FW: Rousing reception to Patriarch in southern diocese.

Patriarch of Antioch Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka-I Iwas, who arrived Malankara
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 Baselios Thomas I and other
bishops were received by Archbishop Kuriakose Mor Savarios and other bishops
of the Knanaya Archdiocese at the Mor Aprem Seminary. After holding special
prayers at the tomb of Abraham Mor Clemis, the former head of the
Archdiocese, the Pontiff spoke to the flock at the public reception accorded
to him and Catholicos Baselios 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 Aboon Mor Baselios 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
and left to Manjinikkara.

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

The Patriarch, accompanied by Catholicose Abbon Mor Baselios Thomas-I,
Mathyas Mor Peelexinos, Patriarchal Vicar; Augen Mor Cleemis, California
Archbishop; Daniel Mor Cleemis and Beirut Archbishop, 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 Dayaro chief, Geevarghese Mor
Divannasios, T.U. Kuruvila, MLA who is also the Dayaro secretary, Kuriakose
Mr Eulios Metropolitan and Geevarghese Mr Athanaseus Metropolitan.

The Patriarch offered prayers at the tomb of St. Elias-III and at the Dayaro
Cathedral. He also blessed the believers who thronged the Cathedral
premises. Kuriakose Mor Eulios and Geevarghese Mor Athanaseus presented a
memento to the Patriarch.

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
ŒChevalier‚ title to T.V. Thomson of Kottayam Simhasana Church on the
occasion.

Those who cannot attend the function of the Patriarch of Antioch & All the
East at Manjanikkara, Radio Malankara Team, in cooperation with Atheeva
Technologies, broadcasted the event live from Manjinikkara Dayaro.

Latter His Holiness Consecrated the renovated St. George‚s Syrian Orthodox
Church at Kavumbhagom, near Thiruvalla. Thousand of the faithful assembled
at Kavumbhagom to receive the Syrian Orthodox Church head.

The Patriarch had also elevated the St. George Syrian church, Kavumbagam to
the status of a cathedral on the occasion.

SOCM News Bureau - Thiruvalla