 ICON Charities Micro finance grants were distributed on February 10, 2010 at Gathesemon Aramana, Idukki. H. G. Mathews Mar Theodosius, Metropolitan of Idukki diocese inaugurated the function. The grants (Medical Assistance - Rs. 50,000; Marriage Assistance - Rs. 25,000; Financing Livestock - Rs. 40,000; Home Building Assistance - Rs. 100,000 and Home Completion Grant - Rs. 68,000) were distributed by Dr. George Joseph (Association Secretary), Rev. Fr. Yohannan Sankarathil (NY), Rev. Fr. Sam Mathew (Austin, TX), Rev. Fr. Solomon OIC (Kunnamkulam), Koshy V George (Manager, Federal Bank), Rev. Fr. George Varghese (Diocese Secretary) and Rev. Fr. P. M. Thomas (Idukki Diocese Vaidikasangam Secretary).
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The Malankara association held on February 17, 2010 at Sasthamkotta under the leadership of His Holiness Baselius Marthoma Didymus I elected seven new bishops. The new bishop elects are Rev. Fr. Dr. George Pulikkottil, Rev. Fr. Dr. Sabu Kuriakose, Very Rev. Dr. Nathanael Remban, Rev. Fr. Dr. John Mathews, Very Rev Yuhanon Ramban, Rev. Fr. Dr. V. M. Abraham and Rev. Fr. V. M. James. Congratulations and Best wishes.
The Great lent or the fifty day's lent is observed as a preparation for our Lord's death on the cross and His resurrection. The great lent is a time for prayers, fasting, repentance and reconciliation with God. It's a time to be thankful for all the blessings the Lord has showered on us. Fasting and Prayer are an integral part of the great lent. The Lord taught us "Except by prayer and fasting, it is not possible to gain victory over Satan - St. Mathew 17:21". The change that occurs in our life is what gives meaning to the Great lent.
With deep sorrow, we convey the passing away of Mr. M. J. Markose (Father of HG Yuhanon Mar Milithios), Murimakil (Kunjappan 82) on February 10, 2010 after a long illness. He has been a Gandhian, a social worker and a farmer. He has served as member and vice president of Maneed Gramma Panchayat for 23 years. President of Maneed Co-Operative society, Pampakuda Block Development Committee member and KPCC member and in several other position in the society. He was the trustee and Sunday School Headmaster of St. Mary's Orthodox Church, Vettithara for several years. He is survived by his wife Saramma and four children (Yuhanon Mar Milithos, Loosy Kuriachan, Jose Markose [Delhi] and Santhosh Markose [Duabi]). Funeral will take place tomorrow (12-Feb-10) at Muvattupuzha Aramana chapel at noon.
REAP 2009 Scholarships were distribution to 114 students on February 10, 2010 at Gathesemon Aramana, Idukki in a very simple function. This year, a total of INR 5,27,585 was distributed to students from financially backward families to realize their dream of higher education. The function was led by H. G. Mathews Mar Theodosius, Metropolitan of Idukki diocese. The key note speech was delivered by Dr. George Joseph (Association Secretary). The scholarships was distributed by H. G. Mathews Mar Theodosius, Rev. Fr. Yohannan Sankarathil (NY), Rev. Fr. Sam Mathew (Austin, TX), Rev. Fr. Solomon OIC (Kunnamkulam). For more info, please visit 
ICON Charities 2009 Charity Distribution Function was held on February 10, 2010 at Gathesemon Aramana, Idukki. The chief guest for the function was H. G. Mathews Mar Theodosius, Metropolitan of Idukki diocese. The function was inaugurated by H. G. Mathews Mar Theodosius, Very Rev. Fr. Yohannan Sankarathil Corepiscopa (NY) and Dr. George Joseph (Association Secretary). REAP 2009 Scholarships and Micro finance grants (Medical Assistance, Marriage Assistance, Financing Livestock, House Building Assistance and House Completion Grant) were distributed by H. G. Mathews Mar Theodosius, Dr. George Joseph (Sabha Secretary), Rev. Fr. Yohannan Sankarathil (NY), Rev. Fr. Sam Mathew (Austin, TX), Rev. Fr. Solomon OIC (Kunnamkulam), Koshy V George (Manager, Federal Bank), Rev. Fr. George Varghese (Idukki Diocese Secretary) and Rev. Fr. P. M. Thomas (Idukki Diocese Vaidikasangam Secretary). The meeting was also addressed by Mrs. Mariamma Elias (Balasamajam Secretary). Rev. Fr. K.T. Jacob (Grace Secretary) presented the welcome speech and Rev. Fr. Kuriakose Varghese (Grace Director) presented the vote of thanks. The function was attended by many ICON and Grace Charities well wishers including students and parents.
February 23rd marks the anniversary of St. Geevarghese Mar Dionysius Vattasseril, popularly known as Malankara Sabha Bhasuran (The Great Luminary of the Malankara Orthodox Church) which our Church has bestowed on him in recognition of his rich contribution to Malankara Orthodox Church. Vattasseril Thirumeni was a man of prayer, determination and dynamism. He was a saint who never stooped before falsehood. He bravely fought for the establishment of Catholicate to be the symbol of self-identity and independence of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.
February 23rd marks the anniversary of H.G. Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios, Metropolitan, Canada & Europe. HG was a great visionary and exemplary shepherd of the Holy Church. The founder Metropolitan of the American Diocese, Thirumeni had endeared himself to the younger generation of the Dioceses in the West. Aided by the experience of being a professor in the Alma College, Michigan, this father could connect with the young people admirably. May our good Lord grant peace to his soul. 
January 26 marks the anniversary of H.H. Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews II, the sixth Catholicos of the East and the Malankara Metropolitan of Malankara Orthodox Church. (January 30, 1915 - 26 Jan 2006) He is the 89th successor to the apostolic throne of St. Thomas. He was noted for his spiritual leadership and loving nature and could endear himself to everyone who came in contact with him. Known as a pioneer in social service, his contributions to the society has been remarkable. The number of instituions that he started out numbers any others in recent times. These include hospitals, schools, colleges, convents and other social schemes for the poor.
January 3rd marks the memorial of H.H. Moran Mar Baselios Geevarghese II, The Third Catholicos of the East. (6 June 1874 - 3 Jan 1964) Through prayer and fasting he received strength from God to lead his people for long years, courageously, inspiring his people to work for their church and for the glory of God. Following the peace pact of 1958, he had the good fortune to guide the destiny of the unified Malankara Church. The deep spirituality and wisdom of this Catholicos earned him the title 'Valiya Bava', or 'The Great Catholicos'. 
The REAP project was introduced to reach out to the students from financially backward families to help them realize their dream of higher education. As part of this project we have always tried to understand the realities and the circumstances that the student lives. To help us better understand the realities, we would like to take you to the houses of some of the students that we try to help. In spite of their living conditions, they have dared to dream and we can help them achieve their dream. For more info, please visit 
The DOSTI-3 2009 Tuition Assistance and Library books were distributed to the school on Nov 27, 2009 at MGM School, Idukki by Rev. Zakariah Remban. DOSTI3 (Dream of School through Inform, Involve, Inspire) is a community development project, aimed at providing quality education to financially backward children. The project provides financial assistance to these underprivileged children as well as helps fund the target schools where these children are likely to attend. For more info, please visit 
February 2nd marks the anniversary of H.G. Pathrose Mar Osthathios, the founder of The Servants of the Cross, and the former Bishop of Malabar Diocese. (June 20, 1886 - February 2, 1968) He established 'The Servents Of The Cross' for the upliftment of separated and alienated classes in the society. In addition to his contributions on the social front, he made significant contributions on the spiritual front. He was the first person to translate the Holy Qurbana, Taksas, Promiyon and other prayers for Holy Services from Syriac to Malayalam. On 15th May 1953, he was ordained as a Bishop and appointed as the Metropolitan of Malabar Diocese. On 2nd February 1968, he entered eternal rest and was laid to rest at Carmel Dayara, Kandanad.