Yuhanon Meletius Travels

Aug-21-2014

Flood at Sophia Centre

Theological Seminary. On the first day of the H. Synod I went to the Sophia in my car by there was water on the road. To come back on the following morning, I had to take a bus as the water was still high on the road. A video of the scene.
http://youtu.be/lxBIlDpZmZ4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxBIlDpZmZ4&list=UU8bQDT0tJ9YZoyBxN4WdUgw

Apr-16-2014

A Visit to St. Dionysius Orthodox Church, Al Ain

Yuhanon Meletius Travels

I visited St. Dionysius Orthodox Church, Al Ain, UAE after its consecration on Tuesday, April 15th 2014. This was my second visit. I visited the Church last November when it was still under construction. I was accompanied by Rev. Fr. Jose Chemmanam, Vicar of St. George Orthodox Cathedral, Abu Dhabi, his wife and Mr. Thomas of a member of the Abu Dhabi Church committee member. The Church was constructed at a cost of 7.5 million Dhirams. H.G. Dr. Yuhanon Mar Chrisostamos Metropolitan was in station for the passion week services. Rev. Fr. Saji, vicar and committee members received us.

Mar-09-2014

Prerana School Anniversary

Yuhanon Meletius Travels

Anniversary day of Prerana School for Special Students was conducted at the St. Thomas Orthodox Theological Seminary Auditorium on March 6th 2014. This school is run by a society promoted by the Seminary. There are about sixty students from local area study here. The local MLA Mr. Sunil was the chief guest. H.G. Dr. Mathews Mar Severius and myself were there to felicitate. The Canara Bank gave away scholarships to students. Several other local educational and business institutions help them run the school and the representatives of the same were there at the function to felicitate.

Jan-30-2014

An Evening with Church Dignitaries

Yuhanon Meletius Travels

A dinner was hosted by H. H. Catholica Bava Thirumeni for the Oriental Orthodox and Catholic Church dignitaries who are in Kerala for a routine dialogue between Oriental Orthodox and Catholic Churches. All the bishops of the Church was invited and I was also there. The dinner was at Madappattu resort, Thodupuzha. The dialogue is being conducted at Samanwaya Study and Dialogue Centre of Kandanadu East Diocese.

Dec-01-2013

St. Gregorios Feast at Jacksonville FL. Orthodox Church

Yuhanon Meletius Travels

St. Gregorios Orthodox Syrian Church, Jacksonville, Florida is a small parish of just 13 families. But they were able to purchase a property and remodel the building there to become their worship place. They have made it really beautiful. Rev. Fr. Cyril Davy from Thrissur is the vicar. He invited me for their feast of St. Gregorios and I was deeply impressed by the kind of fellowship the parishioners have among them. A couple of former members of St. Mary's Cathedral, Philadelphia, whom I knew for several years are currently the members of this Church. That was a pleasant reunion too. Rev.

Nov-28-2013

Dedication of Dubai Orthodox Cathedral Parish Hall

Yuhanon Meletius Travels

I had an unexpected privilege of participating in the dedication ceremony of the newly built parish hall of St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral, Dubai. I was on my way back from US and was spending time with my brother and family and my brother in law. I had no energy in me after two long days and nights in US and in the air. So I decided to sleep through. But the office bearers of the Church some how knew about my presence in the city and wanted me to be part of their happy moment. I have quite a few friends among the young and old in that parish and so I could not turn them down.

Nov-13-2013

My H. Qurbana in Orlando

Yuhanon Meletius Travels

I had, once again, the opportunity to visit St. Paul’s Orthodox Syrian Church, Greater Orlando, FL to conduct H. Qurbana on Nov. 10, 2013. I stayed with vicar Rev.Fr. Dr. Jacob Mathew (Visiting Lecturer, Department of Philosophy, University of Central Florida) and his family for a week where I had a wonderful time. The Holy Qurbana was a con-celebration with Rev. Fathers Alexander Kurian (Director, Strategic Planning for Overseas Mission Real Estates, State Department, US Government) and Rev. Fr. Cyril Davy (vicar St. Gregorios Orthodox Church, Jacksonville, FL) assisting me.

Nov-05-2013

My Days in Tampa FL

Feast of Prumala Mar Gregorios Yuhanon Meletius Travels

I was the chief celebrant at the feast of St. Gregorios at St. Gregorios Malankara Orthodox Church, Tampa, Florida in USA held on 2^nd and 3^rd Nov. 2013. Rev. Fr. George Paulose, the vicar who is from my own region (Onakkur, Priavom) in Kerala and a college mate at St. Peter’s College Kolenchery, has been inviting me for several years now. I was not able to honor his invitation until this time. I arrived in Tampa on Oct. 31^st and had a good time with achen and family and with several other members of the parish.

Oct-21-2013

My Day at Mission San Juan Capistrano

San Juan Mission Yuhanon Meletius Travels

A video report is uploaded to my YouTube channel about my visit to Mission of San Juan

Mission of San Juan, a Spanish Catholic Franciscan called Giovanni da Capistrano, was established on November 1^st, 1776. This is the oldest building in California still in use. A chapel, the Serra’s chapel, was built in 1782. Main objective of the mission was to convert Native Americans to Christianity. Though they had to face oppositions, still they were able to convert a good number of people between 1776 and 1847.