‘Brahmavar’ is term by which each and every Orthodox Christian in
Orthodox Christmas in January?
3 years ago
Saturday, April 25, 2009
The Brahmavar Revisited
Friday, April 24, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Monastery dispute continues
| Dispute over Syriac monastery turns into international row | |||
| A long-standing land dispute between the Syriacs of Midyat, a district in the southeastern province of Mardin, and the local village heads has finally turned into a legal battle attracting international attention. | |||
 The disagreement has been closely monitored by the European Union for some time, and US President Barack Obama also got involved in the dispute after he received a letter from the German Syriac diaspora on the matter and assigned one of his aides to follow the developments, effectively making the small district's land dispute a matter of international concern. The opposing sides, the Syriacs and the local Muslim village heads, are battling over the land on which the Syriac Mor Gabriel Monastery stands. Sources say Interior Minister Beşir Atalay will visit Mardin on March 24 to mediate between the two sides. The source of the conflict over the monastery, between the Syriacs and three villages in the region, started in 2008, when the Land Registry General Directorate redrew the boundaries of the land around Mor Gabriel and the surrounding villages. At the end of the re-demarcation, the General Directorate established that 244 out of the 1,227 hectares of land on which Mor Gabriel stands belong to the Treasury, while 285 hectares qualify as "woodland." The Mor Gabriel Monastery Foundation built walls around the land and the forested area years ago.
The three villages, on the other hand, would like to see the monastery’s five-kilometer wall brought down as they say their animals used to graze on the land. The village heads consequently applied to court, but observers say their action was manipulated by some to appear as a Muslim-Christian conflict. The Syriac priests also filed complaints against the villagers, saying that the monastery’s vast lands have been their property for centuries and have been illegally added to village land by the villagers. The first session of the court proceedings was heard in Mardin on April 4. The EU sent a delegation to investigate the situation, and representives from the Swiss Embassy in Ankara attended the court session on April 4. Realizing the international dimension the issue has now taken on, the government has decided to re-examine all the historical land registry records of the area; however, the process will be lengthy, which makes it unlikely that the court, which adjourned until April 22, can make a ruling any time soon. Although the EU has a number of representatives following the case, they are avoiding making statements until the court issues a ruling.
The government also has plans to send a representative to the region at the ministerial level and issue title to the Syriacs for the Treasury land, as historically, they have not held title to it. This move aims to send out the message to foreign observers that the Turkish state has nothing against the Syriacs. Justice and Development Party (AK Party) deputy from Mardin Cüneyt Yüksel says this will be the first time in history that title to property will be issued to a Syriac community. “This has now become a judicial issue. The judiciary in Turkey is independent. The court ruling will now decide who the 285 hectares of land belongs to. Each side will present the information and documents they have. The existence of the 1,600-year-old monastery is extremely important for Turkey. Our only aim is to make sure that this conflict is resolved peacefully. The ceremony at which we’ll turn over title to the land will be an opportunity for us to mediate between the two sides. We are not taking sides, but we will do whatever we can for the villagers and the Mor Gabriel Foundation to reconcile this issue.” Syriac legacyThe Syriacs, whose numbers today are in the 20,000s, are a Christian group who speak Aramaic. However, they are also Turkey’s only Christian group who were not given minority status in the Lausanne Treaty of 1923. This is why they weren’t able to continue their own religious education after the establishment of the republic; many of them had to migrate to Europe. In addition to the land dispute, the villagers accuse the monastery of conducting missionary work in the area. There are groups in the area who are trying to manipulate the initial disagreement, which started out as a land dispute over grazing rights and has turned into a Muslim-Christian conflict. The monastery’s priests say, however, that the villagers, by claiming even the land on which their monastery stands, are trying to completely destroy the country’s Syriacs, whose numbers have already greatly decreased. Speaking to Today’s Zaman about the conflict, the head of the Mor Gabriel Foundation, Kuryakos Ergün, said the villagers were being manipulated by some circles. Highlighting the fact that they had never had any disputes with the local villages over the centuries they have lived together, Ergün also said the demarcation in the area giving 244 hectares to the Treasury was also very unfair. “We have been here for 1,600 years. There are tax records from the Ottoman era. We have paid taxes for this land, but there is no document showing that the land belongs to those villagers. Documents and tax statements from 1937 and 1938 clearly show that this land was within the boundaries of the monastery. We have always had a friendly relationship with the Muslims here; we want this problem to be solved peacefully. But if it doesn’t work, we’ll appeal to the European Court of Human Rights.” Currently, 35 Syriac students are being trained at the Mor Gabriel Monastery, which was restored in the 1920s. The monastery teaches Aramaic classes as well as general courses about Syriac beliefs. Mor Gabriel annually hosts 100,000 visitors from the Turkish-Syriac diaspora, most of whom live in Germany and Sweden. In the neighborhood of 50,000 Syriacs from Syria also visit the monastery annually. Info note from Mardin deputyThe AK Party’s depurty from Mardin Yüksel, who recently prepared an information note for the European Parliament on the dispute, told Today’s Zaman that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was also closely following any developments. “We are trying to convince the villagers to take back their case. This will certainly be resolved peacefully.” Yüksel continued, “We should keep this from turning into an international crisis. The government and the state are not on the side of anyone in this fight -- this should be clearly understood -- which is why we want the sides to withdraw their complaints following the minister’s visit to Mardin.” The information note Yüksel submitted to the European Parliament as well as to the US administration about the monastery states the following: “There are four pending lawsuits regarding the Mor Gabriel Monastery in Midyat County of the city of Mardin. The first pending lawsuit is a public case brought by the surrounding villages on the grounds that walls were built around the Monastery incorporating the forest area. The second lawsuit has been brought by the people of the village where the Monastery is located against the surrounding two villages in order to determine the administrative borders of the village concerned. The third lawsuit has been brought by the Monastery against the Treasury to object to the forest land registry. The forth lawsuit has been brought by the Treasury lawyers of the Midyat Revenue Department against the Monastery Foundation at the Cadastre Court. It has been determined that Mor Gabriel Monastery has violated 285,000 square meters of public area. The legal proceedings concerning the four lawsuits continue. Nobody may interfere in the affairs of the Turkish independent court; therefore, waiting for the decision of the courts concerned will serve the best interests of all parties. The lawsuit is concerned with the problem of determining the ownership of the land located around the Monastery. Hence, allegations stating that the Monastery will be closed by the Turkish authorities or it will be turned into a museum are groundless and do not reflect the realities of this case. We sincerely regret the allegations stating that the lawsuits have been brought in order to put pressure on the Christian minorities and terminate the activities of the Monastery. All of these allegations are baseless.” | |||
| 18.04.2009 | |||
| News | |||
| ERCAN YAVUZ | |||
source: http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=172789&bolum=100#
Paper, Scissors, Stone
Paper, Scissors, Stone
An executive's salary for working with paper
beats the wage in a metal shop operating shears
which beats what a gardener earns arranging stone.
But the pay for a surgeon's use of scissors
is larger than that of a heavy equipment driver removing stone
which in turn beats a secretary's cheque for handling paper.
And, a geologist's hours with stone
nets more than a teacher's with paper
and definitely beats someone's time in a garment factory with scissors.
In addition: to manufacture paper
you need stone to extract metal to fabricate scissors
to cut the product to size.
To make scissors you must have paper to write out the specs
and a whetstone to sharpen the new edges.
Creating gravel, you require the scissor-blades of the crusher
and lots of order forms and invoices at the office.
Thus I believe there is a connection
between things
and not at all like the hierarchy of winners
of a child's game.
When a man starts insisting
he should be paid more than me
because he's more important to the task at hand,
I keep seeing how the whole process collapses
if almost any one of us is missing.
When a woman claims she deserves more money
because she went to school longer,
I remember the taxes I paid to support her education.
Should she benefit twice?
Then there's the guy who demands extra
because he has so much seniority
and understands his work so well
he has ceased to care, does as little as possible,
or refuses to master the latest techniques
the new-hires are required to know.
Even if he's helpful and somehow still curious
after his many years—
Without a machine to precisely measure
how much sweat we each provide
or a contraption hooked up to electrodes in the brain
to record the amount we think,
my getting less than him
and more than her
makes no sense to me.
Surely whatever we do at the job
for our eight hours—as long as it contributes—
has to be worth the same.
And if anyone mentions
this is a nice idea but isn't possible,
consider what we have now:
everybody dissatisfied, continually grumbling and disputing.
No, I'm afraid it's the wage system that doesn't function
except it goes on
and will
until we set to work to stop it
with paper, with scissors, and with stone.
source: http://writersalmanac.publicradio.org/
Editor's Note: One of my favorite program on NPR is Garrison Keillor's Writers Almanac. You can listen to Garrrsion reading of Tom Wayman's poem here: http://download.publicradio.org/podcast/writers_almanac/2009/04/twa_20090422_64.mp3
My plan is to print this out and post in the computer room of our employment program. And perhaps it would be good to add to the next mailing by the Mor Gregorios Community Center for help with our programs.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas - Many Years
| |
 |
oran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, the 122nd successor to St. Peter in the Apostolic See of Antioch, completed 25 years in the Patriarchal See on the day of the Feast of Holy Cross, 2005. The Universal Syrian Church with its flocks spread over many nations, celebrates this unique historic occasion, of His Holiness's Silver Jubilee of the Patriarchal enthronement, with great fervour and enthusiasm. It was on September 14, 1980, the Holy father was enthroned as the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and the Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church. He is one of the very few primates of the Syrian Church who have been in the Patriarchal office for an entire quarter of a century. As a true Shepherd, His Holiness has led the Holy Church to greater glories in these years of his Patriarchal See.
His Holiness was born on April 21, 1933 into the faithful family of 'Iwas' in Mosul, Iraq. He was born as the fourth child and was named 'Seenaherib' (name of the father of St. Behnam). His Holiness had three brothers and three sisters. The forbears of Patriarch Zakka, the Iwas family, originally belonged to Jessera on Tigris; they migrated to Mosul about three hundred years ago. Some of his ancestors adorned very important posts in the Kingdom. His grand father has received an award from King Faisal I of Iraq for his excellence in his job as Chief craftsmen and architect of the State.
The father of His Holiness, Basheer Iwas, who graduated from the University in Istanbul, the then capital of Ottoman Empire, later became a Professor in the Military Engineering College there. A faithful member of Church, he was very enthusiastic in attending the Church Services regularly and also inspired others to follow his path. It was his ardent desire to mould one of his sons as a priest to serve the Holy Church. After a few years of teaching, he left for his home state in Iraq where he started a wood-working factory of his own. But unfortunately, misfortune struck the family a few years later; Basheer Iwas died of a Cardiac arrest. His Holiness was only 10 at that time. Two years later in 1945, his wife, the mother of His Holiness, also passed away. Thus the young Seenaherib, who later came to be known as Zakka, becomes parentless at a tender age of 12.
Ecclesiastical life & Graduation
After the death of his parents, Young Zakka decided to enter into the ecclesiastical life, thus fulfilling the wishes of his beloved father. But then some of his family members who felt bad about the parentless child being dragged into difficult circumstances, tried to discourage him. However our holy father, who from the age of six dreamt of becoming a monk, remained determined in his choice which finally paved the way for the family too to comply with his decision. Thus he joined the St. Ephrem Theological Seminary in Mosul in 1946 at the age of 13 and was henceforth came to be called 'Zakka'.
On November 28, 1948, young Zakka was ordained 'Koroyoo' (Deacon) by H. E. Mor Athanasius Touma Kasseer and on February 8, 1953, he was elevated to the rank of 'Afodyaknoh' (Half Deacon) by H.E. Mor Gregorios Paulos Behnam. The very next year he graduated with a diploma from the seminary.
June 6, 1954, is an important date in the life of His Holiness. The Holy father accepted the order of monastic life on that day. He was then 21. It was Mor Gregorios Paulos Behnam who ordained him Rabban (monk). His Holiness recalls this as a very special day in his life. He used to say that he always felt the God caring him greatly though his parents left him in his childhood; he prayed to God and He cared him greatly.
On December 18, 1955, the new monk was promoted to the rank of full deacon by H.E. Mor Divanasious Jirges Behanam. In the year 1955, he joined the Patriarchal Staff in Homs as an assistant to the Patriarchal Secretary.
Young Zakka's performance in schools was always excellent; he consistently scored high marks. His elementary education was in the schools at the Al-Tahra Al-Dakhilyah's church (Our Lady's church) and Mor Touma's school (St.Thomas school) at Mosul. In 1957 he graduated from the college with 97 % of marks. Thus he completed his studies with success on the fields of history, philosophy, theology and church-law. He advanced in Syriac, Arabic and English languages, and received diplomas in each of these fields.
Soon after the graduation, he joined the faculty of the seminary where he taught Syriac, Arabic and the Bible. Little later, Rabban Zakka was called to the Patriarchate by the then Patriarch of Antioch Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem I, one of the most erudite scholars and efficient administrators the Church has seen in modern times. Rabban Zakka became the second, and later the first, Secretary to the Patriarch. After the demise of Moran Mor Aprem I, he continued as First Secretary to the new Patriarch, Moran Mor Ya`qub III.
On November 17, 1957, Patriarch Mor Ya`qub III ordained him a priest. On April 15, 1959, the Patriarch decorated him with ‘the Holy cross of the grand monk’.
From 1955 to 1958 Rabban Zakka studied journalism as a part-time student and took a diploma in journalism. In 1960, he joined the General Theological College of the Episcopal Church in New York in the United States, where he studied oriental languages, philosophy and pastoral theology and mastered in the English language. The college, later in 1983, offered His Holiness an Honorary Doctorate in theology.
Rabban Zakka travelled widely, both on his own and in the company of Patriarch Ya`qub III. He was at that time fortunate to visit all the countries in the Middle East and the America. In 1962 and 1963 he was delegated by the late Patriarch to attend the two Sessions of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council as an observer. It was while at the Vatican that he was called to the Episcopal office.
Metropolitan
On November 17, 1963, Rabban Zakka was ordained Metropolitan by the Patriarch Mor Ya`qub III for the Mosul Archbishopric with title 'Severious'. Thus he came to be known as Mor Severios Zakka.
The very next year in 1964 he visited India along with the Patriarch where he participated in the Universal Synod of the Syrian Orthodox Church, held in Kottayam. He later assisted the Patriarch Mor Ya`qub III during the consecration of the first canonical Catholicos of Malankara, Mor Baselios Augen I, on May 21, 1964.
Discovery of St. Thomas relic
On September 1, 1964, during the renovation of the Madboho of the ancient St.Thomas Church at Mosul, Mor Severious Zakka discovered the remains of Apostle Thomas in the sanctuary wall. It was a memorable event in the Episcopal life of the Holy Father. In the first sermon of the Holy father when he visited India as Patriarch of Antioch in 1982 he said, “When we think of St. Thomas, our heart is particularly thrilled because we are very closely connected to St. Thomas. Even though St. Thomas enjoyed his martyrdom here in India, and was entombed in Mylapore, we were the Metropolitan of the church in which the holy relics of St. Thomas have been kept for the past many centuries. One day, unexpectedly, by the grace of God, we were led to reveal the Holy Relics of St. Thomas once again to humanity. It was unknown to the present generation, as to where the holy relic of St. Thomas was kept. But in 1964, according to the will of God, we were able to discover the Holy Relics which were kept in the walls of the sanctuary of our St. Thomas’ church in Mosul, Iraq which is the Cathedral church of our Archdiocese of Mosul.”
A portion of this Holy relic discovered by Mor Severios Zakka was presented to Malankara Church when Catholicos Mor Augen I paid a visit to the Patriarchate in 1965. In 1994, a small portion of the Holy Relic was again presented to Malankara to be kept at the ancient Mulanthuruthy Marthoman Church which is known as the 2nd Jerusalem of the Syrian Church. Three fathers of the Syrian Church who arrived from Near East were entombed in this church. The Holy Mooron was consecrated in this church once by Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Abded 'Aloho, in 1911. This ancient church has also been the venue for two historical Synods of the Malankara Church, one in 1876 and the other in 2004; both were held under the auspices of the Patriarchs of Antioch.
Involvement in Ecumenical movements
In 1965, Mor Severios Zakka attended the Pan Orthodox meet at Adis Ababa. He was one of the 15 theologians from all over the world who met for the unofficial consultations between Oriental and Eastern Orthodox theologians in August 1964 and later. In 1968 Mor Severios attended the Lambeth Palace Conference as an observer. He participated in the consultation between Oriental and Eastern theologians, held again, in Geneva in 1970.
In 1969 Mor Severios assumed the charge of Baghdad & Basra Archdioceses. During this period he also served as the Head of Syriac Studies and a member of the educational academy in Bagdad. In the same year he was appointed to the membership of “Academy of Iraq Culture” and to the presidency of “Academy of Syrian Language and Culture”, besides being the Chairman of its Syriac Section and an honorary member of the pro-Oriente Organization in Vienna, Austria. In 1972 he was in Pro-Orinete, Vienna, to give a lecture on “The Church and the Ecumenical Synod.” Next year he addressed them again, this time on “What makes a Council legitimate and acceptable.” The topic of his address at the Pro-Orinete in 1976 was “The need for, and signs of, communion between local churches.” Following that he was granted their Fellowship. He was also given the rare privilege of preaching in St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Vienna, in the presence of the Cardinal and other Roman Catholic dignitaries, the first Syrian Orthodox Bishop to be so honoured. In 1976, 1978 and 1979 he served as a consultant on the Pontifical Commission for revision of Oriental Canon Law in the Roman Catholic Church.
At Nairobi in 1975 Mor Severios was elected to the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches, which position he held till his enthronement as Patriarch in 1980. From 1995 onwards, His Holiness the Patriarch, is one of the Presidents of the World Council of Churches.
Major contributions
The Holy father who has an Honorary Doctor’s Degree in Syriac Literature from Sweden (Institute of Oriental Studies) and Diploma in Theology, Philosophy and Canon Law, has many works to his credit. He has published a series of text books for use in Christian schools. Some of his other major works are ‘Doctrine of Incarnation and Salvation’, ‘The Seven Sacraments’ (co-authored with Metropolitan Haksaka), ‘Yakoub III: Life and Apostolic Visit to Middle East and Latin America’, ‘Apostolic Visit of Yacoub III to North America’, ‘The Dove by Bar Ebraya, transalation from Syriac to Arabic, with footnotes and a foreword on the theme of monastic life’, ‘Mor Aphrem the Syrian’ (published by the Ministry of Information, Government of Iraq, in 1974 on the occasion of St. Aphrem’s Jubilee), ‘Mor Jacob of Edessa’ (633-708 AD), ‘Mor Dionysius Talmahari’ (ninth century), ‘Story of Seven Sleepers-a perspective from Syriac Sources’, ‘Syrian Orthodox Church through the Ages’, ‘Syriac literature in the sixth century’, ‘Bar Hibarius’. Among his important addresses includes “Syrian Orthodox Church and Ecumenical Movement”, “Position and Role of Women in the Church”, “Religious Virtues and Family Welfare”.
Additional charges as Metropolitan
As Metropolitan of Mosul the Holy Father took special interest in youth activities. Under him, the diocese flourished spiritually and materially. In 1967 he was given additional charge of the European Diocese. In 1969 he was transferred to the Archdiocese of Baghdad and Basra, perhaps the most prestigious archbishopric in the Middle East. In Baghdad he built churches and opened secondary schools and high schools. As in Mosul, in Baghdad also he took keen interest in the spiritual life of the youth.
Following the demise of H.E. Thimotheos Yacoub, Metropolitan Mor Severious Zakka was given the additional charge of the ancient monastery of St. Mathew (Mor Mattai Dayro) in Iraq. In 1976, he was appointed as the Metropolitan of Middle Europe and Scandinavian countries and in 1978 Mor Severios Zakka was given additional responsibility for the new diocese in Australia. He consecrated several churches and organized congregations in Melbourne, Sydney and a few other places.
On June 26, 1980, the Patriarch Mor Ya`qub III passed away and was entombed at the St. George Cathedral, Damascus. Consequent to this, the Episcopal Synod was called to choose the new successor to the Apostolic See. The Holy Synod held on July 11, 1980, with His Beatitude the Catholicos of the East Mor Baselios Paulose II in the chair, unanimously elected Mor Severios Zakka, Archbishop of Baghdad and Basra as the new Patriarch of Antioch and All the East. This marked the beginning of a new era in the history of the Church.
Patriarchal Enthronement
On September 14, 1980, Mor Severios was installed as the 122nd Patriarch of Antioch & all the East, by name IGNATIUS ZAKKA I, in a rite officiated by the late lamented Catholicos of the East Aboon Mor Baselios Paulose II, along with the archbishops of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church. It was for the first time in the history of the Universal Syrian Church that the chief celebrant for the Patriarchal enthronement was an Indian.
Since that blessed day, the Syrian Orthodox Church has witnessed a remarkable revival through the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the pastoral care of H. H. Ignatius Zakka I Iwas. The 25 years of Mor Ignatius Zakka's Patriarchate have been eventful and significant. In his very first address after adorning the Patriarchate, he stressed the need for a major seminary and centre for the Church. This was a great dream of the new Patriarch. The Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate after moving from the Monastery of Mor Hananyo (Deir ez-Za`faran/Kurkumo Dayro) in Turkey, to Syria in the last century, lacked a proper centre in the new circumstances. It was the Holy fathers' vision that filled this gap. He acquired extensive lands, about 20 miles away from Old Damascus, where he built a magnificent Seminary with all facilities for theological students, accommodations for the visiting dignitaries, residence of the Patriarch etc.. Though officially, the Patriarchate still functions in the St. George Cathedral, Bab Touma, in the city of Damascus, His Holiness resides at the Mor Ephrem Seminary in Ma`arat Sayyidnaya, in the suburb of Damascus, Syria.
The Church which was in turmoil for a while because of persecution, is now witnessing a revival with establishment of churches and institutions in all parts of the world where the Syrian Christians has migrated. The largest congregation of the Church outside the Middle East and India is now situated at Germany where about 100,000 Syrian Orthodox Christians has settled. Similarly the Church has grown to other nations like Holland, Australia, USA, Canada and South America. And in all such countries, Monasteries, churches and other institutions have come up. Young bishops selected and ordained by the Holy father increased the pace of growth in all these places.
Despite his busy schedule, His Holiness has written many articles on a variety of subjects, in Syriac, Arabic and English. Selected articles and sermons of the Holy Father is to be published soon by the St. George Church, Chicago.
Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East offering Holy Qurbono
on 2nd April 2000 at the first church of Antioch, established by St. Peter in A.D.37
Another major achievement of the Holy Father is his close relationship with the other Churches and communities. The relationship with the Roman Catholic and the Byzantine Orthodox Churches were rewritten during his tenure. The Oriental Orthodox family came closer. From 1998, heads of the 3 Oriental Churches in Middle East - the Syrian Orthodox Church, the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Armenian Apostolic Church (Catholicosate of Cilicia, Antelias, Lebanon) - meet regularly every year; two of such meetings were held at our Seminary in Ma`arat Sayyidnaya. Another meeting of the heads of Oriental Churches will soon meet in December again at the Mor Ephrem Seminary. For many decades, the Church is involved in the activities of the World Council of Churches in which both Episcopal and Non-Episcopal Churches are members. The Holy Father is now one of the honorary Presidents of the World Council.
The apostolic visits of His Holiness to India in 1982, 2002, 2004 and 2008, and to the various Archdioceses in the Middle East, Americas and Europe have been most successful. It was during the 2004 apostolic visit, the Holy father consecrated the new headquarters of the Church in India in co-operation with His Beatitude the Catholicos and the Metropolitans.
On July 26th 2002, His Holiness installed the then president of the Episcopal Synod of Indian Church, the 'CATHOLICOS' (Maphryono), with the name 'Baselios Thomas I'. This was a historic moment for the Church in India. The new Catholicos was consecrated as the successor to the late Mor Baselios Paulose II who led the patriarchal enthronement ceremony of His Holiness in 1980. Now the Holy Synod of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church consists of 59 prelates besides the Patriarch and the Catholicos, of which 35 prelates were ordained by our Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka-I Iwas.
| Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate Bab Toma, P.O.Box 22260, Damascus, Syria Tel. (963) 11 543-2401 / 543-5918 Fax (963) 11 543-2400 | St. Aphrem Monastery, |
|
|
Biography of the Holy father prepared by
John Philip Kottapparambil, India - email: johnphilipsk@gmail.com
|
|
External Links:
1. PRIMATES OF THE UNIVERSAL SYRIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH - http://SyrianChurch.org
2. CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF PATRIARCHS OF ANTIOCH & ALL THE EAST - http://sor.cua.edu
3. Brochure compiled by V. REV. FR. BOUTROS TOUMA ISSA in honour of PATRIARCH MORAN MOR IGNATIUS ZAKKA I IWAS in Aug 2005 References:http://www.geocities.com/s_o_c_a1/HH002.htm
http://www.geocities.com/s_o_c_a1/
http://www.geocities.com/s_o_c_a2/
(Slide show on the H.H. Patriarch's Consecration Silver Jubilee, Presented by St. Ephraim Syrian Orthodox church of Antioch, Perth - Western Australia)
2. Dr. D Babu Paul, 'Veni Vidi Vici' (1982)
4. Very Rev. P P Joseph Corepiscopo Pulikaparambil, Biography of H.H. Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East.
(New Delhi St. Peter's church Souvenir, 1995-96)
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Tax time - What are you doing with your refund?
Christ is risen! Indeed He has!
For those here in America, this past week was a time to send off your tax return for this year’s taxes. Did you know that last year, more than 133 million taxpayers got refunds, and this year the IRS expects an average return of $2,733! However, my experience here at the Mor Gregorios Community Center has not lead me to meet many, if any, who are expecting this amount for their return. In fact they are not expecting any return.
The principle program at the Community Center is the employment program. People are able to file their unemployment claims and weekly reports here. There are also unemployment support groups, help preparing resumes, doing job searches, and many other work related activities.
Tithing is a challenge in these hard economic times, but why not try it out by giving the first 10% of your tax refund to help the Mor Gregorios Community Center make a difference in this lives of your friends and neighbors?
Just think, if you are getting the average tax return of $2,733, ten percent is only $273.30. But this donation of unexpected money, money you have lived without all year long, could help provide:
Donating 10% of your tax refund to the Mor Gregorios Community Center, or even donating all of it, will not only make a difference immediately, it could change a life!
If you are getting impatient wondering where your refund is, the IRS has made it easy to track refunds so you can plan ahead for your donation. You must wait at least one week if you filed electronically, or 28 days if you mailed it. To find your refund, visit the IRS Web site or call them 1-800-829-1954. You must have your social security number, your filing status, and the refund amount.
Thanks for considering making a 10% donation of your refund check to the Mor Gregorios Community Center to help make a difference in the lives of your friends and neighbors!
You can make a difference in the lives of your friends and neighbors. You are called by God to do just that. To discover how you can help, email us at monastery@synesius.com, or call the Mor Gregorios Community Center and St. Mary the Protectress Syriac Orthodox Church at 574-540-2048. You will make a difference in someone’s life.
Yours in Christ,
Father Theodosius
For those here in America, this past week was a time to send off your tax return for this year’s taxes. Did you know that last year, more than 133 million taxpayers got refunds, and this year the IRS expects an average return of $2,733! However, my experience here at the Mor Gregorios Community Center has not lead me to meet many, if any, who are expecting this amount for their return. In fact they are not expecting any return.
The principle program at the Community Center is the employment program. People are able to file their unemployment claims and weekly reports here. There are also unemployment support groups, help preparing resumes, doing job searches, and many other work related activities.
Tithing is a challenge in these hard economic times, but why not try it out by giving the first 10% of your tax refund to help the Mor Gregorios Community Center make a difference in this lives of your friends and neighbors?
Just think, if you are getting the average tax return of $2,733, ten percent is only $273.30. But this donation of unexpected money, money you have lived without all year long, could help provide:
- Food for the hungry
- Occupation for the jobless
- Clothing for the naked
- Understanding for the hopeless
- Shelter for the homeless
Donating 10% of your tax refund to the Mor Gregorios Community Center, or even donating all of it, will not only make a difference immediately, it could change a life!
If you are getting impatient wondering where your refund is, the IRS has made it easy to track refunds so you can plan ahead for your donation. You must wait at least one week if you filed electronically, or 28 days if you mailed it. To find your refund, visit the IRS Web site or call them 1-800-829-1954. You must have your social security number, your filing status, and the refund amount.
Thanks for considering making a 10% donation of your refund check to the Mor Gregorios Community Center to help make a difference in the lives of your friends and neighbors!
1 Chronicles 29:13-14
13 “Now therefore, our God,
We thank You
And praise Your glorious name.
14 But who am I, and who are my people,
That we should be able to offer so willingly as this?
For all things come from You,
And of Your own we have given You."
You can make a difference in the lives of your friends and neighbors. You are called by God to do just that. To discover how you can help, email us at monastery@synesius.com, or call the Mor Gregorios Community Center and St. Mary the Protectress Syriac Orthodox Church at 574-540-2048. You will make a difference in someone’s life.
Yours in Christ,
Father Theodosius
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Last True Rebellion
Christ has risen! Indeed He has. He desended into Hell, defeating death by death, and to those in the tombs bringing life.Find out what the last true rebellion is all about.
Join us in worshiping and praising God every Sunday starting at 10 am. St. Mary the Protectress Syriac Orthodox Church is located on the corner of Oak Hill and Michigan Street, in the A-frame building across from Webster Elementary School, at 1000 South Michigan Street, Plymouth, Indiana. Coffee, homemade soup and bread, and fellowship follows.
We are a community for people who gave given up on church. Our walk is to show all people the unconditional love and grace of Jesus without any reservations due to their lifestyle or religion, past or present. This love has no agenda behind it. This grace set no time line or standards for spiritual growth. The idea is to be a part of people's lives because we truly care for them, not as a religious duty. Religion can become a false perception of holiness that focuses on law and kills the true message of Christ Jesus.
Many of us struggle with hurts, habits and addictions - either our own or those of someone close to us. Many just struggle with life itself. We're a safe place for people to find healing for the past and hope for the future. If you're tired of having your past control your present, join us, because everyone deserves a second chance.
If you would like directions, email us at monastery@synesius.com, or call the parish and community center at 574-540-2048.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
"justice for all" ?
In the US the economic crisis is hurting all kinds of public services - including the country's criminal justice system.
And it is the poorest people who are feeling the most pain, as those who usually defend them in court, the public defenders, are quitting their jobs.
Al Jazeera's Nick Spicer reports from Miami, Florida on the crisis.
"Tell Me Why"
I young girl came in with her father today to the Mor Gregorios Community Center's employment program, She asked we the same question this young boy sings about in his song in this video, "Why?" The young girl girl wanted to know why her father can not find a job.
Do you have an answer to their question? Let us ask another question: Why are you not helping make a difference in the lives of your friends and neighbors?
You can make a difference. God calls us to do just that. To discover how you can make a difference, email us at monastery@synesius.com, or call the community center and parish at 574-540-2048. Do it right now, before it is too later.
We need your help today
If you have heard about the unemployment news this morning, you may have gotten the wrong impression that things are getting better. Yes in some areas the unemployment rate went down from last month. But let’s take a real look at those figures closer to home, at least the homes served by the Mor Gregorios Community Center.
Last month in Marshal County, Indiana, where the Community Center is located, March’s unemployment rate was 14.3 percent. And yes that is less than February’s. February’s unemployment rate was 14.9 percent. Let see, if I did my math right that means that March’s rate is four tenths of a percent less than February. And last year the unemployment rate in Marshall County was only 6.1 percent.
The real story is on the faces of the people who come in for the Community Center’s employment program. There are also more people coming in every week.
The Mor Gregorios Community Center also serves the neighboring counties of Starke and Fulton. In Starke County the unemployment rate last month was 14.8 percent, and in Fulton County the rate was 12.7 percent.
We know that we are making a difference in the lives of your friends and neighbors. We are called by God to do just that. So are you. Several people have help us and have made a difference. Computers and other equipment, time has been volunteered to listen and help, and a few dollars have been donated. Every donation, every prayer is important. No matter how small the donation, you have been remembered at all of the parish’s services. And almost every day someone tells us to thank all those who have donated time, and money, and equipment. So, from those we serve, “Thank you!”
But we need more help. We need help in meeting our overhead. If the electric goes off, the computers don’t work. If the computer’s don’t work our consumers can not file their unemployment claims, prepare their resumes, apply online for new jobs. I short, they are not able to put food on their families table.
We have been able to pay for the internet connect this month, but there is still an unpaid utility bill...the heat, the lights, the computers.
Your help is needed to help make a difference in the lives of your friends and neighbors. To discover how you can make a difference, email us at monastery@synesius.com, or call the Mor Gregorios Community Center and St. Mary’s Church at 574-540-2048.
And please, please keep our work and those we serve in your prayers. In the eyes of every person who walks in the doors of the Mor Gregorios Community Center we see Jesus. If you were here, so would you. So can you look into the eyes of Christ, smile, turn away, and just not help?
Last month in Marshal County, Indiana, where the Community Center is located, March’s unemployment rate was 14.3 percent. And yes that is less than February’s. February’s unemployment rate was 14.9 percent. Let see, if I did my math right that means that March’s rate is four tenths of a percent less than February. And last year the unemployment rate in Marshall County was only 6.1 percent.
The real story is on the faces of the people who come in for the Community Center’s employment program. There are also more people coming in every week.
The Mor Gregorios Community Center also serves the neighboring counties of Starke and Fulton. In Starke County the unemployment rate last month was 14.8 percent, and in Fulton County the rate was 12.7 percent.
We know that we are making a difference in the lives of your friends and neighbors. We are called by God to do just that. So are you. Several people have help us and have made a difference. Computers and other equipment, time has been volunteered to listen and help, and a few dollars have been donated. Every donation, every prayer is important. No matter how small the donation, you have been remembered at all of the parish’s services. And almost every day someone tells us to thank all those who have donated time, and money, and equipment. So, from those we serve, “Thank you!”
But we need more help. We need help in meeting our overhead. If the electric goes off, the computers don’t work. If the computer’s don’t work our consumers can not file their unemployment claims, prepare their resumes, apply online for new jobs. I short, they are not able to put food on their families table.
We have been able to pay for the internet connect this month, but there is still an unpaid utility bill...the heat, the lights, the computers.
Your help is needed to help make a difference in the lives of your friends and neighbors. To discover how you can make a difference, email us at monastery@synesius.com, or call the Mor Gregorios Community Center and St. Mary’s Church at 574-540-2048.
And please, please keep our work and those we serve in your prayers. In the eyes of every person who walks in the doors of the Mor Gregorios Community Center we see Jesus. If you were here, so would you. So can you look into the eyes of Christ, smile, turn away, and just not help?
Help and help today!
Look at all the dark blue ink! The bluer it is, the more unemployed friends and neighbors there are. These are your friends and neighbor. These are the people served by the Mor Gregorios Community Center. And we need your help to continue to help.
To discover how you can hlep, email us at monastery@synesius.com, or call the center and parish at 574-540-2048.
And please keep the Mor Gregorios Community Center and all who we serve in your prayers.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Facebook Visible Vote Instructional Video Part 2
Visible Vote is a new Facebook application that has the goal of making government Transparent and Accountable to the American People. For more information please go to: http://www.facebook.com/apps/applicat...
Facebook Visible Vote Instructional Video Part 1
Want your representative to know your opinion? Visible Vote is a new Facebook application that has the goal of making government Transparent and Accountable to the American People. For more information please go to: http://www.facebook.com/apps/applicat...
Poem "I am Israel"
Greetings from Taybeh!
With the frustration of having another visitor denied a visa entry to Israel, I thought to share this poem received from Peter Shanab, Holylanders Association for Preservation of Christian Heritage. May you have many blessings during this very sacred and holy time of year, in Christ, maria
With the frustration of having another visitor denied a visa entry to Israel, I thought to share this poem received from Peter Shanab, Holylanders Association for Preservation of Christian Heritage. May you have many blessings during this very sacred and holy time of year, in Christ, maria
I am Israel By Hashem Said
The Daily - Washington State University,
Feb. 25, 2002
I am Israel - I came to a land without a people for a people without a land. Those people who happened to be here, had no right to be here, and my people showed them they had to leave or die, razing 480 Palestinian villages to the ground, erasing their history.
I am Israel - some of my people committed massacres and later became Prime Ministers to represent me. In 1948, Menachem Begin was in charge of the unit that slaughtered the inhabitants of Deir Yassin, including 100 men, women, and children. In 1953, Ariel Sharon led the slaughter of the inhabitants of Qibya, and in 1982 arranged for our allies to butcher around 2,000 in the refugee camps of Sabra and Shatilla.
I am Israel - carved in 1948 out of 78% of the land of Palestine, dispossessing its inhabitants and replacing them with Jews from Europe and other parts of the world. While the natives whose families lived on this land for thousands of years are not allowed to return, Jews from all over the world are welcome to instant citizenship.
I am Israel - in 1967, I swallowed the remaining lands of Palestine - the West Bank and Gaza - and placed their inhabitants under an oppressive military rule, controlling and humiliating every aspect of their daily lives. Eventually, they should get the message that they are not welcome to stay, and join the millions of Palestinian refugees in the shanty camps of Lebanon and Jordan.
I am Israel - I have the power to control American policy. My American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) can make or break any politician of its choosing, and as you see, they all compete to please me. All the forces of the world are powerless against me, including the UN as I have the American veto to block any condemnation of my war crimes. As Sharon so eloquently phrased it, "We control America".
I am Israel - I influence American mainstream media too, and you will always find the news tailored to my favor. I have invested millions of dollars into PR representation, and CNN, New York Times, and others have been doing an excellent job of promoting my propaganda. Look at other international news sources and you will see the difference.
I am Israel - and you Palestinians want to negotiate "peace!?" But you are not as smart as me; I will negotiate, but will only let you have your municipalities while I control your borders, your water, your airspace, and anything else of importance. While we "negotiate," I will swallow your hilltops and fill them with settlements, populated by the most extremist of my extremists, armed to the teeth. These settlements will be connected with roads you cannot use, and you will be imprisoned in your little Bantustans between them, surrounded by checkpoints in every direction.
I am Israel - with the fourth strongest army in the world, possessing nuclear weapons. How dare your children confront my oppression with stones, don't you know my soldiers won't hesitate to blow their heads off? In 17 months, I have killed 900 of you and injured 17,000, mostly civilians, and have the mandate to continue since the international community remains silent. Ignore, as I do, the hundreds of Israeli soldiers who are now refusing to carry out my control over your lands and people; their voices of conscience will not protect you.
I am Israel - and you want freedom? I have bullets, tanks, missiles, Apaches, and F-16's, to obliterate you. I have placed your towns under siege, confiscated your lands, uprooted your trees, demolished your homes, and you still demand freedom? Don't you get the message? You will never have peace or freedom, because I am Israel.
http://www.subzerob lue.com/archives /2004/07/ i_am_israel. html <http://www.subzeroblue.com/archives/2004/07/i_am_israel.html>
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Saint Seraphim of Sarov
A video: The soul cannot know peace unless he prays for his enemies. The soul that has learned of God's grace to pray, feels love and compassion for every created thing, and in particular for mankind, for whom the Lord suffered on the Cross, and His soul was heavy for every one of us.
The Lord taught me to love my enemies. Without the grace of God we cannot love our enemies. Only the Holy Spirit teaches love, and then even devils arouse our pity because they have fallen from good, and lost humility in God.....(St.Silouan the Anthonite)
Prayers for our enimies
Lord Jesus Christ, Who didst command us to love our enemies, and those who defame and injure us, and to pray for them and forgive them; Who Thyself didst pray for Thine enemies, who crucified thee: grant us, we pray, the spirit of Christian reconciliation and meekness, that we may heartily forgive every injury and be reconciled with our enemies. Grant us to overcome the malevolence and offences of people with Christian meekness and true love of our neighbor. We further beseech Thee, O Lord, to grant to our enemies true peace and forgiveness of sins; and do not allow them to leave this life without true faith and sincere conversion. And help us repay evil with goodness, and to remain safe from the temptations of the devil and from all the perils which threaten us, in the form of visible and invisible enemies. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
