Kerala - Kottayam   

Patriarch given warm welcome

Photo: By Special Arrangement

Solemn occasion: The Patriarch being accorded a reception at Chingavnom on Thursday. —

KOTTAYAM: Patriarch of Antioch Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka-I Iwas, who arrived here on apostolic visit was accorded a warm welcome by the leaders of Malankara Syrian Knanaya Archdiocese at its headquarters at Chingavnom on Thursday.

The Patriarch who was accompanied by Catholicos Baselius Thomas I and other bishops were received by Archbishop Kuriakose Mor Savarios and other bishops of the Knanaya Archdiocese at the Mar Aprem Seminary. After holding special prayers at the tomb of Abraham Mar Clemis, the former head of the Archdiocese, the Pontiff spoke to the flock at the public reception accorded to him and Catholicos Baselius Thomas I.

Speaking on the occasion, the Patriarch said the archdiocese with its distinctive cultural moorings was an integral part of the universal Syrian church and hoped that they would continue to contribute to the society. He hoped the archdiocese would scale new heights under the current leadership.

Catholicos Baselius Thomas I, in his address referred to the ongoing tussle with the Orthodox Church and challenged them to produce any evidence regarding the ownership of the disputed Thrikkunnathu Seminary. If they present legitimate evidence, he was ready to give up the church’s claim, he said.

The Patriarch later participated in the meeting of the Knanaya Association. A busy schedule awaits the Pontiff on the concluding day of his visit to Kottayam on Friday. The day will begin with the visit to St Mary’s Jacobite Syrian Church at Panambadi, Veloor. He will offer special prayers at the tombs of Paulose Mar Koorilose and Michael Mar Dionysius whose mortal remains have been interred at the specially constructed crypt at the church.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Patriarch given warm welcome

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu