Pictures from Sunday School General Assembly

The Sunday School had a General Assembly on Sunday, April 21st after the Holy Qurbana.  All the even classes made presentations consisting of skits, speeches and songs.  All our children were awesome!  They displayed their talents in many ways and entertained all in attendance.  The teachers were amazing helping the students prepare and present what they learned in their classes in a very short time.  It was great to see our children grow and be able to share their knowledge with others.  Congratulations to all the students, teachers and parents!

Please see the pictures from the event.

Kottayam Diocese Metropolitan, Geevarghese Mar Ivanios Enters Eternal Rest

Geevarghese Mar Ivanios, Kottayam Diocese Metropolitan of the Orthodox Church, passed away on Friday at 7.30 am Indian time. He was 72 and was undergoing treatment at a private hospital here for old age ailments.

Born on November 14, 1940, Geevarghese Mar Ivanios joined the seminary in 1963.  He became the vicar of Karapuzha Chapel after being bestowed with the "Kashisha" title in 1973.  He was promoted as  Baselios Marthoma Mathews I Ramban in 1979.  Geevarghese Mar Ivanios was then promoted as the Episcopa at the Puthiyakavu St. Mary's church in 1985.

Geevarghese Mar Ivanios became the Metropolitan in 1991.  He was a teacher in the Theological Seminary from 1971.  He has authored a book, “Hridaya Sudhikaranam”.  His Grace is also a known guru in meditation!

General Body Meeting - Sun., April 14th

A General Body Meeting has been scheduled for Sunday, April 14th after the Holy Qurbana.  All eligible members should make every effort to attend and provide input to the church decisions.  If you have any questions, please contact Mr. K.M. Mathew, Secretary.

Holy Week Schedule

Pictures from Palm Sunday Service

Click here to see pictures from Palm Sunday Service.

ഇസ്രായേലിന്റെ രാജാവായി കർത്താവിന്റെ നാമത്തിൽ വരുന്നവൻ വാഴ്ത്തപ്പെട്ടവൻ !

സ്വർഗ്ഗത്തിൽ സമാധാനം ...
... ഉന്നതങ്ങളിൽ സ്തുതി ..
അത്യുന്നതങ്ങളിൽ ഓശാന !! ....

സർവ്വവും മറന്ന് നാഥനെ സ്തുതിക്കുവിൻ ! യിസ്രായേലിന്റെ രാജാവിന് ഓശാന പാടുവീൻ ...

ഏവർക്കും ഒശാനയുടെ പ്രാർത്ഥനാ - മംഗളങ്ങൾ !!

Catholicate Day - Sunday, March 17th

Catholicate Day ("Sabha Dinam" or "Church Day") celebrations will be held on Sunday, March 17th.  Flag hoisting will be held on Saturday after the Retreat. Special Catholicate Day prayers and the reading of the Catholicate pledge and anthem will be held during the Holy Qurbana.  All women are encouraged to dress in Kerala Sari or similar colors.

Funeral Details for Mr. O.T. Daniel, Mar Thoma Church

Mr. O.T. Daniel, one of the early members of the Mar Thoma Church of Los Angeles, passed away on Tuesday, March 12th.  Some of our members were friends of the family and will surely miss him.  Please pray for the family during this difficult time.

The St. Thomas Orthodox Church gives our heartfelt condolences to the Daniel family.




Viewing and funeral arrangements:

03/15/13 Friday 6.30 PM to 10.00 PM 
Viewing at Angeleno Mortuary
5948 Van Nuys 
Blvd  Van Nuys, CA 91401
(818) 778-1788

03/16/13 Saturday 10.00 AM  
Memorial Service at St. Stephens Episcopal Church 
24901 Orchard Rd. Village  Santa Clarita, CA 91355 | 
[661] 259-7307.

Burial service starts at 1.00 PM 
Eternal valley memorial park, 
23287 N.Sierra Hwy, Newhall,CA, 91321

Lenten Retreat - Sat., March 16th @ 9:30am

H.G. Dr. Gabriel Mar Gregorios, Metropolitan of Trivandrum Diocese, will be our chief guest for the Lenten Retreat on Saturday.  Please make every effort to attend and hear his message with your family.  The following will be the schedule for Saturday.

9:30am - Morning Prayers
10am - Children/Youth Session
11am - Absolution and Confession for Children/Youth
11am - Adult Session 1
11:30am - Sunday School Charity Project
12:30pm - Lunch
1:30pm - Adult Session 2
3pm - Holy Confession

Fr. Dr. K.M. George Visits LA - March 10th

Fr. Dr. K.M. George, Principal, Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam, will be visiting Los Angeles and celebrating the Holy Qurbana on Sunday, March 10th. Please plan to attend with your family.

Please visit his website, www.fatherkmgeorge.info to see more information.

Sunday School General Assembly - Sun., March 10th

A Sunday School General Assembly will be held on Sunday, March 10th after the Holy Qurbana.  This will be an opportunity for our children to share what they learn in their classes as well as discuss the upcoming Sunday School Activities.  All students, teachers and parents are requested to attend.  All students, teachers and parents are requested to attend.

Our children are the greatest gift that God has given us!

Great Lent Prayer Meeting - Sat., March 9th @ 6pm

A prayer meeting has been scheduled at church this Saturday. Evening Prayer will begin at 6pm and a devotional talk after. The prayer meeting is hosted by Mr. Benoy Eapen and Mr. Kurien Thampy families.  Please make every effort to attend with your family.

If you wish to host a prayer meeting at your home or at the church, please contact Dr. Nebu John at (714) 826-8300.

Mid-Lent Service

Great Lent Prayer Meeting - Sat., March 2nd @ 6pm

A prayer meeting has been scheduled at church this Saturday. Evening Prayer will begin at 6pm and a devotional talk after. The prayer meeting is hosted by Mr. Abraham Mathew and family, Fullerton.  Please make every effort to attend with your family.

If you wish to host a prayer meeting at your home or at the church, please contact Dr. Nebu John at (714) 826-8300.

Great Lent Kalpana from Diocesan Metropolitan

Blessings to our Cor-Episcopoi, Priests, Deacons, Parish Managing Committee members and all the faithful of our Diocese.

Dearly beloved,

As we enter into the very important liturgical period of the Great Lent, which culminates with the Feast of the Resurrection of our Lord, let us use the weeks in front of us as an opportunity for self-evaluation and to return to God. Jesus Christ, before his public ministry, observed 40 days fast in the Judean wilderness and succeeded in the examinations of Satan. When we look back at the fall of humanity in Genesis 3, we see that humanity, when tempted by Satan, was attracted to the external beauty of the world and thus fell into sin. He found the fruit good for food, a delight to the eyes and that it would make one wise. Jesus Christ, after 40 days fasting, when Satan came to Him tempting Him with food, to attain the things which delighted His eyes, and to use the wisdom He had, He triumphed over Satan and said that humans do not live by the pleasures of the world, that we have to conquer all these temptations and delight in the Word of God and in the power of the Almighty.

Bible Study Teleconference - Feb. 1st @ 6pm

MMVS has organized a series of one hour Bible Study Teleconferences for all to participate.  Rev. Fr. P. C George, kindly agreed to teach Hebrews through teleconference classes every Friday at 6pm, starting on Feb 1st.

Also Rev. Fr. Santhosh (Fr. Varghese Thomas) agreed to teach the Book of Judges on every Thursday at 6pm, starting on Feb 7th.

The number to call the teleconference is 218-632-0187 and the access code is 3703# .  Please note that this is the same number we used last year.