St. Gregorios Orthodox Christian Youth Movement, Jebel Ali, Dubai, UAE

“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” (1Timothy 4:12)

About The Movement:

The Orthodox Christian Youth Movement (OCYM), the Youth-wing of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church was established in 1936 as a ministry and is in its 78th year of active leadership and Christian witness in the Church and society. It contributes to the goodness and progress of the Church and community in the three-fold path of Worship, Study, and Service.

Our History:

In 1995, St. Gregorios Orthodox Church at Jebel Ali began as a prayer group in Mcdermott Camp, Jebel Ali Freezone under the auspices of St. Thomas Orthodox Church, Dubai. In 2002 H. G. Job Mar Philexenos recognized this prayer group as a Congregation under the Dubai Church in the name of Parumala Thirumeni. In February 2013, H. G. Dr. Youhanon Mar Demetrios declared our Church an autonomous parish. OCYM unit of our parish was started on 18th April 2008 by our present Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan H. H. Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, then Severios Thirumeni of Kandanad West Diocese, it is a gathering of youth aged between 18 to 45 years and is the spiritual platform for demonstrating the talents of the young blood & cultivating a sense of unity and responsibility towards each other and the society. OCYM meets on every possible Sundays after the Holy Qurbana at our rented premises of Christ Church. The sessions comprise of Devotional Songs, Bible Reading, Prayer, Biblical classes/speeches etc. In 2019 our unit was able to host and lead the OCYM UAE Zone. Prayer Cell was formed at UAE Zonal level in the year 2022, by the grace of our Lord Almighty Jebel Ali Unit has been co-ordinating the Chain Prayers within all the units in the UAE Zone on all Wednesdays from the time of its inception till date.

Aims & Objectives:

Grow spiritually through the study of the word of God. Imbibe in Christian Values, Faith and Traditions. Give spiritual insight and awareness to face the challenges of the modern world. Means to identify the power and potentialities of the youth and channel their strength towards peaceful purposes in the contemporary church and social scenario. Leading the youth to the main streams of the church and society at large. Making the youth aware of contemporary issues and enable them to respond to social issues more meaningfully through seminars, workshops, discussions, and conferences. Impact Leadership training by activating talent development and guidance cells. Serve the society via charitable actions. Providing opportunity to exhibit ones sportistic and artistic talents. Other activities related to environmental awareness, socialising, bonding job assistance & local assistance for the needy.

Programmes:

Apart from taking part actively in Zonal and Central programs & competitions our annual activity timeline includes events such as Osthathios Smrithi (An event in the memory of Sabha Ratnam Geevarghese Mar Osthathios), Retreats and Zonal corner meetings in lieu of the Great Lent & Pentecost Sunday, Alwares Mar Yulios Memorial Intra-Church Badminton Tournament, Payasamela (During Onam festival), Intra-Church Competitions on Prayer Group basis, Vidhyarambham, Blood Donation Drives, Jingles (Christmas Program), Religious Book Sales, Christmas Cake Sales, etc.

2023 Office Bearers:

President:
Rev. Fr. Oommen Mathew

Vice-President:
Mr. Jose Mathai

Secretary:
Mr. Renny Koshy Thomas

Joint-Secretary:
Mr. Shajan Daniel

Treasurer:
Mr. Binu K Babu

Area Committee Members:

Discovery Gardens: Mr. Stephen Wilson

The Gardens: Mr. Abhilash Jose Pothen

Al Barsha: Mr. Jerin Andrew Thomas

Al Quoz: Mr. Liju Varghese

Jebel Ali Freezone: Mr. Bejoy Baby

Jebel Ali South: Mr. Mathew K Eapen

Jebel Ali Industrial Area: Mr. Lijo Laji

Dubai Investments Park: Mr. Biju Baby

Lady Co-ordinator: Mrs. Anju Pramod

Delhi Diocese UAE Region Male Committee Member: Mr. Bejoy Baby

Delhi Diocese Male Assembly Member: Mr. Teeju Simon Alexander

Delhi Diocese Female Assembly Member: Mrs. Blessy Saijan

UAE Zonal Prayer Cell Coordinator: Mr. Renny Koshy Thomas

UAE Zonal Job Cell Unit Representative: Mr. Prakash Varghese

UAE Zonal Prayer Cell Unit Representative: Mr. Robin John

Parish Charity Representative: Mr. Joel Thomas