Southern States - Kerala-Thiruvananthapuram   

Church to conduct `Vidyarambham' on Oct. 5

By N.J. Nair

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Sept.30. The St. George's Orthodox Syrian Cathedral at Palayam in Thiruvananthapuram will be the venue for initiating the children of the faith into the world of letters on the occasion of `Vidyarambham' on October 5, a day that Hindus traditionally initiate their children into the world of learning.

The vicar of the cathedral, Fr. Geevarghese Erakkath, said, "This is perhaps the first time that such an event is being organised under the auspices of the cathedral. I do not think this is something revolutionary or against Christian faith. From time immemorial education has been closely linked to the Church. The Malayalam word `palli-koodam' is proof that schools were part of the church even in ancient times."

According to the vicar, the event would only help strengthen good relations between communities. "History reveals that as early as the ninth century, Hindus helped Christians build churches and, in turn, benefited themselves through education. Now, when secularism is under threat in the country, it is time to strengthen such threads of amity,'' he said.

The vicar said the selection of the day, considered sacred to Hindus, for organising the event was not a coincidence. "It is a propitious occasion to kindle the light of knowledge in a child's heart. I was initiated into the world of letters by an `ezhuthasan' on a Vidyarambham day. I began my learning by writing `Hari, Sri...' on the sand, according to the local custom in vogue then," he said.

Fr.Erakkath is well versed in history, the Vedas and the Upanishads, and often quotes extensively from the scriptures of other religions during his sermons.

"It is well-received by the parish. No community can survive without imbibing elements of the local culture and tradition. People should try to understand the spirit of other faiths, to strengthen themselves,'' he said.

Fr. Erakkath sees Swami Vivekananda as a symbol of Indian culture and believes there is perhaps no other religion that propagates tolerance and harmony like Hinduism does. "One should not allow oneself to be confined to narrow definitions of religion,'' he said.

Initially, Fr.Erkkath said, he was planning to organise the event in an elaborate manner with pictures of gods and goddesses of all religions adorning a podium erected on the premises of the cathedral. However, this being the first attempt, he decided to conduct it in a modest way.

Of the more than 1,000 families which come to the church regularly, a majority has indicated its appreciation of the vicar's attempts. Many of them have registered the names of their children for the programme. According to the vicar, it is such a heartening response from the parish members that emboldened him to go ahead with the event.

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