Greetings in the matchless name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! “May you always be joyful in your union with the Lord. I say it again; rejoice!” Philipians 4:4. This month we are celebrating the 175th anniversary of Reformation in the Malankara Church. Sabha is planning a 1 year long celebration from 15th August 2010. In 1835, Abraham Malpan read the “Promeon” and “Sedara” in Malayalam by looking it in a “Suriyani Thaksah” which gave fire to the Reformation in the Malankara Church, thereby the formation of Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar. Palakunnathu Abraham Malpan and Kaithayil Geevarghese Malpan who spearheaded the moment, never wanted to start a separate church. They wanted the reformation within the Church. At the time of Purification, a number of reforms were made in the Church. A few of them are given below. 1. Translated and revised the liturgy, thus removing the unscriptural practices. 2. Abolished prayers for the dead, invocation of saints, and unhealthy veneration of sacraments. 3. Abolished auricular confession. 4. Reintroduced the practice of giving Holy Communion to the people in both kinds. 5. Emphasized the reading and study of the Bible, family-worship and evangelistic work. 6. Removed pictures and drawings and statues were removed from the churches and places of worship. 7. Insisted on a high moral standard of conduct for laity and clergy alike. On Sunday August 27, 1837 Abraham Malpan conducted the Holy Communion service in Malayalam at his home parish in Maramon. Clergy, who supported him also did the same thing in various other parishes on the same day. In 1837, Abraham Malpan took the wooden image of “Muthappan” and threw it into a well saying, “Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?” (Isaiah 8:19). The heralding of the month of August brings to mind, two important events to our mind. Yes, yet another Onam and Independence day. We, as the expatriate Malayalee community, ought to remember our mother land and rejoice in the glorious heritage it possesses. Rejoicing in the Lord, in the midst of difficult life situations, is really the hallmark of a Christian. As our motherland, ‘India’ celebrates its independence day on 15th August, lets remember the great sacrifices made by our freedom fighters in attaining freedom. But today don’t we take this freedom for granted? Responsible freedom propels us to be spirit filled. i.e. accepted responsibility of our actions and behaviour... Mahatma Gandhi loved the teachings of Christ (Sermon on the Mount) and anchored deeply in them. He made simple living and high thinking a reality in life. Festivals bring people together. Onam the most important festivals in the land of Kerala is fervently celebrated by the Malayalee community all over the world. Onam reminds us of the great ruler Mahabali who endeavoured to usher prosperity in his kingdom. He emphasized to provide justice to rich and poor alike. Onam is celebrated by Malayalees in a unique manner. Celebrations include special pookkalam, Onam Sadhya, Onam Oonjal etc. Jesus said, “I am the way, truth and the life” John14:6. May this festive season inspire us to be sharing, caring & bearing towards one another. May the blessings of Christ our Lord dwell with you all through the festive season. With Love and Prayers. K.S.Mathews Achen