“Reach out to Your Orthodox Brethren” OCP Secretary to the Sharjah Indian Orthodox Community

Prakash Varghese- OCP Delegate of Gulf, Levant and All Middle East
OCP News Service – 31/1/17

Sharjah-United Arab Emirates – Secretary of Orthodoxy Cognate PAGE (Pan-Orthodox Christian organization) spoke on the need for Pan-Orthodox Unity at St. Gregorios Indian Orthodox Malankara Church in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. George was invited as the Chief Guest at the inaugural ceremony of the activities of three spiritual organizations (Orthodox Youth Movement, Mar Gregorios Orthodox Students Movement, and Mortha Mariyam Samajam – Women’s Forum) of the St. Gregorios Orthodox parish for the year 2017.

OCP Secretary urged various spiritual organizations to focus on human resources development and mental health. He asked the parish community to reach out to the nearby Eastern and Oriental Orthodox communities. He said that Orthodox Churches mostly focus on ecumenical programs, hence Pan-Orthodox unity is always kept aside. There exist a big need and immense scope for extensive cooperation between various Eastern and Oriental Orthodox jurisdictions in Sharjah. He asked the parish community to keep Pan-orthodox unity as one of the key priorities.

Rev Fr John K Jacob (Asst. Vicar) honoured OCP Secretary with a special memento. As a token of love, Secretary presented Iype George (Secretary of the Parish) with the OCP Pan-Orthodox icon of St. Gregorious of Parumala. A memorial speech on the late lamented Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Mathews II of the East was held. Indian Republic day message was delivered as well.

Rev Fr Aji K Chacko (Parish Vicar) presided over the function. Phillip V Mathew, Monu John Phillip, Biju Thankachan, Justin Thomas, Rachel Shakaria, and Prasad Phillip Varghese spoke during the occasion.

Source:
OCP News Service