Sunday School Teachers Meeting - Sun., August 25th

A Sunday School Teachers meeting has been scheduled for Sunday, August 25th after the Holy Qurbana.  We are also seeking volunteers to assist with our Sunday School so if you are interested, please contact Mr. Mathew Varughese, Principal.  Please plan to attend and bring your ideas for the new year.

San Diego Chapel Service - Sat., August 24th

There will be Holy Qurbana celebrated at the San Diego Chapel on Saturday, August 24th at 9:30am.  Please plan to attend with your family.

Grace Chapel
9050 Mira Mesa Boulevard
San Diego, CA 92126

Fr. Dr. Reji Mathew Visits LA - July 28th

Fr. Dr. Reji Mathew visiting from India will celebrate Holy Qurbana on Sunday, July 28th.  Please plan to attend and hear his message.

Fr. Dr. Reji Mathew is currently professor at the Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam. He is also Dean of Studies for the Seminary as well as Registrar of the Federated Faculty for Research in Religion and Science(FFRRC). Following a Bachelor in Education (B.Ed.) from the Mahatma Gandhi University, Fr. Reji Mathew began his theological education at the Orthodox Theological Seminary at Kottayam where he completed the Graduate in Sacred Theology (diploma) and Bachelor in Divinity degree with first class and second rank from Serampore University. He earned a Master in Theology (New Testament) from the FFRRC under the Senate of Serampore. He further completed an M.A. in English from the Kerala University. He has earned a Doctorate in Theology in New Testament from the Friedrich Alexander University in Erlangen, Germany. His research was on The Christological Significance of the Geneology of Jesus in St. Matthew's Gospel. He has been lecturer at the OTS Kottayam since 2010

His principal areas of teaching are New Testament, Inter-Testamental Period and Dead Sea Scrolls.

Fr. Reji Mathew is the Executive Editor for the Thiruvachana Bhashyam and is on the Curriculum Committee of the Orthodox Sunday School Association of the East (OSSAE). He currently serves as Vice-President of Akhila Malankara Orthodox Susrushaka Sangom (AMOSS). He is also a member of the Joint Commission for Orthodox – Roman Catholic Church.

‘A Commentary on I Corinthians’ (Thiruvachana Bhashyam) and ‘I Worship Therefore I Am’ are two of is very popular books. Along with several other articles in various Church publications, he also authored the popular article ‘Jesus Christ as the Hermeneutical Key for Interpreting the Book of Revelations’.

Fr. Reji Mathew has served as Principal of the St. Thomas Orthodox Theological Seminary (STOTS) at Nagpur (1991-2010), Director of the OSSAE Outside Kerala Region (2000-2010), President of Prerana School for Mentally Challenged Children (2001-2010) and Chief Editor of the Sahayatra Magazine.

First Holy Qurbana at San Diego Chapel - Sat., July 27th

A handful of families from our Church, who live in San Diego, have taken the initiative to form the San Diego Congregation as an extension of the St. Thomas Orthodox Church, Los Angeles.  They plan to host a Holy Qurbana service in San Diego the fourth Saturday of each month.

The first Holy Qurbana will be celebrated by Rev. Fr. Panicker at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 27th, at Grace Chapel located at 9050 Mira Mesa Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92126.

This Chapel is easy to get to, because Mira Mesa Boulevard is an exit from 15 and 805 freeways. It can conveniently accommodate up to 80 people and has a large parking lot.

We invite you to show your support by attending this joyous event.

If you plan to attend this Holy Qurbana, could you please send Dr. Kandathil Jacob an e-mail at kjacob@earthlink.net and let him know how many adults and kids will be there in your party. This would help the San Diego Congregation ensure a pleasant experience for you.

Prayer Meeting at Church - July 6th @ 5:30pm

A General Prayer Meeting has been scheduled for Saturday, July 6th at 5:30pm at church.  Fr. Shibi John, visiting Los Angeles, will conduct the prayer meeting.  All our families should plan to attend and participate in the prayer meeting.

NUH'RO Summer Camp Starts July 1

Please enroll your children for the Nuh'ro Summer Camp on Mondays from July 1 to August 5th from 9am to 4pm at church.  The camp is recommended for children in grades KG through 8th grade. The camp will be led by Dn. Saju Varghese with the assistance of MGOCSM students like last year. We will provide all the supplies, snacks and drinks for the children. Please send a sack lunch for your children. Please make a donation of $25/child for supplies for all the sessions. 

If you have any questions or would like to volunteer to assist, please contact Mathew Varughese, Sunday School Principal.

Please click here to register your children for the camp.

Prayer Meeting at Church - Sat., June 29th @ 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 Varughese and family, Buena Park. Please make every effort to attend with your family.

JACOB AND KUNJUMON KOSHY'S MOTHER PASSES AWAY

We are very saddened to inform you that the mother of Jacob (Babykutty) and Kunjumon Koshy (Ex-Members), has passed away yesterday.  Many of you know the families since they were members of our church for long time.  

The St. Thomas Orthodox Church gives our heart-felt condolences to the families.  Please keep the families in your daily prayers as they pass through this difficult time.

VIEWING: 
Friday, June 14th - 4 PM to 8 PM

FUNERAL SERVICE: 
Saturday, June 15th - 10 AM to 11AM

FUNERAL HOME:
Eternal Valley Memorial Park (Click here for directions)
23287 Sierra High way
Newhall  CA 91321 
661-259-0880

Sunday School Final Exam - Sun., June 2nd

The Final Exam will take place on Sunday, June 2nd at 9am.  Parents are kindly requested to prepare their children and bring them on time.  Please contact Mathew Varughese or the teachers, if you have any questions.

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.