Vol. 02 Issue No. 8 AUGUST 2014

Vol. 02 Issue No. 8 AUGUST 2014 ST. THOMAS ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL - DUBAI P.O. Box : 2563, Dubai - UAE Tel : 04-337 1122, Fax : 04-335 2252 Email : stthomas@emirates.net.ae www.stthomascathedraldubai.org

Fr. Shaji Mathews Vicar & President I Øm-hn {]nb-tc, c v {][m\ s]cp- m-fp-iƒ k` BKÃv amk-øn sim m-sp- p. adp-cq]-s]-cp- mƒ AYhm IqSm-c-s cp- mfpw hnip I\y-I-a-dn-b-Øns hmßn vs cp- mfpw. adp-cq]-s -cp- mƒ AYhm IqSm-c-s cp- mƒ Zn\w sszh-tømsv apjm-apjw kwkm-cn tami-bpw, Gen-bmhpw, I Øm-hp-ambn Xmt_m ae-bn AXy- ]q -kw-k-a-øn-eqss injy m-cmb ]t{xm-kv, bmt m-_v, tbml m F o injy m sszh alxzw Z in Zn\-am-Wv. ]cn. amxm-hns hmßn vs cp- mƒ k` BKÃv amkw 15 mw XobXn sim m- Sp p. sszh-am-xmhv ]uc-kvxy-sszh imkv{x-ønepw Bcm-[-\-bnepw ap ]n \n p Hcp h n-xz-øns DS-abmWv. temi-n-cn-{x-øn C{X-tØmfw A]-am-\n-X-bmb Hcp kv{xo D m-bn- n-. AXp-t]mse a\p-jy-xz-øns ]q Æ-Xbn-te v Db Ø-s Bcpw C. ""Bcpw Db Ø-s - n- n-xp-t]m AXn- \m kv]jvsyw adn-bms-at m Bcpw XmgvØ-s - n- n '' blqz-a-x-øn kv{xo c mw ÿm\- m-cn-bm-bn-cp- p. I Ømhv Ahsf Xncs -SpØv sszh-ir-]-sim v \nd v kv{xoxz-øns (a-\p-jy-xz-øn-s ) ]q Æ-X-bn-te v Db Øn. Pohn-XsØ sszhm{i-btømss t\cn- Sm Fßs\ km^eyw t\smw F v kz w Pohn-X-Ø-eqsS hn. -I-\y-I-a-dnbw ImWn- p. hna i-\-ß-fnepw IjvS-X-Ifnepw XI-cmsX ]X-dmsX A y- -tømfw sszh-øn B{i-bn v \n p. \ΩpsS I Ømhv Xs a\p-jym-h-xmc ImeØv C{]-Imcw Iev]n- p. A y-tømfw kln- p- \n p- -h c n- -s -Spw. ]cn. I\ym-I-a-dnbw F mw lrz-b- Øn kw{k-ln v thz-\-bpss simsp-ap- Sn-bmb Im h-cn-hsc I Øm-hns\ A\p-K-an v k Xpw kln- p. ""Ah Xs Zmkn-bpsS XmgvN ISm- n- n-cn- p pht m, C p-ap-x F m-x-e-ap-d-ifpw Fs `mky-hxn F p hmgvøpw'' (eqt m. 1 48) ]cn-ip- m-flmhv \nd- -h-fmbv Fen-kt_Øv hn. I\y-I-am-dn-bm-an\v sszh-am- Xmhv F v hnfn- p. \ oxn- am-\ mb butk^v Ah-fpsS hnip- n-bn BZc-hv]q v Ahsf _lp-am-\y-x-bm- n. ]cn. k` ]cn-ip I\y-I-a-dn-bm-ans\ _lp-am-\y-]q w BZ-cn- p-ibpw AhfpsS a y-ÿ-x-bn A`bw {]m]n- p- Ibpw snbvxp. hn. -I-\y-I-a-dn-bm-ans\ kz -Øn-te v FSp- -s p F Xv BZy-a-Imew apx k`-bpss hnizmkhpw ]mc-º-cyhpw BWv. I Øm-hns\ hln -Xp-aqew Hcp km[m-cw kv{xobm-bn-cp hnip I\y- I-a-dnbw A\p-`-hn AXyp- -X-amb kz ob al-xz-øn k`bpw a\p-jyh Kw apgp-h\pw ] p-tn-cm hnfn- -s - n-cn- p p F v k`m hnizmkw \sω ]Tn- n- p- p. hn. adnbmw k`-bpss {]Xo- Ihpw a\p-jy-h -Øns {]Xn-\n-[n-bpam-Ip- p. Rm Ccn- p- n-søv Fs ip{iq-j- mcpw Ccn pw F v \ΩpsS I Ømhv I n v Acp-fn-sN-bvXn- p- v. I Øm-hns amxmhv F \ne-bn Xs I Øm-hns\ G w ip{iq-jn- Xv hnip- -am-xm-hmwv. Xs hn-\-øns ]q Øo-I-cWw F hæw I Ømhv Ahsf kz -Øn-te v Db Øn. ""\o Fs {]mws\ ]mxm-f-øn 2

hnsp-i-bn. \ns ]cn-ip- s\ {ZhXzw Im m kω-xn- -bp-an '' (k o. 16:10) Xs ]cn-ip s\ {Zh-Xz-Øn\v ho psim-sp- mø I Ømhv hn.- I-\y-I-a-dnbm-ans\ kz -Øn-te v FSp- -s p. hnip I\y-I-a-dnbmw sszh-ir-]- bm hnip- oi-cn- -s - -h-fm-wv. AhfpsS icocw aæmbv Xocp-hm Xm A\p-h-Zn- n-. a\p-jym-h-xmcw snbvx sszh-]p-{x-\mb tbip-{in-kvxp-hns icocw hnip I\y-I-a-dn-b-Øn \n v FSp-Ø-XmWv Xs icocw. Bcn \n v FSp-Øpthm Ahsf {Zh-Xz-Øn\vv hn n. Ahsf kz -Øn-te v FSp- -s - p. ]cn. k` hnip I\y-I-a-dn-bm-ans\ sszh-am-xm-hv, sszhsø {]k-hn- -hƒ Cu hn[-øn kwt_m-[-\-sn-øp- p. hn.- I-\y-I-a-dn-bm-ans\ k`m-]n-xm- am At\I D]-a-I-fm ZrjvSm- - -Sp- Ønbncn- p- p. Pzen n pw IØm-Xn-cp apƒ -S v, km n-bpss s] -Iw, kz - Øns hmxn Xpd- -s -SmsX AS- s hmxn F o- hn-[-øn D]-an- s -Sp- p. At m-kvtxm-e- m-sc- mfpw a v ]cn-ip- - m-sc- mfpw D -X-amb ÿm\-amwv ]cn.- a-dn-bm-an\v k`-bpss Bcm-[-\-bn \ Ip- Xv. ImcWw a\p-jy-\m-bn- Øo sszhsø hln- p-hm-\p Akp-e-`-amb ]Zhn Ahƒ mwv e`n- X.v CXp-aqew adn-bm-ans a y-ÿ- Xbv v {]txy-i-amb {]m[m\yw k`- \ Ip- p. {InkvXp-hns alxzw a p- h-sc- mƒ IqSp-X A\p-`-hn- -dn v sszhm\pcq]n-i-fm-b-h F -\n-e-bn adn-bm-ωn\pw hnip- m pw. \mw {]txy-i-amb _lp-axn \ Ip- p. sszhamxmhv kz -Ønte v FSp- s hmßn v s]cp- mƒ BtLm-jn- p Cu Znh-k-ß-fn temi-øn im nbpw kam-[m-\hpw sfiz-cyhpw D mip hm\pw tcmkn-iƒ v kujy-hpw, hne-]n- n-cn- p- -h v Bizm-khpw D mip -Xn\pw amxm-hns a y-ÿ- X-bn \ap v A`bw {]m]n- mw. {]m -\-I-tfmsS jmpn amxyqkv A ""hn-\-amb sszhw amem-j-bpss Adn-bn-t m-sp-iqss I\y-I-bpsS K `-Øn PU-am-bn-Øo-cp-Ibpw K `-Øn h p-xs sszh-xzhpw a\p-jy-xzhpw XΩn Hcn- epw th Xn-cn-b-s -SmØ {]Imcw H n- -s -Sp-Ibpw ]q Æ-ssZhhpw ]q Æ-a-\p-jy-\p-amb CΩm-\p-th-ens\ I\yI {]k-hn- p-ibpw snbvx-xn- \m Ahsf sszh-am-xm-sh p hnfn-t - -Xm-Ip- p. ip -ap I\yI Xs K `-]m{xw sszh ]p{x\p knwlm-k-\-am-bn-øo-cp-hm X -hæw tbmky-x-bp- -h-fm-bn-øo -Xn-\m ]pcp-js\ Adn-bmsX Ft pw I\y- I-bmbncn p-ibpw snbvxp. amem-j-bpss hn-\-{]-imcw Cu hnip amxmhn\p \mw `mkyw simsp- p-ibpw \ap- p-th- n-bp Ah-fpsS {]m -\- bv mbn {]txyiw hm n- p-ibpw sntø- -Xm-Ip p. eqt mkv 1:35, 1:43; Gimb 7:14'' ae- -c-k-`m-`m-kp-c h -t»-cn ]. Koh-dp-Kokv am Zoh- m-tkymkv sa{xmt m-eoøm (""a-txm-]-tz-i-kmcw'' F {KŸ-Øn 18 kwk-xn-bmbn sszh-am-xm-hn-s\- p-dn v thz-]p-kvx-im-sn-ÿm-\-øn tcj-s -Sp-Øn-bn- p- -Xv. 3

Two very important and beautiful Great Feasts take place in the month of August. On August 6th we celebrate the Feast of the transfiguration and August 15th we will celebrate the Feast of the Dormition of the Holy Theotokos St. Mary. Transfiguration is a very important part of our Christian story. It is a hard story to deal with, but nonetheless a very important one. Transfiguration was a turning point for Jesus ministry from Galilee to Jerusalem where he would face the cross. Gospel according to St. Matthew highlights a magnificent experience which Jesus told his disciples to keep secret until his resurrection. Jesus and three of his disciples went up to a mountain. And suddenly a major transformation took place in his life that was not only an inner change, but was also something that the disciples were able to see physically. His face changed and his clothes became dazzling white. He was basically transfigured. He was also accompanied by two important figures from Israel s faith traditions: Moses and Elijah. So what happened? Even the disciples seemed not to be able to understand. This story is a little too ambiguous for our thinking minds. So how do we deal with this story? What possible value can it have for us today when we can never prove transformation events like this one? To begin looking at the meaning of Transfiguration, I would like us to Fr. Lany Chacko, Asst. Vicar pay attention to the context of the story. Jesus was with a few of his disciples on a mountain. A lot of special events happen in the Bible on mountains. For the people of Israel, mountains were believed to be places where God dwells and where true worship can happen. Moses certainly encountered God in the burning bush on a mountain. The Ten Commandments were received on a mountain. The most important sermon Jesus gave was delivered on a mountain. Four important scenes of our Lord s life took place on mountains. On one, He preached His famous Sermon on the Mount; on the second, he showed His glory as God; on the third, He Offered Himself in death for our sins; on the fourth, He ascended into Heaven. Thus in bible mountain is a symbol of ascent, both inwardly and outwardly. The mountain is a place where God is seen to be closer, revealed more fully. So, when we hear about Jesus and the disciples going up a mountain, we know that this was a time of prayer and worship. This was a special time when Jesus was seeking in a very intentional way to be open to the mystery of God in his life. Through prayer Jesus was being fully present to God, seeking that deeper connection with the Holy Spirit. As a result Jesus was glowing with the presence of God s Spirit. God s presence dwelt in Jesus in such a way that even his physical appearance was transformed. After the transfiguration story we learn 4

that this was also a transformation story of the ministry of Jesus from journeying in Galilee to heading to Jerusalem to the cross. This transformation experience comes at a time when Jesus faces his own death. So only through this deep experience of communion with God would he be able to face the pain of his death. Only when Jesus could really touch the depth of the Spirit in his life would he be able to walk through the valley of death. Only when Jesus was at the heart of God s love, would he be able to face death. Jesus transformation was not about building a Christian empire or having more power on earth. He was being transformed in order to be of great service to the world. So if I ask you today if you would like Transfiguration today, you may be wondering if this could happen to you? How many of us can really tell when we see someone get changed physically like Jesus did? We long for that kind of transformation, but it does not seem to happen like that in real life, at least not very often. Only in movies do we see such transformation. How about real life when we don t normally see a Transfiguration or a bolt of lightning transforming people? I think the key to this journey of transformation is allowing God to do it for us. Often times we try so hard to be transformed as if it is a spiritual prize. We tend to forget that true transformation is the work of the Spirit. It also does not happen the same way for everyone. Jesus was transformed and transfigured in the darkness and mystery of a holy place and a holy time of prayer. No magic tricks or superior spiritual maturity can do the job. Only our communion with God in prayer can bring transformation to our lives. This is not just about being moral, joining the church, believing certain doctrines, knowing the scriptures by heart, or reading the right books. It is about the reality of your Soul. Is your soul centered in the presence of God? That is the key to our transformation: spending time in communion with God. The event of the Transfiguration of our Lord must become a part of everyone s life. The Holy Fathers of the Orthodox Church have proven that it is possible for every Orthodox Christian to make the Transfiguration part of their lives, by seeing the same light which the apostles witnessed on Mount Tabor. The means of this participation is taught in the Gospel: we must first ascend the mountain of effort and the spiritual struggles that accompany it. The more we ascend this mountain, the further we are removed from the valleys of comfort, wealth and sinful worldly pleasures. When man makes the decision to meet the true God, he denies everything that could lead him away from His Creator. Without pain and sacrifice we cannot reach Mount Tabor. The Transfiguration points to our potential destiny as Christian people. The Transfiguration revealed the divine glory in Jesus, and it anticipates the glorification of our human nature in Christ. The Feast of the Transfiguration invites each and every one to be transformed in the Light of the Truth of Christ. Only when we change the way we live to the Life of our Lord Jesus Christ are we able to please God. Through repentance a sinner is transfigured and sanctified to become a saint for the glory of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Lany Achen 5

sk v txmakv Hm ØtUmIvkv IØo{U, Zp_mbv 8 t\mºmncwhpw CShI I h j\pw I Ømhn {]nbsc, \ΩpsS CShIbn B ptxmdpw sim msp hnip 8 t\mºmncwhpw CShI I h j\pw sk]v w_ 1 apx 7 hsc XobXnIfn dh. ^m. k dnb ss\\m (t_kn Zbd, RmenbmIpgn) t\xrxzøn \SØs Sp p. Ghcpw {]m \m]q w t\ ImgvNItfmsS kw_ n v A\p{Klw {]m]n Wsa v XmXv]cys Sp p. CShIbv p th n, hnimcn ^m. jmpn amxyqkv Akn. hnimcn ^m. se\n Nmt m 01-09- 2014 Xn ƒ 7.00 PM : k ym \akvimcw 02-09- 2014 snm 5.30 AM : hn. Ip m\ 7.00 PM : k ym \akvimcw sk{i«dn txmakv si. tam\n ³ 03-09- 2014 _p[ 7.00 PM : k ym \akvimcw : hn. amxmhnt\msp a yÿ {]m \ 04-09- 2014 hymgw 7.00 PM : k ym \akvimcw : a yÿ {]m \ 05-09- 2014 sh n 7.00 AM : {]`mx \akvimcw : hn. Ip m\ : a yÿ {]m \ 06.45 PM : k ym \akvimcw : hn. Ip m\ 06-09- 2014 i\n 7.00 PM : k ym \akvimcw 07-09- 2014 Rmb 06.45 PM : k ym \akvimcw : hn. Ip m\ : a yÿ {]m \ : t\ hnfºv 6

NEW MEMBERS JOINED IN THE MONTH OF JULY, 2014 NAME CARDEX AREA HOME PARISH Binu Abraham B-328 Port Zaid St. Thomas Orthodox Church, Mundakayam Rony Kurian Daniel R-283 Al Ghusais St. John s Orthodox Church, Mavelikkara Koshy Cherian K-151 Port Zaid St. George Orthodox Church Parumala Vivek K. Valliazhith V-271 Other Emirates St. Stephen s Orthodox Valiyapally, Kattanam Steephen K. Chacko S-579 Naif Road St. John s Orthodox Valiyapally, Pathichira V.G. Joby J-630 Al Ghusais St. Peter s Orthodox Church, Karoor, Elanthoor Siby P. Thampy S-578 Yousuf Baker Road Chennithala Valiyapply Rence Rajan R-284 Other Emirates St. George Orthodox Church, Kaithaparambu Jinu Thomas J-631 Al Nahdha St. Behanan Orthodox Church, Vennikulam Binu C. Babu B-331 Yousuf Baker Road St. Mary s Orthodox Church, Njakkukavu Shiju Varghese S-580 Satwa St.Thomas Orthodox Church, Mavelikkara Liju George Oommen L-067 Bur Dubai St. Mary s Orthodox Church, Arattu Puzha Bibin Thankachan B-332 Bur Dubai St. George Orthodox Cathedral, Nagpur Visal Varghese Vincent V-272 Other Emirates Mar Elijah Orthodox Church, Kottam Pally Kevin Sebi K-152 Rashidiya St. George Orthodox Cathedral, Thekkumthode Skaria Abraham S-581 Other Emirates St. George Orthodox Church, Kunnam Gee Varghese Oommen G-271 Yousf Baker Road St. Mary s Orthodox Church, Venmoney HOLY SERVICES, PRAYERS & MEETINGS Fridays : 06.45 am - 07.25 am Night Prayer, Morning Prayer : 08.15 am - 10.30 am Holy Qurbana Fridays : 07.00 pm - 07.30 pm Evening Prayer : 07.30 pm - 09.00 pm Holy Qurbana Sundays : 07.30 pm - 08.00 pm Evening Prayer : 08.00 pm - 09.30 pm Holy Qurbana Tuesdays : 05.30 am - 07.00 am Holy Qurbana Wednesdays : 07.30 pm - 08.30 pm Evening Prayer & Intercessory Prayer for St. Mary Saturday, Monday, Tuesday : 07.00 pm - 07.30 pm Evening Prayer Thursdays : 07.00 pm - 09.15 pm Holy Confession, Evening Prayer Intercessory prayer to St. Thomas Church Prayer Meeting & Choir Practice Sunday School : 10.45 am - 12.10 pm All Fridays Marth Mariam Samajam : 11.00 am - 12.20 pm All Fridays M.G.O.C.S.M : 11.00 am - 12.20 pm All Fridays Youth Movement : 11.00 am - 12.20 pm All Fridays 7

AREA PRAYER MEETING SCHEDULE FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST- 2014 DAY & DATE WEEK AREA NAME CARDEX ADRRESS 02-08-2014 FIRST AL SHAAB John P.B. J-275 Flat No. 302, E Zone Bldg, Abu Hail SATURDAY 09-08-2014 SECOND BUR DUBAI Raju Kannimel R-044 Fikri Bldg, Flat No. 312, Rafa Street, Nr. Peninsula Hotel, SATURDAY Bur Dubai, Dubai 16-08-2014 THIRD SHARJAH & Reji Varghese R-206 Al Ahli Dep. Store, Behind Kalima S/M Bldg. Flat No. 610 SATURDAY OTHER EMIRATES Al muwailah Area 1, (School Area) Natiional Paint 23-08-2014 FOURTH AL NAHDA Mammen Parackal M-272 Flat No. B 1302, Juma Al Majid Bldg, Opp. Sahara Centre, SATURDAY Al Nahda, Sharjah SONAPUR PRAYER MEETING - EVERY FRIDAY EVENING AT EVERHOT CAMP@17 : 00-19 : 00 HRS Layout & Design - Reji Maramon AL HADYAH-SHJ ST. THOMAS ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN YOUTH MOVEMENT 01/08/2014 Regular meeting 08/08/2014 Regular meeting 15/08/2014 Swathandra Dina Chintakal - Special meeting 22/08/2014 Venal Shibiram Anubandha programe, Major Programmes : Science Exihibition, & Art Gallery 29/08/2014 Venal Shibram (10th Year) - Main Programme For Venal Shibiram Registration, Please contact Mr. Bejoy C. Mathew, Mob. No. 050-7356900 Regular Meeting (10.45 am to 12.00 pm) Divyabodhanam Class - Every Monday 8 pm to 9.30 pm (To increase general awareness of the Bible, Church History & Basic Believes of the Malankara Orthodox Sabha.) OCYM Job Cell - Highly active Job Cell that matches job seekers with employers from a wide range of sectors. (More Informations Contact Co-ordinator, Mr. Shiju Thankachan : 052 6901433) Email : ocymdubai@gmail.com Website: www.stthomasocymdubai.org BZcmRvPenIÄ Job Cell : jobcellocymdubai@gmail.com More Informations Contact: Secretary Mr. Anto Abraham : 055 5468982 MGOCSM Regular Meeting (10.45 am to 12.00 pm) MOMS Regular meeting will not be there during the month. SPECIAL DAYS & EVENTS FRI 01 AUG 15 DAYS ASSUMPTION FAST BEGIN WED 06 AUG TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD (KOODARA PERUNAL) FRI 15 AUG FEAST OF ASSUMPTION OF THE HOLY VARGIN MARY-PERUNNAL CHURCH OFFICE BEARERS - 2014 \½psS CShImwKw {io. amxyp ]n.h. (Cardex No. M-229) Pqsse 30þ\v IÀ mhnâ \n{z{]m]n p. ihkwkvimcw BKÌv 5þ\v ]Ån msv skâv tpmàpv HmÀ tumivkv knwlmk\ ]Ånbn \S s «p. Rev. Fr. Shaji Mathews Vicar & President 052 8711031 frshajimathews@yahoo.co.in Rev. Fr. Lany Chacko Asst. Vicar 050 8379905 frlanychacko@gmail.com Sunil C. Baby Trustee 050 6588970 sunilcbaby@gmail.com Thomas K. Monichan Secretary 050 6742773 thomas.monichen@alfuttaim.ae Mathai Chacko Jt. Trustee 050 6542260 mathaiem@eim.ae Kurian Philip Jt. Secretary 050 5259310 kurianphilipdxb@gmail.com P.O. Box : 2563, Dubai - UAE Tel : 04-337 1122, Fax : 04-335 2252 Email : stthomas@emirates.net.ae www.stthomascathedraldubai.org