NEW YORK (TIP): The Indian Christian community of all rites and denominations in New York, New Jersey, “Connecticut area is all set to celebrate the two-thousand-year-old heritage of Christianity in India and the martyrdom of Saint Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ in AD 72 in Chennai.  Indian Christians from all Indian states will come together at the Syro Malankara Catholic Church at 1500 Depaul Street in Elmont, New York on Sunday, July 3^rd at 5 pm.  They will be joined by spiritual and religious leaders across the United States. The event initiated by the Federation of Indian Christians of North America (FIACONA) is “a collaborative effort of Church of South India, Indian Orthodox Syrian Church, Tamil Lutheran Church, Episcopal Church, Syro Malabar Catholic Church, Syro Malankara Catholic Church, United Methodist Church, Bethlehem Punjabi Church, Marthoma Church, Jacobite Syrian Church, Gujarati Christians, and Saint Thomas Evangelical Church of South India who pride themselves for the contributions and participation  the Indian Christians to the history, development and growth of India over almost two thousand years” says Koshy George, president if FIACONA.

The evening begins with a procession accompanied by chenda (drum) mela and thalappoli.   Religious leaders and other spiritual leaders will then say insightful felicitations.  Colorful cultural programs will be presented by talents from Punjabi, Gujarati, Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu communities.  The events will conclude with dinner.  Entry is free and open for everyone.  The organizers said that it will be helpful for food and water arrangements if people could RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/362745139477.