Mar Coorilose explains (1) - The story of Gregorian Community

[This series is a presentation of the thoughts, the vision, the hope - regarding the Gregorian Community - in the words of His Grace Geevarghese Mar Coorilose - Metropolitan of the Diocese of Mumbai]

 The Gregorian Community that is being built up in Roha near Mumbai, India has a compelling story to tell. It already has made quite a bit of history for itself with its well-run school of over 1000 students and dedicated teachers, the recent NOC (No Objection Certificate) for further developing another of the buildings for further school space, running an old age home in the premises and hosting of the Global MGOCSM Conference in the premises where over 800 students attended from across the country and a few from abroad.

But all this could bring questions to the mind - what is the bigger vision? As in several similar situations, it could disillusion a person - Is the Church in the business of running schools or creating mortar structures?

This series of messages is an attempt to clarify matters a little bit.

- Geevarghese Mar Coorilose Metropolitan 

Mar Coorilose explains (2) - the Dream: For the Youth

A gathering of the youth at Roha

I have been associated with the MGOCSM for a long time. Perhaps spurred by my stint with MGOCSM, I wanted to help build a community for the youth of the Church, where the young people could come and spend time away from routine, away from the mundane, and in a life of prayer, worship and meditation, a time away in silent self-examination and soul searching.

The many problems in the lives of young people, like early heart ailments, hypertensions, etc also the socio-psychological issues like divorces, depression, suicides in young people all seemed to be pointing to the need for such a place for the youth to go to and find comfort. The coming together and proper fellowship of young people to explore the riches of the Church and the ancient heritage of our great country are of supreme importance and could prove to be blessings not only to themselves but to the Church and society.

This thought is what gave birth to the idea that was to be conceptualized in forming the Gregorian Community in Roha, which could be a community of the youth in the Church, where they could find their own, come and live together and grow in Christ.

- Geevarghese Mar Coorilose Metropolitan 

[This series is a presentation of the thoughts, the vision, the hope - regarding the Gregorian Community - in the words of His Grace Geevarghese Mar Coorilose - Metropolitan of the Diocese of Mumbai]

Mar Coorilose explains (3) The Dream : An international center for ecumenical dialogue

With the different Christian denominations active in Kerala and India, with constant tensions between the two Orthodox factions, there is the need for dialogue, discussions and understanding of each other's perspectives. With our background in the ecumenical field, our vision of the Gregorian Community expanded to forming an international center for ecumenical dialogue, where inter denominational, ecumenical conferences, seminars could be held; where Christian learning, inter faith study and dialog could be initiated.

 Inter religious dialogue, space for people of different faiths to come together and share their experiences and listen to the other perspective – these are crucial. They need to be promoted.

A place where God's love is abundantly visible

The Hindu-Muslim riots of 1993 in Mumbai left a huge impression on me. I had taken special permission during the riot times to travel in Mumbai to watch the impact first hand. I was devastated on seeing the insane bloodshed and killings by either side. I nurtured the idea of forming the Gregorian community as a community that included all, Christians as well as others, to share, love and to grow in the love of God. If worthy thoughts and actions are encouraged among the people of different faiths, we can develop very healthy communities which will be pleasing to God and a model to the society at large.

- Geevarghese Mar Coorilose Metropolitan 

[This series is a presentation of the thoughts, the vision, the hope - regarding the Gregorian Community - in the words of His Grace Geevarghese Mar Coorilose - Metropolitan of the Diocese of Mumbai]

Mar Coorilose explains (4) - How it came about.

With these thoughts in mind, I came to Roha near Mumbai. The serenity and the tranquility of the hills and valleys, its streams and rivers attracted me. It is a picturesque area blessed with natural richness and lined with different resorts and travel spots. Alibaug which is a famous tourist spot is not that far from here. We climbed several of the hills in the area scouting the region, and looking for a proper setting for the Gregorian Community as per His Will. Finally we found peace in one of the hills, and when the opportunity came 55 acres of land was bought for the building of the community. 

The problems with water availability in the hill came to surface only later and there have been several different attempts to circumvent and subsequently resolve the problem. The efforts to this end still continue and I am very hopeful for an early resolution in the near future.

In the meantime, we have also purchased 23 acres of land in the valley where water is in plenty. Here is where we have the school, the old age home, the chapel and this was where the global MGOCSM conference was held recently.

- Geevarghese Mar Coorilose Metropolitan

[This series is a presentation of the thoughts, the vision, the hope - regarding the Gregorian Community - in the words of His Grace Geevarghese Mar Coorilose - Metropolitan of the Diocese of Mumbai]

Mar Coorilose explains (5) - A School, an old age home

What we have currently:

The School



Annual day at School in Roha

With this vision in the long term, we needed short term plans as well. We are Malayalees and we are Christians, if we need to work here, we need to connect with the local population. It was seen that a school is an appropriate way to connect with the local population, as well as to serve them by educating their children into good citizens for the country. Thus the school was started. It has already impacted the lives of many families who send their children to our school. Recently the Annual Day functions were held in the school which showcased the brilliant talents of the children as well as the dedication and efforts put in by the teachers. This is a well-run school in CBSE syllabus. There is a concrete proposal for a residential school as well.

Old Age Home

The Community has a functioning Old Age Home. I have noticed that the inmates who have seen the highs and lows of life often find themselves frustrated with their different experiences and all they need is a listening ear; sometimes little small talk does wonders to cheer them up while at other times some more creative solutions are called for. More often than not, these are people who have commanded respect and dignity for much of their lives, all they ask for is to be loved, respected and accepted in society.

We also have a chapel and a local congregation gathering in worship at the community, besides another chapel on the hill.

- Geevarghese Mar Coorilose Metropolitan 

[This series is a presentation of the thoughts, the vision, the hope - regarding the Gregorian Community - in the words of His Grace Geevarghese Mar Coorilose - Metropolitan of the Diocese of Mumbai]

Mar Coorilose explains (6) - revival of Monastic life

The hope and the plan:

For the community, we have grand plans. We already have the land. We need people with vision and love for God and His Church to work out many things to do using the land and the region:

In olden days a family used to have 5 or even 10 children. Nowadays we have smaller families. Hence offering a child for monastic life, and inspiring the younger generation about the virtues of being a monk etc. is not usual. But monasteries are powerhouses of spiritual life. They are the backbones of faith and faith education. I am hoping the Gregorian Community can become a model monastery, over time, but one which caters to not only celibate men and women who desire to seek God, but one that also has space for families to come away from the pressures of every day life and spend time in calm and peace.

Monastery

Tatev Monastery in Armenia

We do not have a well-established Orthodox monastery outside Kerala. This place could be ideal for this especially once the water issue on the hill is resolved; it could give the required remoteness as well as peace. We have both men and women in our plans, perhaps the womenfolk could settle separately away in the valley, but away from the rest of the community.




Meditation Huts

There could be hutments of simple living created on the hill and people could come and spend a couple days, a week or month in a hut, spending time in solitude, one with nature, in prayer and meditation, coming out only for a minimal time. Such an experience which is rare in modern life, could be life changing.

This could also be worked out in a family setting, in the sense that, if say the wife wants to have this experience, the family could arrive together, then the husband and the children could stay in the regular accommodations with others in the community and participate in the life of the community with prayers and other activities, while the wife could go to the hill and the meditation hut for a time.

- Geevarghese Mar Coorilose Metropolitan

[This series is a presentation of the thoughts, the vision, the hope - regarding the Gregorian Community -  in the words of His Grace Geevarghese Mar Coorilose - Metropolitan of the Diocese of Mumbai]







 

Mar Coorilose explains (7) - integrate into the local society

The hope and the plan:

College

There is a strong demand for a college in the area. Only a commerce college is functioning in Roha. The students after XII have to go to far off cities for their higher studies. We plan to start a college for the benefit of the local population.

Elderly with the little ones

Orphanage

There are plans to begin an orphanage to provide a home for many children who have nowhere to go and no one to turn to. We already have a old age home; Having projects like Old Age home and Orphanage together has several benefits: Normally old people in a house miss the presence of small kids to love and to be loved. The orphanages also usually miss the wisdom and invaluable presence of the elderly. The old age home and orphanage side by side could complement each other and young volunteers who serve in the community can be the strong bridge between the old and the kids.

Elderly people have so much to give, so much knowledge and life experiences to share - having children close by gives them a sense of fulfillment and opportunity to do mingle, engage themselves and share. The children get the love and nurturing care they otherwise miss from their own grandparents by being in their vicinity. This is what can be achieved by having the old age home and the orphanage together, a win-win situation. Both can complement each other and make up for each other

School \ home for the mentally challenged

There is a tribal area surrounding the community and we have noted several children with mental ailments. So we hope we have a school or home to serve and take care of these children in the future within the community. 

Medical Clinic

To serve, not to be served

Opening a clinic providing medical care to the rural community in the area is also a dream.  There is a proposal to have a mobile medical clinic to serve the rural society.

All these along with a full-fledged Retreat Center (we already have a chapel and a small local congregation which worships here along with the community), an International Center for Faith dialogue, a mission training Center are all part of the dream of serving the land and for working in Christ's mission field in the area. Constructing a well-furnished multi lingual conference center is one of the aspirations.

The serene beauty, the calm and quiet setting away from the crowded city, could bring many to the area to hold different types of conferences, camps in the premises. 

- Geevarghese Mar Coorilose Metropolitan

[This series is a presentation of the thoughts, the vision, the hope - regarding the Gregorian Community -  in the words of His Grace Geevarghese Mar Coorilose - Metropolitan of the Diocese of Mumbai]

Mar Coorilose explains (8) - an offering for the glory of God

The place in Roha is for us to use as a Church, to develop it into something wonderful for the Church and for God. If volunteers come and stay in Roha, there could be different tasks they could be involved in and they could become the crucial building blocks in the growth of the Gregorian Community. Retired folks who have time on their hands, could come and spend their time here contributing to the development of the community and could find the community of benefit to them for their fellowship and spiritual growth.

We are hoping that in the months and years to come, with the help of many volunteers and dedicated individuals who love their Church and want to give back to the Church, we can further develop the Gregorian Community of Roha into a beautiful gift for the glory of God and for the service of mankind.

- Geevarghese Mar Coorilose Metropolitan 

[This series is a presentation of the thoughts, the vision, the hope - regarding the Gregorian Community - in the words of His Grace Geevarghese Mar Coorilose - Metropolitan of the Diocese of Mumbai]