Spiritual Organisation

Orthodox Christian Youth Movement

OCYM (Youth)

The Diocesan Orthodox Christian Youth Movement (OCYM-UK EU AFR), the Youth-wing of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, is in its 11th year of active leadership and Christian witness for the Church and society. It contributes to the goodness and progress of the Church and community in the three-fold path of worship, study, and service. It aims at moulding the minds and visions of the youth against the background of contemporary issues.

History

Looking back, the seeds of the Youth Movement were planted by visionary leaders of the Diocese as early as 2008. Several Parishes had initiated either MGOCSM or Youth Fellowship units from the early years which contributed differently to the Diocese. In 2012, they were unified under the umbrella of Orthodox Christian Youth Movement (OCYM) to anchor youngsters through a formal Spiritual Organization of the Diocese. Former Diocesan Metropolitan HG Dr Mathews Mar Thimothios took the pioneering steps towards this..

OCYM-UK Office Bearers (2012 onwards)

  • President

    • H.G. Dr Mathews Mar Thimothios Metropolitan (2012 –2023)

    • H.G. Abraham Mar Stephanos (2023 – Present)

  • Vice President

    • Fr. Thomas P John [2012 – 2015]

    • Fr. Jacob Anish Varghese [2015 – 2016]

    • Fr. Dr Ninan V George [2016 – 2018]

    • Fr. Tiji Thankachan [2019 – 2023]

    • Fr. Nithin Prasad Koshy [2023 – 2024]

    • Fr. Jeeson P. Wilson [2024 - Present]

  • General Co-Ordinator

    • Annu Mathew [2012-2016]

    • Royce Raju [2016 – 2023]

  • General Secretary

    • Hanson Raju [2012-2014]

    • Anish George [2014-2016]

    • Carol Thomas [2016-2019]

    • Abina Philip [2019 – 2024]

    • Rajin V. Paulose [2024 - Present]

  • Joint Secretary

    • Manu John [2023 – Present]

    • Dr. Cucki Thomas [2024 - Present]

Events, Camps & Conferences (AOYC)

Youth Camps were initiated in 2011, which was then integrated with the Family Conference in the subsequent years. The Annual Orthodox Youth Conferences (AOYC day and night camps) have been successful with attendance of over 150 Youth delegates. The highlights of the conferences were age-split group discussions, interactive digital media sessions, live music, and campfires, which aided in creating a positive atmosphere among the youth.

These camps had delegates from Europe, Ireland & Scotland, in addition to the regular attendees who reside in England and Wales. The wider geographical spread aided in understanding the different viewpoints and fundamental issues faced by Orthodox Youth living in Europe. AOYC had been running successfully from 2011 to 2019, until the pandemic. During the pandemic, virtual conferences were arranged to ensure we maintain the spiritual nourishment, discussions, and engagement of our youth members.

The OCYM members actively participated in the Ecumenical Youth Conferences (HALO [AP1] & HENOSIS ’23).  These were led by OCYM members who facilitated music, debate and speaker led discussion sessions. This enabled them to connect with other Orthodox Christians across the UK.

Leadership Program (AURA)

The OCYM AURA Leadership Program is conducted annually to develop and guide youth members in various leadership attributes. This is to enable them to build their capabilities and confidently take positions to lead & support the diocese. The program is usually attended by Church Youth Secretaries, Zonal Representatives and youth interested in leadership roles for the Church.

Sessions are led by leaders internally within the diocese and also by external authority figures like Jiji Thomas, IAS and Emma Temple, Regional Director at Student Christian Movement. Group discussions, brainstorming sessions, and team-building exercises are also held as part of the program.

Digital Newsletters & Media Platforms

A great achievement of the OCYM is the awareness, engagement and popularity that it has managed to attain with the youth fellowship through the use of specific digital media platforms. Newsletters were initiated to share and inspire other churches on Youth Activities. Facebook groups were used in the early days of OCYM’s inception, however, with Facebook becoming a declining portal for Youth Members, other solutions were sought to connect and engage effectively. Instagram, Whatsapp Groups, Online Forums using the ZOOM Platform and Polls have made the youth across the diocese engage with emerging themes and discussions that are relevant to them.

International Student Hospitality Program (OASSIS Platform)

UK and Europe continue to be the further education hotspots for students from India & Gulf. There have been over 1000 Indian Orthodox students coming to the UK & Europe region to study since 2020. The sudden increase in the student population raised pastoral concern resulting in then OCYM President, Metropolitan H.G. Dr Mathews Mar Thimothios, formally inaugurating the ‘Orthodox Association for Spiritual Support to International Students’, popularly called ‘OASSIS’ on the 2nd of May 2020.

OASSIS is dedicated to supporting members of the MOSC studying in Europe so that students moving to various countries in Europe felt supported and part of a community. With the exponential increase in students moving to the UK in 2022, the platform was expanded to the UK.

In 2023, OASSIS was integrated into OCYM. The main aim of the platform is to connect students to the Parish/Community that is physically closest to them. In case there are no Parishes/Communities nearby, it connects them to other students from the Churches nearby. OASSIS regularly hold prayer sessions, panel discussion forums and speaker-led discussions via virtual platforms.

“A Church without Youth is a Church without a future. Moreover, Youth without a Church is Youth without a future.” – Pope Shenouda III, Pope & Patriarch of Alexandria.

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