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{{Use Indian English|date=February 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox recurring event
| name = Maramon Convention
| image = File:Maramon speech.JPG
| logo =
| dates = Second week of February
| frequency = Annually
| location = [[Maramon]], [[Pathanamthitta]], [[Kerala]], [[India]]
| founded = 1895
| genre = Christian conferences
| website = http://mtconvention.com/
| organised = [[Mar Thoma Syrian Church]] - through Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association '''(MTEA)'''
}}
The ''' Maramon Convention''', one of the largest Christian [[Convention (meeting)|convention]] in Asia, is held at [[Maramon]], [[Pathanamthitta]], [[Kerala]], [[India]] annually in February on the vast sand-bed of the [[Pampa River]] next to the [[Kozhencherry]] Bridge. It is organised by Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association, the missionary wing of the [[Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church]].

The origin and growth of this annual get-together for one week at a stretch can be traced to the great revival movement which gathered momentum during the reformation period in the Syrian Churches of Kerala under the pioneering leadership of [[Abraham Malpan]] in the latter part of the 19th century. This brought about the transformation in resurgence of the ancient apostolic Churches in Kerala founded by St. Thomas the Apostle<ref>http://www.tertullian.org/fathers/apocryphal_acts_07_judas_thomas.htm</ref> approximately in AD 52.

==Cultural identity of Saint Thomas Christians==

Saint Thomas in the Syriac-speaking culture of upper Mesopotamia and Syria the apostle was called Judas Thomas. Thomas (Tau'ma) means twin in Syriac.<ref>Maelle Doliveux, "Newsweek", January 2015. Page 6-41.</ref>

[[Jawaharlal Nehru]] in his [[Glimpses of World History]], 1934 wrote about Christianity in India:

"You may be surprised to learn that Christianity came to India long before it went to England or Western Europe, and when even in Rome it was a despised and proscribed sect. Within 100 years or so of the death of Jesus, Christian Missionaries came to South India by sea. They were received courteously and permitted to preach their new faith. They converted a large number of people, and their descendants have lived there, with varying fortune, to this day. Most of them belong to old Christian sects which have ceased to exist in Europe".

[[Ephrem the Syrian|St. Ephraem]], a Christian deacon and scholar, in AD 363 composed a poem that honors St. Thomas in that era's understanding:<ref name="Pothan1963">{{cite book|author=S. G. Pothan|title=The Syrian Christians of Kerala|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7KFIAAAAMAAJ|year=1963|publisher=Asia Publishing House|page=25}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Ecumenical review|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lNNPAQAAIAAJ|year=1992|page=91}}</ref>

"Blessed art thou, like a solar ray, India’s darkness doth dispel. Thou the great lamp, one among the Twelve, with oil from the cross replenished India’s night flooded with light. Oh Blessed Apostle, valiant Mar Thoma whom violent threats did not affright, Blessed apostle be thou praised, whom the Great King has sent that India to his one begotten thou shouldest espouse."

An ancient Indian non-Christian work ''Nagargarandhavaryola'' mentions St. Thomas:<ref name="Moraes1964">{{cite book|author=George Mark Moraes|title=A History of Christianity in India: From Early Times to St. Francis Xavier: A.D. 52-1542|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dM_YAAAAMAAJ|year=1964|publisher=Manaktalas|page=40}}</ref><ref name="Wulf2016">{{cite book|author=Christoph Wulf|title=Exploring Alterity in a Globalized World|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_ZxeCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA150|date=13 January 2016|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-317-33113-1|pages=149–150}}</ref>{{Verify source|date=February 2017}}

In AD 52 "the foreigner Thomas Sanyasi came to our village, preached there causing pollution. We therefore came away from that village."

==Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association==

By 1877, there were two factions in the Malankara church, known as Bishop faction (Methran Kakshi) and Patriarch faction (Bava Kakshi). By a court verdict on 12 July 1889, Bishop faction lost all the properties. In this turbulent period, on 5 September 1888, 12 members of the Bishop faction formed a missionary group called "Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association".<ref>Rev.George Alexander (Ed). "Maramon Convention Sathapdhi Valum-'95." Page 166.</ref><ref>''Mar Thoma Sabha Directory''. (1999). Page 149.</ref> These 12 members are considered the founding fathers of the Maramon convention. The names of these 12 members are:-
[[File:Kadavil Malika.jpg|thumb|right|240px|Kadavil Malika]]

# Kottarathil Thomas Kasseessa, [[Chengannur]]
# Edavamvelil Mathai, [[Eraviperoor]].
# Kottooreth Yohannan, [[Chengannur]]
# Chempakasseril Kadavil Abraham, [[Kallissery]]
# Chakkalayil Cherian Upadesi, [[Puthencavu]]
# Chempakasseril Kadavil Mathuchen, [[Kallissery]]
# Azhakinal Thommi, [[Kallooppara]]
# Nathaniel Upadesi, [[Chengannur]]
# Kurichiath (Vattadiyil) Ittiyavara, [[Niranam]]
# Arangat Philipose, [[Maramon]]
# Ottaplammoottil Kunju Mathew, [[Kallissery]]
# Kochumannil Skariah, Edayaranmula

They met at the [[Kadavil Malika]] belonging to Chempakasseril Kadavil Abraham and Chempakasseril Kadavil Mathuchen (1860 - 1897). This house at [[Kallissery]] near [[Chengannur]] was built by their grandfather Unnittan Kathanar (1767 - 1852) and his son Abraham Kathanar (1822 - 1884) also known as Kadavil Achen, in the early 19th century. ''(The [[Kadavil Malika]] was reclaimed by the [[Marthoma]] church and renovated on 10 September 2005.)''

==Beginning==

By 1894, a number of small supportive prayer group communions emerged and this paved a way for revival.{{Citation needed|date=October 2015}} They had regular meetings in various parishes. Because the number of people attending these meetings was growing; the need was addressed by deciding to have a meeting of these groups in a wider level at a central accessible place. This was a venue for dimensional spiritual edification that is applicable, biblically sound, [[Cardinal virtues|ideal]] and [[Fruit of the Holy Spirit|value based]]<ref>{{bibleref2|1 Corinthians|13:12-13|NLT}}</ref> for striving with the realities of the world and never a place for signs, wonders and miracles.<ref>{{bibleref2|Matthew|16:4|NLT}}</ref> During the 19th century, people began to occupy hilly places which resulted in felling of forests in and around the catchment area of [[Pampa River|Pampa river]] and started intensive cultivation of annual crops like tapioca, yams ... etc.{{Citation needed|date=October 2015}} This unplanned encroachment resulted in large scale soil erosion.{{Citation needed|date=October 2015}} Deep river with mud was filled with white sand, which turned to be congenial place to assemble for a gathering of masses. No need for any seating arrangement as people can sit on the neat white sand bed under roofs made by knitted coconut leaves. The duty of organising this meeting was given to the Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association and the first convention was held in 1895 at Maramon. Today the changing habitat and lesser focus on agriculture with rise of rubber plantation, the surfaced roads minimised soil erosion and a large scale sand mining for construction activities decreased the size of the sand bed to a great extent.

By 1900 reformers adopted the name Malankara Marthoma Suriyani Sabha also known as the [[Mar Thoma Church]] to encase its ancient lineage.

==View of Convention==

[[File:Maramon convention.JPG|thumbnail|300px|Maramon Convention – 2008]]
Maramon Convention (2008). This view of the convention is from [[Kozhencherry]] side. Kozhencherry bridge is on the right. There are usually no empty spaces inside the Panthal (tent). So people stand outside and group around the shades to listen to the songs and messages.
[[File:MaramonConvention 2009.JPG|thumbnail|300px|Maramon Convention – 2009]]
Maramon Convention (2009). This view of the convention is from [[Maramon]] side. Kozhencherry bridge is on the left.

==First Convention==
The first convention was held for 10 days from 8 to 17 March 1895.{{Citation needed|date=October 2015}} The venue was the vast sand-bed of the [[Pampa River]] next to the Maramon church. The parishes in and around Maramon – Kozhencherry helped in making a very large panthal (tent) to accommodate about 10,000 people. The main speakers were David and Wordsworth.{{who|date=October 2015}} On an average 10,000 to 15,000 people attended these meetings. On the last day almost 25,000 attended. There were no proper roads during those days. So nearby houses accommodated the people from far away places. Some of them came in boats and used them as their shelter.

==Convention these days==
Maramon Convention is held for eight days during the first week of the Great Lent that usually falls in February. The tent has a [[seating capacity]] in excess of 160,000 people. They are seated on the dry sand bed. Old and weak are given sponsored-paid chairs to sit on. There is also a smaller tent erected next to the larger one for people with infants and with children below 5. All around the temporary tent there are prayer and rest sheds and other tents for various purposes related to the Church. Stalls for the sale of religious literature and other items, church mission advertisement and funding offices and restaurants are allowed to operate in the vicinity of the tent under the control of the Church authorities.

==Programme==
[[File:maramonconvention.jpg|thumbnail|224px|A view of the Convention Nagar, people returning after a session in 1994.]]
The Maramon Convention is pre-eminently an assembly of Christians who once a year come here for listening to the Word of God as read and expounded by Christian leaders from all over India as well as abroad. Introduction and promotion of Church activities and Preaching occupy the major part of the convention programme. In the morning there will be separate Bible study classes for Men, women, youth and children conducted by specially invited leaders. The mornings and afternoons are public meetings and in the evening, meetings are for men only. Four of the afternoon public meetings are for 'Facing the challenges of Social evils as Christians'. The choir leads the singing and the introduction of voguish songs and the whole gathering joins in singing.{{Citation needed|date=October 2015}} A hymn book with 101 hymns including 16 new ones are printed every year for the convention use. Everyday half an hour is spent for intercessory prayer.<ref>Mathew 6:5</ref> Also there are family gatherings, youth meetings and special gatherings after the afternoon session.

==Leaders==
In addition to the Metropolitan and Episcopas of the church, distinguished world-renowned speakers addressed this convention. The Revd Thomas Walker, England (1900–1912), [[Sadhu Sunder Singh]], [[Punjab (British India)|Punjab]] (1918), Dr. G. [[Sherwood Eddy]] (1919), Dr. [[E. Stanley Jones]], USA (1920–1968), Dr. [[Toyohiko Kagawa]], Japan (1938), [[John R. Mott]], Nobel Peace Prize winner (1946) and President of World Alliance of YMCAs, Dr. Bob Pierce, founder and president of [[World Vision]] (1964 & 66), Astronaut Colonel [[James Irwin]], who spent a few hours on the moon (1985), Dr. John Haggai,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.haggai-institute.com/who-we-are/our-leadership-team/john-edmund-haggai/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=2015-01-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150115040130/http://www.haggai-institute.com/who-we-are/our-leadership-team/john-edmund-haggai/ |archive-date=15 January 2015 }}</ref> founder president of Haggai Institute (1973), Bishop Donald Jacobs, [[Mennonite]] church (1974), the Most Revd Dr. [[Robert Runcie]], Archbishop of Canterbury (1986), the Most Revd Dr. [[George Carey]], Archbishop of Canterbury (1995), Dr. [[Samuel Kobia]], WCC General Secretary (2007), Dr. Paul S. Rees (Ministry statesman),<ref>{{cite book|author=William Kostlevy|title=The A to Z of the Holiness Movement|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=23-KTx1iMiIC&pg=PA247|year=2010|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=978-0-8108-7591-3|pages=247–248}}</ref> Revd Dr. [[A. B. Masilamani]], Rev. Dr. Samuel Kamaleson (Veterinarian & Evangelist), and a host of others.<ref>Rev.George Alexander (Ed). "Maramon Convention Sathapdhi Valum-'95." Page 83-95.</ref>{{Better source|reason=citation is not peer-reviewed|date=October 2015}}

==Maramon Convention through the years==

===Maramon Convention 2018===
The 123rd Maramon Convention, was scheduled from 11 to 17 February. The main speakers for the convention were Rt. Rev. [[Peter Eaton|Peter D. Eaton]] ([[Episcopal Church (United States)|Episcopalian]] Bishop, Southeast Florida Diocese); Rt. Rev. Dr. Soritua Nababan (Bishop Emeritus of [[Batak Christian Protestant Church]], Indonesia and ex-officio of [[World Council of Churches]]) - ''cancelled''; [[Robert Barron (bishop)|Bishop Robert Barron]], [[Auxiliary bishop|Auxiliary Bishop]] of the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles|Archdiocese of Los Angeles]] - ''cancelled''; Rev. Dr. Francis Sunderaraj, ([[Methodist Church in India|Methodist]] minister, Chennai-Malaysia); Rev. Dr. Vinod Victor ([[Church of South India|CSI Church]], Melbourne Diocese) and Evg. Dr.h.c. Ramachandran Rajkumar (Independent Evangelist, Logos Ministries, Delhi).<ref>http://www.manoramaonline.com/news/announcements/2018/01/21/maramon-convention.html</ref>

===Maramon Convention 2017===
The main speakers for the 122nd Maramon Convention were theologians, Cleophus J. LaRue Jr. (Professor at [[Princeton Theological Seminary]] and [[National Baptist Convention of America, Inc.|NBCA]] minister); [[Leslie Griffiths]] ([[Methodist Church of Great Britain|Methodist]] minister and [[Life peer]]), ''Edward''-Mukondeleli Ramulondi ([[Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa|UPCSA]] Minister and Regional Director, Council for World Mission - [[Congregational Federation]]) and [[John Sadananda|John Stephen Sadananda]] ([[Church of South India|CSI]], Bishop Emeritus and Head of [[Serampore College|Serampore University College]]).

===Maramon Convention 2016===
The 121st Maramon Convention, is scheduled from 14 to 21 February. The theme of the convention is about living as ''Symbols of Christian Values'' in society and growing towards [[ecologically sustainable development]], enhancing it with age-old practice of backyard farming and [[sustainable agriculture]].<ref>http://travel.manoramaonline.com/travel/essential-kerala/all-you-should-know-about-maramon-convention.html</ref> Noted speakers that will deliver discourses at the convention are Bishop [[Daniel Thiagarajah|Daniel Thyagaraja]], CSI Church, Sri Lanka; Rev Malcom T H Tan, Methodist Church, Singapore (Mission Society Trainer);<ref>http://www.ccmc.org.sg/our-pastoral-team</ref> Dr [[Leonard Sweet]], Methodist Church, United States (Pastor & Theologian), Rev Francis Sundaraj, EFI, Chennai (Ecumenist) and Rev. [[Daniel Sadananda|D. Ratnakara Sadananda]], CSI Church, Chennai (Gen. Secretary & Theologian).

Bishops attached to the Mar Thoma Church and other Churches will address various sessions of the meet. Heads of various Churches will address in the ecumenical sessions and various personalities attached to social welfare and empowerment like [[P. J. Kurien]], [[D. Babu Paul]]...etc. will handle relevant topics.<ref>http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/Maramon-Convention-Set-to-Begin-From-February-14/2016/02/13/article3275343.ece</ref>

===Maramon Convention 2015===
The 120th Maramon Convention was scheduled from 8 to 15 February. Main Speakers of the meeting are Bishop Ziphozihle D. Siwa, Methodist Church, S.A. (President of the South African Council of Churches and Revivalist); Rev. Dr. Leonard Sweet, USA (Semiotician & Best-selling Author) - ''cancelled'' - substituted by Rev. Fr. Dushantha Rodrigo, Church of Ceylon, Sri Lanka (Youth Ministry) and Pr. Dr. Sam T. Kamaleson, Tamil Nadu-USA (Evangelist, Mission Director, Musician, Lecturer, Ministry Mentor/''Annan'':-Elder brother)<ref>http://www.faithandleadership.com/features/articles/the-real-mentor</ref><br />
Bishops of the Mar Thoma Church and various other Churches would address different sessions of the meet, including various personalities attached to Ecumenism.<br />
Special Guest: Patriarch Moran Mor [[Ignatius Aphrem II]], Patriarch of Antioch.

===Maramon Convention 2014===
The 119th Maramon Convention was from 9 to 16 February on the vast sand bed of the [[Pampa River]] near [[Kozhencherry]]. Main speakers, in addition to the bishops of the Mar Thoma Church were Bishop Dulip D Chikera (Sri Lanka), Rev. Peter Maiden (England) and Rev. Vyani Naibola (South Africa)

===Maramon Convention 2013===
The 118th Maramon Convention was from 10 to 17 February on the vast sand bed of the [[Pampa River]]. Main speakers, in addition to the bishops of the Mar Thoma Church were Rev. Canon [[Philip Mounstephen]] (U.K), Rev. Dr Walter Altmann (IECL, Brazil) and Rev. Andile Madodomzi Mbete (South Africa)

===Maramon Convention 2012===
The 117th Maramon Convention was held from 12 to 19 February on the vast sand-bed of the [[Pampa River]] next to the [[Kozhencherry]] Bridge.
at [[Maramon]].

The main speakers were [[Bishop]] [[Malusi Mpumlwana]] (South Africa), Dr. Kang San Tan (Professor and Mission Director) and Dr. Martin Alphonse (Pastor and Professor, Methodist Church)

===Maramon Convention 2011===
The 116th [[Maramon]] Convention was held from 13 to 20 February. Main speakers were the bishops of the [[Mar Thoma Church]]; Most Rev. [[Roger Herft]], Anglican [[Anglican Archbishop of Perth|Archbishop of Perth]]; Australia; Prof. [[Nyameko Barney Pityana]], a human rights lawyer, theologian in South Africa and an exponent of [[Black theology]]; Dr. R. Rajkumar; Rev. Peter Maiden; Dr. [[Ulf Ekman]].

===Maramon Convention 2010===
The 115th [[Maramon]] Convention was held from 14 to 21 February. On the opening day and on the last three days, the pandal (flat roof thatched by woven coconut leaves) that could accommodate almost 80,000 people overflowed and an equal number found accommodation under the tree shades on both sides of the river.

The speakers included the Bishops of the [[Mar Thoma Church]]; Bishop Robert M Solomon, (Methodist Church, [[Singapore]]); Reverend Canon [[Timothy Dakin|Tim Dakin]], (General Secretary of [[Church Missionary Society]], England), Pr. Dr. Martin Alphonse (Tamil Nadu-USA)<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/2004/02/12/stories/2004021202110500.htm ]{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> and Rev. Vinod Victor, (Youth Evangelist, Trivandrum, Kerala, India). Bishop [[Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom]], Metropolitan of the Marthandom Diocese of [[Syro-Malankara Catholic Church]] addressed the Ecumenical Meeting and Bishop Sebastian Thekethecheril of the Latin Catholic Diocese of Vijayapuram addressed the Social Evils Awareness Meeting.
Most Rev. Joris Vercammen, [[Old Catholic Church of the Netherlands|Archbishop of Utrecht]], president of the Union of Utrecht (of [[Old Catholic Church]]), bishops from the [[Malabar Independent Syrian Church]] and bishops of [[Church of South India]] attended the meetings.

==Special Programmes==

===Social actitivities===
The MTEA attaches greater importance to a crusade against social evils like violence and domestic abuse, inequality and awareness of equity, displaced morale, extreme consumerism, frantic celebrity culture, chronic alcoholism and substance abuse with an Indo-centric perspective and globalist outlook. In fact an afternoon session in the convention is exclusively devoted for programmes against such evils to help people to stand against such evils, to support those who are in such states and to take up initiative to raise voice and root out such evils. Besides there are special sessions and programs for focus groups in ecumenical concerns, and promotion of organic and [[Sustainable agriculture|sustainable farming]] zest, dalit integration activities, transgender empowerment,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/history-made-at-maramon-transgenders-address-largest-christian-convention-in-asia/articleshow/62935581.cms|title=History made at Maramon, transgenders address largest Christian convention in Asia - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-02-17}}</ref> women and children upliftment.

===Missionary responsibilities===

The Church is constantly stepping up through these conventions to fulfill the missionary responsibilities and It has spread as service activities from [[Tibet]]an Border and in the northern end of [[Uttar Pradesh]], to [[Kanyakumari (town)|Kanya Kumari]] (Cape Comerin) in the South. Several social service and income generating institutions of the Church owe their origin to this annual get together at [[Maramon]]. Destitute homes, Ashrams, mission centres, hospitals, leprosy clinics, schools, and colleges have been started in and outside [[Kerala]]. The messages of the Maramon Convention provides a revived ideological and experiential faith in accordance to the need of the laity and period of time.

==Law and order==
Police contingent is not required in the convention premises to maintain law and order, a vigilant committee of priests and elders circle around maintaining peace. Any changes in the convention program apart from the published daily program schedule through website is alerted through mobile messaging services for those who register, and important notices about lost items, wandered away children, bus timings, etc. are also alerted through this service from 2015.

==Financial matter==
History of the financial matters is an interesting one. The panthal (tent), and the sheds are the voluntary contributions of the parishes nearby. Earlier, offerings were collected in every meeting. Now it is collected in four of the 21 general meetings and a special collection from parishes in foreign lands. The collection is distributed to various organisations and missions of the church and also for the Bible society and CSSM.<ref>''Mar Thoma Sabha Directory''. (1999). Page 169.</ref>

==Conclusion==
All those who come to the convention area experience peace, the spiritual liveliness that is spread around the panthal (tent) & the mobility of the masses with the sense of equality. The unbroken prayer of the laity is considered the grace behind the spiritual backbone of the convention. The Maramon Convention displays co-operation and union between different sections of Church in Kerala. It fosters an [[ecumenical]] outlook. It is also a source of spiritual inspiration and enlightenment for thousands.

==See also==
*[[Maramon]]
*[[Marthoma Church]]
*[[Kadavil Malika]]
*[[Pathanamthitta]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{coord|9|20|02|N|76|42|04|E|source:enwiki-plaintext-parser|display=title}}

==Further reading==
#Rev. George Alexander (Ed).(1995). ''Maramon Convention Sathapdhi Valum-'95.''
#Mathew, N.M. ''Malankara Marthoma Sabha Charitram'', (History of the Marthoma Church), Volume II (2007). Volume III (2008) Pub. E.J.Institute, Tiruvalla.
#''Mar Thoma Sabha Directory''. (1999) Pub. The Publication Board of The Mar Thoma Church, Tiruvalla, Kerala, India.

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*[http://mtconvention.com mtconvention.com] The official webpage for the convention
*[http://marthoma.in/event Maramon Convention daily program schedule]
*[https://mtconvention.com/website/ For Yesteryear Sermons with transcripts (Regional and Non-Regional Leaders)] and downloadable audios for lower bandwidth.
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20150212051058/http://marthomaevan.in/ Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association]
*[http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/pathanamthitta.htm Official website of Information And Public Relation Department Of Kerala Government]

{{Christianity in Kerala}}

[[Category:Christian conferences]]
[[Category:Culture of Pathanamthitta district]]
[[Category:Christianity in Kerala]]
[[Category:Annual events in India]]
[[Category:February events]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Pathanamthitta district]]

Maramon Convention - Revision history

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