Marathon Bible reading in Kerala

Christians in Kerala are getting back to the Word of God with non stop Bible reading being conducted in dioceses, parishes, mission houses, seminaries and hospitals.

The Kerala Catholic Bishops' Conference (KCBC) last month initiated a programme called 'Noorumeni' (hundred fold), which is encouraging Christians to read the Bible completely from Genesis to the book of Revelation.

Recently, about 1024 people participated in reading the Bible non-Stop. The complete Bible was read within 104 hours.

The Holy Bible was read in 19 different world-known languages, including Hebrew and Greek.

The marathon Bible reading program was inaugurated by Major Archbishop George Alencherry of the Syro-Malabar Church.

"Fear of the voluminosity of the Bible has vanished as we could read this huge Holy Book in 104 hours," Antony Sachin, general coordinator of the program, said.

Archbishop Andrews Thazhath of Trichur and KCBC president highlighted the need of meditation, reception and sharing of the Word of God along with hearing.

"Reading cover to cover in a short span of time is possible for anyone – that's the greatest message conveyed by the Bible Reading Marathon," said Kochurani Joseph, animator of the Professional Ministry of Jesus Youth.

Former president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India Cardinal Telesphore Toppo, Union Minister K.V. Thomas were among those who read the Bible.

Youth movements like Kerala Catholic Youth Movement and Jesus Youth played a leading role in supporting the Bible Commission to organize this mega event.

People from other faiths also supported the program. Eminent cultural leader K.S. Radhakhrishnan was also one among the readers.

"Holy words can purify the society at large," he said.

A Bible exhibition was also organized during the program. About 236 different Bibles in 42 different languages were displayed in the exhibition.

It also included the first Malayalam Gospel translation done under the leadership of Buchanan and published in the year 1811.

The huge Bible handwritten by villagers of Kumblanghi was also displayed at the exhibition.

"These marathon Bible readings has brought great revival in the Church and this trend is expected to lead the Church gradually to the observance of an annual Bible 'Paaraayana Maasam' (Bible Reading Month) as desired by the Bishops' Conference of Kerala," said Father Joshy Mayyattil, Secretary of the KCBC Bible Commission.