Deepthi 2022

Zo]vXn 2022
Beauty
of the
Malankara
Orthodox
Church
Reflections on our
visit to Old
Seminary
Fr. Peter
Russian Orthodox
Church
I first visited India in 2020 as member of the delegation from the Russian
Orthodox Church. Then the first meeting of the Working Group for
bilateral relations between Russian Orthodox Church and Malankara
Church took place in Kottayam. Along with the indescribable impressions
of Kerala itself, I especially remember the visit to the seminary, since at
that time I myself was still a student. Our delegation arrived in the late
evening, when the students were performing the evening prayer.
Everything was like in our seminary: the students reverently pray in the
temple, and the priests make sure that no one talks. After a brief meeting
with the students, we were given a tour of the seminary museum (there
is also one at the Moscow Theological Academy), where we were shown
memorable gifts from our Patriarchs and Metropolitans – Russian crosses,
panagias, ... . It is noteworthy that the seminary carefully preserved all
this in memory of friendly relations and warm visits. We also prayed for
the repose before the grave of teachers, one of whom was the famous
Paulos Mar Gregorios (Varghese).
The next day I decided to come alone and for the first time see how
the Christians of India pray at the Divine Liturgy, and I decided that it
would be in the seminary. Words cannot describe everything that I felt
and saw: the beauty of the service, the singing of the priest and students,
as well as a particular piety. I paid attention to the order during the service.
I used to think that only in Russian seminaries people stand and pray so
harmoniously. Apparently, I was wrong. Despite the fact that the language
is incomprehensible to me, I was able to follow the service with ease. I
am happy that in your seminary I was able to accommodate Indian
melodies unusual for me with a Christian prayer. By the way I hope the
swing in front of the seminary is still there.
Once a student of the seminary, I was perfectly imbued with the
seminary atmosphere that reigned in the church and the corridors of the
school. In this regard, I can say with confidence that your student years
will be one of the brightest in your life. Despite the fact that the seminary
is a kind of “forge” of priests and other church personnel, it is also a place
where every student, during his studies, tests his faith, love for God and
readiness to serve Him.
In the Russian Church we are gladly waiting for all of you, so that you,
like me, can be imbued with the diversity of the beauty of the Church.
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