Reflections of this year - Christopher Mathew

This has been a blessed year for the St. Tikhon’s community, especially for the Indian Orthodox seminarians of the American Diocese studying here.

His Holiness Baselios Mar Thoma Didymus I, the Catholicos of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church made his first Apostolic visit to American Diocese in the summer of 2006 after his enthronement to the Apostolic Throne of St. Thomas in October 2005. During His Holiness’ visit to America he was very keen in visiting the theological seminaries his spiritual children studied at here in America.

His Holiness, accompanied by Metropolitan Zachariah Mar Nicholovos, the Auxiliary Metropolitan of the American Diocese, The Rev. Deacon Moncy Chacko, secretary to His Holiness and Mr. Mathew Alexander, Diocesan MGOCSM General secretary, were warmly received by the community of St. Tikhon’s, especially the children who were in attendance for the annual Youth Camp. Aside from blessing each child at the Camp, His Holiness also enjoyed a tour of the monastery and seminary campus.
At the beginning of the fall semester of 2006, three new seminarians of the American Diocese of the Indian Orthodox Church were enrolled in the Masters of Divinity program, with one seminarian returning for his second year. The administration of St. Tikhon’s was extremely gracious in allowing the Indian seminarians to have their own chapel, located in Metropolitan Leonty Dormitory, to observe the hours according to the West Syriac Liturgical Tradition.

The Indian seminarians had the blessing to celebrate the Feast of the Holy Cross on the evening of September 13th. Rev. Fr. Varghese K. Joshua, the pastor of St. Thomas Indian Orthodox Church Washington, D.C., served the Divine Liturgy and Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Members from the seminarian community were also in attendance to see the first Divine Liturgy of the Indian Orthodox Church to be celebrated at St. Tikhon’s. Fr. Joshua has been teaching the Indian seminarians liturgical order and chant, Indian Church history, Malayalam (vernacular of Kerala, India) and Syriac (the liturgical language of Indian Church).

With the growing number of seminarians of the Indian Church attending St. Tikhon’s Seminary, the Metropolitans of the Indian Church in America came to visit the institution, especially the community. The Very Rev. Michael Dahulich and the seminary community warmly received Metropolitan Mathews Mar Barnabas, Metropolitan of the American Diocese with his Deacon, Siby Shemasen. Thirumeni offered some enlightening words to the community on Christian Spirituality. Metropolitan Mar Barnabas was graciously received by His Grace Bishop Tikhon, the Rector of the seminary, and His Grace's Diocesan Council at lunch. After given a full tour of the seminary and monastery campus, Thirumeni was extremely pleased with the seminary and the atmosphere it provides for his seminarians.

Later that week Metropolitan Mar Nicholovos visited St. Tikhon’s to celebrate the Feast of St. Gregorios of Parumala, the first canonized saint of the Indian Orthodox Church. St. Gregorios was the venerable and loving Metropolitan of the Diocese of Niranam during the late 19th and early 20th century. St. Gregorios was known for his life of love, humility, compassion and prayer. He was a great witness of Christ to the people of India and converted many to the Orthodox Faith, and fearlessly battled against the heresies of the Anglican Church present in India. The Feast of Indian Church’s most beloved Saint was celebrated with Holy Qurbana and prayers of intercession to the Saint in the Seminary Chapel. Members of the seminary community along with members of the Indian Orthodox Church from both far and near were also in attendance. After the Divine Liturgy, Mr. Ciby Alex and family of Binghamton hosted a sumptuous Indian dinner.

On Friday of that week, Nicholovos Thirumeni offered a lecture in an American Religious History class on the history of the Indian Orthodox Church in North America.

In December His Grace Geevarghese Mar Ivanios, Metropolitan of the Diocese of Kottayam, India, Abbot of St. Basil the Great Monastery and Professor of Orthodox Spirituality at Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kerala, India, visited St. Tikhon’s during his vacation in America. Thirumeni had the opportunity to speak with His Grace Bishop Tikhon, Fr. Michael, and members of the faculty and staff of the seminary. He was also warmly received for the Vigil of St. Nicholas in the Monastery Church. His Grace enjoyed a week of spending time with the seminary community and looks forward to his next visit to the seminary.

St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary community has been so kind, so loving, and so gracious to us. There is no doubt this seminary has a special place in the hearts of the faithful of the Indian Church for their assistance in forming faithful shepherds to the flock of Christ. Despite the lack of communion between our Churches, the fellowship, affection, and sincerity of the St. Tikhon’s community make us hope all the more and pray that one day, and that the day might be soon, that we all in faith, reverence and love may draw nearer to that communion.