This morning, for the first service on Sunday, 3 rd October, 2010, I was quite surprised when Philip achen told in the church that 26 of our church members are either in hospital or are weak and taking rest at their homes. Also an elderly weak lady had come to the church as today was her husband's death anniversary. She was given special communion by James achen.
It is indeed a good act on behalf of the priests, Philip achen and James achen to be visiting the houses of the poor, needy, weak, tired and diseased members of the St Gregorios Orthodox Cathedral in bangalore.
Let me first of all congratulate our achens for doing this noble deed for the poor and needy in the church. The rich, influential and affluent do not need anyone's help.
In whatever small way it is possible, we are assuring you that we will be supporting the priests, as we believ this is a very good gesture and a honest one at that !
The church needs to move away from self serving and self defeating initiatives, like providing kanji/gruel during sundays of lent period. It is a convenient idea but being self serving, is not the right thing to do.
Why can't we use that money to buy textbooks for students or pay their fees directly in the school. Don't we have poor members in our church too ? or are there only people moving in Hondas and Toyotas in the church ?
If it is made clear that all money collected from the church will be used for noble work, helping the poor and needy, and not for self-serving purposes, I am sure many church members would be ready to open their purses much more than what they are doing now.
Individual donations to social upbringing can never have as much impact as 1000 families of the church together can make. The effect not only is manifold, but athousand fold. it can work wonders.
I exhort all my church members to think seriously think in this direction ..
george easaw..
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