"The women faithful are inseparable partners & colleagues in the building up of the Holy Church" – H.G.Dr.Abraham Mor Severios Metropolitan
While addressing as the Chief Guest at the North East Regional Conference of the Women’s League,a vital spiritual organization of the Malankara Archdiocese of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church in North America, His Grace Dr. Abraham Mor Severios, the Regional Metropolitan of Ankamaly (Kerala) stated that the women of the church are coheirs and inseparable partners & companions in building up the Holy Church. The Regional Conference held at the famous White Plains St.Mary’s Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church, New York on Saturday, March 10th 2012 was presided over by Archbishop H.E.Mor Titus Yeldho where hundreds of women were attending. In his presidential address Archbishop Mor Titus reiterated that the appreciative roles of Women’s League members in different capacities such as daughters, mothers, grandmothers, younger and older sisters as well as life partners, make a big difference in the progress of each individual parish and of the Archdiocese as a whole. Mrs. Kunjamma Babu Jacob, Unit Secretary of Women’s League and Mr.Jibu Vettikkattil, Parish Secretary, both of White Plains Church welcomed all the attendees to this annual conference and to the parish.
In the main discourse under the biblical theme from the book of Joshua (3:5),”Sanctify yourselves, because tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you”, Rev. Fr.Varghese Paul (Vicar of White Plains St. Mary’s Church and Personal Secretary to the Archbishop) aroused the audience that the period of great lent is a period of self purification for the faithful. He also explained the ways and means of such sanctification that leads the faithful to salvation ultimately. Women’s League member Mrs.Shana Joshua (George) of St.Peters Syrian Orthodox Church, Philadelphia impressively presented her views on the theme.
Bible quiz competition, business meeting were among many items of agenda of the day. Business meeting was lead by Mrs. Susan Varkey, the National Treasurer of the League and Mrs.Milon Roy, Regional Secretary, North East Region. Women’s League members of St. Mary’s Syrian Orthodox Church, Lynbrook, won reward for attaining highest points in the quiz competition. The gospel songs by St. Mary’s choir was very melodious. Mrs. Manju Thomas of White Plains St.Mary's was the Master of Ceremony of this conference. A decision was taken for a combined meeting of St.Mary’s Women’s League and St.Paul’s Men’s Prayer Fellowship under the Archdiocese to be held in September 2012 at St. Mary’s Syrian Orthodox Church, Lynbrook, New York. The meeting was concluded with vote of thanks by Mrs.Milon Roy and a feast of fellowship.
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Babu Jacob Nadayil,
P.R.O., Malankara Archdiocese of S.O.C. in N. America
