25 Nov 1932 – Birth of Bishop Easow Mar Timotheos (Rare Videos + EBook)
We remember the life of Bishop Easow Mar Timotheos, whose ministry and legacy continues inspire younger generations in the Mar Thoma Church today. He will be remembered for his earnest service, prayerful nature and genuine care for his people. Even after becoming a bishop, Timotheos thirumeni sat with the common people on the floor, while attending prayer meetings.
25 November, 1932: Birth of Bishop Easow Mar Timotheos (d.11 Apr.1988). Bishop Easow Mar Timotheos was a member of Valiyaparampil Family of Thonniyamala near Pathanamthitta. He was a permanent member of our Sihora Ashram from 1951-to 1972.
He became deacon on 15 Oct. 1961; priest on 4 March 1962, Ramban on 11 January 1975 and Bishop on 8 Feb 1975. His life of prayer and deep spiritual experience were his special characteristics. He was deeply interested in the rural development activities. Being also in charge of the parishes in the Arabian Gulf area, he raised funds from there for the development of Malabar area. He passed away in 1988 while visiting our parishes in the Andamans Islands and was buried at Tiruvalla.
Funeral of Bishop Easow Mar Timotheos – 1988
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“Shayana Namaskaram” writer Stephanos Kathanar passes away 20 Nov 1904
20 November, 1904: Death of Stephanos Kathanar – Author of “Shayana Namaskaram” (Mar Thoma Shayana Namaskaram).
Stephanos Kathanar (born on 14 June 1852) was a member of Kallarakkal Peedikayil family of Thazhahkkara, Mavelikkara. He became a deacon at the age of 8. He was an expert teacher of the Syrian Language.
In 1897, he established Thazhakkara Mar Thoma Church and started a library for the parish. Achen is the author of The Shayana Namaskaram– (prayer song usually sung with the evening family prayer or public worship) “njangalkullha karthave…” which is still used by many Kerala Christians. Many Malayalaee Christian groups also use it for their common evening worships during the lent season.
Stephanos Kathanar was called to his eternal home on 20 Nov 1904.
Achen’s grandson Dr. Samuel Mathai was the Vice-Chancellor of the Kerala University.
“Shayana Namaskaram” (Mar Thoma Shayana Namaskaram)
Njangalkulha karthave
Njaaniha nidraozhinjittu
Unharvode nin thiru munpil
Nilpaan enikku nee arulhaname
Veendum njaan urrangunnaalil
Eeyadiyaanulha urrakkam
Karththaave nin thiru minpil
Dosham koodaath aakaname
Enn unharchayyil njaan chathipedukil
Nin kripa mochanam ennikekum
Nidrayilum pizha vannaakil
Ardhramathe kshama nalkaname
Ninnude krushin shanthiaathaal
Nallayurrakam enniku nee thaa
Aaka swapnam ashuddhiyil
Ninenne nee rakshichchkollhanhame
Shanthiyerriya nidrayathaal
Shanthi therenam raa muzhuvan
Aakka ninavum dushtathayum
Adhikaaraththil amarthalle
Ninude adiyaar njaan athinal
Ente shareeram kaappaanaai
Velhivinude maalaakaaye
Enniku nee therenam karththave
Dweshetha pettorichayil nin
Enne nee rakshich kollhaname
Uyirekum nin dehaththe
Njaan anibhavichchen athinaale
Ashwasathil urrangumpol
Aashisabhayam nin raktham
Nin srishtika swaathanthryam
Nee kripayode nalkhaname
Ninakai mananja shareerathil
Ninte velamkaai vazhanhame
Ninte karunakal kottayathaai
Ente chutthilum aakaname
Nidrayil aandu kidakumpol
Bhadram kaavalu nin shakthi
Enteyurrakkam thiru munpil
Nal dhoopam polaakaname
Enne potthun udayavane
Ninnodu thanne yachippu
Enikullha shayanathinmel
Thinma pettavan anhayaruthe
Balavanaai njaan jeevipaan
Baliaayi jeevan anhachchavane
Enne vyasanaththil aakaaivaan
Saathaane nee vilakanhame
Karththave nin vagdatham
Ennil nirravettheedenhame
Ninte shleeba maranaththaal
Ente ayussa kakkaname
Njaan unharum neraththinkal
Ninne njaan kondaduvaan
Ente nidra velhayillum
Ninte upavi nee kattenhame
Nin thiru manasine njaan arrinju
Njaan athine chchaivanaayi
Ninte manogunam athinaale
Ennikku manogunam arulhuka nee
Nirappu niranjor anthiyathum
Neethi vilhangum raavum nee
Njangalude rakshakanaam maashiha
Naadha addiyaarku arulhaname
Velhivin velhiv nee aakunnu
Velhivil thanne parkunnu
Velhivinude suthar aayavarum
Ninne thanne namikkunnu
Ninnakku sthuthi nin anugrahangal
Adiyaarudemel irrakhaname
Iha lokathilum athu pole
Paralokathilum aakaname
En karththaave ninakku sthuthi
Ninakku sthuthi sthuthi ninakku sthuthi
Aayiranghalinmel aayiramaai
Alhavu koodaathe ninakku sthuthI
Prrarthanagal kelhkunnavane
Yachanakal nalkunnavane
Njangalhin praarthanakal kettu
Yachanakal nalkeedaname
9 November, 1964: Mrs. Kandamma Varghese (Mar Thoma Suvisesha Sevika Sanghom) passes away.
“The Mar Thoma Suvisesha Sevika Sanghom owes much to the self sacrificing work of Mrs. Kandamma Varghese who worked untiringly as the Organizing Secretary for over 20 years, traveling far and wide, organizing branches in the parishes, doing evangelistic work among Christians, building up the work in parishes.” ~ The Mar Thoma Church, Heritage and Mission – Alexander Mar Thoma Metropolitan.
Mrs. Kandamma was a modest person in wearing jewellery. She used to request people who had more than one gold chain to donate the second one for gospel work. Due to Kandamma’s loving approach to the wife of Diwan Bhadur Dr. V. Varghese sold her ornaments and donated the money for the construction of the Salem Orphanage in Tiruvalla.
The Mar Thoma Suvisesha Sevika Sanghom was established in 1919 during the Maramon Convention, under the leadership of Abraham Mar Thoma Suffragan Metropolitan, who gave the women’s organization continuous support and inspiration. Mrs. Kandamma Varghese (born 1876), Chruthuruthiyil, Thumpamon was the first traveling, organizing secretary of the Sevika Sanghom.
During the nearly 20 years of service she travelled far and wide to almost all corners of Travancore. In those days there were no proper roads, so she had to walk miles to her work and used bullock carts to visit distant places. One of her annual reports submitted to the Sevika Sanghom reads like this: “Visited Puthen Cavu, Kundara… (Names of so many parishes are given), etc. Conducted 101 special meetings for women, 38 meetings for girls, visited 236 Christian homes, 70 non Christian homes, personally interacted with 415 people, distributed 700 tracts, 90 gospel portions etc…”
After serving many years as a Traveling Secretary, she became the General Secretary of the Sanghom. She put a firm foundation for the smooth running of various departments of the Sevika Sanghom. When the Sanghom started the Salem Bhavanam (Orphanage) in 1923, Kandamma took up that responsibility as well. She adopted orphan children who were previously looked after by Mrs. Sosamma Eappen of Kotturethu Chengannur.
Kandamma spent her final days in Perumbavoor with her son Mr. C. V. Koshy who was the headmaster of the Ashram High school there. She was called to her eternal home on 9 November, 1964 at the age of 88. In her memory, the Mar Thoma Suvisesha Sevika Sanghom has collected a Memorial fund of Rs.15,000 (in 1964 this was a big amount) and the interest collected from this fund is still being used for the theological education of the women who are willing to do full time Gospel work.
She leaves behind a glowing legacy of her work in Kerala to inspire more young women of the church.
Read more details in our free pdf E-book which is also an excellent resource for Sunday Schools and church organizations.
World Sunday School Day: 2 Nov 2025. (Free Ebook – Robert Raikes and how we got the Sunday School)
2nd November 2025 : World Sunday School Day – The first Sunday of the Month of November is celebrated throughout the world as Sunday School Day. The Mar Thoma/ CSI/ CNI churches are celebrating Sunday, 2nd November, 2025 as World Sunday School Day.
Robert Raikes (1735- 1811), an English Publisher, started the first Sunday School in the city of Gloucester in England in 1780. During the early days, reading, arithmetic and Bible was taught at the Sunday Schools.
In 1809, Church representatives of the Malankara Churches held a meeting at Kandanadu Church, near Ernakualam to arrange facilities to teach children in the Church about religion, prayers and sacraments. The India Sunday School Union was founded in 1876.
The Mar Thoma Sunday School Samajam was established on 25 February 1905, at the Maramon Convention.
We encourage our readers to read and share this Free 4 page PDF Ebook Resource for your Sunday Schools and children’s services: Robert Raikes and How We Got Sunday School
Also read – Pages from History: Formation of Mar Thoma Sunday School Samajam – 1905
Maramon Convention 130th or 126th Edition?
New research has uncovered a numbering error about the edition of the Maramon Convention. The world-famous Maramon Convention was first held in 1895 (Malayalam Year 1070) and has been taking place annually ever since on the sand banks of the River Pamba. The 130th Maramon Convention was held in 2025, from February 9th to 16th.
However, there is a possible error in the way the convention years have been numbered. Historical research by the Nalloor Library editorial team into the Mar Thoma Church archives have found evidence to support the fact that an error make have happened in the numbering of the Maramon Convention editions.
According to the Annual Report of the Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association for 1940 (Malayalam Year 1115), which is publicly available, the Maramon Convention was not held on four occasions due to various reasons. Possible, reasons could include the great flood in 1924 and World War I. A topic for future researchers in the church to follow up.
The 42nd Maramon Convention took place from February 18-25, 1940 (M.E. 1115, Kumbam 6-13).
As a result, perhaps a correction needs to be made to the numbering of the 2026 Maramon Convention going forward. This post does not lay blame on any person or organization, however, it is solely to point out historical facts from the archives as given.
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A brief history of Dubai Mar Thoma Sunday School
As the Mar Thoma Sunday School, Dubai Parish celebrates 50 years, read a brief history of the first Mar Thoma Sunday Schools in Dubai, UAE. The Mar Thoma Parish in Dubai was formed on 17 July 1969 and the first Holy Communion Service was held on 29 September 1969. The first Mar Thoma Sunday School in Dubai was started in 1972 in the Cola Colony, Dubai. Read more about the pioneers who selflessly devoted their time and efforts for the glory of God and the future generations of the church.
~ This article is courtesy the Golden Jubilee Souvenir published by the Mar Thoma Sunday School Dubai.
Bless the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, Bless His holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not all his benefits
Psalm 103:1-3
Lester and Mary Hamilton start VBS (Vacation Bible School) in India (1952)
Lester John Hamilton and Mrs. Mary Hamilton
The Hamiltons (American Missionaries,) arrived in India in 1951 and were given only a brief period of language study before being plunged into the activities of the South India Bible Institute in Bangarapet, Kolar District, Karnataka. But they both continued to learn Kannada throughout their ministry in India, and found themselves quite at home with the language.
In 1952, Mrs. Mary Hamilton was requested to prepare materials for a model Vacation Bible School, and this was so well received that it has grown to become an annual event in many parts of India, and other countries in the world.
When Mary Hamilton, along with her husband, Lester, first arrived in India as missionaries in 1951, they had no idea that they would be part of starting a movement for Vacation Bible Schools that would bring the message of the gospel to countless children and continue to grow for decades to come.
Mary’s life began far away, in a Christian home in Schuyler Falls, New York. She and Lester met and were married in 1946 while pursuing graduate degrees at Asbury Theological Seminary (Kentucky). Lester was born in Newton, Kansas, into a Christian family that nurtured his spiritual growth. They applied for missionary service with World Gospel Mission and were appointed as missionaries to India. Lester wrote that he and Mary walked in confident assurance because of God’s promise in Hebrews 13:5: “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Lester and Mary began serving at South India Bible Institute (now South India Biblical Seminary), which was founded in 1937. While teaching a variety of subjects, they also accompanied students on ministry trips to surrounding villages, mentoring students as they practiced sharing the message of Jesus Christ. Mary served as a homemaker, a hostess, a counselor, and a teacher with specialization in Christian education. They also raised three children: Joy, Paul, and Becky, who were educated at boarding schools.
Students at SIBI were looking for an outlet to reach out to the younger generation, and, with Mary and Lester’s dedication, founded the VBS ministry in India. In 1952, the first VBS program was held for 75 children. The Hamiltons became responsible for training VBS teachers, writing curriculum, and preparing materials. VBS teachers they had trained then returned to their communities, led VBS in their villages, and trained more leaders throughout India. As the ministry grew, Bangalore was established as the ministry’s headquarters.
Lester and Mary began to sense God calling them to work full time with VBS. After 10 years of service at SIBI, the Hamiltons moved to Bangalore. Mary developed VBS curriculum, while Lester designed VBS centers and constructed new ministry buildings in Bangalore. In a 1971 Call to Prayer article, Mary wrote: “The development of Vacation Bible School students into steady Christian leaders is one of the sweet rewards of this ministry.” Just 14 years after the first VBS was held on SIBI’s campus, over 50,000 children were regularly participating in VBS programs.
The ministry exploded beyond what anyone could have imagined, and today, over two million children are being reached annually, in 13 different languages, throughout India and surrounding countries. Thousands of children have come to know the Lord through VBS.
In 1978, Lester and Mary turned VBS over to Indian leadership and returned to serve at SIBS. For eight years, the couple taught classes, helped in construction, and maintained their involvement with VBS. Lester and Mary officially retired in 1986 after 35 years of service in India with WGM. Mary passed away on August 12, 2013, at the age of 89. Lester passed away on December 29, 2009, at the age of 88.
Source: Mary Hamilton and Lester Hamilton at https://wgm.org
Rev. and Mrs. Hamilton were highly regarded teachers at the South India Biblical Seminary in Bangarapet, in Karnataka. They both were talented and have enriched the lives of many who came in contact with them. Their many and varied contributions to the ministries of South India Biblical Seminary and the Vacation Bible school movement will not be soon forgotten and we thank God for having brought them to serve in India.
picture courtesy – wgm.org
History of the Maramon Convention 2025 – Malayalam (Free PDF download)
A free Malayalam PDF resource sheet for Malayalam Speaking Christians and Sunday Schools to explain facts and events chosen from the history of the Maramon Convention throughout the ages. The document contains rare photos and facts.
A big thank you to Mr. Liju Zachariah, Kattayil Graphics, Kuriannoor for the Malayalam Translation
History of the Maramon Convention 2025 – English (Free PDF download)
A free English PDF resource sheet for Non- Malayalam Speaking Christians and Sunday Schools to explain facts and events chosen from the history of the Maramon Convention throughout the ages. The document contains rare photos and facts.
Explaining the Maramon Convention 2025 to Children (Free pdf) Useful for Sunday School students and teachers!
A free pdf resource sheet for Parents / Sunday School Teachers to explain to their children facts and events chosen from the history of the Maramon Convention. In 2025, the Maramon Convention will be conducted for the 130th time from 9th -16th February 2025, at Maramon, Pathanamthitta District, Kerala.
Nalloor Library 