Spiritual Organizations
"For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another."- Romans 12:4-5:
Sunday School
Mission
- Develop an understanding of Bible to provide a strong foundation for Christian Living (build knowledge).
- Help our children understand that God has a plan for each of them (individual study and analysis).
- Lead our children to a personal commitment to follow Jesus (decision making).
- Learn to worship our Lord through singing and praying and help them remain in that commitment (hold the faith and grow)
Vision
- Implement a structured program for learning the Word of God.
- Share our faith and help them to seek guidance from Bible
- Provide interactive environment to understand and experience God’s love and His call.
- Educate our children the need for regular worship and offer exciting opportunities to be with children who keep the same Christian values. Introduce them to the faith and sacraments of the Church.
Headmistress
Bindu Kalarikkaparambil Varghese
St.Ignatius Sunday School conducts classes for Grades 1, 2, 3, 6, 10 & Kindergarten.
Women's League (വനിതാ സമാജം )
Goals and Objectives:
- Equip women with theological and biblical knowledge.
- Motivate women to join the church choir to enhance the liturgical music.
- Educate women about social issues and assist them in making informed decisions at all levels.
- Identify women’s potential and develop leadership qualities to a greater extent
- Provide training for women to lead prayer groups, Bible classes, fellowship meetings, and preach the gospel
- Address the challenges faced by working women
- Foster spirituality through observing canonical lents, engaging in charitable work, and practicing family prayers
- Encourage women to play an active role in the OVBS/Sunday school program in each parish, to nurture children in the Syriac Orthodox faith
- Empower women to participate actively in the administration of the church and other committees.
Secretary
Bindu Kalarikkaparambil Varghese
Treasurer
Anjaly Babu Aliyattukudy
Members
Beena George
Anju Anna Mathew
Aparna Roy Kooran Karottiveetil
Youth Association
The young generation of St.Ignatius Syriac Orthodox Church represents both its future leaders and foundation. Through the Youth Association, young people in the parish can contribute to the church and cultivate a deeper passion and dedication for it.
The primary objective of the Youth Association is to empower and fortify the younger members of the parish. Additionally, a fundamental mission is to assist impoverished members of the church and local community. The youth group would allow to establish a communion with the Lord and create a space where young people can develop their faith together.
Eventually the aim is to mould the minds and visions of the youth against the background of the contemporary issues.
Secretary
Varghese George Peruvinithadathil
Treasurer
Aibel Paul Nellimattathil
Member
Alby Pathickal
Altar Acolytes
The term “acolyte” originates from the Greek word “akolouthos,” meaning servant. Acolytes have been a longstanding component of worship services. In the Jewish tradition of the Old Testament, Samuel acted as the “servant of the priest” (acolyte) for Eli, the temple’s priest. As Christianity evolved from Judaism, the Christian practice of having acolytes persisted, along with many other Jewish customs.
Listed below are crucial principles that acolytes should learn, internalize, and implement in their daily lives.
- Firstly, it’s important to recognize that the functions currently performed by altar assistants were originally designated for the various ranks of deacons. As a result, acolytes must execute their duties with the same reverence as clergy.
- Our forefathers taught us that altar assistants are akin to angels serving God. The Holy Altar is the throne of our Lord Jesus Christ due to the Body and Blood present there.
- All the clergy and altar assistants are servants of the Lord and must serve with the utmost humility, solemnity, composure, righteousness, and sanctity.
- The white alb provided to them is the baptismal garment that symbolizes purity.
- Like the angels, deacons and acolytes also serve at the altar with great care and sanctity.
Active Acolytes
Gijo Raju
Ajith George
Aibel Paul Nellimattathil
Varghese George Peruvinithadathil
Elvin Eldho
Rinu Mathew
Arun Chirakkakudy Shajan
Basil Jose Kaiyanickal
Elbin Eldho Vettuvelikudy
Andrew Joe Anvin
Church Choir (ഗായകസംഗം)
A UNIQUE HISTORY
The musical heritage of the Syriac Orthodox Church is renowned and dates back to the Sumerian period of 4500 BC.
- Early on, the church adopted the Acadian musical tones, which were expanded to eight different tones, each intended for a specific Sunday of the liturgical year.
- St. Ignatios Nurono “the Illuminator” (AD 107) founded the two alternating choirs to reflect the heavenly Angelic choirs, and Chamoun Ibn Sabaghin from Babel introduced the term “Chorous” for these choirs in (AD 341).
- St. Ephrem the Syriac (AD 373), who wrote nearly thirty thousand hymns and established the women’s choir, introduced a new form of music into the church in order to counter Bar Dayson’s (AD 222) heretical teachings.
- Other prominent church leaders, such as St. Isaac of Amid (AD 418), St. Balai (AD 432), St. Rabula of Edessa (AD 435), St. Jacob of Saruj (AD 521), Shamoun Quqoyo (AD 536), followed in St. Ephrem’s footsteps.
- Finally, St. Jacob d’Urhoy (of Edessa) (AD 708) collected all forms of music in the Syriac Orthodox Church and released them in their current musical structure.
These hymns are preserved in the Beth Gazo (The Treasury of Chants), which contains up to 2500 different compositions, of which around 700 survive. The primary function of the Syriac choirs is to lead the chanting of mass hymns, thereby safeguarding the Syriac musical treasures.
