Category 1: Theosis & Liturgy
The Greek word "theos" means God, and this word means "becoming like God" or "deification."
Theosis
This feast is celebrated on February 2nd, exactly 40 days after Christmas, marking Jesus' being brought to the Temple.
Mayaltho (or the Presentation of our Lord)
This is the day of Holy Week that comes right after Good Friday and right before Easter Sunday.
Holy Saturday (or Shabtho d'sbartho)
This Apostle of Christ traveled to India in AD 52 to preach the Gospel.
St. Thomas
This word means "missing the mark" and turning away from God's love.
Sin
This is the joyful "work of the people" where we gather to worship and prepare to join in communion with our Lord.
The Liturgy (or Holy Qurbana)
This is the Syriac word for "Hosanna," which we sing on Palm Sunday.
Ooshaino
This is the place of the departed souls where Jesus went on Holy Saturday to preach and defeat death.
Hades
This is the number of churches St. Thomas established when he arrived in India.
8 (or seven and a half)
This is a wrong or false teaching that distorts the truth about God.
Heresy
These are the six intercessory prayers read aloud by the priest or deacon during the Holy Qurbana.
the Diptychs (or Thubdens)
This is the animal Jesus rode into Jerusalem to show His great humility.
donkey
Jesus was able to completely defeat death because He did not do this even once.
Sin
This leader of our Church is the direct successor to St. Thomas the Apostle today.
His Holiness the Catholicos (or Bava Thirumeni)
This is how the Church, following the example of the Apostles, resolves big disagreements and questions.
Council
This holy Sacrament is celebrated for the healing of both our body and soul when we are sick.
Holy Unction
This is the day of Holy Week on which Jesus celebrated the Last Supper and established the Holy Qurbana.
Passover Thursday (or Pesaha)
This is the number of days and nights Jonah spent inside the belly of the great fish, prefiguring Christ in the tomb.
Three days and three nights
This is the first declared saint of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.
St. Geevarghese Mar Gregorios of Parumala
These are the names of the three major Ecumenical Councils recognized by the Oriental Orthodox family.
Nicea, Constantinople, and Ephesus
This is the special holy oil blessed by the bishops and used to anoint us during the Sacrament of Holy Unction.
The Oil of Anointing
These two holy elders waited patiently in the Temple in Jerusalem and finally got to hold the baby Jesus.
St. Simeon and St. Anna
This is the name of the beautiful icon that shows Christ pulling Adam and Eve out of their tombs.
Icon of the Resurrection
This historic event in Kerala in 1653 saw our ancestors tie a rope to a cross to swear they would protect their Orthodox faith.
Coonan Cross Oath
This is the consequence of our own sinfulness and refusal to go back to God, rather than a physical punishment from Him.
Final Judgment