Fruits of Great Britain
This artwork, specially designed for the front cover of this souvenir, Malabar Eparchy of Great Britain over the past ten years. At the heart of the composition stands a flourishing tree, symbolising an Eparchy firmly rooted in Mar Sleeva - Isho Mshiha - Whom Mar Thoma Shleeha, our father of faith, professed "Mar Walah". We can see the reference of this tree in Prophet Jeremiah: "Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, They will be like a tree planted by the water, it never fails to bear fruit" (Jeremiah 17:7-8). Its branches bear the fruits of the many blessings bestowed upon the Eparchy throughout its first decade: the episcopal ordination of Mar Yawsep Srampickal; the gift of Marth Alphonsa Cathedral in Preston; the establishment of the Mar Yawsep Pastoral house at Maryvale, Birmingham; the priestly ordination of Rev Fr Michael Kocherry; the religious profession of Rev Sr Christi Maria SH; the gathering of a multitude of young people for Handhoosa. The branches also celebrate the renewal and sharing of our sacred and cultural traditions, from Margam Kali and Bible Kalotsavam to the wider witness of our community, together with the formation of a new generation of Madbha servers in the love and service of our Sacred Liturgy. Above the tree, the Ruha d-Qudsha descends as a dove, reminding us that these fruits are ultimately not ours, but Blessing of the Alaha. Guided by the Ruha d-Qudsha, rooted in the Mar Sleeva and nourished by the Word of God especially through the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy in the East Syriac tradition, the Eparchy continues to grow and bear fruits in Great Britain.