January is a month when the lectionary moves fast time-wise. Jesus has His baptism (Denho) and then assembles His disciples. In February, we will have the Nineveh Lent beginning on Feb 11 and the Great Lent begins on March 4. Most of North America will be covered under snow (at least in the Northern half). It is a good time for meditation. Our friends in Australia, Singapore etc. will be enjoying their summer season during these months.

His Grace Thomas Mor Themotheos, Secretary of the Holy Regional Synod of Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church and Metropolitan of Kottayam Diocese, serving the cake to His Eminence Archbishop Yeldho Mor Titus, who is celebrating the 15th anniversary of his Episcopal Consecration.

As noted in the cover page, Theethose thirumeni celebrated the 15th anniversary of HE's Episcopal Consecration as a bishop on January 5, 2019.  Thirumeni is very dear to us as our Patron as well as advisor. Every time I meet thirumeni, I am amazed by Thirumeni's humility. HE practices being the perfect shepherd taking care of the sheep entrusted to Him and HE is doing a great job in that. Our prayers for a long life to Thirumeni.

We are sorry for a typo error in the early editions of the Journal where the anniversary date was given as Jul 4 instead of Jan 4. My thanks to Prof. Jacob Naduparambil of Ohio State University for alerting me of this error. Thank you Prof. Jacob.

We wish you all a Happy and Prosperous New Year 2019.