Reflections on 2007
Not sure if it's an effect of getting older, but the years definitely seem to go by much faster now!
2007 was good for our family in many ways, and near the top of the list was that the year finally brought a hope back regarding the Indian Orthodox Church.
After so many years of frustration due to lack of understanding of our Liturgy, of confusion on why elementary aspects of Christian fellowship were there in other Churches but not our own, of irritation because of the narrow minds of some of the Malayalees ... this year finally brought events that indicate a bright future for all members of the Church, even those born and brought up in the US.
Our family participated in a Qurbana where everyone (wife and kids) felt spiritually refreshed and happy, rather than drained and tired after a typical multi-hour service.
I learned of more than twenty 2nd generation kids in Orthodox seminaries - both men and women! Had the privilege and honor this year to meet many of them, and look forward to 2008 to meet even more. One of the little joys is to see my kids talk about their new 'achachan', and when I tell them that they may be Achens in the future they smile with understanding.
We met so many young Malayalees youths and couples in Chicago and elsewhere, both in person and through the 'Net ... such a great feeling to realize that I'm not alone in these thoughts, and very thankful to all the new friends and family we made this year.
This year we were able to regularly participate in a Bible Study with the Achens of my Church, both of whom have forgotten more than what I'll ever know of the Bibles. Each session we learn so much from these teachers and better understand the saying 'faith, reason and revelation'.
A "kid" elected to the Diocesan Assembly. The first Achen who attended an Orthodox seminary in the US. All of these are tips of the iceberg ... great things happening in our Church that will please the Lord.
Indian, Orthodox and Christian - I think that's the best way to summarize this past year. These are not mutually exclusive, and there's no reason for us in America to have to choose one over the other. The Orthodox Church that our parents established when they came from India truly does have ties back to the early Apostolic Church. And every seminarian I've met has been blessed by God with the gifts of teaching, listening, understanding and compassion - all the ingredients of a spiritually growing and strong Christian Church!
But, our Church today is not mission-oriented, and for the most part remains closed, bureaucratic and political. Our community - one of the wealthiest and most capable in America - continues to find so many excuses to avoid taking that little baby step forward towards a complete Church that teaches, practices and grows as a Church where entire families participate not out of obligation to parents or relations, but rather out of knowledge that the Church is indeed true to the early Apostolic Church as written in the Scriptures.
The holidays brought the sobering reminder there is still a long way to go. As with many other Churches throughout the world, it seems that Christmas brings out the largest attendance at the Church. And, sadly - going to the Christmas mass, there were so many of the 2nd generation people also in the basement during Christmas service. Many more also shared that they only came to the Orthodox Church to see old friends or please their parents.
Let's hope when 2008 is said and done, small groups of like-minded Indian Orthodox Christians do come together and leverage all that God has provided for us. There is much happening in Philadelphia, Houston and New York, and hopefully Chicago will be there as well.
Hope everyone had a blessed and safe holidays, and more crazy ramblings sure to come soon!
2007 was good for our family in many ways, and near the top of the list was that the year finally brought a hope back regarding the Indian Orthodox Church.
After so many years of frustration due to lack of understanding of our Liturgy, of confusion on why elementary aspects of Christian fellowship were there in other Churches but not our own, of irritation because of the narrow minds of some of the Malayalees ... this year finally brought events that indicate a bright future for all members of the Church, even those born and brought up in the US.
Our family participated in a Qurbana where everyone (wife and kids) felt spiritually refreshed and happy, rather than drained and tired after a typical multi-hour service.
I learned of more than twenty 2nd generation kids in Orthodox seminaries - both men and women! Had the privilege and honor this year to meet many of them, and look forward to 2008 to meet even more. One of the little joys is to see my kids talk about their new 'achachan', and when I tell them that they may be Achens in the future they smile with understanding.
We met so many young Malayalees youths and couples in Chicago and elsewhere, both in person and through the 'Net ... such a great feeling to realize that I'm not alone in these thoughts, and very thankful to all the new friends and family we made this year.
This year we were able to regularly participate in a Bible Study with the Achens of my Church, both of whom have forgotten more than what I'll ever know of the Bibles. Each session we learn so much from these teachers and better understand the saying 'faith, reason and revelation'.
A "kid" elected to the Diocesan Assembly. The first Achen who attended an Orthodox seminary in the US. All of these are tips of the iceberg ... great things happening in our Church that will please the Lord.
Indian, Orthodox and Christian - I think that's the best way to summarize this past year. These are not mutually exclusive, and there's no reason for us in America to have to choose one over the other. The Orthodox Church that our parents established when they came from India truly does have ties back to the early Apostolic Church. And every seminarian I've met has been blessed by God with the gifts of teaching, listening, understanding and compassion - all the ingredients of a spiritually growing and strong Christian Church!
But, our Church today is not mission-oriented, and for the most part remains closed, bureaucratic and political. Our community - one of the wealthiest and most capable in America - continues to find so many excuses to avoid taking that little baby step forward towards a complete Church that teaches, practices and grows as a Church where entire families participate not out of obligation to parents or relations, but rather out of knowledge that the Church is indeed true to the early Apostolic Church as written in the Scriptures.
The holidays brought the sobering reminder there is still a long way to go. As with many other Churches throughout the world, it seems that Christmas brings out the largest attendance at the Church. And, sadly - going to the Christmas mass, there were so many of the 2nd generation people also in the basement during Christmas service. Many more also shared that they only came to the Orthodox Church to see old friends or please their parents.
Let's hope when 2008 is said and done, small groups of like-minded Indian Orthodox Christians do come together and leverage all that God has provided for us. There is much happening in Philadelphia, Houston and New York, and hopefully Chicago will be there as well.
Hope everyone had a blessed and safe holidays, and more crazy ramblings sure to come soon!
NOTE: If any of the seminarians have touched your lives as they did mine, please know our Church needs help to financially support and encourage their ministry. Even if it's as little as $10, please send your tax-deductible contributions with the memo of 'Seminary Fund' to the American Diocese office, and they will get distributed properly. Address is below!
The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, Inc.,
80-34 Commonwealth Blvd.,
Bellerose, NY 11426
Comments