Dearly Beloved in Christ,

By God’s grace, we have been granted one more year of life filled with new hope, fresh possibilities, renewed opportunities, and
abundant resources. As we step into this New Year, let us first give thanks to God for His manifold blessings throughout the past year, and prayerfully look forward to witnessing His mighty hand at work in the days ahead.

The month of January offers us a sacred space for reflection and renewal. The name “January” is derived from Janus, the ancient figure depicted with two faces one looking backward and the other forward. In this sense, January invites us to both retrospection and prospection. As we reflect on our life journey, we are reminded of the guiding and sustaining hand of Christ in every circumstance. Such reflection strengthens us to face the future with Christian confidence, which is at the heart of our faith journey.

n the early centuries of the Church, Christians celebrated Christmas and commemorated the Baptism of our Lord on January 6. When Western Christianity, under Hellenistic influence, began celebrating Christmas on December 25, January 6 was set apart as Danaha (Epiphany). The word Danaha means “sunrise” or “revelation.” At the Baptism of Jesus, His divine identity was revealed to the world, and the mystery of the Holy Trinity was made manifest: the Father spoke from heaven, the Son was revealed, and the Holy Spirit descended like a dove. The revelation of Christ’s identity and the manifestation of the Trinity stand at the very core of Epiphany.

Western Christianity also commemorates Epiphany as the arrival of the Magi in Bethlehem, who followed the star and offered their gifts
to the newborn King. The star led them to the true Light the Sun of Righteousness, Jesus Christ. As the St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, we are called to bear witness to what has been revealed to us. May this New Year become a worshipful journey, like that of the Wise Men, as we follow the revealed light and allow God to use all our worship and ministries for His glory.

As we begin this year, we also remain mindful of the complex social and political realities around us. We live in a time marked by global conflicts, economic uncertainties, social divisions, and growing concerns for justice, peace, and human dignity. In such a context, the Church is called not to be driven by fear or polarization, but to stand as a community of prayer, compassion, truth, and reconciliation bearing witness to Christ’s love through our words and actions.

The month of February calls us into a season of spiritual rejuvenation. According to our liturgical calendar, we observe two Lenten experiences: the Nineveh Lent (three days) and the Great Lent (fifty days). The Nineveh Lent emphasizes the renewing and transforming power of the Word of God. The proclamation of God’s Word through the prophet Jonah led the people of Nineveh to repentance and confession. Scripture tells us, “When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, He relented and did not bring on them the destruction He had threatened” (Jonah 3:10).

In this spirit, the 131st Maramon Convention the largest Christian convention in Asia begins on February 8, 2026. The Convention stands as a true festival of the Word. Throughout its history, the proclaimed Word has challenged, comforted, and transformed countless lives, calling God’s people to repentance, renewal, and deeper commitment. As we journey through these sacred seasons, may the Lord renew our hearts, strengthen our faith, and lead us as a witnessing community rooted in worship, responsive to the needs of the world, and guided by His life-giving Word.

In Christ’s Love,

Rev. Sonu Varughese

Vicar