Dear Beloved in Christ,

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! As we enter the sacred season of Lent, let us prepare our hearts and minds for a time of deep spiritual reflection, renewal, and commitment to our faith. According to the current Christian calendar, we observe two significant Lenten seasons in February and March: the Three Day Fast (Nineveh Lent) from February 10 – 13, 2025, and the Great Lent beginning on March 2, 2025. The Great Lent is a period of 49 days, culminating in the celebration of Easter on the 50th day. This time of purification bears three important spiritual fruits: Cleansing, where the journey begins with the meaningful ‘Shubkono’ (Reconciliation) service, seeking God’s forgiveness through public confession; Contemplation, calling us to reflect deeply on the life, ministry, Passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ; and Healing, focusing on five miraculous healings performed by Jesus—the Healing of the Leper, the Paralytic, the Daughter of the Canaanite Woman, the Crippled Woman, and the Blind Man, Bartimaeus. I invite each one of you to participate prayerfully in the Lenten season prayer meetings and spiritual gatherings so that we may grow in faith and grace.

The Annual General Body Meeting of our parish is scheduled for Sunday, February 23, 2025. On the same day, during the Holy Communion Service, we will hold the Dedication Ceremony of the New Kaisthana Samithi (Executive Committee) for 2025. I take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the 2024 office bearers and Kaisthana Samithi members for their dedication and loyal service to our church. May the Lord bless and guide them in all their future endeavors. I also extend my prayers and best wishes to the newly appointed office bearers and executive committee members for 2025. May God grant them wisdom, strength, and unity as they lead our church forward.

Let us continue to uphold our church, its leadership, and all its members in our prayers. May this Lenten season be a time of spiritual enrichment and divine blessings for us all.

In Christ’s Service,

Rev. Sonu Varughese