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Seminarians come for training

We met with Brother Vineeth while we were at the Balagram. Bro. Vineeth was a student of the Nagpur Theological Seminary and had come to the Balagram as part of their training. He would stay there for about a month before going back to the Seminary.

When I called up and spoke with Fr. Raju this week (Feb 2013) I was told that Bro. Vineeth had gone back to the Seminary but two more students were expected in the coming month. Achen said that more than any specific training or assistance they would engage in at the Balagram, this was an opportunity for the students to watch the functioning of the Balagram and such institutions at close quarters, (to watch the working of 'faith in action' I thought, from up close) so that later in life they could make a well informed choice if they decide to take up such tasks as part of their ministry. Very apt thinking I thought - and not only for seminarians - this could be very useful experience for us lay people as well.

(as written by Mathew Samuel(Sunil) a visitor to the Balagram in January 2013)
Posted by St.Pauls Balagram, Itarsi at 2:51 PM LL HG Dr. Geevarghese Mar Osthathios was the founder of the Balagram in Itarsi, as so many other homes and institutions around India. His Grace, called the prophet of love, has been the person who gave life to the "mission work" of the Church and drove the mission into a movement at the Church level for the first time in the history of the Church. His prayers continue to be a fortress for the Balagram. St.Paul's Balagram

St.Pauls Balagram, Itarsi
Located at Raisalpur in Itarsi, Madhya Pradesh, India the balagram is home for over 30 sons of leprosy patients from across India. Established in 1994, this home functions under the Mission Board of the Indian Orthodox Church, founded by the saintly LL Geevarghese Mar Osthathios (Jewel of the Church) with Very Rev. Philip Ramban as its Director and inspiration.
 Very Rev. K.I. Philip Ramban Director of Mission Board, the disciple of Mar Osthathios and the guiding light of the Balagram