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ABOUT

A Brief History

Marth Mariam Vanitha Samajam is the Women's wing of the Malankara Orthodox Church of India. It is one of the major spiritual organization of the church combining all the female members. It is spread throughout the world in all the 30 Dioceses and functioning in all parishes of the church.

The organization was founded in 1928 aimed at the spiritual progress of women. The founders named it "Marth Mariam Samajam" after the Blessed Virgin Mary whom they accepted as their interceding saint. It was started under the patronage of the Late Very Rev. M.C. Kuriakose Ramban and with the leadership of K.M. Annamma and co-workers.

Motto

Prarthikkuka, Pravarthikkuka, Prakasikkuka.

Administration

There is a central committee with all the 30 Dioceses of the church. H.H. is the Patron. According to the constitution — President, Vice President, General Secretary, Joint Secretary and Treasurer, the Secretaries from 30 Diocese & Diocese Representatives consist of the Central Committee.

Central Committee is the deciding body of Marth Mariam Vanitha Samajam. The Diocesan Metropolitan is the President of the diocesan committee. Vice President is a priest from that Diocese and the vicars lead the branches.

Retreats, Bible Classes, Competitions etc. are held on Parish, Group, Diocese & Akhila Malankara levels. There is a Leadership Training Camp held annually for 2 days. Annual examinations are conducted in October inside & outside India.

Present Concerns and Future Prospects

  1. Preparing women to have theological training. Hundreds of women are now undergoing the Divyyabodhanam course of the Orthodox Seminary, Kottayam.
  2. Training women to have social awareness, participation in political activities, decision-making at every level.
  3. Conscientization program for women who are generally denied basic human hood in the family.
  4. Attempts to find out women's potentials to a greater extent.
  5. Training women to conduct prayer groups, to lead prayer, Bible classes, fellowship meetings and to preach the gospel.
  6. Preparing cell to solve the problems of working women.
  7. Seek solidarity with women's action groups on local and national level.
  8. To enhance spiritual practices observing lent and other religious practices.
  9. Attempts to find more Sunday school teachers with a commitment to Christ.
  10. Continuing the struggle against dowry system and other social evils.
  11. Efforts are done to get participation for women in the administration of the church.

'Snehasparsam' Project

This is the helping hand for the needy. Samajam is providing marriage aid, sick aid, education aid & providing for construction of houses for widows.

Vanitha Deepthi

It is the trimagazine released by Marth Mariam Vanitha Samajam from 2012.

Navajyoti MOMS Charitable Society & Chaithanya Samskarika Koottayma

These are two projects under Marth Mariam Vanitha Samajam for the upliftment of women.

Anna Fellowship

It is the fellowship for the widows of the church. It is functioning in all parishes under the guidance of Marth Mariam Vanitha Samajam.

Marth Mariam Vanitha Samajam Kendra Mandiram

In Kanjikuzhy, Kottayam, Marth Mariam Vanitha Samajam had a building with office constructed in 1987. It is renovated & the first floor is completed in 2014. The Koodasa was on 26th August 2014. Every 2nd Wednesday there is Holy Qurbana & Bible Class in the Chapel of Kendra Mandiram.

Besides the central administrative office at Kottayam, almost all the Dioceses have their own headquarters and conference centers.

Achievements

The Samajam was in the fore-front of the struggle to achieve equal ancestral property right for Christian women of Kerala.

Recently many changes occurred in the life of the Church. During Baptism, Girls are also permitted to enter the sanctuary and kiss the altar. Females are allowed to read the Bible during liturgy. Nuns are allowed to serve at the altar. Women are now elected as members and office-bearers in Parishes. Marth Mariam Vanitha Samajam activities are conducted in Gulf, America, UK & Europe.

Office Bearers

  • President: H. G. Dr. Yuhanon Mar Diascoros Metropolitan
  • Vice President: Fr. Philip Tharakan Thevalakara — 9633519075, 9447061819
  • General Secretary: Prof. Mary Mathew — 9447145064
  • Treasurer: Alice Koshy — 8369582238
  • Office Secretary: Molly Varghese — 9961742164

Head Quarters

Marth Mariam Vanitha Samajam Central Office
Muttambalam P.O. Kanjikuzhy, Kottayam 4
Kerala, India

Phone: 0481-2571840
Email: momsglobal@yahoo.in