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Dear ones, It is
commonly accepted that Christianity is a noble religion.
It has grown through threats, tribulations and
sacrifices. Yet its early phase was very bright, because
the early believers were devout and pure. Times have
changed. The church has grown rich and strong. But along
with that its spiritual standards have started
declining. The evils that have befallen
humanity, especially the Christian church, are many -
the most dangerous being drinking habit. The Prime
Minister of Britain said during the First World War: "We
are fighting against Germany, Austria and drinks. But
the most dangerous enemy is drinks". Liquor remains the
most dangerous of enemies we, Keralities are fighting
now. The vanguard in this fight must be occupied by
church fathers. That is why we are publishing this now.
Observing closely the evil impact of drinking on people
and nations the USA brought in some regulation to check
this menace. This led to a spell of peace and prosperity
in the nation. But the relentless efforts of sections of
people given to drinking finally led to scrapping of
prohibition. With Congress governments
assuming power many states in India have introduced
prohibition. Thirteen districts of Travancore-Cochin
have enforced prohibition. We are happy about it.
But we should not forget the American lesson that for
prohibition to succeed more of people's cooperation is
required than legislation. So, while the government
initiative should continue, people's active co-operation
only will ensure its success.
You may be aware that effective efforts are being
carried on in Puthupally and its neighbourhood as it was
done sometime back in Chingavanam. Many families are
being saved from its evil impact. The hugely attended
meeting that was arranged at Puthupally on September 12,
1951 with the active co-operation and support of all
communities towards popularising prohibition was indeed
a landmark in this regard. All the religions in the
world explicitly denounce the evils of liquor. But the
exhortations of the Bible are remarkably pertinent. "For
you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans
used to do - living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness,
orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry (1. peter
4:3). "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to
debauchery" (Eph. 5:8). Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who
has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless
bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those whom linger over
wine....Do not gaze at wine when it is red..In the end
it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper" Prov.
23: 29-32. "We must make an earnest
effort to root out this evil which debilitates humanity
physically, emotionally financially, spiritually and
morally. Towards this end the following suggestions will
prove helpful. 1. We must make a
decision to shun this evil and follow the right path
depending on God's grace. 2. Because
man is a victim of circumstances, his environment should
enable him to choose between the right and the wrong,
the noble and ignoble. He should make an effort to keep
off this evil by giving himself to more healthy
pursuits. 3. Drinks should be strictly
and scrupulously avoided during special occasions and
celebrations. We should decide not to go for it, or
encourage ourselves or others to take part in such
celebrations. 4. Popular feeling should
be so built up that those who are given to drinks are
not given any position or office in the church. 5.
Psalms should not be let out to generate toddy or
premises let out to run toddy shops. 6. From the next
abkari auction onwards none of our church members should
bid for such shops or run them or help in some way to
run them through benamis. Church/ diocese level
conscientiousness must be embarked upon with this end in
view. A committee consisting of clergy
and laity must be set up in every church to give the
lead in popularising this movement. One
of the most crippling handicaps affecting the churches
in India and Africa is the prevalence of drinking. So
every church member should take a personal decision on
this score so that his church shines like a city 'built
on a hill'. This only will strengthen our spiritual
activities, giving it the right character. More than all
let us trust in the Lord because nothing succeeds
without His grace. Let us also pray hard for this
dreadful evil to be rooted out of our society. May the
grace and blessings of our Lord remain with you and grow
in you for ever. Pampady Dayara
26 Jan, 1952
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Let us thank God and praise Him for bringing us together
again this year during the Valiya Nompu and the passion
that our Lord suffered for our sakes. The memory of the
lent that our Master observed in the desert and the
sufferings that he endured on the cross should help us
come closer to him and lead a life more pleasing to Him.
Unless we grow spiritually day by day as a result
of these observances they will simply descend into
meaningless traditions. We should check
if we have wasted similar seasons during the past years
and renew ourselves spiritually at least this year. This
needs prayer and preparation of a high order. At least
during this lent everyone except the children, pregnant
women and ailing aged people should observe abstinence
in food, avoiding milk, fish and meat and be regular in
prayer sessions apart from minor self-flagellations like
'Kumpideel' at fixed times. What we save by way of
fasting we should use to feed the poor and the needy. We
can do it with pleasure if we love God with all our
heart and soul. Our practice of
confession before partaking of Holy Qurbana is tending
to become just a routine with some. This explains the
spiritual aridity that our church is experiencing at the
present time. These sacraments should help us grow
closer to God and even to taste him as our spiritual
food. That only will ensure our spiritual health.
Pampady Kuriakose Dayara Kumbham 21,
1105 (ME)
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Dear ones,
We pray that the sheep that our Lord
and master has entrusted with us do grow spiritually day
by day. When every member of the diocese has grown in
spirit, the diocese altogether will have gained
spiritual well being. House visits will help Achens to
get to know of and cater to the needs of their sheep.
Personal evangelization will also then become possible
because the special needs of each member will catch the
attention of the priests. People suffering from chronic
aliments, terminally ill patients, widows, handicapped
and destitute should get your special attention. I would
like to have the names and addresses of such people at
the end of every round of your visits. It would be good
to appraise the congregation of the programme and
purpose of such visits. Priests are free to workout the
details depending on local needs and limitations. Some
of you my feel that it is adding on to your already
heavy burden. Remember our Lord's word: "My yoke is easy
and my burden light". Bearing the burden for the Lord
will no longer be a burden but a pleasurable duty. House
visits should start immediately so that you can wind up
by August 24. Progress should be reported to office then
and there. Either me or my auxiliary Metran will visit
all our churches in the diocese according to a schedule
starting on 1st September. Pampady
Kuriakose Dayara June 23, 1954
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Dear ones,
The youth of our church is the life
blood of our students' movement. If only they are
strongly grounded in Orthodox faith and has spirit of
service will they prove useful members to the church.
The future of our church will not be bright unless our
youth turn out to be steadfast in faith and active in
spirit, especially in this time of trial for the church.
So I conclude this Jubilee message with a wish and
prayer that all our young men and women grow in their
commitment towards service to the church basing
themselves on and inspired by the tenets of our faith.
Kuriakose Dayara, Pampady April 8, 1958
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