|
Martha Mariam Samajam the women wing of
the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church of India. The Samajam has its
humble origins as prayer groups in the various parishes scattered all
over the Malankara Church in India around 1928. Mrs. K.M. Annamma (Kandathil),
the visionary lady behind the Samajam, and the Rev. Ramban Barskeepa
brought the entire parish based women’s prayer groups under one
umbrella, The Martha Mariam Vanitha Samajam. The motto of the Samajam is
Pray, Act, and Shine. Mrs. Kandathil Annamma served as the
organization’s first Secretary and helped it grow into a viable women’s
wing of the Church in India. In 1964, the constitution of the
organization was recognized by the Synod. The head office is the 'Vanithasamajam
Mandiram' in Kanjikuzhi, Kottayam. About hundred thousand women are
members of the Martha Mariam Samajam.
As the Malankara Orthodox parishes began to mushroom in America, the
Martha Mariam Samajam found its rightful place in most of the parishes
and it became a formal part of the American Diocese of the Church in
1982. Metropolitan Mathews Mar Barnabas serves as the President of the
Samajam for the American Diocese.
The activities of the Samajam in the St. Thomas Indian Orthodox Church ,
Philadelphia include the following:
1. Monthly meetings and Bible study.
2. Regional prayer meetings and Bible study held at different locations.
3. Pray for the sick and visit those who are confined in the hospitals.
4. Fund-raising for charity at home and abroad.
5. Sponsored Baptismal Font
The primary goal of the Samajam is the spiritual development of the
women in our church. The above activities are only a part of the process
to reach spiritual fulfillment in our daily life. All women are welcome
to participate in the life of the Samajam. |
