Patriarch of Antioch to Visit India

The Patriarch of Antioch and the head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, H.H Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka-I Ivas, will visit the Manjanikkara Dayaro and the tomb of St. Elias-III, the one and only Syriac Patriarch entombed in Malankara, in 1932, and at the adjoining Dayaro Church in the last quarter of October, reception committee office-bearers have said.

The reception committee meet chaired by Youhanon Mor Milithios Metropolitan at Manjanikkara, on Friday chalked out arrangements for a ceremonious reception to the patriarch. The meeting nominated Fr. Mathew Philip (Niranom), Jose Panachackal and Binu Vazhamuttom (Thumpamon) and Zacharia Mathew (Kollam) to the central reception committee.

Though the date of the patriarchal visit to the district is yet to be finalised, the organisers said he is likely to reach Manjanikkara on October 24 or 25.

Mor Milithios said the patriarch would also visit St. Mary‚s Cathedral in Pathanamthitta, besides offering prayers at the tomb of St Elias-III.

H.H will also participate in the consecration of St. George Syrian Jacobite Church at Kavumbhagom, Thiruvalla.

The patriarch will participate in the episcopal jubilee celebrations of Catholicos Baselius Thomas-I at Ernakulam on October 19.

Mor Milithios said this was the patriarch‚s fourth visit to Malankara. He said believers from the Kollam, Niranom and Thumpamon dioceses will attend the episcopal jubilee celebrations of Catholicos Baselius Thomas-I.

Special arrangements for transportation of the faithful to Ernakulam on October 19 will also be made from different parishes in the district.

Mathews Mor Theodoseus Metropolitan, Mathews Mor Aprem Metropolitan and church managing committee members, M.A. Paulose, Chev. Biby Abraham and Aji Jacob also attended the meeting.

SOCM News Bureau - Manjanikkara