Martha Mariam Samajam

The Highlights of the Martha Mariam Vanitha Samajam of Our Church

The Martha Mariam Vanitha Samajam is one of the main spiritual organizations of our church. Our Samajam started under the great leadership of our Vicar Rev. Fr. A. K. Cherian.  Under his leadership, the Samajam enables the women of our parish to study the Bible and understand the Orthodox traditions and worship. Through the Samajam, women who came from different faiths are able to comprehend Orthodox values and way of life. The Martha Mariam Vanitha Samajam also provides a platform where women can meet together and consider the Church as a family to help each other and help the needy.

Our Samajam is a leading organization of our parish as well as of the Northeast American Diocese. The Samajam started in 1977 with a few women and since then, it has grown rapidly to its present strength of 200 members. His Grace Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios was the diocesan Metropolitan during the beginning stage.  Then his successor was His Grace Mathews Mar Barnabas and now we have our present diocesan Metropolitan His Grace Zachariah Mar Nicholovos.  We are a major part of the Northeast American Diocese Martha Mariam Vanitha Samajam, which is a division of AKHILA MALANKARA MARTHA MARIAM VANITHA SAMAJAM, whose headquarter is in Kerala, India.  I am happy to state that some of our samajam members are in the central committee and help direct the Martha Mariam Vanitha Samajam of the Northeast American Diocese.

The motto of the Martha Mariam Vanitha Samajam is “PRAY, ACT AND SHINE”. God has given everyone different talents and opportunities. It is our duty to pray to God and act with the wisdom we are given and shine to others. Both in church and in our communities we are able to work for the less fortunate and the needy. We believe if we share our happiness with others, it will double, and if we share our sorrow, it will be cut in half.  Thus, the Martha Mariam Vanitha Samajam as a whole in the Malankara Orthodox Church is dedicated to helping each other by sharing the sorrow of other people and rejoicing in each other’s happiness.

Since our early days, the Samajam has been helping the less fortunate in India and in the United States. We raise funds from many different sources such as the Piggy bank collection, raffle tickets sold at the annual church picnic, first fruit auction and the like. We are very thankful to our generous sponsor Kerala Jewelers for our raffle ticket prizes.

This year we are celebrating the 40th anniversary of our parish and the 35th anniversary of our Martha Mariam Vanitha Samajam. When we look back, we have so many memorable events in the past 35 years. The Samajam helped our church by financing for the installation of carpet in the St. Gregorios annex and has provided financial support in many other ways as well.  We have a leading role in hosting the dignitaries for many occasions such as Ettu Nombu Perunnal, one-day fasting and prayer, Holy Week services and so many other important events throughout the year.

On behalf of the Samajam, I extend my sincere thanks to our President and Vicar Rev. Fr. A. K. Cherian for his undaunting dedication and service to the church. We extend our love and gratitude to Achen and his family for their encouragement and service to us. Rev. Fr. Paul Cherian, who has taught and guided us many times in our Samajam meetings, also blesses us.  We extend our gratitude to Paul Achen and his family for their help and support. Rev. Dn. Philip Mathew also blesses us by leading the general session and our church programs. We wish him and his family the best. His Grace Dr. Yuhanon Mar Demetrios, who was one among us, was a great supporter of our Samajam. We wish him success in his future endeavors.

By the Grace and Blessings of God Almighty, our Samajam is growing fast.

Mrs. Lillykutty Mathai,
Samajam Secretary
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