Secunderabad, Hyderabad

Theodosius Thirumeni’s visit to Mar Thoma Syrian Church, Secunderabad-Hyderabad
It was a wonderful re-union for the members of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church Secunderabad Hyderabad with Theodosius Thirumeni with whom the parish enjoys a longstanding relationship from 1990, when Thirumeni visited the parish and led the Holy Communion on Sunday May 8, 2011. Thirumeni reached Secunderabad on Saturday May 7, 2011 after leading the consecration service of the three new Rambans of our church at Ernakulam.

On Sunday, Thirumeni led the Holy Communion service and was the chief guest for the Sevika
Sanghom Annual meeting. During the worship service Thirumeni called attention to God’s
graciousness revealed in the midst of human fickleness citing the third appearance of risen Jesus to
his frustrated disciples (John 21:1-9). Citing Jesus’ initiative in offering reconciliation to the run-away
disciples, Thirumeni asked the congregation to respond to God’s faithfulness in our everyday life.
Addressing the Sevika Sanghom members, after the holy Qurbana, Thirumeni drew attention to the
co-incidental significance of the Sevika Sanghom annual meeting with the celebration of Mother’s
day. Thirumeni reiterated that we will neither be able to discern God without knowing God’s world,
nor be able to know the world without knowing God the creator. The mission of the Sevika Sanghom
is not exclusively within the church, but has to branch out to the outer world. In a world which
celebrates consumer values, motherhood should be a pointer to a lifestyle of sacrifice epitomized in
self-giving and self-less love.
In the evening, Thirumeni has graciously consented to attend a prayer-fellowship meeting where the
parishioners came together once again to listen to the word of God and to pray together. Thirumeni
spoke from the word of God based on Jesus’ word to Mary and John at the foot of the cross
emphasizing the need to recognize and respect “others” on a mutually empowering relationship
where the ‘other’ is seen as an extension of the God-given self.
The parish is thankful to Thirumeni for taking time to visit the newly constructed church building and
for spending invaluable time with the parish members.
Rev. Dr. Sham P. Thomas
Vicar, Secunderabad MTC