The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Church to conduct `vidyarambham'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Oct 21, 2004

Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Church to conduct `vidyarambham'

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, OCT. 20. The St. George Orthodox Syrian Church in the city is once again getting ready to conduct `vidyarambham.' People from all communities can initiate their children into the world of letters at the function to be held under the leadership of the Church Vicar, Geevarghese Erakkathil, at the St. George Day Care Centre at 8.30 a.m. on Saturday.

Encouraging response

The encouraging response from people belonging to different communities last year has inspired the vicar to conduct the function in a grand fashion this year.

Last year the function was held on the church premises.

This time around, it has been shifted to the day care centre being run by the church on the Statue-General Hospital Road.

A picture of Lord Jesus and the Bible would adorn the dais where the function would be held. Other than Fr. Erakkathil, his associates, K.Y. Philippose and Koshy John, would also attend.

The vicar is also trying to enlist the services of P. M. Eapen, who was the vicar of the church for 21 years, to bless the children.

The venture is proof of the secular spirit, goodwill and amity among different communities in the State, says Fr. Erakkathil. Initiation into the world of letters is the most important event in one's life and it is best done under the tutelage of a priest in a place of worship.

As many as 46 persons had registered their names last year, but many people reached the church with their children and participated in the function. A number of people from the U.S. and the Gulf countries had congratulated him last year for conducting the function, he said.

Panel of priests

According to Fr. Erakkathil, churches had always served as centres for disseminating knowledge and this was part of the duties of the clergy. The general body of the church had given its consent to conduct the function. "We first thought of enlisting the participation of some prominent academicians, but later decided to have a panel of priests," he said.

As many as 20 persons had already registered their names for the ceremony, Fr. Erakkathil said. Those who had not registered their names were also welcome to join the function, he added.

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