The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : Thomas I offers prayers at Thrikunnathu church

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Saturday, Jan 26, 2008
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Thomas I offers prayers at Thrikunnathu church

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: Catholicos Thomas I and seven metropolitans of the Jacobite faction of the Malamkara Church offered prayers at the tombs of Kadavil Poulose Mar Athanasios and St. Poulose Mar Poulose at Thrikunnathu St. Mary’s Church at 8.40 p.m. on Friday amidst protest from the Orthodox faction.

Apprehending trouble, police officers led by Inspector General of Police Vinson M. Paul and City Police Commissioner Manoj Abraham and Rural Police Superintendent M. Padmanabhan, along with District Collector A.P.M Muhammad Hanish and RDO M.K. Joseph had camped in the area.

The prayers continued till 9 p.m.

A ban order clamped by the Collector earlier was in force in one kilometre radius of the Thrikunnathu seminary church.

The arrival of hundreds of devotees belonging to the Jacobite faction had led to tense moments in the area. The devotees, who were prevented by the police near St. Mary’s High School at 5.45 p.m., sat on the road and started prayers. Later, the authorities permitted them to offer prayers in groups of five.

Tension mounted again when bishops and priests of the Jacobite faction wanted to offer prayers at the tomb which invited loud protests from the Orthodox faction.

Tension defused after the Catholicos Thomas I and seven metropolitans of the Jacobite faction returned after offering prayers.

Both the factions have been laying claim to the Thrikkunnathu seminary, the adjacent church and its premises. This is apart from the claims over numerous churches in the State which are lying closed because of the factional feud.

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