On January 1, 2010, over 260 people from various Christian denominations joined together at 6:00 p.m. at the Cotillion Restaurant in Jericho, New York to participate in an Ecumenical Fellowship Dinner organized by the Diocesan Council in honor of Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius, who has completed 20 years of Episcopal ministry.

The evening began with an opening song of “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” led by Mr. Shobi Varghese of Long Island MTC, NY followed by a prayer by Rt. Rev. Dr. George Ninan, Rtd. Bishop of the Church of North India. The Master of Ceremonies for this event was Dr. Mathew T. Thomas, Diocesan Council Member from the Washington MTC.

After a welcome by the Diocesan Secretary, Rev. Vinoy Daniel, the program commenced with many melodious songs by various members of the Mar Thoma Church (Ms. Alicia Joseph, Mr. Sam George, Mrs. Rachel Sabu Thomas, Ms. Nina Abraham, and Ms. Christina Ann Varghese) and warm words of felicitation from church dignitaries and ecumenical representatives, including Rt. Rev. George Issac, Rtd. Bishop of the Church of South India, Rev. Fr. John Thomas of the St. Thomas Ecumenical Federation of Greater New York, Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Thomas of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, NY, Very Rev. P.S. Samuel Cor Episcopa of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, NY, Rev. Fr. Dilesh Alias representing Rt. Rev. Yeldo Mar Titus of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church, and Mr. Eipe C. Parimanam, representing the Diocesan Council. 
 

The keynote address of the evening was delivered by Rt. Rev. Dr. Johncy Itty of the Episcopal Church.  

Following the message, a brief photo slideshow, organized by council member Mr. Ashley George, was presented that highlighted some of the early times of Theodosius Thirumeni’s life, ministry, and a glimpse of the many events that Thirumeni has lead and participated in during his first year as the Diocesan Bishop of North America and Europe.
 

Theodosius Thirumeni delivered a response to the felicitations and thanked all the people who were able to join together from near and far to participate in this Ecumenical Fellowship Dinner. On behalf of the Diocese, a gift was presented to Theodosius Thirumeni by Mr. Varghese P. Varghese (Diocesan Council Member, Staten Island MTC), Rt. Rev. Dr. George Ninan by Rev. P.J. Varghese (Diocesan Council Member, Epiphany MTC), Rt. Rev. George Issac by Mr. Abraham C. Thadathel (Diocesan Council Member, Salem MTC), Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Thomas by Mr. Ashley George (Diocesan Council Member, St. Peter’s MTC), Rt. Rev. Dr. Johncy Itty and Rev. Fr. Dilesh Alias by Mr. Gigi Tom (Diocesan Council Member, St. James MTC).   

The Vote of Thanks was given by the Diocesan Treasurer, Mr. Chacko Mathew, and the meeting was closed with a prayer by Rev. P.J. Varghese and benediction by Theodosius Thirumeni. Immediately following the meeting, all the participants enjoyed the dinner. By God’s Grace, this evening was a wonderful time of thanksgiving and ecumenical fellowship.  

Special thanks to the Diocesan Secretary, Rev. Vinoy Daniel, the Diocesan Treasurer, Mr. Chacko Mathew, members of the Diocesan Council, and the vicars of the parishes for their leadership in organizing this event.

We praise God for the life and ministry of our beloved Theodosius Thirumeni and pray that God will continue to bless Thirumeni’s ministry to lead the Diocese of North America and Europe to be fruitful for the glory and extension of His Kingdom in the spirit of ecumenism with programs and events like this Ecumenical Fellowship Dinner. 

- For the Diocesan Council,
Rev. Vinoy Daniel & Mr. Ashley George