Last summer, I had the opportunity to visit the NY Aramana. Barnabas
Thirumeni
had been to Albany, NY for our perunnal along with Sibi Shemassan and I had
taken them back. I wanted to share some memories with everyone. (Been thinking
of writing this since a long time!)
The visit to the Aramana convinced me of the need for the
Diocesian Building project which is underway at present. While in Albany,
Thirumeni had appealed for contributions to help , acknowledging that we are a
small group. (Our Sunday School students did respond with a token donation of $1
each extending their support in their own small ways for their Metropolitan and
their diocese.)
There has been discussions about the cost of the project, the location chosen
etc - and there are pros and cons - but I know one thing - we all would like to
provide more facilities for our Thirumeni than what the amenities in the present
Aramana allow for.
Barnabas Thirumeni is a benevolent Holy Father and the humblest of human beings.
But as a Metropolitan he has to be able to work from a better place. The current
Aramana was a small town house type home in the midst of different other houses.
I think the basement was converted to a small chapel. From the entrance there
were a few steps upward which leads to the main sitting area. There is a table
there which served as Thirumeni's office I thought. (Also I felt it doubled up
as the dining table!) A couple of sofas there. The walls and the sofas were
covered with various plaques and momentoes Thirumeni received.(no other place to
keep them!) I could not imagine how many many meetings would have been held here
with so many achens etc..(I keep hearing about one event or another at the
Aramana). The area may not be more than say 15 feet by 12 feet (I write from
memory, I may be wrong). Adjacent to this was a small kitchen. Shemmashan said
they bought the curries from someone, but they cooked the rice etc there. Then
there was a small bathroom and a couple of rooms on the left. Shemmashan stayed
there, and so does the Assistant Metropolitan HG Nicholovas Thirumeni as also
the other Aramana officials.
There did not seem to be a place to accomodate an extra couple guests if they
came to the Aramana for a meeting and had to stay late.
This is the place where which we have given to our Metropolitan to host church
officials, guests from other Churches, other Metropolitans, heads of State,
politicans etc. I have seen the care, time, worry and money our people put in
when it comes to buying their own homes. I think everyone must pay a visit to
the NY Aramana. Will convince us we need to contribute much for a better place
for our beloved Thirumenis.
Shemmashan asked me to stay for dinner, but I bid farewell to them and started
on my way back. As I was pulling out from the road side (there was no parking
lot) I could not help feeling - our beloved Metropolitans deserve more than this
from us!
Regards.
Mathew Samuel
Albany, NY
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/22847
had been to Albany, NY for our perunnal along with Sibi Shemassan and I had
taken them back. I wanted to share some memories with everyone. (Been thinking
of writing this since a long time!)
The visit to the Aramana convinced me of the need for the
Diocesian Building project which is underway at present. While in Albany,
Thirumeni had appealed for contributions to help , acknowledging that we are a
small group. (Our Sunday School students did respond with a token donation of $1
each extending their support in their own small ways for their Metropolitan and
their diocese.)
There has been discussions about the cost of the project, the location chosen
etc - and there are pros and cons - but I know one thing - we all would like to
provide more facilities for our Thirumeni than what the amenities in the present
Aramana allow for.
Barnabas Thirumeni is a benevolent Holy Father and the humblest of human beings.
But as a Metropolitan he has to be able to work from a better place. The current
Aramana was a small town house type home in the midst of different other houses.
I think the basement was converted to a small chapel. From the entrance there
were a few steps upward which leads to the main sitting area. There is a table
there which served as Thirumeni's office I thought. (Also I felt it doubled up
as the dining table!) A couple of sofas there. The walls and the sofas were
covered with various plaques and momentoes Thirumeni received.(no other place to
keep them!) I could not imagine how many many meetings would have been held here
with so many achens etc..(I keep hearing about one event or another at the
Aramana). The area may not be more than say 15 feet by 12 feet (I write from
memory, I may be wrong). Adjacent to this was a small kitchen. Shemmashan said
they bought the curries from someone, but they cooked the rice etc there. Then
there was a small bathroom and a couple of rooms on the left. Shemmashan stayed
there, and so does the Assistant Metropolitan HG Nicholovas Thirumeni as also
the other Aramana officials.
There did not seem to be a place to accomodate an extra couple guests if they
came to the Aramana for a meeting and had to stay late.
This is the place where which we have given to our Metropolitan to host church
officials, guests from other Churches, other Metropolitans, heads of State,
politicans etc. I have seen the care, time, worry and money our people put in
when it comes to buying their own homes. I think everyone must pay a visit to
the NY Aramana. Will convince us we need to contribute much for a better place
for our beloved Thirumenis.
Shemmashan asked me to stay for dinner, but I bid farewell to them and started
on my way back. As I was pulling out from the road side (there was no parking
lot) I could not help feeling - our beloved Metropolitans deserve more than this
from us!
Regards.
Mathew Samuel
Albany, NY
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/22847
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