Anakuzhi (Peruva), Rev.Fr. Mathew P George (Adoor), Rev.Fr. Shibu Kuttparichel (Malabar), Rev. Fr. Paul E Varghese (Omalloor) and Rev. Fr. Mathew Philip (Mepral). The reception committee headed by Fr. Rijo Nirappukandaom, Fr. Kuriokose Plaparambil, C V Jose, Manoj P V and Binoy Varghese worked very hard to make the annual camp of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Youth Association a great success.