It started out rainy and dismal, but by the time the unveiling of the sculpture for the late Bishop Thomas Mar Makarios, the day was just as warm, bright and sunny as the Bishop’s manner had been. It was as if the Bishop himself was looking down from above at the more than 200 people from all over the United States and Canada who were gathered at Alma College, Michigan, in his honor on Saturday, May 16, 2009.
Created by Michigan artist Mark Chatterley, the amazing and beautiful sculpture depicts a figure with winged arms raised. It looks at once traditional and futuristic. Palms are in prayer and the wings are actually made up of figures that get progressively smaller. The statue is one of only two statues in the Midwest dedicated to leaders from India – the other is to Mohandas Gandhi in Milwaukee.
"Untitled" sculpture by Mark Chatterley in memory of Bishop Thomas Makarios
The sculpture has been installed in a public area in the middle of the Alma College campus, with ample lighting for evening visiting. Benches have been placed facing the sculpture to sit and meditate. The sculpture installation was not the only legacy of Bishop Makarios established; perhaps the most visible. The Bishop Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios Scholarship Fund has been established to honor his teaching at Alma College. For more information, please call the Advancement Office 1-800-291-1312
People of all ages, religions and ethnic groups attended the event, which featured a bagpipe prelude by Alma College piper and student Alyse Redman and Malankara Orthodox memorial prayers for the late Bishop. The bagpipes honored the Scottish heritage of Alma College, while the memorial service introduced non-Orthodox audience members to the particular beauty and ceremony that is Oriental Orthodoxy.
A recent graduate of Alma College, Ann Armbuster, performed a cello solo from Handel’s Xerxes. Dr. Ron Massanari, a professor of religion at Alma and colleague of the Bishop, spoke tenderly about his love for the Bishop, choking up with tears on a couple of occasions. Presbyterian Chaplain Carol Gregg gave an opening invocation and Reverend Jesse Perry, a Baptist minister, said he was honored to give the benediction.
The Bishop’s brother and Malankara priest Fr. Lazarus spoke from the heart as a brother, as an Orthodox priest of the Malankara Church and as a proud Indian living in North America. Dr. Anirudhan of FOKANA, a national organization for those from Kerala, India, intended on being present. He was delayed and so sent his speech to be shared at the dedication. Alma College president, Sandra Tracy, read his eloquent address. It was clear from listening to the speakers what an incredible impact the Bishop had made on each of their lives.
Half a dozen Orthodox priests shared in the memorial prayers in English, led by Fr Lazarus (Toronto). The other priests were Fr Johnson Corepiscopa (Philadelphia), Fr Daniel (Chicago), Fr Philip (Detroit), Fr John Brian (Wisconsin), and Fr Cyril (New York). Fr Joy (Florida) and Deacon Shaun Mathew from the seminary in Kottayam (and Detroit), also assisted.
There were over 100 Orthodox Christians, mostly of Indian heritage, present. A very large contingency of those were young people, many of whom knew Bishop Makarios personally. They came from all directions to the small college town in the middle of Michigan, including a busload from Chicago, carloads from Detroit, Toronto and other U.S. cities. Some flew, driving in from airports miles away. A couple drove around Lake Michigan from the mission in Madison, Wisconsin. At least one could walk. Renu Paul, the late Bishop’s personal secretary at the college and a member of the Malankara Orthodox Church finishing up her work in Alma, was one of the main organizers of the event. After the event, she said, “God is good. God is good.”
The Bishop was known for his ecumenical and interfaith work, and efforts to bring respect and understanding between people of different ethnic and religious backgrounds as ambassador for the Orthodox Christian Church and for India; as a professor of religious studies at Alma College; as founder of the Mission Society of St. Gregorios of India for mission work among Americans. His life touched so many, and in his death, in spirit, he continued to bring a variety of people together for a common cause. This was evident at the sculpture dedication and memorial ceremony in a small college town in the middle of Michigan.
Five of the Achens present (L to R priests only): Fr Cyril -New York, Fr Philip Detroit, Fr Daniel - Chicago, Chorepiscopa Johnson - Philadelphia, Fr John Brian Madison, Wisconsin.
Clergy with College President (L to R): Fr Joy - Florida, Fr Philip - Detroit, Fr Cyril - New York, Fr Daniel -Chicago, Rembanachen Lazarus -Toronto, sculpture, Ms Saundra Tracy Alma College President, Chorepiscopa Johnson - Philadelphia, Fr John Brian - Madison Wisconsin, Deacon Shaun Mathews – Detroit.
Teresa Kochamma from Wisconsin summed up after the ceremony. “It IS a beautiful statue and it celebrates a beautiful man....”
