The Mar Thoma Yuvajana Sakhyam was organized with a view that all the young people in the Church should accept Jesus Christ as their saviour and Lord, and bear witness to His saving power. It was organized in 1933 by a resolution of the Sabha Prathinidhi Mandalam. The first president of the Sakhyam was Rev.V P Mammen and the Vice- Presidents were rev. K E Oommen and Rev. C M John (later Juhanon Mar Thoma Metropolitan) and the first Secretary was Mr. V E Thomas (later Rev. V E Thomas, Singapore). Branches of the Sakhyam were set up in the Parishes with a four-fold programme of worship, study, witness and service. Mr. M M Thomas (later Dr. M M Thomas) was appointed as Organizing Secretary in 1945 and he was the full time worker of the Sakhyam. Under his dynamic leadership, the Sakhyam struck deep roots and spread its branches far and wide.
Most of the Parishes both inside and outside Kerala have branches of the Sakhyam. A group of such branches form a center. There are a number of such Centers under each Diocese. The Constitution of the Sakhaym prescribes that the President should be a Bishop of the Church. Rt Rev Dr Isaac Mar Philoxenos Episcopa is the President and Rev Jose C Joseph Mathew is the General Secretary.
The Sakhyam publishes a monthly magazine called Yuvadeepam with articles of interest to the youth and with focus on the needs of the Church and Society. It also contains Bible reading notes for daily devotional study. The establishment of the Youth Center in Adoor has been an important achievement of the Sakhyam. It provides facilities for the youth to hold study conferences, retreats and other meetings. The center has accommodation for about 200 young people to camp there.
The Golden Jubilee of the Sakhyam was celebrated in 1985. An Administrative block of the Sakhyam was completed near the Sabha Office near Tiruvalla as Jubilee Memorial Project. It was inaugurated in 1986.
St. Mathew’s Mar Thoma Church, Toronto YS&YFF
The Yuvajana Sakhyam & Young Families fellowship at St. Mathew’s is a relatively young organization. After its inception in 2005 by our then Diocesan Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Euyakim Mar Coorilos, the organization has come a long way. Its main purpose is to give the immigrant youth and young families of the church a forum for Christian fellowship and growth.
The YS & YFF members have been very active in fund raising and as volunteers in our church construction. Several activities are planned for the months ahead including a retreat, sports activities, and a musical evening.
We have regular prayer meetings and all eligible youths and families are encouraged to be part of the Fellowship. We would like to also encourage all those who would like to contribute to the fellowship via prayer meetings or presentations to contact one of the office bearers.
YS & YFF would like to thank all the families for their prayers, support and encouragement in the mission of the Fellowship. Please feel free to contact one of the office bearers if you need more information on the Sakhyam or its activities.
