Gregorian Community in Roha: Mar Coorilose explains (2)

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

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]

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Gregorian Community

Named after St. Gregorios of Parumala in Kerala, the Gregorian is a community of Indian Orthodox Christians at a place called Roha on the route from Mumbai to Goa. Currently running a school and an old age home, the community has a vision to develop itself as an oasis in the desert of life, utilizing its natural beauty of river banks, valleys and hills, to provide one and all with comfort, rest, rejuvination and opportunities for soul searching and self examination, while providing service to the society and nation.

Bishop Geevarghese Mar Coorilose who founded the Community is hoping that this community is one day able to provide the youth with a go to place when they are laid low with the cares of modern life, to spend time away from routine, focussing inwards and towards God. Also it is envisioned to eventually grow into a resting place for the broken hearted, the downtrodden and isolated from society. And also it is hoped that it will become a place for ecumenical study, debates, dialogue among different world religions.

For all this to happen though, the night is still very long, the path ahead is still unknown, and many miles still to go, before we can rest. A lot of dedicated volunteers and well-wishers are needed to reach the goal. Hope this dream becomes a reality so that the Gregorian Community becomes a beautiful gift from the Indian Orthodox Church to the nation, as it would be to God.