Social degeneration has been leading to relationships getting affected in the modern world, Joseph Mar Thoma, Metropolitan of the Mar Thoma Church, has said.
The Metropolitan was inaugurating the 118th Maramon Convention, organised by the Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association (MTEA), at Maramon, near Kozhencherry, on Sunday afternoon.
He said social evils were on the rise due to jealousy, personal grudge, ego conflicts, and so on and man should understand the philosophy of life from the story of Adam and Eve.
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The Metropolitan recalled that the bygone year had presented us a mixed bag of pain and happiness. Atrocity against women, beastly attitude even towards children, harassment of children by parents and vice-versa, and similar news had shocked human conscience. He said an intimate relationship with God was what was needed for happiness and sustenance of life. Delivering the presidential address, Thomas Mar Themothius Metropolitan, MTEA president, expressed the hope that the convention would continue to spread the message of love and strengthen the human bond which was lacking in the modern times. The annual event began with a song by the choir of the Department of Divine Music and Communications attached to the Church at 2.30 p.m. followed by prayer by Philipose Mar Chrysostum, senior Metropolitan of the Church. K.G. Pothen, Vicar General, offered prayers on the occasion. Walter Altman from Brazil, Andile M. Mebte from South Africa, and Dexter Mayben from Bangalore, will be the other main speakers at the week-long religious meet. Philip Moun Stephen, evangelist from United Kingdom, delivered the keynote address. Thomas Mar Themotheus, Andile M. Mebte, and Philip Moun Stephen, will deliver the convention messages at 10 a.m., 2.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. on Monday. The meet will conclude on February 17.