Reply to the comment of Yuhanon Mar Milithos Metropolitan:


Reply to the comment of Yuhanon Mar Milithos Metropolitan:
I read the comment of Yuhanon Mar Milithos Metropolitan. I was very happy to see that a Bishop is going to review the book which will satisfy the readers.  Unfortunately it turned out to be an attempt to demolish the book as if it is intended to belittle a particular denomination. No. the word orthodox is not used anywhere so it is out of guilty conscience; in addition to that it is not written by a clergy.  One priest who could not read the book because it is in English has passed a comment cent per cent false and personal attack.  Before doing character assassination I request you please ask any orthodox person in Bangalore, who knows the author. If you ask Rt. Rev. C. M. Philipose Ramban, he will tell that the author is an ardent orthodox practicing believer and the best friend of the church. If you ask H.G. Alexios Mar Eusebius, he may say,  barring this “Rebellious House” the author is a good orthodox Christian with the anointment of the Holy Spirit.  If you ask H.G. Thomas Mar Athanasios, he may say, barring the book, the author is one of the best orthodox Christians in Bangalore. If you ask our His Holiness the Catholicos, he may tell that he is a beloved Orthodox person, I did the holy sacrament of matrimony of his son and daughter. If you could ask our late Holy Catholicos Mathews II, he would have told he is my beloved spiritual son who would do anything for the church.  Some times he might have asked H. G. Thomas Mar  Athanios Thirumeni or Dr. C.P.Kuriakose to narrate an incident when His Holiness came at midnight to my home and woke me up to go to a far distant place for a strategic reason.  If you ask  late His Holiness Mathews I, he would have told that he is the Orthodox person by whose efforts a Wesleyan dilapidated  church with 2 Acres of land became our St. Thomas Orthodox Church, Ambala. Late Zachariah Mar Dionysius would have told his everything in Bangalore was mine.   I can add two more pages of this stuff. If you ask the executives of any mission organization of our church they will tell you about the author. Please forgive me for writing this.

I have never used the word orthodox in the book deliberately. But in reply to the comment I have a dream of the real Orthodox Church established by St. Thomas our apostle and I am a fanatic of that church devoid of the Antiokian filth.  I am prepared to sacrifice myself for that church in which case you can call me as a person lived and died for Jesus. In that church no one can call anyone on earth as ‘father’, the faithful will reserve the word holy and declare that their God only is holy. They will be satisfied with the high priest sitting on the right side of the father because we can approach the mercy seat without any fear and earthly priest because we ourselves are spiritual house. They will never use the blatant lie to please the higher ups saying ‘we do not pray to the dead we are praying only to the living; we do not pray, we are only requesting; they will never say we do not mediate we only intercede; we do not worship, we only venerate and the like irresponsible statements from the mouth of  ‘your father’. In that church there is no emperor because Jesus taught ‘my ‘kingdom is not earthly’, there all are trying to imitate the life of Jesus and hoping to be kings with him. In that church people will give liberally to their brothers and there will be less disparity.  There will be no one eating  without doing any work. All will become ‘carpenters’ and ‘tent makers’.  In that church the believers will be prepared not only to share their wealth but prepared to lay their life for their ‘apostles’ ‘prophets’ ‘teachers’ and ‘elders’. (Happily I did all these for our priests). Here in this church the Chief Executive is the Holy Spirit sent to us by the promise of Jesus as planned by Our Father in heaven. I have the dream of ‘practicing’ this life with my brothers and sisters for the past 20 years for which you abuse me left and right. Out of fear of destroying criticism, I kept my baby in my womb without delivery even after completing the date set by the doctor 20 long years.    Have you observed one thing my bishops and priests of this church did not say a single bad  word about my book because they are still in the hands of the Holy Spirit although the Anthiokian filth is tarnishing them and forcing them to conceal certain truths for the sake of orthodoxy. I will ever remain as the smallest and humblest obedient lamb under them.  My humble prayer is allow the good Lord to touch us and see the truth and not the blackened truth. This message is concealed through out the book “Rebellious House vs Spiritual House”.        

By kissing the hands of Your Grace, may I try to reply to the comment on “Rebellious House vs Spiritual House”. The book is a truthful pointer to the feet of Jesus through the Holy Spirit but you have advised the people not to read it. The use of the word Pentecostal and Protestant are abusive words to me because no one in those denominations will dare to utter like that.  Once a Pentecostal person rebuked a pastor saying “why did you enter Bethel Thomas’ house? He might have demolished you”. Their quota is given in the sub-heading ‘The Tongues’. Two places I have written about H. G. Poulose Mar Gregorios, why did you not comment on that?  I admit that I lack understanding; otherwise a Metropolitan will not repeat this phrase umpteen number of times in this short comment. When I had an absolute surrender to Jesus I surrendered my postgraduate qualifications and pride to his feet. But who in Bangalore did not know before I started my industry by the blessings of God, I was Chief Executive of a Company in Bangalore?  Now I would like to remain a person, absolutely unassuming just like a speck of dust under the sandal of my Savior to do some gospel work for the Glory of God.  But for your information, this worthless speck was co-editor with M. S. George for Rev. Fr .V. C. Samuel’s one of the famous books “Swanubhava Vedi”.  I declined to accept saying that I am nothing but ‘dust and ashes’ compared to him, then he said one sentence “you are a man of God”.  Part II of this book may be shown to some eminent believer to evaluate the depth and scholarship.  Even now you do not believe that if we die our life and spirit will be hidden in Christ and we cannot do anything in the absence of a spiritual body which we will get only on resurrection? Did you know that if any such spirit is dealing with us it is an evil spirit acting as a medium which is forbidden?  Did you ever know that the hell is below our feet, in the centre of the earth? Your exclamation and begging the question for the answer showed that those three chapters are Latin and Greek for you. Please read Lk.10:21. Biblical truths are hidden from so called learned and wise and open to believers who are prepared to accept it as a child.  I beg of you please do not get offended and victimize me.

In para 4 of your comment “This is not from a person who has read the Bible at least once”.  May I say with all humility,  that my Bible reading program takes only one year to complete the Bible?  I read through the Bible many a time but never quenched my thirst and my humble prayer is - let the Bible read through me once- before I pack up. In 1960 my vicar suggested my name as the fastest person to locate Bible verses to Osthathios Thirumeni’s great  convention preaching, he was   M.V. George Achen and on the stage he patted my back, an 18 year old lad. I carry it as a great blessing! I still remember  the other great preacher was Rev. Fr. T. J. Joshua.

1) page 10 “There are no mistakes in the Bible other than certain errors in translation.”
My love for the Bible makes me blind for all the error it at all there is. What you have sited as an example is not a mistake.  It is a comparison of the quotations from two different gospels.  If there is any difference it shows the originality and proof that they have not copied each other. There is slight difference between mistakes and differences. Where is one mistake among those hundreds? You planted that there are hundreds of mistakes and failed to point out even one. The comment should be for correction and for the Glory of God.

2) “Regarding the departed, if they are not alive how come we find Moses and Elijah with Jesus”
Please do not say departed are alive. If they are alive why did you burry them? They are alive in Christ only and not accessible to anyone. If a departed person is a believer, he abides in Christ.  He is with Christ.  He is hidden in Christ. He is not permitted to appear anywhere and cannot appear because he is not given a resurrected body. He is in his rest. In transfiguration Jesus had a meeting with the departed Moses and Elijah. These two persons body is not located on the earth by anyone. So could you please spare them as an example for the departed?   It was an occasion to teach his disciples and show them an exact replica of a glorious glimpse of heaven. All the three attained transfigured body for a short while. Transfigured Jesus was Christ and the other two were abiding in him.  This is what Paul said ‘within the twinkling of an eye’.  After that Jesus left his transfigured body, Moses and Elijah are hidden in Christ till their resurrection. In the twinkle of an eye, they will rise but that is resurrection. Earthly living and living in Christ is two different things but our “fathers writings” taught us otherwise. That called Anthokian filth.  Nothing more and nothing less.  Did Peter or John request them for something and they got it? No. Did the Bible say anywhere we can pray to the saints and get something? This is what the Bible teaches. We are orthodox. We can do what we like and I am in your ‘fold’ to do blunders.

3) “We do not pray to saints departed to help us. We only request them”
We do not mediate we only intercede, We do not worship we only venerate. Our attitude is to be changed.  What is the difference between praying and requesting? Synonym  mere synonym! This irritates the youth. Do you pray to mother Mary? The Orthodox answer is No, we are requesting her to request God.  One of the executive hands of the Holy Spirit is the conscience. Ask your conscience; can you get away with a synonym from an intelligent person?  A man in his flesh dealing with the departed soul is called spiritism. It is a sin.  If we call mediums it is a sin.  Saul did it and perished; but Samuel the priest, asked a vulnerable question.  Why did you disturb my SLEEP? ‘nidrayil aai ninte varavinu katheedum mrutharil kaniyaname’. Dead saints are in their rest in Christ.  They are not supposed to work. Out of our ignorance we ask them to work; even if we make them work, can they get a reward?   That is why it is said we will be judged for the actions done while in the body. 2Cor.5:10  Please do not wake them up. It is a commandment. There are over 630 such commandments in the Bible.  Let them sleep. If you want to pray with them you have to join them, sleep with them and in resurrection both of you can pray together.  If you are talking about intercession, intercede together with the Holy Spirit because he is already doing it for us. If you want to pray for our brothers together with them; do it right now. You cannot go beyond.  Why consult the dead on behalf of the living; (Is:8:19) you ask Jesus to do everything for you. He is sitting with the Father. He promised to get everything asked in his name. Regarding the departed souls, we must remember them; we must honor them; we should inculcate the good examples shown by them.  Their soul and spirit is hidden in Christ until resurrection.  Even if they pray God for some favor for their own son or daughter, our God will not grant them. Ez: 14: 14, 18, 20. Our practice should be based on truth and good traditions. A Malayali eating with left hand, until he gets an incurable disease is advised by a doctor to change his practice.  He will change immediately to right hand and will not argue saying it is my orthodox tradition, I will up hold my orthodox tradition. Our tradition is taught  by St.Thomas, you wanted imported one.

4) “He also says that we can not call any one father”. The author is not telling.  Our Lord Jesus Christ is teaching his people. Read with obedience to the Holy Spirit Pt. I, Chapter.2.

5) “The author says that St. Thomas gave us liturgy.”
This book treat Jesus as truth. If we try to deviate from the truth it is bad and God will not like it; since you are an anointed one I am afraid to use the correct word lie. The author did not use the word liturgy.  There is slight difference  between Thaksa and prayer book.   He used the word prayer book. St. Thomas converted us, taught us everything and he was referring to that book. If ever you have tried you could have got the ‘Thaksa’ of St. Thomas also. You wanted imported Antiochan stuffs; have it.

6. “He says, the priesthood of Jesus was of Melchizedek and hence was not necessary to be received from John”
The first part is true while the second part is not true. John did not give and John could not give because from Aaron to John there is no problem as all are from Levi’s tribe.  But Jesus is from the tribe of Judah. John is the last priest because animal sacrifice is replaced with Jesus sacrifice. Jesus did not give priesthood to anybody but gave discipleship.  

7) “The author has good words about Parumala Thirumeni. But he does not accept him as a saint”.  The first sentence  is true but the second sentence is not true. The author will always have good words about Parumala Thirumeni because he is a great Thirumeni.  He followed Jesus in word and deed.  The author is asking emphatically everyone to follow the example of Parumala Thirumeni (except rigorous fasting which killed him) rather than giving him a lot of jobs which he is not supposed to do.  He is at his well deserved rest. Out of pure love and affection people call him Mar Gregorios of Parumala because saint is a general word used for all believers according to the Bible.  However, to satisfy people like you the author has used the word ‘saint’ 3 times in such a short paragraph. See the epistles ending by Paul, all the saints of that church salutes the saints of the other church. Thirumeni, according to the Bible you are a saint because He called you by name before you were born in your mother’s womb. You were baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. You were anointed by the Holy Spirit.  You are a part taker of the bread and wine as the body and blood of Jesus, our Savior.  Paul says “do you not know that you are the temple of God and the spirit of God dwells in you?” Saint means ‘vishudhan’. Are you not a Saint?

8. “To him only God is holy”
True. The first chapter of “Rebellious House” is that only.  Man in his flesh cannot be holy. He has a sinful nature. He has to die. He has to wait till his resurrection to come to take his reward.  God will give him a resurrected spiritual body as Jesus had.  In that body, the life and spirit hidden in Christ will be planted and presented to God. Even now he is not holy.  Then God will perfect him and he will become holy and will be able to see the Father. “No one has seen the Father.” Said Jesus and the reason is this. Holy Spirit only taught me all these through the Bible.

9. “He gives so much importance to the Biblical testimony forgetting the fact that Bible was given by the Church”. The first part is true while the second part is not true. Bible was given by church is the erroneous quotation from H. G. Poulose Mar Gregorios. If you say that the Bible was given by church to the Sunday school children, it is correct.  The Bible’s earlier name was “the law and the prophets” that time the word church was not in its mother’s womb. Even Moses the law giver, was not born. Law and covenants given from the time of Adam and the prophet Noah and  Abraham were in existence slightly before the church was born. The Church was born only during the time of the Acts of Apostles.
10. a)  “He says we should not worship the cross.  But who is worshipping the cross ? We are only venerating the cross. Worship and veneration are two different things.”
This attitude chased our youth from us. Let us be frank at least to our children. The first part is true but the other part is not true. Veneration is the synonym of worship.   “Sleebaye nuangal kumbidunnu” is bowing and worshipping. We break the 1st 2nd and 3rd commandments of God at the same time.

b) “He is against all kinds of use of the cross including the use of it on Good Friday”
Not true. You are referring to some other book and not Rebellious House. The author is for all the uses of the cross of his savior except worshipping the cross.  He says even you can wear it on your body. Up to Good Friday the cross in the middle of the church is the “Nehushtan” the brazen serpent; on Good Friday it becomes the fulfillment of the prophecy of our Lord Jesus Christ.

11. “He does not allow any kind of use of the writings of the fathers of the Church”.
Who am I to allow or disallow? A Layman of orthodox church, Aimeni and  not even allowed to be a disciple of Christ. Not even allowed to do gospel work with his means.    All the writings of the fathers to up hold the truth and good traditions are our possession and we cherish it, if it supports the word and deed of Jesus.  If not, it is bad writing and tradition called Anthochian filth. Your comment also falls under “fathers writings.” A piece of this paper can be used as ‘Thirusheshipu’ when we build another church in your name, is the writings of another father H.G. Paulose Mar Gregorios.

12. “He forgets the fact that the very Bible which he considers the one that contains absolute truth also speaks of the fathers.  Why Moses commandments says, “Honor your father”.
Thank you Thirumeni, your comment has the vivid answer. Although you ridiculed  the Bible many a time, it is the embodiment of absolute truth. Moses did not say “Honor your fathers”.  ‘He said honor your father’.  Yes, you are right, Moses meant only biological father but Jesus meant so called fathers.  Paul talks about father and mother in respect of his love to his believers and he gave his life just like Jesus. Do we have that love to become mother? Instead of begging for honor, allow the people and God to honor you.

13. “He claims that the virgins in the parable of ten virgins are the priests, an interpretation I have never heard of.” True. Have you ever heard that ‘Truth is God’? No. The author also opened his mouth in awe when the Holy Spirit taught him. The believers are included in the term ‘Bride, the New Jerusalem.’  The virgins are supposed to make ready the bride for the second coming of Jesus, the Bridegroom.  You are not ready to make the bride ready that is why it turned out to be mud for you.  If anyone has got doubt, (page.55) ask the Theological Professor of “Rebellious House” mentioned in 1Jn.2:27.  He will clear all doubts.  That is the themes of this book not the Rebellious House but the Spiritual House.

14.”Mahakavi Vallathol got the idea of Mary Magdalene as one who washed Jesus’ feet with tears from Decon Joseph Pulikkottil.  He calls both the decon and Mahakavi “Incorrigible people”.
True. They made a mistake, tarnished a disciple like Mary Magdalene and died. Now if there is a provision to correct please correct it.  If you cannot correct it, it is called “incorrigible.” Please read the book referred in the bibliography co-authored by the same Joice Thottackad and K.V.Mammen rather than groping in the dark.


15. “He criticizes Gospel preachers and says they twist and turn the message of the Bible.”
True.  Can you defend any of the 5 examples quoted?  That is nothing but tip of the iceberg.  Bible is my Father’s book.  You got the pulpit not to ridicule it. The author’s intention was to warn you. (Ningele nangel ariyichathinu ethire).  Certainly the built-in punishment they will get.

16. “So when we die, as believers, we sleep in our grace, we have no thoughts, no consciousness, no existence at all, until our resurrection” Please correct the word grace, it is a typographical error at your end.  It is grave and in grave there is no grace. It is absolutely true.  We sleep in our grave until we become dust that is the word of God. No thoughts because neither there is blood flow through the brain nor the movement of neurons and the result is loss of thought and disintegration of thought and no consciousness in a dead man,  finally no existence.   About people unwilling to repent and opt to remain as sinners, they are on the way to Hell.

17. “God will sanctify the earth by dumping all the wicked in to the hell and removing the earth and its heaven from this world to another world before the presentation of the new heaven” But if hell is in the centre of the earth, wicked are still in the earth right? Then how can it be sanctified?”
Why not? First of all Thirumeni note the meaning of the word sanctified. It means hell is dedicated for its purpose of dumping the wicked. You thought that hell is going to be hallowed. No. Prayerfully read the sub heading “Ultimate Utility of Hell”. These are new to you but it is true.

18. “The author hails Protestantism and the King of England who created the King James Version of the Bible. My question is does the Bible he translated or Jesus who is speaking in that Bible approve the king of England’s second marriage divorcing his first wife?” The first sentence is absolutely blackened truth. The author appreciated the trouble taken by all people to bring a readable Bible in common man’s hand. “When H. G. Paulose Mar Gregorios said that there is no need for a Bible”, I was deeply pained because I would have been much less than zero without a Bible in my hands. Regret to note that you did not notice that the quotations are from NIV. Regarding your question, this author is not to enter into unwarranted and irrelevant subjects.  If you ask about the book the author is ready. Regarding James marriage and divorce you better clarify from James but taking the name of “Jesus who is speaking in that Bible” is in bad taste.

19. “The author has all praise for the youth of IT sector.  He says the priest criticize them saying they do not know Bible”
It is true. I praise them because they work for more hours using their brain.  I worked up to 22 hours a day in harmful carcinogenic atmosphere. I hoped that I will perish before 40 years of age.  I am still alive. When I used the phrase “God has blessed me” you spat on my face. Work is worship and I praise those who work.

20. “Now I know the objective of this book, There are several individuals who work with IT professionals in Bangalore and other places looking at their huge salary and its share and the author seems to be one among them.”
Again spat. The author feels that he has become a leper by reading this sentence. Here I do not like to uses “Black Truth”.  It is much more than that. One day my Thirumeni will realize that his statements about the author were totally false. If it is so, will he give this book to be uploaded before selling a single copy? If it is so will he distribute it free, priced at Rs.120? Authentic media, Secunderadbad would have rated it as a classic if I could remove the first part because it is simultaneously being distributed in Secunderabad, Colorado and UK.  I refused because I thought I will request my beloved mother to make an attempt to correct at least to the extent of the “Mavelikara Padiyola”. When Joice asked to up load, the answer was   “the Glory of God is my aim and not money”. Thirumeni, I give because I do not have anything other than what I have received from above but I do not take from anyone except God.  My God has given me enough in my hands for a couple of generations. When I surrendered myself to God His everything has become mine. A dictum,  which you will never understand. Because you brought money into the picture, this is 3 ½ years dedicated work guided by God, dedicated to God is offered to you. Please accept the complete royalty and proceeds of this book as my humble offering to you, together with all the huge amounts collected from the IT sector.  I have promised to give it to charity, no matter; I will give them an equal amount. When I executed magnificent projects for the church, they wanted to give me awards but I always refused because God was giving me directly. When I am asked to speak or travel to attend some meeting, Thirumeni, no one dares to offer me a cover.  They know me and love me. You did not read the last chapter. God enables to give. As regards my fold, I request you to join me and then we will become two and then join the orthodox church established by St. Thomas.

21. “To the author, traditions are not important for the Church, but only the Bible.”
Again blackened truth imposed. Good tradition is part and parcel of any civilization. No one can do away with it and if it is done so, we will be throwing the baby with the bathwaters. In page 159 from where the word church came? The author is talking about the salvation of the gentiles. Here tradition is different but their faith alone is taken into consideration. Jesus at times exclaims “even in Israel I have not seen such faith”.  The subject matter is faith and we are dealing with the gentile’s salvation.

22. “Is he making an absolute claim on his understanding of the Bible”?
Bible is the word of God. I claim only of my lack of understanding. But when the Holy Spirit deals with me I am made to understand certain things we could not get from the college or great conferences.  Out of my love for God, I have made a feeble attempt to share it with my readers when the Holy Spirit deals with them. The good Lord has agreed to bless them.  It may be a joke for you.  Sorry, not for me.

23.  “If Jesus is the only mediator, why should we ask each other on earth to pray?”
(Here he emphatically agrees that there are other mediators but immediately deny this fact and say that we have only one mediator.)  Because Paul taught us to pray for the living saints and it is our duty to pray for others. Read the chapter ‘One Mediator’.

24. The quote is very cheap, not found in the book and hence no comment. The book ends with the tax collectors prayer. “He says he has been blessed by God”.  True.  God has blessed me and I showed in this book to the readers, how to get better blessings from God. “Does it mean that God has cursed those people who have no children or wealth?” I lack understanding to comment on that.  Better ask God. “If that was the case Jesus who had no wealth and children was not so much blessed by God?” Better to abstain from talking about the blessings of Jesus; he is God.  Who says Jesus did not have wealth? He had a wonderful mother. He was full of Grace and Truth.  He was humble.  He had a wonderful tunic no one was prepared to share it with others.  He had a carpentry workshop that made ‘mild yokes’. Till today no one had such a workshop. He used to eat his bread from a table.  All the blessing that I have is less than the crumb that fell from his table.  Regarding his children, although you presented in a very bad taste, I say he had all the children and I am trying to be one of them.

Finally, Thirumeni, I am trying to do my part of the gospel work by standing firm on my orthodox faith. Have I ever broken the faith and tradition of our church till today? I also do all these wrong things meticulously for the sake of tradition with a secret prayer “Lord forgive me for I do for their sake”. When there is an exodus from our church, I was strengthening my church.  All the lost sheep can be located and brought back if we leave our arrogance and practice humility. We are not ready for that. I have made a futile attempt to point out certain errors of my beloved mother. I stomached all the insults from one ignorant clergy.  Learned clergy appreciated because they know my love and respect for them; I have used the best superlative degree for the priests in many places in the book. They are enlightened people by the grace of God. Do you know what those people said, “we wanted to say many things but we cannot” for obvious reason?  In spite of having difference of opinion they know that the book is written for the Glory of God!  Some may not like the Glory of God so they will be prejudiced against this layman.  This is the cross that I asked for.  I could have not published it but then I will become disobedient to the cross. I dare not. I could have started a new denomination, after becoming a Bishop.  I could have ordained a couple of Bishops. But where will I go, leaving my mother? The other denomination people respect me but they are scared of my “Full Armor’, especially the Word of God, the double edged sword which the Good Lord has planted in my mouth! May I add a joke, I am deeply hurt yet I am encouraged by my Lord to do more gospel work. If anyone of you want to finish me do it without fear. In my purse I am adding my visiting card saying “I am responsible for my death”  Love and Prayers.  Forgive me if ever I have hurt.

A. V. Thomas