Friday, February 22, 2013

Have you seen a Kariveppila 'tree'?

kariveppala tree at Makodia Mission house
All Malayalees have a Kariveppila (curry leaves) plant. Every Malayalee, especially outside Kerala, and even outside India try to keep a Kariveppila plant in their home. The kariveppila and its strong smell, has a medicinal value and is used in several of our curries - it is a distinct reminder of our roots from Kerala.

I have known many families yearning to have a Kariveppila plant in their home. They grow them in pots, but many times it does not take root. I have known ladies who would try their best to grow Kariveppala plants in their homes without success. It seemed like only the lucky ones were blessed with a well grown Kariveppila plant.

And I have seen Kariveppila plants a few feet tall, but never before had I seen a Kariveppila tree! till I came to Makodiya.

Mar Theodosius sensing the desire of Malayalees to have the proximity of the Kariveppila, planted it in the backyard and it has now grown to be a huge tree, giving shade and sprouting many small Kariveppala plants under it.

If you wish to see the unique Kariveppila plant - as a full grown tree - come to Makodiya!

(Written by Mathew Samuel (Sunil), a visitor to Makodiya in January 2013)
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

Our Shepherd

Our Shepherd
HG Dr. Joseph Mar Dionysius, our Shepherd and Diocesian Metropolitan, Director of the Makodia Mission is the guiding light in our ministry

Purpose - provide a glimpse of a gigantic vision

In the past I have often heard of Makodiya and Theodosius Thirumeni's work there, but was unable to find much further details or pictures of what happens there, what Thirumeni's vision was, what is its current state etc.

This blog is a small initiative to provide some information, some visibility to this mission - which needs a lot of support and prayers. Hope this endeavor would help focus attention on this place and work that was so dear to Theodosius Thirumeni who remains one of the pioneers of mission work for the ancient Church of India.

- Mathew Samuel (Sunil)

Set up by a visionary

When Late Lamented HG Stephanos Mar Theodosius Metropolitan arrived in Makodia in the 1980s, there were no roads or civilization. It was the visionary grace of the bishop who saw potential to do Christ's work in these remote areas that brought the Indian Orthodox Church to the region.With great patience and love, the bishop and committed disciples built up the mission among the tribals - far away from Kerala, far away from what the Church considered home for many centuries.The Indian Church has now finally begun to embrace India.

Sharing Christ - not conversion

Christian "Mission" is usually mis-interpretted as "conversion" attempts - this is the result of the aggressive Western gospel works in India without properly understanding the richness of the spirituality in India. The Indian Orthodox Church does not believe in forcible conversions, or even that conversion and baptism are the ultimate goals of Christian missions. The Indian Orthodox Church, which has existed in India since the beginning of Christianity, understands India like none else, and sees mission work in its essence as "sharing Christ" which translates itself to serving the poor, loving unconditionally and working for justice. Working for the upliftment of the poor is doing Christ's work. That is gospel work, that is Christian mission - and that is what is seen in Makodiya.