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Book Release The Tent of the Pilgrim of ExileSt. John’s Metropolitan Cathedral : An Embodiment of the Indian Christian Identity rev. Dr. Abraham Mulamoottil Foreword by Princess Aswathi Thirunal Gouri Lakshmi Bayi

telling the storyof a Sacred Artifact This books scripts the stories of a community and the conventions of the construction of St. John’s Metropolitan Cathedral, Tiruvalla, Kerala, India. The architectural marvel of this cathedral is more than a form which usually follows function or a building not liberated from decorations. It is a space ofstories of people who lived and who are living. This is a monument of complex systems like a life-form of relationship -experiential, emotive, social and spiritual, which grows continuously and abundantly. The initial chapters deal with thehistorical, social, and cultural context of this Cathedral and its development through the times. The book explains thecore theme of St. John’s Cathedral as an embodiment of the Indian Christian Identity and the rereading of the St. ThomasChristian tradition (Thomamargam). The book contrives Marginal Hermeneutics as the philosophical tool to rehash theIndian Christian Identity. Using the title “The Tent of the Pilgrim of Exile”, the book tries to convey that, just by being inthis Church, either as its member, a sightseer, an observer, an artist, a philosopher, a theologian or a devotee, one wouldbecome a pilgrim, a wanderer within the purpose of ‘the planetary project of the Creator’.This community imbibes an exilingcondition of a ‘moving and burning desert sands’ which seems to give only a shaking identity constantly changing due tocontinuous interpretation of the tradition. Here, the book explains the characteristics of the ‘hermeneutical community’that shares and re-imagines the need of an inclusive Christianity in India, in conformity with the cultural ethos of ‘Unityin Diversity’. The book also delves into the architectural and theological foundations of St. John’s Cathedral explainingthe building of the Church with a vision. The role and the need of the involvement of Church in the process of socialtransformation, the ecological responsibility of the Church, and the cultural sustainability of a community and its identityare also highlighted here. Further, this book narrates the stories of few people who experienced divine interventions andcommissions during the construction. Both the Cathedral and this book, vividly picturise Man’s deep-felt search for God,God’s search for Man and Man’s search for the Other. The need of a Church building is often challenged in the presentbut this Cathedral proves otherwise, as it gives a transcendental and mystical foretaste of being with the Divine here andnow. In fact, this Cathedral emphasizes the need for yet another Sacred Space (Church) separating the teeming profanespaces and to fill the haunting inner emptiness in human hearts with the Spiritual. This intriguing issue is discussed inthe epilogue. The prologue of this book is intended to give an introduction to the readers about the Christian theologicalunderstanding of the subject. ‘The Church’ and its building is an artifact which is an integral part of the society, cultureand history. Finally, it introduces St. John’s Metropolitan Cathedral as an icon of Indian Christian identity in the pluralisticand secular Indian society which always champions unity not uniformity and, diversity not fragmentation.

invitationD ear Bishops, Priests, Sisters, Sightseers, Architects, Artists, Philosophers, Theologians, and Pilgrims of St. John’s Metropolitan Cathedral Tiruvalla, It is with great joy that I invite you to the release of my new book,‘The Tent of the Pilgrim of Exile - St. John’s Metropolitan Cathedral Tiruvalla: An Embodiment of the Indian Christian Identity’. It will be released by His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis, Major Archbishop -Catholicos of the Malankara Catholic Church in the presence of H.G. the Most Rev. Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostom Mar Thoma Valiya Metropolita, H.G. Dr. Yuhanon Mar Chrysostomos Metropolitan, H.G. Kuriakose Mar Gregorios Metropolitan, H. G. Geevarghese Mar Coorilos Metropolitan, H. E. Rev. Dr. Philipose Mar Stephanos Metropolitan, H.G. Rev. Dr. K. P. Yohannan Metropolitan, H. G. Bishop Thomas Samuel, Maulavi K. J. Salim Sakafi, Shri. Thomas Jacob, Editorial Director, Malayala Manorama, Shri. Prathapa Chandra Varma, other political and social leaders on Monday, 2nd May 2016, 4.30 p.m. at the Metropolitan Cathedral Auditorium,Tiruvalla. This book will be an intellectual and historical asset for your home /office / parlour serving as a welcome treat for your precious guests. It is my privilege to make this book available to you at a reduced price of Rs. 3,000 at the book release venue. I look forward to your valuable presence, support, and blessings at the book release. Thank you. Yours Sincerely, Fr. Abraham Mulamoottil Tiruvalla. 20.04.2016

About the Author The historical, book ModelMember cultural, Coffee Table, High QualityDistrict Innovation Council, architectural, production with Aquas Finish.Pathanamthitta, Govt. of Kerala philosophical, Hardcase Binding with dust jacketPresident and theological Size : 39 x 30.5 cm. Pages : 130peacepeopleplanet.org - innovate our space meanings of Published by peacepeopleplanet.orgChief Editor St. Thomas Tiruvallaknowledgesocietyonline.com Christian First Published : April 2016Founder and Principal tradition Price : Rs. 3500.00MACFAST, Tiruvalla & St. John’s Outside India : US $100Founder Cathedral, To Order CopiesRadiomacfast 90.4FM (Community Radio) Tiruvalla Rev. Dr. Abraham Mulamoottil,Former Chairman & Chief Executive MACFAST College, Tiruvalla,Pushpagiri Group of Medical Institutions beamdesigns2dio.com, 9387073135 Kerala 689 101, India.Other Books Mobile +91 9847366228E-Rupee To Reinvent India E-mail: [email protected] Beam Design Studio, Near Municipal Park,(Electronic Money to Curb Corruption) Sastri Road, Kottayam, 686 001, India. Email: [email protected] Veenjum Puthiya Kuppiyum Payment Details State Bank of Travancore,(Reflections on Life) Tiruvalla, P. B. No. 3 Branch Code: 70094Vijnana Samuha Nirmithi A/c. No. 67359061559 IFS Code: SB TR0000094(Building Knowledge Society: Dialogue on Life Issues) SWIFT Code : SBTRINBB094 Free postage in India !