Distinguished Visit of Rev. Msgr. Juan Pablo Cerrillos Hernandez to Thiruvananthapuram

In the gentle embrace of Thiruvananthapuram’s sacred air, the Major Archiepiscopal House was graced with a presence that echoed the universality of the Church. Rev. Msgr. Juan Pablo Cerrillos Hernandez, Counsellor of the Apostolic Nunciature to India, visited the city for a two-day sojourn marked by spiritual depth and ecclesial communion.

Monsignor Cerrillos Hernandez, a seasoned diplomat of the Holy See, carries the delicate task of fostering relations between the Vatican and the Church in India. His vocation blends the grace of pastoral care with the diplomacy necessary to navigate the complex map of the universal Church.

During his visit, Monsignor participated in the solemn installation ceremony of His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Mathews Mor Polycarpos as Bishop of the Mavelikara Eparchy. This occasion, radiant with the hope of new beginnings, was heightened by the Monsignor’s presence, weaving the local and universal Church into a harmonious whole.

In moments steeped in reverence, Monsignor Juan Pablo paid homage at the tomb of Venerable Archbishop Geevarghese Mar Ivanios. This act was a pilgrimage into the very heart of the Syro Malankara Catholic identity—honouring the founder whose vision ignited a flame of unity and tradition that continues to illuminate the Church.

His journey through the city’s sacred spaces included visits to St. Mary’s Major Archiepiscopal Cathedral at Pattom, a beacon of liturgical splendour; the St. John Paul II Malankara Catholic Church in Mananthala, a sanctuary of faith; and the hallowed halls of Mar Ivanios Vidyanagar, where education and spirituality entwine.

The visit deepened the bonds between the Holy See’s diplomatic mission and the Syro Malankara Catholic Church, reinforcing a shared commitment to faithfulness and pastoral care. It was a reminder that though paths may be many, the journey is one—towards the fullness of truth and communion.

The faithful of the Major Archiepiscopal House and the wider Church offer prayers of gratitude for the blessings bestowed through this visit, trusting that the seeds sown will flourish in continued collaboration and spiritual growth.