ASSOCIATION FOR PROTECTION OF ANTIOCHEAN TRUE FAITH
(A Subsidiary of the Malankara Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church in North America)
Supreme Patron:
HIS HOLINESS MOR IGNATIUS APHREM II
(Supreme head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church)
President:
HIS EMINENCE MOR TITUS YELDHO
(Archbishop, Malankara Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church in North America)
Vice President:
Rev. Fr. James Mulanthanam
Secretary:
Mr. Joy Ittan
Treasurer:
Mr. Jimmy Jacob George
Dearly Beloved in Christ, The Association for Protection of Antiochean True Faith is a spiritual organization that was established with the mission to protect the one True, Apostolic, and Catholic faith of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church. The Association was formed at the time when the true Syriac Orthodox faith, passed on to us by our forefathers, was questioned. During the past decade, the Association has stood firm in the Antiochean true faith and has always extended its whole-hearted support, faith, obligation, and acquiescence to the Holy Throne of St. Peter and His Holiness the Patriarch of Antioch.
Association for Protection of Antiochean True Faith was initially started in Malankara after the 1995 Supreme Court verdict to strengthen the Jacobite Christian faithful through prayers and vigilance. It was during the time of crisis and restlessness in the Malankara Archdiocese of Syrian Orthodox Church in North America in the late 90s a few members of the Church in New York and New Jersey felt the importance of protecting the true Antiochean faith and passing it on to their children; a chapter of the Association was initiated in the United States. The Lord strengthened its members to face all the atrocities, and by the grace of God, they were able to fight a successful war against the forces that threatened the existence of our Holy Church. The prayers and the true faith of the faithful were so strong that they were able to hold on to the true Syriac Orthodox faith and traditions.
Association for Protection of Antiochean True Faith has emphasized its strong role in spreading the word of the Lord to all its faithful members through prayer meetings and gatherings. It urges its members to stay strong in faith through unconditional prayers and devotion to cast out the intruders and invaders from the Church as Jesus Christ did at the Jerusalem Temple. In 2004, the Association along with the Mor Adai Study Center published a book “Slaiheeka Sandarsanam: Vivadangalum Visadeekarangalum” based on the Apostolic visit of H.H. Ignatius Zakka Iwas I. During the past year, the Association has been conducting trimestral Bible Study Classes at our Churches. This study class based on the true faith and sacraments of the Syriac Orthodox Church is getting overwhelming support. The Association has also raised Charity funds and has made it available to a number of poor and the needy in Malankara.
The Association looks forward to continue its efforts in spiritually nourishing the faithful members of the Church through retreats and prayers. We envision educating the members about the history and the different stages of development of our Church through seminars and symposiums. We highly welcome the participation of the youth members in the activities of the Association and we also plan to make arrangements to teach the younger generation the true faith and the rich traditions of the Syrian Orthodox Church. We look forward in arranging meetings in every sub-unit to get together and worship the Lord and learn more from the Holy Bible and about the Holy Sacraments of the Church. I take this opportunity to extend my sincere thanks for the benevolence shown towards us by our spiritual fathers Patriarch H.H. Mor Ignatius Zakka Iwas I, our Catholicose H.B. Mor Baselius Thomas I, our Archbishop H.E. Mor Titus Yeldho, and all the faithful Bishops of the Holy Church. I also would like to thank all the priests, office bearers, and the members of the Association who put their sincere efforts in organizing meetings and standing strong in the true faith of the Church.
Our Church has a very rich tradition and our forefathers have held the Church together all this time. So, it is our responsibility, let us hold our hands together in the Lord with prayers to work for the betterment, progress, and protection of our Holy Church.