His Grace Dr. Stephanos Mar Theodosius
(Diocese Metropolitan)
Birthday: October 2, 1924

His Grace Dr. Stephanos Mar Theodosius conducting the Holy Qurbana with Rev. Dr. M. K. Thomas at Oak Park St. Gregorios Orthodox Church on Sunday, June 11, 2000

Diocesan Area: Madhya Predesh, Orisa, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Maharashtra (Nagpur side only), Kuwait and Oman

St. Thomas Malankara Orthodox

Syrian Church Mission, Bhilai

(Activities at a Glance)

Founded on July 3, 1972. The first North Indian Mission of the Church established as a memorial to the blessed memory of the martyrdom of St. Thomas the apostle, the founder of our Church, after 19 centuries of that event.

Founder: H. G. Mathews Mar Athanasios, the Diocesan Metropolitan of the Diocese of the outside Kerala (later H.H. The Catholicos Marthoma Mathews I)

Director: Rev. Fr. K. K. Punnose (later, H. G. Dr. Stephanos Mar Theodosius of the Diocese of Calcutta)

The Mission center at Bhilai consists of:

1. St. Thomas Ashram

2. St. Thomas Convent

3. St. Thomas Blalagram

4. Diocesan Center

5. Bishop’s House

6. Printing press (Traddle and Mini off-set)

7. Jeevan Jyothi Balawadi

8. Agricultural Farm

9. Dairy Farm

10. Fish Farm

11. Staff Quarters

12. Labor Quarters

13. Garage

14. Chapel

15. Christian College of Engineering and Technology Complex

16. Men’s Hostel

17. Women’s Hostel

Educational Institutions

1. M. P. Christian College of Engineering and Technology

(started in 1998) Course available at present:

· Computer Engineering

· Electronics and Communication

· Electrical

· Mechanical

· I. T. and Industrial Electronics will be introduced next year (2001)

2. St. Thomas College

(Bhilai established in 1984, Courses available at present)

· Under Graduate

· B.Sc (Computer, Physics, Math)

· B.Sc. (Electronics, Physics, Math)

· B. Sc (Physics, Chemistry, Math)

· B. Sc. (Botany, Zoology, Chemistry)

· B.Sc. (Microbiology, Botany, Chemistry)

· B.Com

· B.A (English Literature, Economics, Psychology)

· B.B.A.

· B. Com with Computer Applications

· Post Graduate

· M. A. English

· M. A. Economics

· M. Com

· M. Sc. Microbiology

· M. Sc. Math

· P. G. Diploma

· P.G.D.C.A./P.G.D.B.M

· D.M.L.T (Diploma in medical Lab technology – 2 year course)

· Women’s Hostel is provided in the campus

3. M. G. M. Senior Secondary School, Bhilai

4. M. G. M. Higher Secondary School, Bokaro

5. M. G. M. Higher Secondary School, Rourkela

6. M. G. M. Higher Secondary School, Hathilal, Jabalpur

7. M. G. M. English Higher Secondary School, Korba

8. M. G. M. Hindi Higher Secondary School, Korba

9. M. G. M. High School, Dimapur, Nagaland

10. M. G. M. High School, Raipur

11. M. G. M. High School, Itarsi

12. M. G. M. Middle School, Bhopal

13. M. G. M. Middle School, Dewas

14. M. G. M. Middle School, Bagdona

15. M. G. M. Middle School, Indore

16. M. G. M. Middle School, Dhawakala

17. M. G. M. Primary School, Pithampur

18. M. G. M. Nursery , Nagpur

19. Mar Baselios Vidya Bhavan High School, Bhilai

20. St. Mary’s Hindi Higher Secondary School, Jabalpur

21. St. Mary’s English Higher Secondary School, Jabalpur

22. St. Mary’s Nursery, Bokaro

Among these institutions only two have enough infrastructure facilities. Huge amounts are being spent every year for the development of the other institutions. The mission, therefore, is now under heavy liabilities. We believe and trust in our good Lord that he will help us in clearing our liabilities and change these institutions as bases from where we could penetrate into the undeveloped rural areas for effective village mission for the uplifting of the poorest of the poor in many villages. We are providing full fee concession to a large number of students from poor families. All institutions are maintaining good discipline and results.

Village Mission

More than three-fourths of the Indian population live in villages. Mahatma Gandhi said, “To see India, one should go the Indian villages.” Even-after half a century of the Indian independence, villages have not made much improvement. Government of India is spending millions of rupees through the N.G.O. organizations for the development of the poor villages. Unfortunately very little portion of the funds go to the intended villages. The Christian churches and organizations especially the oldest church in India-The Malankara Orthodox Church could do tremendous voluntary services in this situation for the upliftment of the villages. With this intention, Bhilai mission started its village mission in 1984 at Makodia Village in Hoshangabad District of M. P.

The following are the activities of our Abhaya Nikethan Makkodia Mission:

Health

Health Projects

· Regular health professional visits

· Working in partnership with Christian Medical Association of India (CMAI) and CARE INDIA

Literacy and Vocational Training

· Balawadi, Typewriting and Tailoring Institutes

· Primary education in rural Institutes

· Adult Education

Economic Upliftment

· Forming a women group (WG)

· Self Help Group (SHG)

· Goat Farming, Picklemaking Units, etc..

Networking with Government Organization and Broadcasting Ministry.

Jabalpur Earthquake Relief Work

In intensity Jabalpur earthquake was almost equal to the earthquake that occurred in Lathoor, Maha Rashtra. In Jabalpur death toll was comparatively less, but the destruction of houses and damage to the crops and animals were high. Bhilai Mission sponsored the rebuilding of one village and constructed sixty new houses. One community center, and a dispensary. Fr. Mathai Alakot, a member of the mission from Houston did a splendid job in this connection.

St. Thomas Orthodox Theological Seminary

As per the decision of the Holy Episcopal synod seminary started in 1995 at the Bhilai Mission center. After completing 4 years in Bhilai, the seminary has shifted to Nagpur in July 1999 as decided by the Holy Synod. Only one wing of the seminary building is completed and the construction work is still going on. As the future of the church in outside Kerala depends upon the new seminary the church has to consider in priority the completion of the construction of the seminary project. The co-operation and assistance of the members of the church in this respect is earnestly solicited. Prayers and assistance are requested from the church members and well wishes in the Herculean task of making the Malankara Sabha a Bharatha Sabha through the North Indian Mission and the new seminary providing true Christian good Samaritan service to the millions living below the poverty line in our country.

Address:

St. Thomas Ashram
Post Box 24
Kailas Nagar, Bhilai, Durg
Madya Pradesh State, India

Phone: 011-91-788-381309 or 011-91-788-381949

Fax: 011-91-788-383266

Email: M.P.C.C.E&T@mantraonline.com

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