This book is the story of his wife’s struggle with cancer. The story begins on December 19, 1990 and ends on March 17, 1991, a span of three months. Much water has flowed under the “bridge” – mostly deep spiritual insights based on the firm foundation which she enriched over the years. In spite of medical verdict that nothing much could be done to save her from the killer disease – cancer- she held on to the faith that God who is the healer would certainly perform healing on her for the simple reason that she would he able to witness for Him for the remaining period of her life. Although healing in the physical sense was not what God gave her, she certainly received spiritual healing and witnessed to many who visited her either at hospital or at home even on the last day. The main motivation to write this book came from her own diary which she wrote - sitting on hospital bed – from the day she entered the hospital till the day of the operation in the form of prayer and meditation. They meant a lot to him and he hoped these would be of some help to those who pass through similar experiences in life. The readers would certainly find a number of personal references whose names he has mentioned. Indulgence is begged of them in case it offends any of persons concerned. In writing Foreword to this book, Dr M. M Thomas, Governor of Nagaland wrote: “This book contains the story of how Grace faced the ordeal of a killer disease and her death itself with this age and unveils in her diary of prayers and meditations the spiritual source of that courage in her abiding faith – commitment to the crucified and Risen Christ as the ultimate clue to the meaning and meaninglessness of life and death. It also holds the reflections of Georgekutty her life partner as he shared with her the hopes and hopelessness of her return to health and faced the bereavement of his loved one affirming with her their common hope in Christ who is life and resurrection. (The book is printed at The Ashram Press, Manganam, Kottayam, 686018 and contains 68 pages, published in 1991)

This book is a Malayalam translation of the first book “Grace through Gate of Cancer” entitled “Christ in His pain” printed at the Ashram Presss, Manganam, Kottayam, 686010 contains 100 pages, in 1991)

Sadhu Mathaichen; a great Indian Christian sage who left an indelible mark on the Christians in Kerala, one who left a sacrificial life through love and service, a man who exemplified the life of ancient saints of Indian culture to the full, one in whom traditions of the Indian Sadhu and the evangelical Christian so beautifully blended, an exemplary ideal for human development, a “Saddhu” who attracted many a young man to evaluate one’s own values of life, a man of spiritual fragrance – a special quality which surpassed all cultivated experience of world – a spirit directed life which originated from Christ and pointed men and women not to him but to Him. His ever smiling face radiated peace and serenity, attracted many like a magnet, a happy synthesis of asceticism and selfless love, a unique contribution of conviction, courage, strength of character, selfless love. The bases of all these qualities stemmed from the complete loyalty and devotion to his Lord and Master Jesus Christ.
(The book is published by the Author, printed at Graphic Systems, Mallappally and distribution by CSS Tiruvalla., pages 86 in 1996

The Church of South India, a Union of at least three great Christian traditions and ecclesiastical systems took place on September 27, 1947; this Union was hailed as ‘the greatest forward step in Church unity in modern times’, ‘a venture of faith’, ‘a momentous achievement in unity’, ‘a beacon in our Christian world’. After receiving the vision of St. John 21:17 ‘that they all may be one’, the humble beginning at Tranquebar (1919) experienced by 33 Christian leaders, the Founding Fathers had to travel for a long period of time – nearly three decades – to achieve the goal. This book is an attempt to draw out salient features of unflagging negotiations, discussions, meetings, hurdles, set backs, disappointments, and contributions of a number of Christian leaders to see the final consummation of the great Union. (The book is published by the author, printed at Graphic Systems, Mallappally, and distribution by CSS Tiruvalla, pages 132 in 1997)

The Church of South India is one of the finest fruits of twentieth century ecumenism; first in the history of the Christendom of a union of Churches coming from both Episcopal and non-Episcopal traditions. The book is an attempt to highlight various facets of the life of the Church of South India; its life in union since its inauguration in 1947 up to the present day. It deals with a short history of each of the dioceses, Synod: its functions and achievements, Worship and Liturgy, Episcopacy, Parish Ministry, Union attempts with other major Churches, Mission and Evangelism, Women’s Work, Laity Work, Theological Commission, and Evaluation of the successes and failures of the Church during the last fifty years. It is hoped that further study of the life of the Church would be undertaken by Church historians. (The book is a joint publication of Indian Society for the Propagation of the Gospel (Delhi) and Christava Sahitya Samithi, Tiruvalla; 292 pages in 1999)

(Published by Christava Sahitya Samithy, Tiruvalla, 495 pages, published in 2005) The book is the history of worldwide Christianity. The book has two parts. The chapters in Part I deal with important events that have taken place in Christianity over the last 2000 years. Part II deals with Christianity in nearly 170 countries covering topics as the coming of Christianity, its development and the present situation in each country. The last chapter is an overview of Christianity, which draws together the main trends in the book. (The Most Rev. Dr Philipose Mar Chrysostom Mar Thoma Metropolitan in commending the book wrote: “It is a Herculean task to compress a span of two thousand years of Christianity, which spills over the five continents with its varying traditions and practices in 14chapters. Yet Dr. George did it”).

Christianity has its roots in the East. The apostles took up with courage and conviction the challenge and responsibility to ‘go into the world and preach the gospel everywhere’. The teachings of Jesus reached well beyond the Jews, transforming the moral and spiritual life of individuals of different classes and races. The increasing mobility of people and the growth of cosmopolitanism have also encouraged the expansion of Christianity. Christianity in India through the centuries starts with the global scenario of the Indian Church in the early days of Christianity, deals with the impact of Indian Christianity on society and finally emphasises the challenges for the Indian Church of the 21st century. (The book is published by OM Authentic Media (simultaneously in (India, UK and USA), published in 2007, 382 pages)

The book is the dissertation on Historical Development of Education in a Developing State Sabah 1881-1981 submitted to the Columbia Pacific University, California for his Doctorate degree in 1988. As this thesis was based on the development of education in Sabah, the Government of Sabah was interested in getting it published for which his permission was sought and I gave my assent to their request. The Government of Sabah published the book in 2002, pages 302.

This booklet contains a brief history of C M S High School Punnaveli. There was very little education opportunities existed in Punnaveli towards the end of the 19th century. In 1897 a Malalayam Primary School was started, and for English education pupils had to go to Mallappally CMS School or CMS College School, Kottayam. In 1920 an English Middle School was started with K A Mathai as headmaster. In 1957 the school was raised to the level of a High School. The school has served as beacon of light in the region having produced many a great personality who served or are serving in different parts of India and foreign countries. (The book was published by the Platinum Jubilee Committee in 1995, and printed at Graphic Systems, Mallappally; 40 pages)

(This book was published by the Kudumba Yogam committee in 2000, pages 180)
Historical records of Christianity in India, especially of Malabar reveal that Kerala Nazranis or Syrian Christians originated from Kodungalloor (Cranganore) or from Koreni Kollam (Quilon). However, on detailed analysis it can be deduced that Apostle Thomas landed at Kodungalloor. It is believed that after King Parasuraman divided Kerala into 64 villages, Cheraman Perumal, the ruler of Kodungalloor granted a very special village called Maanigram (precious jewel) to the Malabar Christians. He also granted to the Jews (who do not belong to any of the four castes) anchu varnam (five colours) village. It is to be noted that the name Iravi Korthan is probably the name of a priest Iravi kathanar. During the early Middle Ages at a meeting of scholars at Thamizhathu, a scholar named Korthan attended the meeting. Probably he was the same Iravi Kathanar.

Arrival of the first appachen to Nedumprayar

One of the main reasons of migration of Nazrani Christians from Malabar to Central Travancore during the mid 18th century was persecution and massacre of Tippu Sultan’s army. During this period a large number of them fled from the north. There is an incident which happened during the massacre of Mughal army when an elderly Nazrani woman tried to escape the attack and ran into a church ‘aikala’ (place between the communion altar and the communion rail praying that the ‘mugalans’ would not at least desecrate the altar. But they ran to the ‘aikala’ and murdered her. It was at the very ancient Malanakara Orthodox Syrian Church (St Thomas Church, Arthat, Kunnamkulam). During the mid seventeenth century, a man, his wife and son arrived on the banks of Pampa River and built a house at Nedumprayar Chundolil property. He belonged to a well-known Nazrani family of Malankara Suriyani Sabah. Shortly after, the father died and the mother and son stayed at the Chuundolil property. For a few generations they had only one son and they stayed there. It is not easy to obtain the date of arrival of the first generation appachen (father) to Nedumprayar. However, with the limited availability of information through oral/ written materials one may be able to deduce a possible date. The first available source of information is a note presented at the first kudumba yogam meeting held in 1936 at Kavumkottethu when V M Chacko (1878-1939) (8th generation), the youngest son of Valiakalayil Mathunnny, who collected the information from Rahur Skaria Kathanar mentioning that for a few generations they had only one son each. In the above mentioned note it was also mentioned that the earliest father (4th generation) is either Koshy or Mathunny. There was also a parallel reference about this information in the Kudumba charithram of Kulathakil Alummootil of having marriage alliance between the two families (ref: family history page 10 lines 1-3) Furthermore, there is another reference of the fifth generation Mathunny who married Nellickal Kuttikattu Aleyamma who was a devout Christian who was zealous in church activities. It is interesting to note that the Father of Reformation in Mar Thoma Syrian Church Abraham Malpan invited her to participate in the first Mar Thoma Church service with Malayalam (thaksa) liturgy in 1837 (15-i-1012) M E). (ref: Maramon Marthoma Edavka charithram, MM Job, page 47, Sabah charithra samgraham, T B Chacko p 80). According to the 1866 Land Settlement Documents a property below the Maramon Bridge on the road leading to Maramon convention site (from the property belonging to K M Thomas (Joy) Kaithamangalam) to Nedumprayar junction and from there to the north on both sides of the road up to Paruthimuku junction were the properties owned by families of Chundolil, Thenmootil, Puthoor, Cheruvettolil, Panacheril, Peedikaparampil, Palakamannil families which show that the major sections of the land between Nedumprayar and Paruthmukku were owned by members of Kavumkottethu family. Assuming that the span of a generation to be 30 years, it is possible to consider that our first appachen would have arrived at Nedumprayar during the middle of 18th century. Kavumkottethu family members were very rich people, next only to the feudal Nampooothri family. They also had high social status in the community, a sign of which was that on the famous Nedumprayar palliodam’s (boat) a member of the Kavumkotterh Kudumbam had the privilege of rowing the second oar known as the first adanayamp during the boat race. One of our early mothers was an outstanding musician and she used to be invited for special social functions organised by the community. Owing to conflict with the local feudal lords they had to move to Kavumkottethu property near Cherukara Illam (family). The fourth generation father had three sons: Geevarughese, Mathunny and Koshy. The descendants of these three sons comprise the members of the ten branches of Kavumkottethu family. They are: Navrukizhekkethil, Kavumkottethu, Panacheril, Kaipuraidom, Mannil,. Valiakalayil, Puthoor, Cheruvattolil, Kaithamangalam, and Peedikaparamil. As the numbers increased it was necessary for a number of them to move out of the Nedumprayar area to places like Kurianoor, Ranni, Charalkunnu, Ezzholi, Kandamperur, Mallappally, Keekozhoor, Kanjirapally, Punnaveli, Ullanoor, Kumplampoika Malayalapuzha and so on. During the second half of the 20th century there are members of the Kudumbam settled down in different parts of India and even overseas countries

Long life is a gift from God. The completion of a centenary of life is certainly a special blessing conferred on very special people. The Rt Rev T B Benjamin is such a privileged person. He completed 101 years on May 17, 2008. The main emphasis of this Festchrift volume “In the Footsteps of his Master” in honour of the Rt Rev, T B Benjamin highlights a vision for humanity, a living philosophy of sharing based on Biblical faith, love and justice, and a sense of concern and caring of the less fortunate and under privileged members of the society through the life and witness of this great servant of God. The main contributors are drawn from ecclesiastical fraternity, priests, and lay leaders including leading personalities from judiciary, civil service, academicians, theologians, scientists and journalists. The book contains a number of articles. They include messages from bishops, reflections from certain dignitaries, the impact of Bishop Benjamin on different individuals and groups, his special talents in dealing with very difficult and complex situations emerging as am outstanding administrator, his great sense of compassion, great ability as a renowned teacher expounding great biblical faith and his humane relationships with less fortunate and down trodden members of society. (The book is published by Christava Sahitya Samaithy, TIruvalla, 2008 pages 204}

A Reference Book of three volumes comprising over 900 pages on History of Education in Sabah (1881-1981) was written at the request of Sabah Foundation, Kota Kinabalu. It was completed and presented to the Honourable Chief Minister of Sabah on November 30, 1981 for the use of those interested on the above subject to be kept in the Sabah Foundation Library in Kota Kinabalu