Palm Sunday at Bangalore St Gregorios Cathedral...

It was a surprise for me to see the large sanctum sanctorum (madbaha) crowd in the St Gregorios Orthodox Cathedral in Bangalore yeasterday.. There were 18 altar boys (shushrooshakkaar), one kapyar and two priests ( Fr T K Thomas Vicar and Fr Idichandy, Asst Vicar conducting the sermon..). My son was also one of the altar boys.. Snap link attached... http://picasaweb.google.com/geasaw/200904054april09#5321421716551859426

There was more attendance this year as compared to earlier years. As Fr Thomas was mentioning towards the end of the sermon, people are getting more spiritual as evident in this years' Hosanna services, more people were in attendance and more people confessed and took Qurbana.

I was trying to find out why there is an added spirituality in the church this year.. After checking up with friends and relatives in Catholic and Protestant churches, I find in their churches in Bangalore the increased attendance is observed. One reason for this phenomenon is that as Bangalore is the IT capital of the world, the added prayers and spirituality displayed is evident and clear, not to be the next one to be removed from their company jobs.. I am sure during the thirties too, a similar phenomenon would have ben observed. any old timers can throw some light on it.

When the going is good, these same people conveniently forget God and church and find it difficult in their busy schedule to visit the church and pray to God. How strange..!!

For the new attendees, in the Catholic church, the crowd usually come during Xmas or Good Friday but not on other days. This year that crowd has made the presence earlier.

In the Protestant and Orthodox churches, it is more of a routine to be completed, and the spirituality in its true sense is lacking.

Another disturbing phenomenon being observed in Bangalore and some rich churches in Kerala, Elamkulam in Ernakulam, is the distribution of snacks and food on most of the days or on certain special days... The Marthoma Church in Jalahalli distributes snacks after every service. Our Cathedral church gives kanji, payar , achar and pappadam on all sundays upto Good Friday. It is not that the church members cannot afford kanji at home, church has become more of a socialising arena..

I do not know whether even to a limited extent, it is ok, to be spending money on OURSELVES on eatables and the sort.. It would make more sense if that money could be used to finance somebody's education or marriage, house building etc.. Though the church authorities claim those activities are also being done, the percentage spent on such philanthropic activities, particularly those benefiting other religious members and communities, is decreasing, which according to me is not a good trend.

Are we setting the wrong trend and customs to our younger generations ?? I am worried !!

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George Easaw Ph.D.