The Harvest Festival & Annual Thanksgiving Service of the CSI Cathedral @ Kozhikode was held on the 13th of November 2016. Our Bishop, Rt. Rev. Dr. Royce Manoj Victor was the Chief Guest. The day began with Divine Holy Communion Service in English at 7:30 am, followed by Malayalam Service at 9:00 am. Royce Manoj Thirumeni delivered the message during this service.
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| Thirumeni delivering the message in the 9:00 am service |
The 'Foundation Stone Laying' of the proposed Cathedral Jubilee Hall; one among the 10 projects in connection with the 175th Anniversary of the Cathedral was done by Thirumeni in a vibrant function soon after the Malayalam Service. Please click on the link to read more on "Jubilee Hall foundation stone laying ceremony"
The Harvest Festival and Thanksgiving Service was preceded by the "Sing-a-Song" session where all those who wish to sing a song inside the Cathedral, for our Lord's glory were given an opportunity. Songs were performed unaccompanied, with karaoke and along with live orchestra by various individuals and groups.
Lunch was arranged for the congregation at the BEMGHSS open auditorium. The service scheduled to begin at 1:30 started with a procession. The children from Cathedral Sunday school led this procession, carrying fruit baskets in their hands, followed by the members of pastorate committee, the representatives to the diocesan council, the church workers, presbyters and the Bishop.
Beautiful songs were performed by the Cathedral Sunday School Children, the Cathedral Men's Fellowship, CSI Puthiyangadi Youth choir, Cathedral Youth Fellowship, CSI Puthiyara Church, Cathedral Women's Fellowship, CSI Gundert Memorial Church, Cathedral Golden Age Fellowship, CSI Chalappuram Church, CSI Koyilandy Church, CSI Kattangal Church, CSI St. Mary's Church Choir and an anthem by the Cathedral Choir.
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| Special Song by Cathedral Sunday School |
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| Special Song by Cathedral Men's Fellowship |
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| Special Song by Puthiyangadi CSI Youths |
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| Special Song by Cathedral Youth Fellowship |
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| Special Song by Puthiyara CSI Church |
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| Special Song by Hermann Gundert CSI Church |
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| Special Song by Chalappuram CSI Church |
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| Special Song by Koyilandy CSI Church |
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| Special Song by Kattangal Congregation |
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| Special Song by CSI St. Mary's Church Choir |
The Bible Lessons were read by Evangelist Sarin Lawrence, Ms. Rhea Jennifer Joy and by Rev. A. Earnest. The Responsive reading from Psalm 67 was led by Rev. Saju Benjamin.
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| The Congregation 1 |
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| The Congregation2 |
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| Rev. Dr. TI James addressing the congregation |
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| Rev. Saju Benjamin leading the Psalm |
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| Rev. P.S. Ebenezer leading the prayers |
Rt. Rev. Dr. Royce Manoj Thirumeni delivered the festival message. The service was blessed by the presence and participation of Rev. Dr. Vincent Moses, Rev. Vincent Manoharan, Rev. Leslie Vinod Padiyangadan, Rev. Bernet M.P., Rev. Thomas P. Korah, Rev. P.S. Ebenezer, Rev. Paul David Thottathil and Rev. Dn. Yobas Bhaskar.
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| Rt. Rev. Dr. Royce Manoj Thirumeni delivering the festival message |
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| A view from the renovated Childrens Gallery |
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| A view from the second renovated Childrens Gallery |
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| The Congregation 3 |
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| The Cathedral Choir |
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| Rev. Dn. Yobas Bhasker leading the prayers |
Mr. Denzil John, the Cathedral Pastorate Committee secretary extended the 'Vote of Thanks'. The service concluded around 4:30 pm.
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| Mr. Denzil John, PC Secretary extending the Vote of thanks |
The Auction of the 'First Fruits' were conducted in front of the auction stall after the service. Rt. Rev. Dr. Royce Manoj Thirumeni handed over the 'First Fruits' to Dr. Carl Vijayan, who was the highest bidder.
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| The opening prayer before auction |
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| Dr. Carl Vijayan receiving the 'First Fruits' |
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| The 'first fruits' auction |
All the stalls organized by the various auxilliary organization of the cathedral together with the tea stall by MCC HSS and Ice cream stall by BEMGHSS became actively involved in sales.Tea and snacks were served in the Malabar Christian College stall. Mouthwatering ice creams were the major attraction of the BEM GHSS stall in which the teachers conducted the sale. The Youth fellowship had a food stall in which they served 'Mulaku bajji', 'Cauliflower pakkavada' and 'Chicken Biriyani as take-away. They also ran games stalls which attracted kids and youth 'of all ages!'.
The 'Eco stall' organized by the Youth Fellowship provided awareness on waste disposal and making of compost manure. It also sold 'cloth bags' made by the Pain and Palliative members from Kannur, as a substitute for the plastic bags.
The Men's Fellowship ran a food stall which served mouth watering 'Kubboos with Chicken chukka' and 'Beef bonda'.
The Golden Age fellowship also ran a food stall which served machine vended 'Nescafe' along with Chicken cutlet, Appam with Beef curry, and other delicacies.
The Women's fellowship conducted textiles stall as well as food stalls. As always their 'coconut burfee', pickles and wines were an irresistable deal to all!!
The 'Sunday school' ran a games stall and two on-the-go games which featured, 'naming the doll' and 'guessing the cookie count' in a jar full of cookies. Plant Saplings were distributed as gifts to the winners of these games.
The Auction stall was busy throughout the night. Mr. Denzil John, the pastorate committee secretary led the auction proceedings.
The prizes for Raffle tickets were drawn at regular intervals and the day's programme concluded around 8:30 pm.
