Yale University Visit

The Diocesan Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius paid a visit to Yale University
Divinity School at New Haven, Connecticut on Tuesday, October 18, 2011. Rev. K.C. Varghese,
Boston and Rev. Biju P. Simon, NY accompanied Thirumeni on this visit.

Thirumeni and team met with the Yale University Professor Fr. Dr. Bryan D. Spinks of the
liturgical studies, the Dean of Yale University Institute of Sacred Music Dr. Martin D. Jean, and
visiting professor of liturgical studies Dr. Bert Groen.

The meeting started with the team attending the Yale Divinity School chapel service at 10:30
AM. After the service the team visited the dean of Berkley Divinity School, the library, book
store, and so forth.

The Yale University was started in 1701. The main purpose in founding the Yale College in 1701 was to have a training place for Christian ministry. As expressed in its original charter, it was to be a school “wherein Youth may be instructed in the Arts & Sciences who through the blessing of Almighty God may be fitted for Public employment both in Church & Civil State.” That purpose has always been recognized at Yale, and the history of the
University is one of increasing development in the facilities for training for religious service. In 1746 an enlarged recognition of the needs of the ministry led to the establishment of a professorship of divinity through the efforts of President Thomas Clap. By 1822 this had developed into a separate department, later known as the Yale Divinity School.
The Mar Thoma Team presented an English Mar Thoma special occasion order of worship as gift to Yale Divinity School.

The meeting with Prof. Dr. Bryan Spinks and Dean Dr. Jean opened a learning experience about the Church
and the Seminary. The conversation was centered around theological education, history and liturgical
traditions of the Mar Thoma Church and future prospects to develop a partnership with the main line Divinity Schools in the US. Prof. Dr. Spinks extended an invitation to ourclergy to participate and lead one
class on Mar Thoma Church and liturgy and celebrate a Mar Thoma service at Yale University. Rev. Dr. George Mathew Kuttiyil of the Mar Thoma Church, a liturgist, is a good friend of Prof. Bryan Spinks. The meeting was
concluded with lunch at 1:30 P.M.

Rev. Biju P. Simon, NY Youth Chaplain