Episcopal Visit to New Zealand

The Diocesan Episcopa  arrived in Christchurch on Wednesday  12th of March 2008 from Sydney, Australia.

Rev Raji Eapen, Vicar of the NZ Marthoma Church was there to receive him along with Mr. Shaji Kurian. Thirumeni held a fellowship prayer meeting in the evening with several malayalee Christian families in attendance. It is the first time that a Marthoma Bishop visited the South Island of New Zealand.

He then went to Wellington, the capital of NZ on the North Island. Achen accompanied him to conduct a Holy Qurbana Service in the evening on the next day. A good number of people came for the worship service. Thirumeni formally recognized the fellowship as a Marthoma congregation for Wellington and Christchurch.

On Friday morning, Thirumeni continued his northward journey to the city of Hamilton. There is a strong fellowship there with other denominational members.

After the evening Communion Service, Both Thirumeni and Achen travelled the last leg of their New Zealand journey by road to Auckland

On 14th morning Thirumeni conducted a fellowship meeting for the Sunday school children and the youths of the Auckland Parish.

In the evening, all the families of the parish and invited guests gathered together for a devotional meeting led by Thirumeni.

The New Zealand Marthoma Parish had a Bishop for the first time on

Palm Sunday. Thirumeni conducted Palm Sunday and Holy Qurbana Services. Nine youths received their First Communion. The Parish handed over their first mission fund to the Diocesan Bishop for the mission work in Southern India.

The Auckland Marthoma Parish inaugurated their website on Palm Sunday. The web is www.aucklandmarthoma.com

There was a meeting of the Parish Executive committee who hosted a dinner in honour of the visiting Diocesan Bishop where the Diocesan Bishop listened to the activities of the Parish and the concerns the committee has about the future. Thirumeni encouraged the ministry of the Parish and prayed for God’s blessings.

The six- day long Episcopal visit to New Zealand was a blessing