Diocese of South-West America Newsletter

Diocese of South-West America, Malankara Orthodox Syrian ChurchDiocesan NewsletterDS-WA Newsletter“Let your deeds glorifyyour Father in heaven”Matthew 5:16Volume 1, Issue 1, May – June 20112011=2Important Dates5/26 – 5/287/20 – 7/237/28 – 7/317/28 – 7/312011 DS-WA ClergyConference and DiocesanAssemblyMidwest Regional Familyand Youth Conference2011 in Shipshewana, INSouthern Regional Familyand Youth Conference2011 in Denton, TXMGOCSM North AmericaLeadership Camp inBaltimore, MDBlessings to the Chor-Episcopoi, Priests, Deacons, and all the faithful of ourDiocese, Dearly Beloved,We are extremely pleased to write to you on this occasion when the first electronicnews bulletin is being published for our Diocese. We take this opportunity tocongratulate those individuals who have worked to organize this publication and tothose who have been effectively communicating the news and events in our Diocesethrough our website.It is evident that electronic media is now much more popular than print media andit is easy accessible for the majority of the families in our Diocese. Since ourDiocese is almost four times larger than India, we hope the use of electronic mediawill allow for people to know what is happening in the other parts of our Diocesewith just one click. It is a way for us to link the families of our Diocese. We extendour prayers and blessings to all and seek your prayers for the growth of our Diocese.May the Triune God bless you and grant you a peaceful and prosperous life,Your Shepherd in Christ,Alexios Mar Eusebius, MetropolitanRemember the name!We are inviting all members of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church to suggest a suitablename for our Diocesan newsletter. The person who suggests the best name will receive a prizeof $100 awarded by Rev. Fr. Joy Pyngolil. Please send your names to Charly Padanilam at(charlycp@hotmail.com).

Diocesan Newsletter Volume 1, Issue 12Malankara Orthodox Syrian ChurchThe Malankara Orthodox ChurchThe Malankara Orthodox SyrianChurch was founded by St. Thomas,one of the twelve apostles of JesusChrist, who touched the resurrectedJesus Christ, and truly witnessed theresurrected Jesus come to India in A.D.52. At least from the fourth century,the Indian Church entered into a closerelationship with the Persian or EastSyrian Church. From the Persians, theIndians inherited the East Syrianlanguage and liturgies, and graduallycame to be known as Syrian Christians.The Indian Church is in communionwith the other Oriental OrthodoxChurches namely, Armenian, Coptic,Ethiopian, Eritrean, and SyriacOrthodox Churches. The Church is ingood ecumenical relationship with theEastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic,and Protestant Churches.Currently, the Church is using theWest Syrian liturgy. The faith of theChurch is that was established by thethree Ecumenical Councils of Nicea(A.D. 325), Constantinople (A.D.381) and Ephesus (A.D. 431). Atpresent, the Church has over 2.2million faithful with 30 dioceses allover the world. Our dioceses are asfollows.1. Trivandrum, 2. Kottarakkara, 3.Kollam 4. Adoor, 5. Thumpamon,6. Nilackal, 7. Chengannur, 8.Mavelikkara, 9. Niranam, 10.Kottayam, 11. Kottayam Central, 12.Kandanad East, 13. Kandanadu West,14. Ankamali, 15. Cochin, 16. Idukki,17. Trichur, 18. Kunnamkulam, 19.Sultan Bathery, 20. Malabar, 21.Brahmavar, 22. Madras, 23. Banglore,24. Mumbai, 25. Ahamadabad, 26.Culcutta, 27. Delhi, 28. South-WestAmerica, 29. Northeast America, 30.Europe & Africa.The Diocese of South-West AmericaThe Diocese of South-West Americawas officially inaugurated on June 13,2009. The inauguration wasconducted during the SouthernRegional Family & Youth Conferenceheld at the University of Houston.Holy Qurbana was celebrated by HisGrace Alexios Mar Eusebius, ourDiocesan Metropolitan, along with HisGrace Mathews Mar Barnabas,His Grace Dr. Mathews Mar Severios,and many other priests, deacons, andseminarians of the newly formeddiocese. His Grace Mathews MarBarnabas, former DiocesanMetropolitan of the NortheastAmerican Diocese, presided over theinauguration ceremonies.Along with Their Graces, HisEminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo ofthe Roman Catholic Church, Mrs.Anita Perry, First Lady of the State ofTexas, Mayor Bill White, honorablemayor of the City of Houston, SanjeevArora, Consul General of India inHouston, and various other guestsfrom the Orthodox Churches, andpolitical dignitaries were present towitness this historic event.

Diocesan Newsletter Volume 1, Issue 1In the beginning...“Now therefore, write down this songfor yourselves, and teach it to thechildren of Israel; put it in their mouths,that this song may be a witness for Meagainst the children of Israel.”Deuteronomy 31:193EditorialThe Diocesan Council has decided topublish a newsletter on the Internetwhich has been approved by H.G.Alexios Mar Eusebius the Metropolitanof the Diocese of South-West America.His Grace has appointed me, CharlyV. Padanilam, along with Rev. Fr.Thampan Varghese. I am thankful toThirumeni and the Council for thisassignment. Due to our busy schedulesand this is the beginning of thenewsletter we could not fill thenewsletter with sufficient content, butit will be enriched with valuableinformation in future. Yoursuggestions and advice is alwayswelcome to improve the quality andstandard of our newsletter.The newsletter will be published at thebeginning of every other month andwe will soon make it possible to bepublished in every month with theapproval of the Diocesan Metropolitanand the Council. Kindly pray for theprogress of the Diocese and we shallsoon have better diocese, Church, andfinally a better and happy community.May God bless us all.Verses to read “Now therefore, writedown this song for yourselves, andteach it to the children of Israel; put itin their mouths, that this song may bea witness for Me against the children ofIsrael.” Deuteronomy 31:19Diocesan CouncilThe 1 st Diocesan assemblyof the diocese willconvene from May 26,2011 with the clergyretreat and ending withthe General Assembly onMay 28, 2011.Members those who areinterested in contributingarticles please send themto Charly Padanilam atcharlyvp@hotmail.comOur Metropolitan- Charly V. PadanilamHis Grace has been leading the newDiocese of South-West America from2009 onwards. His vision, dedication,and prayers have been creating newroads for this diocese. He is constantlylooking for ways to create harmonyand promote the growth of the dioceseby innovatively using technology alongwith his leadership skills.Upcoming EventsThe Midwest Regional & SouthernRegional Family and YouthConferences for 2011 will be in July.Please see the websites (linked above)for more information.Diocesan Council (Left to Right)Mr. Philip Philipose, Mr. CharlyVarghese, Mr. Johnson Varghese,Rev.Fr. Joy Pyngolil, H.G. Alexios MarEusebius, Rev. Fr. Thampan Varghese,Rev. Fr. Raju Daniel, Mr. GeorgePanicker, Mr. P.I Joy.

Recent Diocesan NewsTo read more newsfrom our dioceseplease visit ourwebsite!www.ds-wa.orgOrdination of Joel MathewJoel Mathew was ordained tothe Holy Order of Sub-Deacon(Yaupadiakono) by H.G. AlexiosMar Eusebius, Metropolitan ofthe Diocese of South-WestAmerica on Saturday, May 21,2011 at St. Mary’s, Dallas.Consecration of St. Mary'sOrthodox ChurchThe newly constructed St.Mary’s Orthodox Church,Farmers Branch, Dallas, Texaswas consecrated on Friday,Saturday and Sunday, May13,14 and 15, 2011.Martha Mariam SouthernRegional ConferenceThe Martha Mariam SouthernRegional Conference was heldon March 26, 2011 at SanAntonio, Texas.Diocese of South-West AmericaDiocesan Newsletter MastheadPresident:H.G. Alexios Mar EusebiusEditor-in-Chief:Rev. Fr. Thampan VargheseEditor:Charly V. Padanilam3703 Chesterdale Dr.Missouri City, TX, 77459Ph: 281.403.0670Fax: 281.459.0814www.ds-wa.orgOrdination of Dn.Christopher MathewDn. Christopher Mathew wasordained to the Holy Order ofM’shamshono (Full-Deacon) onFriday, April 15, 2011 at St.Thomas Orthodox Cathedral,Houston.2011 Southern Region AreaOne Sunday SchoolCompetitionThe Southern Region Area 1Sunday School Competition washeld on Saturday March 19,2011 at St. Thomas OrthodoxCathedral, Houston. More than260 students, from 7 differentparishes participated.