Edapally Church-Tachs [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], from Wikimedia Commons
Koonan Kurissu Chapel Mattancherry
Kadamattom Church
Kottakkavu St. Thomas Church
St. Alphonsa Church Bharananganam
Vallarpadom Church Of Our Lady Ransom
St. Thomas Church Malayattoor
H.B. CATHOLICOS BASALIOS THOMAS I
H. B. Catholicos Baselios Thomas I, Head of the Jacobite Syrian Church, had departed this world for his heavenly abode on Thursday, 31 October 2024. He was 95 years old. He was entombed at St. Athanasius Cathedral at the Patriarchal Centre, Puthenkurishu near Ernakulum on 2nd November 2024. Mor Thomas I was prelate of the Syrian Jacobite Church in Kerala till his departure. He had the fortune to preside over the enthronement of Mor Ignatius Aphrem II as the Patriarch of Antioch in 2014.Click here to read full Homage Page
REV. FR. DR. T. J. JOSHUA
Renowned Theologian and glowing Gospel Orator Rev. Fr. T.J. Joshua had passed away on Saturday July 20, 2024 at the age of 96. Fr. Joshua was a distinguished priest of Malankara orthodox Church, who dedicated more than fifty years teaching at the Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam, Kerala. In recognition of his vast services for the Church and society Malankara Orthodox Church honored him with the title Malankara Sabha Guru Ratnam in 2016. Many of the Articles and Messages are published in this Magazine Light of Life.Click here to read full Homage Page
V. REV. K. MATHAI COR-EPISCOPA
Our beloved Very Reverend K. Mathai Cor-Episcopa departed us for heavenly abode in the evening of Thursday 12th October 2023. Mathai Achen who was earnestly active during his entire life span, rendered his priestly spiritual service till the previous day of his demise. Achen was 81 years old. Dearly loved Cor-Episcopa Mathai Achen was a pertinent example and epitome for humility and simplicity of a Christian priest. Click here to read full Homage Page
REV. FR. BABU VARGHESE
Rev. Fr. Babu Varghese was senior priest of Malankara Orthodox Church, North East Diocese of USA. He was writer of many literature works. He is one of the originator of Light of Life Magazine. He was also known by his pen name Shebaly. He was also Chief Editor of Orthodox Herald. Rev. Fr. Yakob Kathanar, Thiruvinal, priest of Thumpamon Diocese Church, contemporary of Parumala Thirumeni, was his great Grandfather. He was grandson of Fr. Geevarghese Kathanar of Thiruvinal. Click here to read full Homage Page
H.H. BASALIOS PAULOSE II CATHOLICOS
H. H. Basalios Marthoma Paulose II Catholicose of Malankara Orthodox Chuch departed this world for heavenly abode on 12 July 2021. His mortal remains is interred in the Chapel at Catholicate Palace, Devalokam, Kottayam, India. Departure of beloved Bava Thirumeni was quite unexpected and excruciating. Thirumeni was an epitome of love and compassion and personification of celestial mercy and Godly amity. His friendship was warm and awesome. He cared for people of all religion and of all classes. Click here to read full Homage Page
MOST REV. JOSEPH MARTHOMA METROPOLITAN
The 89 year old Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan entered into his eternal life in the early morning on 18 October 2020 after a prolonged illness. He was supreme head of The Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church, often condensed as Mar Thoma Church, from 2 October 2007 to 18 October 2020. He was preceded by Most Rev. Philipose Chrysostom Mar Thoma and Succeeded by Most Rev. Theodosius Mar Thoma. Joseph Mar Thoma was a prominent church leader in the country who was champion of the movements against social evils, in the field of charity and in ecumenical efforts for unity of churches.Click here to read full Homage Page
LIGHT OF LIFE
Though the followers of Jesus shouted and sang Hosanna, they failed to understand who Jesus was? Lord Jesus was not the earthly redeemer from the yoke of Romans, and His Kingdom was not of this world. Prophet Joel make a serious call to the people, to return and repent, fast and pray, and to seek unto God for mercy, with directions how to do this alright. Our fasting and weeping are worth nothing if we do not tear our heart and turn to Lord.
The sweet-smelling savor and the fragrant aroma rising from the Great Lent is life giving and well pleasing. Moses and Elijah fasted 40 days. Elijah who ascended to heaven also witness this fragrance of the cloud of incense rising from the Lent. Our Lord had given this weapon to us to raise us to the past and lost inheritance and the original glory. Repentance is the key of Lent and the faith of the prayer is the victory of our fasting.
It is valuable to know about mountains in the Bible because they help us to connect with the Lord and place He lived in this world. They bring an understanding of the truth that God lived on earth and they give us joy in His creativity. Whether it be a place where God interacted with man or a place of refuge and safety, the Lord uses mountains for His purposes. The greatness of the mountains points us and reminds us of the majesty and wonder of our Lord.
Mor Baselios Joseph I was ordained as the new Maphrian (Catholicos) of the Syriac Orthodox Church in India on March 25, 2025. The ordination took place at the Church of the Virgin Mary, Mother of God, in Atchaneh, Bikfaya, Lebanon, and was officiated by Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, assisted by senior metropolitans of the Holy Synod of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Mor Baselios Joseph I succeeds the late Mor Baselios Thomas I, who passed away in October at the age of 95. During this great ceremony of joy, we felicitate and congratulate Thirumeni on this grand occasion. May God Shower His Choicest Blessings on Thirumeni in abundance and keep in good health lead the sheep. LOL as a whole wish all the best for Thirumeni and pray to God Almighty for all the blessings to Thirumeni from heaven. Click here to read full Felicitation Page
H.H. Baselios Marthoma Mathews III is the Ninth Catholicos of the East in Malankara succeeding H.H. Baselios Marthoma Paulose II the Eighth Catholicos of the East in Malankara who departed for heavenly abode on July 2021. As a key advancement of the epoch, Episcopal synod of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (MOSC) held at Church headquarters in Devalokam in Kottayam presided over by the eldest Metropolitan Kuriakose Mar Cleemmis, has unanimously nominated Dr. Mathews Mar Saverios as the Catholicos designate and the Supreme Head of the Church. All 24 Metropolitans present in the synod had cheered on the decision. Mar Saverios was the Metropolitan of the Diocese of Kandanad West and the Diocese of Kottayam Central. He is also the former secretary of the Episcopal Synod. Click here to read full Felicitation Page
