Shushrooka Sangham
Serving the Faith at St. George Orthodox Valiyapally
The Shushrooka Sangham is a dedicated team of 25 members at St. George Orthodox Valiyapally, Palarivattom. Under the guidance of our parish clergy, we perform the sacred duty of serving within the Holy Madbaha, ensuring our liturgical services are conducted with sanctity, order, and solemnity.
Shushrooshaka Sangham
Answering the Call to Serve: The Life and Work of the Altar Servants Guild
The Shushrooshaka Sangham (Altar Servants Guild) is a foundational lay organisation within the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Founded in 1919, its mission is to foster active participation and dedicated service among the faithful.
The term "Shushrooshaka" means "one who serves." More than just an association, it is a spiritual movement that encourages members to move beyond passive observance and engage deeply in the spiritual, charitable, and educational life of the church.
Our Primary Duties
- Liturgical Service: Faithfully serving during all Holy Qurbana services.
- Service Participation: Actively serving during all worship services, feasts, and special observances throughout the year.
- Sacred Upkeep: Meticulously cleaning and maintaining the church interior and the Holy Madbaha.
Everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.
(1 Cor 14:40)
Our Spiritual Growth
- Clergy Guidance: Our activities are held under the direct guidance and leadership of our Vicar and Assistant Vicar.
- Monthly Meetings: We convene for study sessions to clarify theological questions, address service-related concerns, and deepen our understanding.
- Broader Engagement: Members actively participate in diocesan and church-wide meetings and workshops, bringing valuable knowledge back to share with our entire team.
Our Leadership & Structure
- Patron (President): The Vicar of the Church
- Vice Patron (Vice President): The Assistant Vicar
- Chief Sexton: Shri. K V Kuravilla
- Assistant Sexton: Shri. K M Varghese (Baiju)
- Secretary: Shri. Densil Alias Simson
- Joint Secretary: Shri. Sourav Kurian Reji
We are also grateful to include additional altar servers residing in Kochi for work or studies, who faithfully join us in serving at the Madbaha.
Our Commitment
A cornerstone of our mission is a humble commitment to excellence. We actively seek feedback from our congregation to identify areas for improvement, correct mistakes, and enhance the devotion and quality of our service.
Through reverent and knowledgeable service, the Shushrooka Sangham provides indispensable support to our clergy and enriches the spiritual life of our entire parish.
Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.
(Luke 16:10)