APOSTOLIC VISIT OF THE HOLY FATHER BEGINS ON OCTOBER 17

APOSTOLIC VISIT OF THE HOLY FATHER BEGINS ON OCTOBER 17

Church fathers to be canonized

Golden Jubilee of the sacerdotal ordination of Catholicos on October 19th

The Supreme head of the Universal Syrian Church and the Patriarch of the Apostolic see of Antioch & all the East, His Holiness Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, is to visit India in the second week of October 2008 to attend the concluding function of the sacerdotal Golden jubilee celebrations of the regional head of the Church in India, His Beatitude the Catholicos Aboon Mor Baselios Thomas I. As per the program schedule finalized by the Malankara Episcopal Synod, His Holiness is expected to reach Cochin International Airport on October 17 and will proceed to the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church headquarters at Puthencuriz. The Holy father will be accorded the status of State Guest by the honourable Government of Kerala. This will be His Holiness’ fourth apostolic visit to India, the last visit being in 2004.

One of the main programs of His Holiness will be the official announcement regarding the canonization of three fathers of Syriac Orthodox Church; Maphryono Mor Baselios Shakralla (AD 1764, Kandanad), Mor Coorilos Yuyakkim, the Patrirachal delegate (AD 1874, Mulanthuruthy) and Mor Coorilos Paulose Kochuparamabil, the former Malankara Metropolitan and the regional head of the Church in India (AD 1917, Panampady).

Church fathers to be canonized during H.H's Apostolic Visit
MAPHRYONO MOR BASELIOS SHAKRALLA AD 1764, Kandanad	SACRED TOMB OF MOR COORILOS YUYAKKIM AD 1874, Mulanthuruthy	MALANKARA METROPOLITAN MOR COORILOS PAULOSE AD 1917, Panampady

On Sunday 19th October, the Sacredotal Golden jubilee function of His Beatitude the Catholicos will be held at Marine Drive grounds in Cochin. His Holiness will Chair the jubilee function. Besides the representatives of the State Government, the heads of the Episcopal Churches in India and the other communities will be invited for the function. A 501-member committee has been chosen by the Malankara Association for making preparations for the grand jubilee function. The Episcopal Synod Secretary and Metropolitan of Kochi diocese, His Grace Mor Gregorios Joseph is the Chairman of the committee.

The Malankara Episcopal Synod and a meeting of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Association will be convened under the president-ship of His Holiness during this apostolic visit. After attending a few more programs in Kerala, His Holiness will proceed to Banglore and will leave for Damascus on October 27th. Hectic preparations has already been started in Malankara to welcome the supreme head of the Universal Syrian Christian community.

source: http://www.syrianchurch.org/ApostolicVisit2008/apostolic_visit_News.htm#APOSTOLIC%20VISIT%20OF%20THE%20HOLY%20FATHER%20BEGINS%20ON%20OCTOBER%2017