Maliyekal also spelt as Maliyekkal and Malieakal, (as it is a Malayalam surname, when translated into English the spellings differ) is said to be one of the first families that believed in Lord Jesus Christ and received Holy Baptism in the Indian sub-continent during 52-53 A.D by St. Thomas (locally called as Mar Thoma Sleeha) , the very Apostle of Lord Jesus Christ.
According to Thomma Parvom, (the written document by Thomas Ramban in 1601 which is in use at the Church at Niranam. This Thomas Rambans is one of the descendatns of the first Brahmin convert to Christianity christened as Maliyekal Ramban Thomas by Apostle St. Thomas. The story was handed down from generation to generations until it was written down in 1601) the first visit of St. Thomas in Kerala lasted only for a few days. During this period the main converts were the Jews who were settled in Kerala those days. (There was a large Jewish community in Kochi at that time). It is mentioned that during his second visit, more than three thousand people received Baptism and became Christians. (The first local convert was a Brahmin, Vishnu Namboodiri Maliyakal, who became Thomas Maliyakal and ordained as a Ramban (Priest).) Among the 3000 were some 75 Brahmin families along with Jews, Kshatriyas (Rajahs), Nairs and Chettiars. One Jewish prince by name Kepha (Peter) who got converted, was later ordained as bishop when St. Thomas left for spreading the Gospel (Good News) to the other parts of Kerala and India. The seven and a half original churches (ezhara pallikal) started by St. Thomas were located at Malayattur (near Aluva), Palayur (Trichur), Koovakkayal (near Paravur), Kokkamangalam (South Pallipuram), Kollam, Niranam, Nilackel (in Pathanamthitta district) and in Tranvancore.
Kearlite Syrian Christians today trace their heritage from the Apostle Thomas. They belong to various denominations such as the Syro- Malabar Catholic Church, Syro- Malankara Catholic , Syrian Orthodox Church, Jabobite Syrian Church, Mar Thoma Church, St.Thomas Evangelical Church, Church of South India, and some other independent Churches.
In some earlier (1950s) Malayalam translations of the Holy Bible too, it is mentioned in the preface that one Maliyekal Vishnu Namboothiri of one of the then prominent illams (high caste families) in Kerala accepted Lord Jesus and received the Sacrament of baptism from Thoma Sleeha (St.Thomas) and was christened as Maliyekal Thoma and became a faithful disciple of St. Thomas and assisted him in his missionary activities.
Whether any one agrees with me or not, it is 1000 percent TRUE that JESUS CHRIST, who redeemed the world with HIS precious BLOOD, is Coming SOON. The time and hour cannot be foretold by anyone as it is clearly said in the HOLY BIBLE that only the Father in Heaven knows when the LORD will come to JUDGE the world (Mk. 13: 32).
HIS second coming will not be like the first (then HE came to the world as the poorest of the poor, meekest of the meek, humblest of the humble). HIS second coming will be as the king of kings and the mightiest of the mighty, to judge the human race - the living and the dead, rich and poor, the powerful and the weak, kings, presidents, governors, ministers, leaders, bishops, priests, nuns, pastors, saints and sinners all...! Some so-called 'intellectuals' may differ with my beliefs, but I am least bothered about it, as I know thoroughly that 'the world's knowledge is a folly in the eyes of GODWhen a natural or man-made calamity occurs somewhere, even if it is in one's neighbourhood, many people pay no attention to it thinking that they are always safe and secured. "Man is made of dust and unto dust he shall return." When some of our brethren somewhere meet with some unexpected tragedy, man, remember that such a thing can happen to you too... any time...!
So thank the Good GOD who gave you an opportunity to correct your ways and mend your path and... get prepared to meet your Creator... at any time...!
Postures (Bodily & Physical Positions/gestures) play an important role anywhere and everywhere. Postures, known as 'Body Languages' are taught along with almost every academical studies/courses. A person without a pleasing BODY, MIND, POSTURE, and GESTURE is not entertained heartily by any one usually.For example, a person who has taken the precious appointment of a world leader {very important person (VIP) - in the world's outlook}, prepares himself/herself in advance, to take better advantage of the limited - hard gained - time of the VIP.
He/she shows full Respect to the VIP with 'body and mind' to attract the VIP's appreciation. If this is the case with regard to the the 'now seen; then never seen' MORTALS..., How much care and preparedness any one who is planning to MEET the LORD ALMIGHTY {The Eternal JUDGE} should take...???It is Better to know and observe some 'GOOD BODY LANGUAGE HABITS' in places of worship like Churches.In most of the Catholic, Jacobite, Orthodox, Kananaya and Anglican Churches, the BODY of JESUS CHRIST in the form of EUCHARIST is venerated in a Tabernacle near to the Alter. So when a Devotee enters a Church, he/she must observe utmost devotion, discipline and reverence.Certain Tips are supplied in this blog to help a Pious Christian to perform in a fitting manner in the Churches during the Eucharistic Adoration and Holy Mass.PLEASE TRY TO FOLLOW THESE, IF YOU LIKE THEM and GET ABUNDANT BLESSINGS of the LORD. When You Follow these, You become able to WORSHIP in a more effective way and also become a source of inspiration to other devotees. Please remember to educate the Young Church too (Your Children and Students) , that they may grow as Devotional and Spiritual Christians worthy of their God Gifted Faith...!PARTICIPATING IN THE HOLY MASS: - The Holy Mass is the most sacred act of worship a person can participate in, upon earth. At the Last Supper, the Lord JESUS does something new, something never done before, and yet something which continues until the end of age. The Holy mass is performed throughout the world to fulfill HIS last commandment before HIS death."DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME". Any one participating in the Holy Mass is 'invited' by the Divine father. It is not because of our merits; but of HIS Mercy. Holy Mass is not to be seen, viewed or watched but offered and participated along with the priest (who is in the place of Lord Jesus)
- The Holy mass is divided into different stages like (a) Penitential Rite (Repentance of one's sins) (b) Celebration of the 'Word of God' (c) Offering of own self and other things to the Lord (d) The Holy Communion (e) Thanks Giving and Blessings by the Priest.
- When the Priest starts the Holy mass, the devotee must be able to see the Lord Jesus in him. Even though he is a normal human being like any one of us, when he is celebrating the Holy mass it must be believed that he transforms in to Jesus during the Mass.
- Whenever the 'sign of the Cross' is performed, (In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit) the devote must make a sign of the Cross on his own body with his right hand ie. on the fore-head, upper stomach and on the left and right shoulder respectively.
PENITENTIAL RITES (REPENTANCE OF OWN SINS):- We are all sinners and thus are unfit to be invited for the Heaven's Feast. But we can 'repent for our trespasses honestly, and purify ourselves' with HIS Mercy, Trusting fully in HIS Grace & Compassion. Then for seeking reconciliation with GOD and with one another, we pray together, "I confess to Almighty God, and to you my brothers and sisters...." Then we pray together, "Lord have Mercy, Christ have Mercy, Lord have Mercy." When we beg the Lord for HIS Mercy, we can keep our hands open and away from the body palms open and uplifted, as a beggar pleads to as for a coin ...!
CELEBRATION OF THE WORD OF GOD (BIBLE READINGS):- When we have washed our trespasses and sin in the Mercy of the Lord, We are served with the DIVINE WORDS which is a very delicious food for the Soul and which is served only to the 'chosen' ones (the specially invited guests by the FATHER in HEAVEN). The Word of God is generally selected as the first and the next ones from the old testament or form the New Testament (other than the Gospel) and one from the Psalms. During these two/three Readings, All the congregation sit with keen attention (considering that God is speaking to us). And before the Gospel Acclamation, all stand in respect to listen to the WORDS Spoken by the Lord Himself, 2000 years ago. Then the Priest reads out the Gospel.
