The convention, organized by the Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association the missionary wing of the Mar Thoma Church, is known for its orderly arrangements and smooth conduct. Though some fundamentalist groups owing allegiance to the Sangh Parivar had threatened to disrupt the convention around 12 years ago, the controversy was quelled thanks to the swift intervention of the then government.
The convention has been conducted every year since 1895. People from all around India gather at Maramon near Kozhencherry in Kerala to listen to the speakers. Renowned speakers from all over the world have been part of the convention.
This year, Archbishop Roger Herft of Australia, N Barney Pityana of South Africa, Rev Canon Peter Maiden of England, Rev Ulf G Ekman of Sweden and R Rajkumar of Delhi, would be the speakers at the convention.
The convention would be inaugurated by the supreme head of the Church Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan at 2.30 pm on Feb 13, Rev C K Mathew, general secretary of the Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association told media persons. Also present at the press conference were correspondence secretary Raju Abraham Vennikulam and travelling secretary Rev Thomas.
Special prayers for indisposed would also be held.
John Philipose Mar Chrysostum Mar Thoma Valiya Metropolitan will lead the inaugural prayer.
Philipose Mar Chrysostum, Joseph Mar Thoma, Zacharias Mar Theophilos, Suffragan Metropolitan, Geevarghese Mar Athanasios, Geevarghese Mar Theodosius, Euyakim Mar Coorilos, Joseph Mar Barnabas, Thomas Mar Timotheus, Isaac Mar Philexinos and Abraham Mar Paulose will preside over the sessions during the convention days.
Maramon is also famous as the birthplace of Palakkunneth Abraham Malpan, a 19th century leader of the Syrian Church of Malabar.
The Maramon Convention is a Christian convention held at Maramon, Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India annually during the month of February on the vast sand-bed of the Pampa River next to the Kozhencherry Bridge. It is organized by the Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association, the missionary wing of the Mar Thoma 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 along with the reformation in the ancient Syrian Church of Malabar under the pioneering leadership of Abraham Malpan. This brought about the resurgence of the ancient apostolic Church in Kerala founded by St. Thomas the Apostle of Jesus Christ, believed to be in AD 52.
First Convention.
The first convention was held for 10 days from March 8 to 17, 1895. 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. 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.
Leaders
In addition to the Metropolitan and Episcopas of the church, distinguished world renowned speakers addressed this convention. Rev.Thomas Walker, England (1900–1912), Sadhu Sunder Singh, 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 in 1946 and President of World Alliance of YMCAs., Dr. Bob Pierce, Founder and president of World Vision (1964 & 66), Astronaut Coln.James Irwin, who spent a few hours on the moon, (1985), Dr.John Haggai, founder president of Haggai Institute (1973), Bishop Donald Jacobs, Mennonite church (1974), Rev.Dr. Robert Runcie, Arch Bishop of Canterbury (1986), Rev.Dr. George Carey, Arch Bishop of Canterbury (1995), Dr. Samuel Kobia, WCC General Secretary (2007), Rev.Dr.A.B.Masalamani, Rev.Dr. Sam Kamalesen, and a host of others.
Programme.
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 leaders of Christian thought from all over India as well as abroad. Preaching and Bible study 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. In the mornings and afternoons there are public meetings and in the evening, meetings for men. Four of the afternoon public meetings are for ‘’Social evils awareness. Mar Thoma Voluntary Evangelistic Association, Ladies sessions (Sevika Sangham) and Missionary Session. Though the choir leads the singing the whole gathering joins in singing. 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. Also there are family gatherings, youth meetings and special gatherings after the afternoon session.
117th Maramon Convention begins on February 12