During the 113 days of lockdown, a Kerala man transcribed the Bible by hand
by Biju Veticad

Rejin Valson, who works at Cochin International Airport, dedicated his effort to the child his pregnant wife is carrying. To achieve his goal, he used 2,755 sheets of A4 size paper and 32 pens.


Thrissur (AsiaNews) – Rejin Valson, an employee at Cochin International Airport (Kerala), made a handwritten copy of the Bible during the period of lockdown (113 days) imposed on the country to stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rejin, who got the idea from a fellow parishioner who likes to copy Biblical passages, works in the Fire and Rescue Department at Cochin International Airport.

When the lockdown was imposed, he was asked to go to work for only 24 hours a week. With more time at his disposal, he decided to use it fruitfully in some way, aided also by a desire to do something for his faith.

To complete his task in 113 days, he used 2,755 sheets of A4 size paper and 32 pens.

“I was able to finish my work only thanks to fervent prayers and the full support of my family, friends, and pastor,” Rejin told AsiaNews. “I dedicate this work to the child in my wife’s womb.”

“Rejin is a very active member of our parish,” said Fr Finosh Keettikka, Rejin’s parish priest. “He is member of the Kerala Catholic Youth Movement (KCYM) and teaches catechism on Sundays.”

The Bible was presented on 28 July, the feast day of Santa Alphonsa. After the blessing from the local bishop, Mgr Andrews Thazhath (picture 4), the volume was left in the keep of St Anthony's Catholic Church, in North Karammukk.

Rejin's friend Syam Mohan, a carpenter, helped him make a cover for the holy book.