A Brief History
The Marth Mariam Vanitha Samajam (MMVS) is the women’s wing of the Malankara Orthodox Church of India. It is a leading spiritual organization in every church across our entire diocese.
The organization was founded in 1928, aiming to foster the spiritual progress of women in the church. The founders named it after the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is proclaimed the interceding saint of the MMVS. It was started under the patronage of the Late Rev. M.C. Kuriakose Ramban and with the leadership of K.M. Annamma, later known as Rev. Sister Hanna.
SMOC MMVS
Our parish took the initiative to form a local unit in 2010 and was inaugurated by Rev. Fr. Binny Kuruvilla. Beginning with only a few members, the MMVS has grown exponentially alongside St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, powered by the same motto it has had since the beginning: Pray – Act – Shine.
In accordance with this motto, our MMVS members participate in a number of activities. MMVS conducts monthly prayer meetings and Bible studies where members participate in prayer, songs, and spiritual reflection. To extend this beyond our parish, we organize and attend regional conferences annually, which include Bible quizzes and talent competitions alongside other parishes. MMVS has a vital role in enhancing our spiritual practices such as the observation of Lent, by participating in chain prayers and Bible reading months as organized by the diocese. MMVS conducts frequent fundraising events like food sales, cake fests, and more. Our members also offer up their time and resources to help the wider community through charity and volunteering. MMVS Calgary has financially helped those in need, contributed to food drives and clothing drives, and volunteered at soup kitchens, toy drives, and homeless shelters.
Beyond activities exclusive to MMVS, members of this organization support every facet of our church. MMVS members are also Sunday School teachers and members of other committees like the church managing committee. They are caretakers who aspire not only to deepen their own spiritual foundation, but that of the entire church community. With that goal in mind, MMVS always strives to pray, act, and shine.