October 2 - Gandhi Jayanthi is the International Day of Non-Violence

(Paul Ciniraj, Kottayam-686038, India)

New Delhi, SVM News, 28 September 2008: October 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi is the International Day of Non-Violence.

The decision made by the United Nations General Assembly on 15 June 2007 to observe the International Day of Non-Violence every year on 2 October – the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, who helped lead India to independence and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. This day is referred to India as Gandhi Jayanthi.

According to the United Nations General Assembly resolution A/RES/61/271 of 15 June 2007, which established the commemoration, the International Day is an occasion to "disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness." The resolution reaffirms "the universal relevance of the principle of non-violence" and the desire "to secure a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and non-violence."

Introducing the resolution in the General Assembly on behalf of 140 co-sponsors, India's Minister of State for External Affairs, Mr. Anand Sharma, said that the wide and diverse sponsorship of the resolution was a reflection of the universal respect for Mahatma Gandhi and of the enduring relevance of his philosophy. Quoting the late leader’s own words, he said: "Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man".

The late leader's "novel mode of mass mobilization and non-violent action" brought down colonialism, strengthened the roots of popular sovereignty, of civil, political and economic rights, and greatly influenced many a freedom struggle and inspired leaders like Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr., Minister Anand Sharma stated.

The UN General Assembly, "desiring to secure a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and non-violence," invited States, UN bodies, regional and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and individuals to commemorate the Day, including through education and public awareness.

The first ever celebration of the International day of non violence was observed in Bangkok by United Nations ESCAP. Mr. Mani Shankar Aiyar, Minister for Panchayati Raj, Youth Affairs & Sports and Development of North-Eastern Region of India presided over the programme.

In January 2004, Iranian Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi had taken a proposal for an International Day of Non-Violence from a Hindi Teacher in Paris Akshay Bakaya teaching International school students in Paris to the World Social Forum in Bombay. The idea gradually attracted the interest of some leaders of India's Congress Party ("Ahimsa Finds Teen Voice", The Telegraph, Calcutta) until a Satyagraha Conference resolution in New Delhi in January 2007 initiated by Sonia Gandhi and Archbishop Desmond Tutu called upon the United Nations to adopt the idea.

Gandhiji was a proponent of non-violent civil disobedience in India's fight against the British colonial rule, which ended in 1947.

He was born on October 2, 1869 and shot dead by a Hindu nationalist in 30 January, 1948.

Mahatma Gandhi was a practitioner of non-violence and truth, and advocated that others do the same. He lived modestly in a self-sufficient residential community and wore the traditional Indian dhoti and shawl, woven with yarn he had hand spun on a charkha. He ate simple vegetarian food, and also undertook long fasts as means of both self-purification and social protest.

India's National Anthem is best in the world: UNESCO

New Delhi, SVM News, September 27, 2008: It is being said that UNESCO announces the Indian national Anthem "Jana Gana Mana ...." is the best National Anthem in the world.

Jana Gana Mana is worthy to be the best national anthem in the world.

It was written in Sanskritised Bengali, it is the first of five stanzas of a Brahmo hymn composed and scored by Nobel laureate Rebinder Nath Tagore.

It was first sung at the Calcutta Session of the Indian National Congress, on 27 December 1911. The Constituent Assembly of India (Vol.XII, 24-1-1950) officially adopted this song as the Indian National Anthem on 24 January 1950.

The music for the current version is said to be derived from a composition for the song by Ramsing Thakur, although some dispute this.

A formal rendition of Jana Gana Mana takes about forty-eight to fifty-two seconds.

INDIA'S NATIONAL ANTHEM

*******************************************
Jana Gana Mana Adhinayaka Jaya He
Bharata Bhagya Vidhata

Punjaba Sindhu Gujaratha Marata
Dravida Utkala Banga
Vindhya Himachala Yamuna Ganga
Ucchala Jaladhy Taranga

Tava Subha Name Jage
Tava Subha Asisa Mage
Gahe Tava Jaya Gatha

Jana Gana Mangala Dayaka Jaya He
Bharata Bhagya Vidhata

Jaya He Jaya He Jaya He
Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya He
*******************************************

The English rendition of the song goes like the following:

Thou art the ruler of the minds of all people
Oh! Dispenser of India's destiny

Thy name rouses the hearts of Punjab, Sindh, Gujarat, Maratha,
of the Dravid, and Orissa and Bengal;
It echoes in the hills of the Vindhyas and Himalayas,
it mingles in the music of the Jamuna and the Ganges
and is chanted by the waves of the Indian sea.

They chant only thy name.
They seek only thy auspicious blessings.
They sing only the glory of thy victory.
The salvation of all people waits in thy hands.

Thou art the ruler of the minds of all people
Oh! Dispenser of India's destiny.

Victory to thee, Victory to thee, Victory to thee,
Victory, Victory, Victory, Victory to thee!.

(by Paul Ciniraj Mohamed, A humble Indian, but proud of being an Indian)

Dr. Philipose Mar Theophilos Metropolitan

(Paul Ciniraj, Kottayam-686038, India)

Dr. Philipose Mar Theophilose Metropolitan was born on 9 May 1911 as the sixth son of Korah and Mariamma of Kallupurakkal, Puthanangadi, Kottayam. He took his B.A degree from Cochin Maharaja's College. He studied M.A in St.Augustine of Canterbury in England, T.H.M in Cardiff University, UK, and D.D from Harward University in Chicago, USA.

He became as a deacon in 1929, received from Vattasseril mar Dionysius Metropolitan and anointed as a priest in 1944 by His Holiness Baselios Geevarghese II, the Catholicos of the East.

On 24 August 1966, at Kolencherry His Holiness Baselios Ougen Catholicose consecrated Philipose Mar Theophilos as Metropolitan. Then he was appointed as the head of the Ankamali Diocese. Many new schools, orphanages, hospitals etc. were started by him. He laid stones for hospitals at Kothamangalam, Chalad, and Pothanicad. Self employment projects for poor and School for blind at Alwaye were some of his ambitious projects in Ankamali.

On 1979 February 1 he took over the charge of Mumbai Diocese too. He initially established his headquarters near St. Gregorios Church, Chembur in Mumbai before moving out in the year 1988 to the present headquarters at the Orthodox Church Centre, Vashi, Navi Mumbai. This Dicocese spread over the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, a tail portain of Karnataka, Bahrain, Qatar and Suadi Arabia.

At the same year on October 5 he translated the Holy Relics of Blessed Alvares mar Julius Metropolitan from the secluded corner of St. Inez Cemetery to the St. Mary's Orthodox Church, Ribander in Goa.

Philipose Mar Theophilos was known as the Ambassador of the Malankara Orthodox Church during his life time. He served as the Principal of the Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam (Old Seminary). And he was the architect of the revamped Seminary.

The Metropolitan ministered among university students as the President of the Mar Gregorios Orthodox Christian Students Movement (MGOCSM).

Mar Theophilos was one of the one of the associated with the founding of the World Christian Council (WCC). He worked as Secretary of Faith and Order division and central committee member of the WCC. He was the first person from the rank and file of WCC to visit eastern orthodox churches, which bore fruit when those churches took WCC's membership.

Theophilos was highly honored by Eastern Orthodox churches. He was the only one special invitee to attend the selection of His Holiness Peeman Patriarch of Russian Orthodox Church. He was given a grand honor when he was invited to attend the Republic day parade of Romania as chief guest along with Romanian President and Romanian Patriarch.


Philipose mar Theophilos passed away on 28 September 1997 and was laid to rest in Thrikunnath Seminary, Aluva in Kerala.

The memorial festival of 2007 was done in Mumbai under the leadership of His Grace Thomas mar Athanasios Metropolitan of Chengannur Diocese alongwith the Mumbai Diocesan Bishop Dr. Geevergese Mar Coorilose Metropolitan. There was held a four days diocesan convention too. Orthodox Church Missionary Brother Paul Ciniraj Mohamed conveyed the messages of the Gospel as the convention speaker.

86th Memorial Celebrations of Archbishop Alvares Mar Julius

(Paul Ciniraj, Malankara Sabha Missionary)

Panaji (Goa, India), SVM News, 18 September, 2008: The 86th memorial day of the Blessed Archbishop Alvares Mar Julius is celebrating on 23 and 24 of September at Ribander St. Mary's Orthodox Syrian Church in Panaji in Goa in India. Geeverghese Mar Coorilos, the Bishop of Mumbai and Kolkotha Dioceses will be leading the memorial day celebrations.

There will be a Padayatra (journey on foot by a large number of people) on September 23 from the cemetery where Alvares Mar Julius was buried to the Rebinder St. Mary's Orthodox Church where his Holy Relics were shifted later. Cemetery is located around 5 miles away from the church.

Bishop Alvares was born in a pious and noble Catholic family of Verna in Goa on 29 April, 1836 as the son of Joseph Baptista Alvares and Marino Expectaco Lorenco. The boy was named "Antonio Francisco Xavier Alvares".

After completing his studies in Rachol Seminary in 1859 he left to Bombay and there he was ordained as a Catholic Priest in 1862 by Bishop Walter Estin, the Apostolic Vicar of Bombay.

Rev. Father Alvares came to Goa in 1867 and resided in Panaji. After reaching Goa, he started an orphanage and later a college. He was a known social worker, journalist and educationist. During his stay there, he published some periodicals and through this he criticized the misgivings of the Jesuit Missionaries which was a known fact at that time. On seeing these articles, Archbishop of Goa excommunicated him from the Roman Catholic Church and he was forced to leave the place due to the continuous persecution against him risen out of the vengeance. He later escaped to Travancore.

While he was in Travancore he attracted towards the Orthodox Syrian Church. He left Roman Catholic Church and joined the Orthodox Church in 1887. Because he embraced the Orthodox Church he was persecuted by the Catholic Church and the Portugese Government (Goa was ruled by the Portugese Government at that time).

He was falsely abdicated, arrested, stripped off his Episcopal vestments and taken through the street, only with his underwear, to the police lockup. There he was put in a filthy room without a bed or chair wherein the floor smelt of urine and faeces. He was also forcibly deprived off his cross and the ring, the episcopal insigne he was wearing. He was beaten and presented in the Court.

But the Government could not prove the allegations and he was acquitted. After few days he was caught again on alleged charges of high treason but this time too the Justice found him innocent. He was not allowed to use his Episcopal Vestments till his death; he used only a black robe.

With the permission of His Holiness Patriarch Ignatius Peter III, he was consecrated as a Bishop by Mar Joseph Dionysius (Pulikkottil), Geevarghese Mar Gregorios (St. Gregorios of Parumala), Mar Paulose Evanios of Kandanadu and Mar Athanasios (Kadavil) at Kottayam Old Seminary on 29 July 1889.

The new Metropolitan (Archbishop) Alvares Mar Julius was given the charge of the new Mangalore and Bombay dioceses with the jurisdiction of Goa, India (excluding Malabar) and Ceylon. Later many people, particularly the disillusioned Roman Catholics from other parts of India and Ceylon joined the Orthodox Church. Under the influence of Alvares, many from the old Catholic Church of America including one Rev. J. Rene Vilatte, a French Priest also joined the Church.

He was in Ceylon for more than five years. While He was there he consecrated René Vilattee as Bishop by name Mor Timotheos in the presence of Geevarghese Mar Gregorios of Parumala on 29 May, 1892. The consecration ceremony was held at the St.Mary's Church, Colombo. The Patriarch apointed Timothi Rene Vilatee as the Archbishop of America.

Because he embraced the Orthodox Church he was excommunicated and persecuted by the Catholic Church and the Portugese Government (Goa was ruled by the Portugese Government at that time). He was falsely abdicated, arrested, stripped off his Episcopal vestments and taken through the street, only with his underwear, to the police lockup. There he was put in a filthy room without a bed or chair wherein the floor smelt of urine and faeces. He was also forcibly deprived off his cross and the ring, the episcopal insigne he was wearing. He was beaten and presented in the Court.

But the Government could not prove the allegations and he was acquitted. After few days he was caught again on alleged charges of high treason but this time too the Justice found him innocent. He was not allowed to use his Episcopal Vestments till his death; he used only a black robe.

When persecutions in Goa increased, he concentrated in Canara region of Karnataka. He along with Rev. Father Noronha worked with dedication to spread the true faith among the people along the west cost of India from Mangalore to Bombay with the main base at Brahmawar and Honawar. About 5000 families joined the Orthodox Church. There he ordained two priests namely Rev. Father Joseph Kanianthra and Rev.Father Lukose of Kannamcode and a Deacon David Kunnamkulam at Brahmawar on 15 October 1911. The Brahmawar mission remains still as a symbol of his work.

Though Portugese Government dubbed him as a traitor, later he was considered by them and by all the Goans as an 'Apostle of Charity'. He started to help the wandering beggars. During the last ten years of his life he concentrated his activities in Panaji. Lepers, T.B patients, scavengers, beggars and all other destitutes became as inmates of his home.

Since he was not having any income he was forced to beg with a bowl in his one hand and a staff in the other hand for support. One day Mar Alvares requested a shop keeper for contribution. Instead of giving money, shop keeper spat in the bowl. Without getting angry Alvares told him, "All right, I shall keep this for me. Now, give something for the poor". In that respect he was very much ahead of Mother Teresa. By seeing the dedication and determination of the Arch Bishop the shop keeper contributed generously.

Arch Bishop's last days were in Ribandar Hospital at the mercy of a charitable institution, fighting against dysentery at the old age. It was his wish to be buried by any Orthodox designates but he was specific not to have any Catholic priest for the same. He breathed his last on 23 September 1923.

Since he was a well known journalist and social worker, he had a number of friends. The citizen committee lead by the Chief Justice, arranged to give a grand funeral to this Patriot and Saint. His body was kept in state in the Municipal Hall for 24 hours to enable the people to pay homage.

All the News papers were full of articles and homage about the departed Arch Bishop. The Governor General also sent his representative to pay tribute to him. Thousands of people especially poor and beggars paid their last respects.

Funeral speeches were made by high dignitaries. The funeral procession winding all the main roads of Panaji was taken and the body was laid to rest in the secluded corner (Themmadikkuzhi) of St. Inez (Panaji) cemetery on 24 September 1923 without any funeral rites.

Archbishop Alvares Mar Julius suffered alone as forsaken by everybody; just like his own Master, Jesus. As a true Christian, Alvares Mar Julius suffered like the Disciples and Martyrs of the early Christianity. None of the Orthodox Church People were nearby the bishop or resided in Goa when he was suffering persecutions.

Four years after his death, that is on 23 September, 1927, his bones were collected by his friends and admirers, kept in a lead box, buried in the same place, laid a marble slab with the inscription "Em Memoria De Padre Antonio Francisco Xavier Alvares, Diue Foimui Humanitario Missionario E Um Grade Patriota" (Padre Alvares a great Humanitarian Missionary and a great Patriot) and erected a big Cross. This is still the biggest Cross in that Cemetery.

Then next forty long years nobody visited the grave. Nobody knew where he was buried. But a jewel could not be hidden for long. His Grace Mathews Mar Athanasios, the then Metropolitan of out side Kerala Diocese (Later, His Holiness Catholicose Baselios Marthoma Mathews I) during his visit to Goa in 1967, after a lot of enquiries, found out the Tomb.

It was a coincidence that the first Holy Qurbana (Eucharist) of Orthodox Church was conducted by His Grace in the St. Inus Church where the Late Alvares Mar Julius was laid to rest. As per his and the Panaji Orthodox Parishners' wishes, a small Church was constructed in Ribandar and the Holy Relics were translated to the Church by His Grace Dr. Philipose Mar Theophilose, the Diocesan Metropolitan of Bombay on 5 October 1979.

When the St. Mary's Church was reconstructed in the same place, the Holy Relics were shifted to the present Sepulcher which was specially made on the side of the Alter, by the Catholicos of the Malankara Orthodox Church His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews II on 6 October 2001.

His Holiness Mar Baselios Marthoma Didimos I, the Catholicose of the East and Malankara Metropolitan has declared the Rebinder St. Mary's Orthodox Church as a pilgrim place. A large number of people are blessed through his intercession. So many visit his Sepulcher everyday with prayers and offertory seeking blessings and favours

Hundreds of children dies in MP due to malnutrition

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh, India), SVM News, September 15, 2008: Hundreds of infants under five years of age have lost their lives due to malnutrition in four districts of Madhya Pradesh in India since May 2008.
According to a petition filed in the Supreme Court by Right to Food Campaign in Madhya Pradesh, 64 Bhil children have died of malnutrition in Satna since late April.
Similarly, Spandan Seva Samiti, which works among the Korku tribe in Khalwa block of Khandwa, has reported the deaths of 39 children in the past 45 days and nearly 100 are still undergoing treatment in various government hospitals in the district. .
The Saharia Mukti Morcha, involved with the impoverished Saharia tribe in Shivpuri and Sheopur, said 16 children had succumbed to malaria in Shivpuri and five in Sheopur within the last few days because their immunity was destroyed by severe malnutrition.
Salem Voice Ministries says that there is a large number of malnourished children in all over the state of Madhya Pradesh and hundreds of children dying each month, but no action has been taken by the government.
But the local authorities and the government have stubbornly refused to accept that the deaths were due to malnutrition, attributing them to disease instead.
Kusum Mehdele, the state minister of Women and Child Development (WCD) says the deaths were caused due to diseases like pneumonia, viral fever and diarrhoea, but not due to malnutrition.
Vijay Anand Kuril, the District Collector of Satna insisted in his reply to the commissioner appointed by the Supreme Court to investigate seven infant deaths that occurred in Satna's Uchrecha block, that these were due to heat stroke, encephalitis and food poisoning.
S. B. Singh, District Collector of Khandwa, who ordered an inquiry after reports of the death of 21 children in Khalwa block were carried in the Bhopal edition of Hindustan Times also refused to concede that they were caused by malnutrition. He was blissfully unaware that the figure had risen to 39 since the report appeared.
However, the report of a survey by a committee appointed last month by the Divisional Commissioner, Indore, did concede that some of the deaths in Khandwa could have been due to undernourishment.
"I can categorically state that Jamwati, the four-year-old child who died on Thursday in our hospital, was suffering from acute malnutrition, along with pneumonia and septicemia," added Dr Laxmi Baghel, chief medical and health officer at the Khandwa district hospital. Another doctor also said that 68 malnutritioned children had been admitted to their hospital on September 4, a single day.
The NGO's were active in the state to ensure food security to the people and have conducted the two-month long family health survey to arrive at the figure of 125 deaths due to malnutrition in just four districts of Madhya Pradesh. Survey estimates that it affects in varying degrees around 33,000 children. The reasons are no mystery - most of these children belong to abysmally poor labourer families, whose daily earnings - when they are able to find work - rarely cross Rs 50-70.

Serial attacks by Hindu radicals on seventeen churches in Karnataka.

Karnataka (India), SVM News, Septmeber 14, 2008: Hindu militants attacked at least seventeen churches in and around Mangalore in Dakshin Karnataka (South Canara) in Karntaka State in India on 14th of September during the Sunday worship service.
It was lead by different groups of 20 to 50 radicals armed with tridents and swords, saffron flags barged into the churches and praising the Orissa action against Christians and attacked the churches, pastors and believers on or before 11 am on Sunday. Many pastors and christian believers injured seriously and admitted to the hospitals.
After the black Saturday in Delhi seriel of bomb blasts on September 13, neo fascist groups of Hindu radicals have unleashed terror against Christians turning Sunday, the 14th of September as a black Sunday for Christians in Karnataka.
A house church at Shiroor, near Niragadh in Udupi District was attacked by a gang of 50 Hindu militants on Sunday at about 11 am on Sunday during the worship service. Pastor Abraham and his wife Binsy seriously injured and admitted in the hospital. The militants set fire all the vehicles parked outside. Seven other churches also attacked nearby this area and 12 christians injured.
New Life Church in Udupi attacked. Five persons admitted in the Government hospital including Samuel, a two and a half year old boy:
A house church in Mudur attacked by a mob of 20 militants. Pastor Immanuel alongwith the believers and the orphan children got injured.
A group of Hindu radicals face masked arrived on 2 jeeps with swords and attacked the prayer hall at Kayarphaduka in Belthangadi Taluk with swords and attacked. The radicals using the sword and cut the neck, hands, legs of 40 year old Pastor Christudas. The pastor was rushed to the nearest Belthangadi taluk hospital, but they did not admit him there and was asked to take him immediately to Mangalore Medical College.
New Life Church at Modunpher in Belthangadi attacked and 5 believers injured during the Konkini worship service. It was also reported that some property of the church was also damaged. The injured are admitted to the local hospital.
Pastor Gunasekaran's house at Moodabiri attacked. His wife and children fearing ran for their lives. The radicals destroyed all the furniture and household items. Pastor’s daughter noticed the car number and informed the matter to the Police and based on the information Police arrested two people from the group of attackers.
Church at Yeshwantpur in Bangalore attacked.
Blessing Assemblies of God church in Kuloor attacked. Pastor Samraj, his wife and 2 believers seriously injured and to Wenlock Government Hospital. Musical Instruments and church furnitures damaged. A gold chain of a lady attendee was snatched.
A church of South India (CSI) church at Kodical attacked and broke the window panes, PA system and furnitures.
Miligrais Catholic Church, Major statue of Mother Mary at Hemanagatta attacked. Radicals destroyed statues of the church and broke the window panes and furnitures.