SUNDAY SCHOOL
“Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it, except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain”. Psalm 127:1
From a humble beginning in the Khalidiya Church (5 students) our Sunday school has grown into a mighty tree giving spiritual guidance to hundreds of children, many of whom are spread throughout the globe. Today we have a strength of approximately 550 students from Tiny Tots to the 12th standards.
We are grateful to the late H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan for his benevolence in giving the Orthodox community of India a place to worship God Almighty
With fond memories we remember all our former Bishops and Vicars who have contributed to the growth of our Sunday school. H. G. Job Mar Philoxenose, the diocesan Metropolitan and H.G. Dr. Joseph Mar Dionisius take keen interest in the activities of the Sunday schools included in the “OSSAE”.
The Vicars, Managing Committee members, General body and the parents through the years have been a great support and have played their role in nurturing our Sunday school. With their support our Sunday school has grown from a few students to its present strength. It was Rev. Fr. K.T. Thomas (the present H.G. Thomas Mar Athanasius), then our Vicar, who organized the Sunday school with Mr. P.V. Koshy as Headmaster. From 1978 to 2002 Mr. P.V. Koshy continued his meritorious service as Headmaster with a break of 2 years in between when Mr. Babu M Jacob stepped in and steered the ship. In 2002 when Mr. P.V. Koshy left on transfer of residence the torch of service was passed on to Dr. Mary George who remained at the helm until May 2004.
The Sunday school overcame several hurdles as it grew under the Almighty’s care. Space constraints was overcome with the building of the St. Thomas hall in 1991 and later in 2006 the extension of the St. Thomas hall and the addition of another floor
The curriculum and the extra curricular activities of the Sunday school are designed to mould the children and to help in the formation of their character so as to develop them into useful members of the world community in general and the Orthodox community in particular. The “OVBS” conducted each year during summer holidays combines both study and fun.
The formation of the UAE Sunday School Association was a great event for the Orthodox Sunday schools in UAE. This facilitated the conducting examinations and various competitions at UAE level. The students of various Sunday schools in UAE have a uniform pattern in all their activities. The association also helps in promoting interaction among students and teachers of all the Orthodox Sunday schools in UAE. I am proud to mention that Abu Dhabi unit was instrumental in the formation of the association.
The Sunday school would not have progressed to this extent if it was not for the untiring efforts and contributions of innumerable persons who have contributed their mite towards the welfare of this Sunday school.
A special tribute to our previous Headmasters, Headmistress, former and present team of dedicated teachers for their untiring efforts to mould the future generation. We are proud to say that some of our Sunday school Alumni have joined the faculty.
Understanding our “Holy Qurbana” is the most important aspect of Orthodox Christian faith, for those who are unable to read Malayalam a copy of the “Living Sacrifice” in English is provided.
“Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will never depart from it”. Prov: 22:6. Happy is the man who has a childhood faith to look back – for no life is stronger than its foundation. Only what is built on the solid foundation of Christ will last. This is what Ignatius Loyola meant when he made his famous dictum “Give me a child for the first seven years of his life and I care not who has him afterwards”. May God give us the strength and guidance to lead this flock in the right path.