117th Maramon convention begins on 12th February 2012

‘Arise, let us be going...’ 117th Maramon convention begins on 12^th February 2012

117th annual convention started on 12^th February 2012 . MTEA as well as various Government agencies have made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the annual event. A large pandal (thatched shed) which could accommodate as many as one lakh people has been erected at the convention venue. According to MTEA general secretary, Fr Abraham P. Oommen, various parishes of the Church in and around Kozhencherry and Maramon have supplied men and materials for constructing the pandal.A co-ordination committee chaired by Thiruvalla Revenue Divisional Officer has been constituted to oversee the official arrangements for the annual meet which is regarded as Asia’s largest annual Christian religious retreat.

History of Maramon convention

The origin and growth of this annual get together for one week at a stretch can be traced to the great revival movement which gathered momentum along with the reformation in the ancient Syrian Church of Malabar under the pioneering leadership of Abraham Malpan. This brought about the resurgence of the ancient apostolic Church in Kerala founded by St. Thomas the Apostle of Jesus Christ, believed to be in AD 52. By 1894 a number of small prayer groups were formed in the Methran Kakshi and this was followed by a big revival. They had regular meetings in various parishes. Because the number of people attending these meetings was growing it was decided to have a meeting of all these groups at a central place. The duty of organising this meeting was given to the Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association and the first convention was held in 1895 at Maramon. By 1900 Methran Kakshi adopted the name Malankara Marthoma Suriyani Sabha also known as the Mar Thoma Church. The first convention was held for 10 days from 8 to 17 March 1895. The venue was the vast sand-bed of the Pampa River next to the Maramon church. The parishes in and around Maramon – Kozhencherry helped in making a very large panthal (tent) to accommodate about 10,000 people. The main speakers were David and Wordsworth. On an average 10,000 to 15,000 people attended these meetings. On the last day almost 25,000 attended. There were no proper roads during those days. So nearby houses accommodated the people from faraway places. Some of them came in boats and used them as their shelter.

Important events this year

The ecumenical spirit and the reformation ardour of the 19th century was what led to the birth of the Maramon Convention way back in 1895. This spiritual retreat is a week of prayer, meditation, singing sharing and hearing Bibilical discourses by prominent speakers. ‘Arise, let us be going’ is the MTEA theme for his year’s religious convention, says Fr Abraham. The Mar Thoma Metropolitan, Joseph Mar Thoma, will inaugurate the annual meet at 2.30 pm on Sunday. Philipose Mar Chrysostum, senior Metropolitan, will lead the opening worship and Thomas Mar Themotheos Episcopa, MTEA president, will preside over the inaugural function. Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana from South Africa, Rev Kang-San-Tan from Malaysia and Rev Martin Alphons from United States of America, all evangelists, will be the main speakers at this year’s Maramon Convention. The convention will have three sessions at 10 am, 2 pm and 6.30 pm from February 13 to 18. Bible classes will be held separately for men and women at the convention venue from 7.30 am to 8.30 am from February 13 to 18. The Ecumenical meet as part of the annual meet will be held at 10 am on February 16 and the meet against social evils will be held, later, at 2 pm. The Mar Thoma Metropolitan will deliver the valedictory message on February 19 afternoon. Department of Sacred Music and Communication (DSMC) attached to Mar Thoma Church will present music sessions on all the eight days. 

courtesy : The Hindu