EFFORT (Ecumenical Faith Formation through Orthodox Reflections for Transformation)
Annual Report 2024-2025 Annexure 9
1.0 Introduction
The concept of having an ecumenical initiative that will enable the Diocese of UK-Europe and Africa of the Malankara Orthodox (Indian) Syrian Church (MOSC) to begin a new strand of witness and mission originated with the plan to celebrate the 1700th Anniversary of the Council of Nicea in 2025. HH Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, the head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (MOSC) -Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan inaugurated the new initiative – Ecumenical Faith Formation through Orthodox Reflections for Transformation (EFFORT) during the Diocesan mega event Malankara Orthodox Sangamam on 25th May 2024 in Coventry, UK.
The DOT programme evolved from an in-depth planning of the initiative EFFORT through a concrete programme on 13th August 2024 when HE Abraham Mar Stephanos (Diocesan Metropolitan) met with Dr Elizabeth Joy and Fr Dr Anish John to deliberate on a concrete programme for the Diocese of UK-Europe and Africa. Several meetings were convened at different levels to get the detailed DOT programme in place. HE Abraham Mar Stephanos inaugurated the DOT programme on 25th September 2024 at the Diocesan Office in Swindon (Malankara House, 35 Henman Close, Swindon UK- SN25 4ZW).
1.1 EFFORT Board and Faculty
President: Diocesan Metropolitan HE Abraham Mar Stephanos
Board of Directors: Diocesan Council
Director: Dr. Elizabeth Joy
Dean of Studies: Fr. Dr. Anish John
Treasurer: Diocesan Secretary Fr. Varghese T. Mathew
Liaison Officer: Fr. Stanly David James
Faculties:
HE Abraham Mar Stephanos
Dr. Elizabeth Joy
Fr. Dr. Anish John
V Rev. Abraham George Chor-Episcopus
Fr. Jobin Mammen Cherian
Fr. Aashu Alexander Mattackel
Fr. Jobin Thomas Abraham
Fr. Dr. Timothy Thomas
Rev Dn Blessen George Babu
Fr. Dr. K. M. George
1.2 Course Modules and Faculty Assignments
Module | Faculty |
Module 1 - Scripture in Orthodox Tradition | HE Abraham Mar Stephanos and Dr. Elizabeth Joy |
Module 2 – West Syriac and Biblical Greek | Fr. Jobin Mammen Cherian and V Rev. Abraham George Chor-Episcopus |
Module 3 – Understanding the Nicene creed | Fr. Aashu Alexander Mattackel and Fr. Jobin Thomas Abraham |
Module 4 - Introduction to Patristics (Pre-Chalcedon Christian Teachers) | Fr. Dr. Anish John and Fr. Aashu Alexander Mattackel |
Module 5 – Sacramental Theology | Fr. Dr. Timothy Thomas and Rev Dn Blessen George Babu |
Module 6 - Orthodox Witness and Mission with Practical Work Assignment | Fr. Dr. K. M. George and Dr. Elizabeth Joy |
2.0 Summary of Activities
2.1 DOT programme
The original team of three consisting of the Diocesan Metropolitan HG Abraham Mar Stephanos, Director Dr Elizabeth Joy and the Dean Fr Dr Anish John soon expanded with the appointment of two honorary Secretaries – Mr Biju Kurien Jacob with the Administration portfolio assisting the Director and Mr Saju Chacko with the Academic portfolio assisting the Dean. We soon had the Executive Committee in place, which included the five staff members, Fr Varghese Mathew the Diocesan Secretary as the Treasurer and Fr Stanly David James, the representative from the Diocesan Council of the UK- Europe and Africa. The Diocesan Council acts as the Trustee Body for the DOT programme.
The DOT classes began on 30th September 2024 with 18 students duly registered. One student withdrew due to time constraints, and 17 completed Module One successfully and are in Module Two. Although we had teething issues in this first year and the first module, we are very grateful to our first batch of students who have been with us with much patience, especially in finding the most convenient day and time for the classes and the seminars. We are delighted to report that we have now finalised the most suitable day and time for the majority of the students for the first batch. Apart from the weekly lectures/classes and seminars, we also have monthly virtual worship. All classes are held on a virtual platform through Zoom. We also have Rev Fr Tiji Thankachen appointed as the Chaplain.
2.2 Student details
We have a total of seventeen (17) students of which fifteen (15) from the UK and Ireland, one from the Middle East and one from India. Fourteen (14) students are from the MOSC, two (2) from the Malankara Mar Thoma Church and one from the Church of England.
2.3 Modules, dates and Faculty
DOT programme is a two-year Diploma course with the details of the Modules and the faculty members as follows:
Module | Schedule | Faculty |
Module 1 - Scripture in Orthodox Tradition | September 2024 – December 2024 | HE Abraham Mar Stephanos and Dr. Elizabeth Joy |
Module 2 – West Syriac and Biblical Greek | January 2025 – April 2025 | Fr. Jobin Mammen Cherian and V Rev. Abraham George Chor-Episcopus |
Module 3 – Understanding the Nicene creed | May 2025 – August 2025 | Fr. Aashu Alexander Mattackel and Fr. Jobin Thomas Abraham |
Module 4 - Introduction to Patristics (Pre-Chalcedon Christian Teachers) | September 2025 – December 2025 | Fr. Dr. Anish John and Fr. Aashu Alexander Mattackel |
Module 5 – Sacramental Theology | January 2026 – April 2026 | Fr. Dr. Timothy Thomas and Rev Dn Blessen George Babu |
Module 6 - Orthodox Witness and Mission with Practical Work Assignment | May 2026 – July 2026 | Fr. Dr. K. M. George and Dr. Elizabeth Joy |
2.3 Finance and Operations
We had 26 individuals register for the program, out of which 22 candidates were issued conditional offers of acceptance (COAL). Eighteen candidates accepted the COAL, and one candidate had to withdraw due to personal reasons, resulting in 17 students in the batch 24-26. All 17 students have paid their fees in full and are attending classes as per the schedule. Receipts for payments have been issued to all students.
Module 1 included four lectures and four webinars, all of which were well attended. All students submitted their coursework and attended the VIVA VOCE. The results are yet to be published. Module 2 is currently in progress, with West Syriac being taught at the time of this report, and Biblical Greek is scheduled to complete in April 2025. A calendar with course schedules has been issued to all students.
A licensed version of the Zoom platform has been procured, with an initial procurement cost of £155.88. The current license needs to be renewed from September 30, 2025, and it is estimated that the annual license cost will be £129.00. The Zoom platform is used for all class sessions, and a WhatsApp group is maintained to facilitate continuous communication with the students.
To assist students, 17 copies (in PDF format as e-books) of the book “An Introduction to West Syriac” published by MOC Publications have been procured from Shruthi School of Liturgical Music. The cost of the book is ₹125.00 per book and for 17 copies it would come at approximately £20.00 depending on the conversion rates and service charges. An overview of the financial matters for the financial year 2024-25 is given below.
Income |
|
| Expenses |
|
Item | Amount |
| Item | Amount |
Student Fees batch 1 - 17nos | £10,200.00 |
| Zoom | £155.88 |
|
|
| Syriac Book | £0.00 |
|
|
| Tools | £0.00 |
Total | £10,200.00 |
| Faculty honorarium | £0.00 |
Total | £155.88 | |||
Income over Expense | £10,044.12 |
3.0 Future Plans
3.1 Batch 2025 -27
We plan to recruit students for the next batch. We will review the first four months and plan for the second batch.
3.2 Practical exposure
We plan to have a practical exposure at Bossey Ecumenical Centre in Geneva as part of the practical exposure under Module Six.
4.0 Acknowledgements
With hearts filled with gratitude, we offer thanks and glory to Holy Triune God for blessing the EFFORT DOT programme and guiding its first academic year with grace and mercy.
We extend our sincere gratitude to His Holiness Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews III, Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan, for blessing the ministry with his prayers and presence.
We remain deeply thankful to His Eminence Abraham Mar Stephanos, our Diocesan Metropolitan and President of EFFORT, for his unwavering support, spiritual leadership, and vision.
We also thank the Diocesan Secretary, Rev. Fr. Varghese T. Mathew, along with the Diocesan Council and staff for their continued administrative support and guidance.
For EFFORT
Secretary – Administration.