The Syro-Malabar Catholic community across Great Britain is embarking on a spiritual journey that blends academic rigor with familial bonding. In a bid to deepen the faith of the diaspora and bridge the gap between generations, the Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Great Britain has officially launched the unit-level phase of “Urha 2026,” a comprehensive family quiz competition designed to weave liturgical theology and spiritual discipline into the fabric of home life.
This initiative is not a standalone event but a cornerstone of the Eparchy’s second five-year pastoral plan. Following previous successful cycles focused on spirituality and theology, the current phase emphasizes “faith formation,” aiming to ensure that the rich traditions of the Syro-Malabar Church are not lost as the community integrates into the multicultural landscape of the United Kingdom. By transforming the study of the catechism into a competitive family activity, the Eparchy hopes to move religious education from the classroom into the living room.
The rollout began with the publication of the first 100 questions for the unit-level competitions. These materials have been made available through the Eparchy’s official website, social media platforms, and Danaha, the diocese’s official news bulletin. The competition is structured to be inclusive, starting at the most grassroots level—within parishes, missions, and proposed missions—before ascending to broader regional and eparchial stages.
A Structured Path to Faith Formation
The “Urha 2026” competition is designed as a marathon of learning rather than a sprint. The Eparchy has committed to a long-term educational strategy, publishing a total of 1,001 questions over a 50-week period in the Danaha bulletin. These questions are meticulously drawn from the Eparchy’s pastoral plan, titled “Holy to the Holy” (പരിശുദ്ധൻ പരിശുദ്ധർക്ക്), which serves as the theological roadmap for the community’s spiritual growth.
The progression of the contest follows a strict hierarchy to ensure fair play and comprehensive preparation:
- Unit Level: Initial competitions held at the parish or mission level based on the first set of published questions.
- Regional Level: Qualifiers from the unit level will compete in a regional round conducted online to accommodate the geographic spread of the community across the UK.
- Eparchy Level: The grand finale will take place on November 28, where the top-performing families will compete for the championship.
According to Romils Mathew, Secretary of the Pastoral Council, preparations are already nearing completion across all missions and parishes. The integration of online platforms for the regional rounds reflects the Eparchy’s effort to utilize modern technology to maintain community cohesion in a geographically dispersed diocese.
Incentivizing Spiritual Growth
While the primary goal of the competition is spiritual enlightenment, the Eparchy has introduced a significant prize pool to encourage active participation from families. The financial rewards are intended to recognize the effort and time families invest in studying the church’s teachings together.
| Rank | Cash Prize | Award |
|---|---|---|
| First Place | £3,000 | Trophy |
| Second Place | £2,000 | Trophy |
| Third Place | £1,000 | Trophy |
| Fourth Place | £250 | Trophy |
| Fifth Place | £150 | Trophy |
| Sixth Place | £100 | Trophy |
The Vision of the Eparchy
For Bishop Mar Joseph Srampikal, the head of the Great Britain Syro-Malabar Eparchy, the quiz is a vehicle for a deeper ecclesiastical purpose. He has emphasized that the “Urha 2026” initiative is specifically aimed at strengthening the transmission of faith across generations. In an era where the diaspora often faces the challenge of maintaining cultural and religious identity, the Bishop views the family-based study of the Syro-Malabar tradition as a vital safeguard.
The Bishop has called for the active participation and prayerful support of all members of the Eparchy, noting that the collective study of the church’s discipline and theology helps believers develop a more profound understanding of their spiritual heritage. By involving parents and children in the same study process, the church aims to foster a domestic environment where faith is discussed and lived daily.
As the community moves toward the regional qualifiers, the focus remains on the weekly releases in Danaha. Families are encouraged to keep a close eye on the official bulletin and the Eparchy’s digital portals to ensure they are up to date with the evolving list of questions that will form the basis of the final competition.
The next major milestone for the community will be the conclusion of the unit-level trials, followed by the transition to the online regional competitions leading up to the final event on November 28.
Do you think competitive learning is an effective way to pass down religious traditions in a diaspora setting? Share your thoughts in the comments below or share this story with your community.
