Dear Beloved Members of St. Thomas Orthodox Syrian Cathedral, Singapore.

As I begin my ministry among you as your new Vicar, I am deeply moved by the rich heritage and living faith that defines our community. In the verse above, our Lord Jesus establishes the sacred act of communion, not merely as a ritual, but as a profound remembrance that transforms us.

The word “remembrance” in the original Greek, ‘anamnesis’, means far more than simple recollection. It speaks of making the present again, of bringing the past into our living moment. When we gather for the Divine Liturgy, we do not merely remember Christ’s sacrifice; we participate in it. We become part of that eternal moment where love conquered death.

Our Cathedral stands as a testament to this living remembrance. For generations, families have gathered within these walls, carrying forward the ancient traditions of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Each time we break bread together, we join not only with our Lord but with the countless faithful who have gone before us and those who will come after.

In our rapidly changing world, this act of remembrance becomes even more significant. As we navigate the complexities of modern life in Singapore, a nation of diverse faiths and cultures, our communion calls us to remember who we are: beloved children of God, called to love without boundaries, to serve without counting the cost, and to witness to the hope that is within us.

I invite each of you to approach our shared worship not as spectators, but as active participants in this divine remembrance. Let us allow the Eucharist to shape not only our Sunday mornings, but our Monday decisions, our workplace interactions, our family relationships, and our care for the marginalized in our community.

Together, let us make this Cathedral not just a place of beautiful liturgy, but a beacon of Christ’s love in the heart of Singapore. May our remembrance inspire our mission and may our communion with Christ flow into communion with all whom we encounter.

May God Bless you all.
In HIS service