He also encouraged the people to unite and support those in harm’s way. He implored the authorities to respect the constitution that guarantees the religious freedom of every citizen. C.V Mathew of the Evangelical Church spoke about the Manipur situation and wondered aloud why the Indianness of Christians is being questioned. Therefore, let us unite and encourage our brothers in Manipur,” the Bishop added. As the Bible says, we are like sheep in the middle of wolves. However, Bible speaks about being strengthened in the face of persecution. However, today our brothers are facing difficulties back home in India. Christianity arrived in Kerala much before Europe Embraced it. “After Manipur, some people said Kerala would be the next target. We should never miss it – Bishop exhorted.īishop Mar Joy Allapat of the Syro-Malabar Church pointed out that even in America, there is no certainty of what will happen in the future. Thomas, who always stood firm in his faith. We always remember Thomas’s response looking at the hands, ‘My Lord and my God.’ We have the tradition of St. Jesus sees Thomas, who says he will not believe unless he sees Jesus face to face and touches the wound in his hand. Those who know me know the Father.’ The third opportunity is to see Jesus after the ascension. How do we know that?’ To which Jesus replied: ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. Then Thomas says: ‘We do not know the way you are going. In the fourteenth chapter, Jesus speaks of himself and his departure. Once Jesus decided to go, Thomas said we could go and die with him. But the disciples, knowing that there were people there who could kill him, asked if it was necessary. In the eleventh chapter of the Gospel of John, Jesus decides to go to Bethany to comfort the family of Lazarus. “Saint Thomas is mentioned three times in the Bible. The light of the gospel reached our country in the first century.” We must also be ready to die for the kingdom of God. We owe it to ourselves to raise our voices. We must stand together in the miseries facing humanity while accepting our differences. But the important thing is that we stand together. Let us pray for peace to be restored there. But we cannot accept the pains of our brothers in India. They lamented how we could sing God’s song in a foreign land. We are safe and content here in America. They cried out while they were in captivity in Babylon. The Bishop said, “Suffering and pain have also affected the people of Israel. We should be proud of our history and heritage. He went on to add that they may have political and social reasons to indulge in those efforts however, the facts will not be erased from history. Several choirs from various churches with their Singing made the ceremony more devotional.īishop of Marthoma Church, Isaac Mar Filoxenos Episcopa, who was the chief guest, mentioned the new trends by those in power to rewrite history. Mark Mang, a native of Manipur whose cousin died at the hands of the militants and others, pointed to the rapid changes that are taking place as regards curtailing of religious freedom in India. Church Fathers, priests, and dignitaries arrived with blessings and greetings.īryan Nerran, who had to spend seven and a half months in prison in India on trumped-up charges, and Rev. It was a rare gathering of Indian Christians from across denominations, regions, and languages who lived in greater New York. Thomas, was held a day earlier at the Cathedral Hall of the Malankara Catholic Church in Elmont, New York. The celebration, which was supposed to be held on July 3, the day of St. New York: Christians celebrated the Indian Christian Day with prayers and tears in light of the great calamity faced by the Christian community in Manipur. Johncy Itty, Father John Thomas, Bishop C.V. From L-R Sibu Nair, Jacob George, Mark Mang, Rev.
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