Indian Orthodox Parish Vicar leads Divine Liturgy for senior citizens of St Gregorios Orthodox Church
Cherian Mathikere (Chief Editor & Correspondent) OCP News Service – 26/11/17
BENGALURU, India: Rev Fr Varghese Philip Idichandy, Vicar/President, St Gregorios Orthodox Church, Mathikere, Bengaluru, marked yet another milestone in his illustrious career as a clergyman.
On November 22, Wednesday, for the first time in the history of Bengaluru Diocese, Fr Idichandy led a special holy Eucharist exclusively for the ailing elders and senior citizens of the church.
Over 30 senior members attended the early morning service at the new Mathikere church in the name of St Gregorios, the patron saint of the Parish and the first canonised saint of Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Syrian Church.
Says Fr Idichandy: “It was an overwhelming experience and a blessing to be with the elders at the church who received the Holy Qurbana. Some of the elders who had been ailing for long time attended the service. They were really glad and expressed their gratitude to the Almighty and the Church.”
At the end of the Eucharist, Fr Idichandy thanked God for providing him with such a noble thought and the willingness to serve Him in all possible ways. Later, the vicar joined the senior members for a breakfast and chatted with them personally to understand their issues.
The vicar expressed his sincere thanks to Mr Jacob Oommen (Saju), the long-serving sexton who worked hard to channelise and transport the ailing from their home to the church and back. He also did not fail to mention the able support received from the young altar boys for their work.
It is hoped the example set by Fr Idichandy will be followed by all other churches in Bengaluru Diocese so that the weak and the ailing will be able to attend the mass in church conveniently.
From December the special Holy Qurbana for elders will be held during second Saturdays with the next one scheduled for December 9, 2017.
The new parish is located at # 264, 10th Main Road, Mathikere Extension, Mathikere, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560 054, India.
Source:
Independent
