BENGALURU: Bengaluru Diocese Metropolitan HG Dr Abraham Mar Seraphim will release the Meltho calendar for 2018 on December 2, 2017 during ‘Zamar 2017,’ the annual Christmas carol competition, at St Mary’s Orthodox Valiyapally, Jalahalli.

Fr Varghese P Idichandy, Vicar/President, St Gregorios Orthodox Church, Mathikere, has once again led with the concept and thematic design of the calendar which will have both wall and table top versions. The main calendar profiles the life of Prophet Moses, the chosen leader of God’s people, starting from God’s miraculous appearance to him at Mt Horeb till his death in the land of Moab. The shorter table top deals with a brief study of the 26 Holy Fathers remembered in the Fifth Thubden. The calendar also lists the lectionary and Sabha Panchangam month-wise.

The 26 Holy Fathers from the Fifth Thubden which finds mention in the calendar include St James, St Ignathius, St Clement, St Dionysius, St Athanasius, St Julius, St Basil, St Gregory, St Dioscoros, St Timotheos, St Philoxenos, St Athimus, St Ivanios, St Cyril, St Severus, Jacob Baradeus, St Ephrem, Mar Yakub, St Isaac, Mar Balai, Mar Bar Saumma, Mar Simeon, Mar Abahai, and Yeldo Mar Baselios. The calendar also profile Parumala Mar Gregorios and Sabha Bhasuran, Vattasseril Mar Divannasios.

Veteran music director and composer Jerry Amaldev will the chief guest during ‘Zamar 2017’.

Ms Asha Biju, spouse of Biju T Sam, architect, from strenuously complied the lectionary and elaboration of the theme on the calendar. Siju from National Printing Press, Koramangala, has perfected the design work.

‘Zamar’, a Hebrew word pronounced ‘Zaw-Mar,’ means to sing with instruments carries the idea of making music in praise to God as in Psalm 92. Zamar being hosted by the Bangalore Diocese OCYM and MGOCSM will present an unparalleled experience with more than 10 Orthodox parishes participating to sing the greater glory of our Lord and herald his birth for the season.

Special thanks to Zachariah Mathew from St Thomas Maha Edavaka, Bangalore East, and Mathew Jacob from St Baselios Orthodox Church, Marthahalli for their contribution to the calendar.

Zamar 2017 will be held at St Marys Orthodox Valiyapalli, Jalahalli, Bangalore, on December 2, Saturday, from 3 pm.