Metropolitan Mar Severios Mathews Receives Thanal Charity Award 2016-17

By Our Gulf, Middle East Correspondent – OCP News Service – 21/3/17 

Indian Orthodox Malankara Church

Mar Severios receives Muscat Mahaedavaka Thanal Charity Award 2016-17 from Mar Yulios,
says the honour to further boost his charitable works.

MUSCAT: “Despite living in a terror infected world, human beings still possess compassion and care towards their fellowmen,” said HG Dr Mathews Mar Severios, Metropolitan, Kandanad West Diocese. The Metropolitan and Holy Episcopal Synod Secretary was replying to felicitations after accepting the third Thanal Charity Award 2016-2017 instituted in the name of LL HG Dr Stephanos Mar Theodosius (1924-2007).

Mar Severios in his address pointed out that children who are mentally challenged or differently abled at his home are also ‘spiritually abled’ and go a step ahead of him spiritually. “Praying with such children is similar to praying in heaven,” His Grace added, pointing that the award goes beyond to proove that God is great and only God can help and his superiority over man who has no upper role. He hailed the charitable efforts of St Gregorios of Parumala, LL Geevarghese Mar Osthathios and LL Stephanos Mar Theodosius for the church and mentioned that it was a honour to accept the award in the name of the missionary. “I have no role for the success and said he was happy to receive the award from Muscat Maha Edavaka which was blessed for charity works.”

Ahmedabad Diocese Metropolitan HG Pulikkottil Dr Geevarghese Mar Yulios presented the award to Mar Severios during the Thanal Project valedictory on March 17, Friday, at St Thomas Church, Ruwi, organised by Mar Gregorios Orthodox Maha Edavaka (MGOME).

Metropolitan Mar Yulios in his welcome address eulogised Mar Severios as a role model for the Indian Orthodox Church which has made a name for itself in charity as a priority. His Grace likened his senior Bishop to a ‘Phoenix for the Orthodox Church’ and a leading teacher of Oriental Christology and who led several charity works for the church and diocese since 1992. As a token of gratitude, Mar Yulios presented a cheque from his Metropolitan Discretionary Fund (MDF) which will help fund the existing 15 ongoing projects.
Welcoming the gathering, Fr Jacob Mathew, Vicar, MGOME, in his presidential address said for the first time the award recipient rightly went to a Metropolitan and the managing committee was unanimous in its decision to select HG Severios for the award. The Maha Edavaka again crossed the targeted amount this fiscal despite the downturn in the Gulf. He appreciated the willingness of the members of the parish to extend help in large numbers towards the project.

Biju George, Hon Trustee, in his report on the ‘Divine Touch of Healing’ project for 2016-17 said so far 35 families stand to benefit from cardiac surgery among children. Efforts are being made to distribute the amount to the beneficiaries soon and identify the remaining. The Thanal project began in 2005 and the project was launched on June 24, 2016 with a maiden contribution from senior member Geevarghese Yohannan.

A three-minute video presentation hailed the missionary and charity work of the recipient Mar Severios. MGOME also presented a memento to Dr Mar Yulios, Diocese Metropolitan.

Earlier, the function began with a melodious rendering from the senior choir. Benson Skaria, Hon Secretary, MGOME, proposed a vote of thanks while Biju Parumala compered the function. Rt Rev Dr Abraham Mar Paulos Episcopa, Adoor Diocese, who was the chief guest, failed to make due to engagements of the Mar Thoma Church in Oman.

The Thanal Charity Project Committee for 2016-17 comprised of MGOME Vicar, Associate Vicar, parish members George Kunjumon, John Thomas, Mrs Molly Abraham, Nidhin Babu Chirathilattu, Shibu John, Biju George (Hon Trustee), Sajan C Varghese (Hon Co-Trustee) and Benson Skaria (Hon Secretary).

Source:
OCP News Service