The Supreme Head of the Marthoma Church Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Thomas Metropolitan visited St. Thomas Orthodox Theological Seminary, Nagpur on 4th October, 2009. A traditional reception was accorded to the Metropolitan. After the evening prayer, the Metropolitan inaugurated the Satsang (the theological Association of the Seminary). The Principal of STOTS Rev.Fr. Dr. Reji Mathew briefly described the activities of the Seminary. Later the Metropolitan spoke about his close association with the Orthodox Church. He shared his cherished memories of his personal relation with H.H. Baselios Marthoma Mathews II, the former Catholicose of the Orthodox Church and with LL Dr.Stephanos Mar Theodosius. He asserted that it was the need of the hour that all churches in the St. Thomas tradition cooperate in all possible areas to witness Christ in India . “We need to accept our common elements and respect what we disagree on. This should be our policy in ecumenical relations.” He cited some good examples of ecumenism in the outside Kerala region. The seminary faculty members Rev.Fr. Dr. Bijesh Philip, Rev.Fr. Dr. Shaji P. John, Rev.Fr. Kurian Thomas and Rev.Fr. Philipose Venattu engaged in discussion with the Metropolitan. STOTS also has a student from Marthoma Church .

Dn.Jaise K.George