MAR GREGORIOS ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN STUDENTS & YOUTH MOVEMENT

The 29th Annual Conference of the MGOCSM and YM was held at Christian College of Enginnering & Technology (CCET), Bhilai under the patronage of St. Thomas Mission, Bhilai and Calcutta Diocese. It was hosted by CCET MGOCSM unit. The theme for the conference was “Love your #Selfie” and the theme bible verse was “I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13). H.G. Dr. Joseph Mar Dionysius, metropolitan of the Diocese of Calcutta was present throughout the conference. The main speakers for the conference were Rev. Fr. Philip Kuruvilla, Ex Bursar of the STOTS, Nagpur and Rev. Fr. Dr. Bijesh Philip, Principal of STOTS, Nagpur.  The conference began with the celebration of the Holy Qurbana celebrated by Rev. Fr. Philip Kuruvilla. The conference flag was hoisted before the inaugural session. The Diocesan Secretary, Very Rev. Thomas ramban, welcomed the guests as well as the delegates of MMS and MGOCS & YM in the inaugural session.  There were 5 main sessions based on the theme. Rev. Fr. Philip Kuruvilla dealt on the topics: i) Love your Selfie, ii) Love, iii) I can do everything through Christ and Rev. Fr. Dr. Bijesh Philip also dealt on the theme. Rev. Fr. Dr. Joshi Varghese dealt with topic ‘Christian response to Social Media’.

A panel discussion was organized where contemporary issues related to young people were discussed and deliberated. The host unit conducted various group activities. The Raipur MGOCSM unit led the conference with melodious songs. Various inter unit competitions were held: Group song competition, Documentary competition, Mime competition, Collage making competition and Bible quiz competition. H.G. Dr. Joseph Mar Dionysius led one of the evening devotions and interacted with the delegates in another session. Rev. Fr. George Varghese, Rev. Fr. Kurian John and Rev. Fr. Lijo John led morning and evening devotions. The sacrament of Holy Confession was also arranged for those who came prepared for it. On the concluding day the business session was held in which the units read out their annual working report and handed overhe same to the diocesan metropolitan. Few of the delegates gave feedback about the conference. The prizes for the competitions were given away in the closing ceremony. The details of winners are as follows:-

Group Song Competition

First – MGOYM, Bhopal       Second – MGOCSM Bilaspur            Third – MGOCSM, Raipur

Mime Competition

First – MGOCSM, Kolar,       Second – MGOCSM, Bhilai               Third– MGOCSM, Nagpur

Documentary

First – MGOCSM, Raipur      Second – MGOCSM, Bhilai               Third– MGOCSM, Nagpur

Collage

First – MGOCSM, Nagpur     Second – MGOCSM, Bhilai               Third– MGOCSM, Jabalpur and MGOCSM, Raigarh

Quiz

First – MGOCSM, Bhilai       Second – MGOCSM, Bhopal             Third– MGOCSM, Nagpur

MGOCSM unit of Mar Gregorios Orthodox Cathedral, Bhilai bagged the overall championship trophy for the year 2019.

Very Rev. Geevarghese Ramban, Very Rev. Thomas ramban, Rev. Fr. Jose K Varghese, Rev. Fr. George C Varghese, Rev. Fr. Kurian John, Rev. Fr. Dr. Joshi Varghese Rev. Fr. Jeffin Varghese, Rev. Fr. Aju K Varghese, , Rev. Fr. Jobin Abraham, Rev. Fr. Biju Daniel, Rev. Fr. Anish Joseph, Rev. Fr. Lijo John and Rev. Fr. Shinu Cherian were present during the conference. 200 delegates from 13 parishes of the diocese attended the conference.

In the closing ceremony Rev. Fr. Jobby Peter, Vice President of MGOCS & YM, proposed the vote of thanks. President Thirumeni lowered the conference flag and Catholica Mangalaganam was sung.