Doctor uncle pointed to us and told us that very close to the Makodiya Mission house was the place where Sadhu Sunder Singh had preached the gospel to the tribals in Makodiya many many years ago.
It was perhaps divine providence that Mar Theodosius was led to the same place which had been made holy by the footsteps of Sadhu Sunder Singh. It was perhaps divine plan to have the mission house working from that very place.
Also I have heard about the Friends Church and the Friends mission doing work among the tribals in Makodiya. It is a blessing to note that the Malankara Orthodox Church has also involved itself at the very grassroots level with the Makodians. By improving the life of the tribals, of the villagers, the Church will be doing great service to the society and to the nation in fulfilling its calling.
(Written by Mathew Samuel (Sunil), a visitor to Makodiya in January 2013)
Abhaya Niketan Makodia is a mission project of the St. Thomas Mission Bhilai which operates under the Calcutta Diocese of the Indian Orthodox Church. Rural and agricultural development, community development programs among the tribals in the region, to ensure their progress and decent living in society are the focus areas of the mission. The mission is nothing but faith seen in action, sharing the love of Christ with His fellow beings.
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Our Shepherd
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)
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.
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