Martha Mariam Samajam is the women wing of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church of India. The Samajam has its humble origins as prayer groups in the various parishes scattered all over the Malankara Church in India around 1928. Mrs. K.M. Annamma (Kandathil), the visionary lady behind the Samajam, and the Rev. Ramban Barskeepa brought the entire parish based women’s prayer groups under one umbrella, The Martha Mariam Vanitha Samajam. The motto of the Samajam is Pray, Act, and Shine. Mrs. Kandathil Annamma served as the organization’s first Secretary and helped it grow into a viable women’s wing of the Church in India. In 1964, the constitution of the organization was recognized by the Synod. The head office is the ‘Vanithasamajam Mandiram’ in Kanjikuzhi, Kottayam. About hundred thousand women are members of the Martha Mariam Samajam.
As the Malankara Orthodox parishes began to mushroom in America, the Martha Mariam Samajam found its rightful place in most of the parishes and it became a formal part of the American Diocese of the Church in 1982. Metropolitan Zachariah Mar Nicholovos serves as the President of the Samajam for the Northeast American Diocese.
The activities of the Samajam in the St. Thomas Indian Orthodox Church, Philadelphia include the following:
1. Monthly meetings and Bible study.
2. Regional prayer meetings and Bible study held at different locations.
3. Pray for the sick and visit those who are confined in the hospitals.
4. Fund-raising for charity at home and abroad.
The primary goal of the Samajam is the spiritual development of the women in our church. The above activities are only a part of the process to reach spiritual fulfillment in our daily life. All women are welcome to participate in the life of the Samajam.
Diocese webpage for Marths Mariam Samajam