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Rousing reception to Patriarch

— Photo: Leju Kamal

Rousing reception: Ignatius Zakka-I Iwas, Patriarch of Antioch and head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church addressing believers at a reception accorded to him at Manjanikkara, near Pathanamthitta, on Thursday.

PATHANAMTHITTA: The Patriarch of Antioch and head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church, Ignatius Zakka-I Iwas, was accorded a rousing reception by the clergy and the laity at Manjanikkara near here on Thursday.

The Patriarch, accompanied by Mathyas Mor Peelexinos, Patriarchal Vicar; Augen Mor Cleemis, California Archbishop; Daniel Mor Cleemis, Beirut Archbishop and Baselius Thomas-I Catholicis, reached Manjanikkara, a major pilgrim centre of Syrian that houses tomb of the Syrian Patriarch, St. Elias-III, in the afternoon.

Addressing the faithful, the Patriarch recalled the contributions of St. Elias-III and other Church leaders to ensure peace and harmony in the Church.

He was received by the Manjanikkara Diara chief, Geevarghese Mar Divannasios, T.U. Kuruvila, MLA who is also the Diara secretary, Kuriakose Mar Eulios Metropolitan and Geevarghese Mar Athanaseus Metropolitan.

The Patriarch offered prayers at the tomb of St. Elias-III and at the Diara Cathedral. He also blessed the believers who thronged the Cathedral premises. Kuriakose Mar Eulios and Geevarghese Mar Athanaseus presented a memento to the Patriarch. Bishops attached to the Jacobite and Knanaya Churches also spoke.

The Patriarch also elevated the St. Mary’s Jacobite Church at Kundara to the status of a cathedral on the occasion. The Patriarch has conferred the ‘Chevalier’ title to T.V. Thomson of Kottayam on the occasion.

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