Bishop Devasahayam preaches for quiet day in UTC

The Quiet Day retreat for the first term of the academic year 2013-14 was held in the UTC on July 30 and 31 in the Ziegenbalgh chapel of the UTC. The Rt. Rev. Dr. V. Devasahayam, the bishop of the CSI Madras diocese lead the sessions for the quiet day retreat. 

Bishop Devasahayam spoke on the UTC theme for the year “Christian discipleship: Call, cost and commitment.” He spoke at length on all the sub themes and developed a spirituality which can be emulated by theological students and future pastors. He brought in the need for spiritual development centres in theological colleges.

The bishop developed the theme of a Christian call by saying that a call is not dependent on human merit or virtues. God fancies calling the meek to put to shame the powerful. He said that “God does not call the qualified but qualifies the called.” The call for discipleship is also a call for a new life. One should be child like and be ready to change. Discipleship also implies companionship. It is being in the company of Jesus. Discipleship suggests following. The shepherd is the father, the sheep the people, Jesus the gate and the Holy Spirit the gate keeper. One should resemble Christ and commit to the values of the kingdom.

 Bishop Devasahayam expressed that discipleship is collective discipleship. The Holy Spirit is given to a community. Are we able to escape the divisions of class, caste and gender? Every such division is a denial of discipleship and the Christian church. Discipleship aims at continuity. 

Jesus taught his disciples the way of the cross. One must base one’s faith on this. One must do away with selfishness and choose a life of sacrifice. Therefore, one must lose one’s life to gain it. Suffering has a redemptive value. Bishop Devasahayam was happy to be in his alma mater and lead the quiet day this year.

Mar Chrysostom honoured by UTC

H.G. Most Rev. Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostom, the longest living alumnus of the UTC was honoured in a function held in the Charles Ranson hall at the United Theological College yesterday evening at 6:00 P.M. Bishop Chrysostom now 96 years old is celebrating the 60 th year of his bishopric. His alma mater UTC joined in the celebration by honouring him with a special programme called "An evening with Mar Chrysostom".

The meeting was chaired by Rev. Dr. K.C. Abraham, the former director of SATHRI (South Asia Theological Research Institute). The principal of UTC, Rev. Dr. John Samuel Raj, the director of CISRS (The Centre for the study of Religion and Society) Rev. Dr. Vincent Rajkumar, the faculty representative, Rev. Dr. Gudrun Lowner and the president of the UTCSA (The United Theological College Student's Association) Rev. Dinesh spoke on the occassion.

Bishop Chrysostom planting a sapling

The programme started with Bishop Chrysostom planting a sapling in the UTC lawn. He was then escorted to the stage along with all the dignitaries. Faculty, staff and students from UTC and various priests and people from various churches in Bangalore attended the function. As the opening bhajan was sung, six lighted candles were brought to the stage by Dr. Nalini Arles with people representing senior staff, maintainence, students, student spouses and children. The six candles represented sixty years of Mar Chrysostom as bishop and wished long life for him.

The principal of the UTC called Bishop Chrysostom a well known and popular bishop and one of the most esteemed alumnus' of the college. Dr. K.C. Abraham talked on how a theologian should be a good communicator and without that will not make any sense to the people. He continued by saying that Bishop Chrysostom had the gift to communicate in a simple way which made sense to a lot of people who listened to him. Rev. Vincent Rajkumar said that Bishop Chrysostom is a legend and someone who all looked up to. His reaching out to other communities was a highlight of his ministry which was indeed something everyone could emulate. Dr. Gudrun called Bishop Chrysostom as someone who was now also the topic of research at the BD and Masters level in theology. His simplicity is something which struck her when they met. Rev. Dinesh talked about the bishop from the perspective of a student and from the point of view of someone who has read about Mor Chrysostom but has never seen him. The meeting was interspersed with laughter by the crowd present as everyone referred to the bishop's sense of humour as well.

Bishop Chrysostom in his reply speech said that theology cannot be learnt but has to be lived and experienced. He said that other religions did not have a problem with Christianity but with our interpretation of Christianity and Christ. He further said that we should not be bothered about whether we live or die because in both cases we are with God. He talked about preaching and practising God and said that practising is more important than just empty words. The evening with the bishop also had prayer by Dr. Evangeline Anderson Rajkumar and Dr. Jesurathnam. Bishop Chrysostom was presented a memento on behalf of the college by Dr. Jones Muthunayagom.

UTC to honour The Most Rev. Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostom

The United Theological College, Bangalore will be conducting a programme on Monday, July 1, 2013 at 6:00 P.M. in the Charles Ranson Hall of the UTC to honour His Grace The Most Rev. Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostom, the senior bishop of the Marthoma Syrian Church on the occasion of his sixtieth anniversary as bishop of the church. Bishop Chrysostom is the longest serving bishop alive in India and the oldest alumnus of the college.

His Grace The Most Rev. Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostom

The programme will feature the principal of the college Rev. Dr. John Samuel Raj, the moderator of the Church of South India and the president of the UTC council Most Rev. Dr. G. Devakadasham, the bishop of the Methodist Church Bishop Dr. Taranath S. Sagar, the director of the Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and Society Rev. Dr. Vincent Rajkumar and others. People from various strata of society, churches and members of the college will be attending the programme to honour and felicitate Bishop Philipose Mar Chrysostom.

Bishop Dr. M. Azariah passes away

 

Rt. Rev. Dr. M. Azariah, the former bishop of Madras Diocese went to his eternal abode yesterday. The funeral service will be held at St. George's Cathedral, Chennai today.

Bishop Azariah was presently the chief functionary of the Ecumenical Council for Drought Action and Water Management (ECoDAWM) which is a constituent member of the NCCI Council. Dr. Roger Gaikwad said Bishop Azariah was in the staff team of the National Council from 1975 to 1977 as Mission Secretary and Secretary for Christian Education Council of India. Bishop Azariah served the Church of South India Synod as its General Secretary (1982-1990). He started his ministry as a rural Pastor in CSI Madras Diocese, and he had taken up the Office of the Welfare Officer of the Leprosy Mission Hospital in Manamadurai. He also served as the Tamil Nadu Auxiliary Secretary of the Bible Society of India (1976 and 1981).

He was known for his Dalit commitment. He ministered the Dalits throughout his life as a church worker,leader, writer and teacher. He was instrumental in promoting several Dalit movements and organizations and made the churches to accompany the Dalits in their struggle for freedom towards equality, dignity and inclusiveness.  He was described as ‘the pillar’ of Indian Dalits and Dalit movements and was the ‘Dalit voice’ to the nation, church and ecumenical movement at one point of time. Bishop Dr. Azariah also taught in the Gurukul  Lutheran Theological College till recently. 

The UTC principal, faculty, staff and students pray and give thanks to God for the life of Bishop Dr. M. Azariah and offer condolences to his family members and bishop, pastors and laity of the CSI Madras diocese.

 

 

UTC alumnus consecrated as bishop

 
Jomy Joseph, an alumnus of the United Theological College was ordained as a bishop of the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church on Sunday January 15, 2012 in the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul, Damascus, Syria,  by His Holiness the Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas. Jomy Joseph is now Mathews Mor Antheemos and the church will decide his engagements and responsibilities later. Mathews Mor Antheemos did his doctorate in Salsburg and his thesis was on "Integrity of Creation in the Theology of Ephrem the Syrian. A Patristic Eco Theology."

(Pictures courtesy of SOCM and Malankara Syriac Voice)

PRO meets Jacobite prelate

The Public Relations Officer of the UTC, Rev. M. Jacob met the metropolitan of the Bangalore diocese of the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, H.G. Pathrose Mor Osthathios on Nov 5, 2011. The meeting which lasted over one and a half hours was at the residence of the bishop in Hoskote, Bangalore.

Rev. Jacob reminded the bishop of the long and deep relationship of UTC and the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church. The bishop in turn thanked the college for educating many priests and bishops of the church. The bishop offered all support and prayers for up coming projects of the UTC and discussed ways of a long lasting partnership and understanding between the church and the college. Rev. Jacob invited H.G. Mor Osthathios to visit UTC and be a part of the programs of the college whenever he would get time.

(Photo credit- Iniyan Joshva, JK)