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Hindu ceremony in a Kerala church: The Hindustan Times
Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 03: For the first time a church is observing a Hindu ritual. The St. George`s Orthodox Syrian Cathedral here will conduct `Vidyarambham` on October 5, a day the Hindus traditionally initiate their little ones into the world of letters.
Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 03: For the first time a church is observing a Hindu ritual. The St. George's Orthodox Syrian Cathedral here will conduct 'Vidyarambham' on October 5, a day the Hindus traditionally initiate their little ones into the world of letters.
"We are getting a good response. I don't think it is against any faith or religion," Vicar George Erakkath, the brain behind the move, explains. Already 40 children (majority of them are Christians) have registered for the ceremony.
The Vicar says his idea has been well received by the parish. "Our religious head Mar Baselios Mathews II has already appreciated the move," he says. "It is there in the history. As early as the ninth century, the Hindus helped Christians to build churches and in turn benefited themselves with education. When secularism is under serious threat it is time to strengthen such bonds and threads of amity," he adds.
But all are not ready to buy his argument. "It is not a good trend. You cannot dilute your faith like this," a critic laments. "This type of a gimmick will only strengthen RSS chief Sudharshan's call to Indianize the churches," adds another.
But the Vicar begs to differ. "One should never allow oneself to be confined to the narrow walls of religion. No community can survive without imbibing local culture and tradition," he explains.
The Vicar is not alone in his endeavour. Several writers, poets, activists and intellectuals have pledged their support to the move. "We are beginning it in a modest way. We will organise similar events during other festivals," the priest explains.
A Hindu priest (probably an Ezhuthachhan or Namboodiri) will lead the ceremony in a traditional way inside the church assisted by Christian priests.
The Vicar says his idea has been well received by the parish. "Our religious head Mar Baselios Mathews II has already appreciated the move," he says. "It is there in the history. As early as the ninth century, the Hindus helped Christians to build churches and in turn benefited themselves with education. When secularism is under serious threat it is time to strengthen such bonds and threads of amity," he adds.
But all are not ready to buy his argument. "It is not a good trend. You cannot dilute your faith like this," a critic laments. "This type of a gimmick will only strengthen RSS chief Sudharshan's call to Indianize the churches," adds another.
But the Vicar begs to differ. "One should never allow oneself to be confined to the narrow walls of religion. No community can survive without imbibing local culture and tradition," he explains.
The Vicar is not alone in his endeavour. Several writers, poets, activists and intellectuals have pledged their support to the move. "We are beginning it in a modest way. We will organise similar events during other festivals," the priest explains.
A Hindu priest (probably an Ezhuthachhan or Namboodiri) will lead the ceremony in a traditional way inside the church assisted by Christian priests.