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Mar Thoma Sunday School Samajam centenary fete begins

By Our Staff Reporter

PATHANAMTHITTA, FEB. 21. The yearlong centenary celebrations of the Mar Thoma Sunday School Samajam had a solemn start at the 109th Maramon Convention on the sandbed of river Pampa at Maramon near Kozhencherry this forenoon.

Inaugurating the celebrations, the Mar Thoma Metropolitan, Philipose Mar Chrisostum, said that the future of the Church was heavily dependent on its Sunday School Samajam that moulds the future generations of faithfuls.

Mar Chrisostum has called upon the members of the Sunday schools attached to different parishes to practice the preaching of Jesus Christ in their life and spread His message of love and compassion the world over.

Delivering the keynote address, Bishop John Gladwein of Chelmsford, U.K., expressed deep concern over the increasing trend of exploitation of children in different parts of the world.

Bishop Gladwein said that it was sad that the children were subjected to slavery and sexual abusement at a time when they were supposed to get love and care from the elders.

According to him, the Church as a social force can do a great deal in the deliverance of these hapless children and all such "wicked acts'' against them.

Bishop Gladwein expressed the hope that the Sunday schools could teach the children the importance of the "blissful divine love''.

The Samajam president, Issac Mar Peeliexinos, presided over the meeting. The Saffragan Metropolitan of the Church, Joseph Mar Ireneus and the Mar Thoma Evangelical Association president, Geevarghese Mar Athanaseus Episcopa also addressed the function.

Cleophus J. Larue (the U.S.) delivered the keynote address at the afternoon session of the Maramon Convention presided by Mar Athanaseus. The weeklong annual convention would conclude tomorrow. Mar Chrisostum would deliver the valedictory message.

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