Rev. Dr. John Kochuthundil is appointed the Rector of the Malankara Major Seminary

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Rev. Dr. John Kochuthundil is appointed the Rector of the Malankara Major Seminary

Trivandrum: Major Archbishop Moran Mor Baselios Clemis Catholicos appointed Rev Dr. John Kochuthundil of the Major Archieparchy of Trivandrum, the new rector of St. Mary’s Malankara Seminary, Trivandrum. At present he serves as the Chancellor of the Major Archieparchy and the Vice-chancellor of the Major Archiepiscopal Curia and also the Rector of St.Mary’s Baselica, Palayam.
Fr. John joined the St. Aloysius Minor Seminary, Pattom and completed his priestly training in the Pontifical Seminary, Alwye. He was ordained a priest on 22 December 1985. He started his priestly career as Secretary to Archbishop Benedict Mar Gregorios till 1992. He had secured a Master’s Degree in Malayalam Literature from University of Kerala and Doctorate in Oriental Canon Law from Oriental Institute, Rome. He had served as judge in the Archdiocesean Court of New York, USA for 2 years. Then he was appointed as the Rector of St Aloysius Minor Seminary, Pattom. He served in the post till 2006. He also served as the vicar of several parishes in and around Trivandrum. He has authored several articles and books on Canon Law. He is the general Co-ordinator of the Drafting Committee for Particular Law of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church. Being a lyricist, he wrote many famous Christian devotional songs in which, “Snehaswaroopa thavadharshanam” and “Nayaka jeeva dhayaka” are very popular.
The new appointment is done when the present Rector Rt. Rev. Thomas Thannikkakuzhy completed his tenure.

Pathanamthitta Diocese inaugurated

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Pathanamthitta Diocese inaugurated

 

The senior Metropolitan of Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar Philipose Mar Chrysostum, has called upon churches in India to work together for the uplift of society as a whole.

Mar Chrysostum was inaugurating the public meeting held in connection with the inaugural ceremony of the Pathanamthitta diocese of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church at the District Stadium here on Saturday.

He said initiatives should be taken for the uplift of people in the below poverty line (BPL) category in a time-bound manner, making it a role model to the rest of the country.

Mar Chrysostum said the newly formed Syro-Malankara Catholic Church diocese and its bishop, Youhanon Mar Chrysostum, would join hands with other churches as well as like-minded people and organisations for the welfare and development of society and the region as a whole. Major Archbishop of Thiruvananthapuram Baselius Cleemis Catholicos presided over the meeting.

Minister for Public Works P.J. Joseph, Water Resources Minister N.K. Premachandran, P.J.Kurien, Rajya Sabha member, Anto Antony, MP, K.Sivadasan Nair, MLA were among those who addressed the public function.

Installation of Youhanon Mar Chrysostum as the first bishop of the Pathanamthitta diocese was held at a function at the Sacred Heart Church at Mylapra, in the afternoon. The Catholicos led the installation service.

Metropolitan Archbishop of Thiruvalla Thomas Mar Coorilos and bishops Geevarghese Mar Divannaseus, Joshua Mar Ignatheos, Geevarghese Mar Themotheos, Abraham Mar Eulios, Jacob Mar Barnabas, Joseph Mar Thomas, Vincent Mar Paulose, Samuel Mar Ireneus, Philipose Mar Stephanos and Thomas Mar Anthonios, were the co-celebrants.

The new bishop was seated on a throne and lifted three times by the priests to mark the installation.

Each time the throne was lifted, the priests chanted ‘Oxios’, a Syriac word which means ‘he is eligible’ and the entire gathering chorused ‘Oxios.’ Changanacherry Archbishop, Mar Joseph Perunthottom, delivered the benedictory speech.

Installation of Most Rev Dr. Vincent Mar Paulose

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Installation of Most Rev Dr. Vincent Mar Paulose

The Third Metropolitan of the eparchy of Marthandom, Most Rev. Vincent Mar Paulose installed as the new Metropolitan of the Eparchy on 14 March 2010. Before the the Installation ceremony, Most Rev. Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom together with the priests, religious and other faithful gave a warm welcome to the Major Archbishop, Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos and His Beatitude Gregory III Laham Patriarch and other Episcopal dignitaries at Marthandom Junction.  The Installation programme started with the prayer lead by Catholicos in Christuraja Cathedral, Marthandom. Then the Chancellor of the Eparchy, Fr. S. John read the appointment decree of the new Metropolitan. Then Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos together with the Metropolitans of the Holy Episcopal Synod of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church officiated the installation ceremonies. The presence of the foreign dignitaries led by the Patriarch of Melkite blessed the ceremonies. Mar George Alencherry of Thukkley, Mar Vincent Samuel of Neyyatinkara, Mar Sylvester Ponnumuthan of Neyyatinkara and Bishop Devakadaksham of the CSI Kanyakumari are also present in the function. The installation programme is followed by public meeting to felicitate the new metropolitan. Many priests, religious and lay faithful were present during the programme.

Vincent Mar Paulos (Very Rev. Dr. Vincent Kulapuravilai) was born on 20 February 1964 hails from Kumarankudy in the District of Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu and belongs to the Eparchy of Marthandom.  His parents are Kochupillai and Maria Thangam.  After completing Higher Secondary Education at Yettacode, he joined the St. Aloysius Minor Seminary Trivandrum.  He took his bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from St. Mary’s Malankara Seminary and degree in Theology from St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Kottayam.  He was ordained Priest at his home parish Annakarai on 2 January 1991 by Most Rev. Benedict Mar Gregorios.  He did his Master’s Degree in History and professionally qualified himself with B. Ed.  He obtained a doctorate in Dogmatic Theology from Rome.  He served the Eparchy of Marthandom in various capacities like Parish Priest, Protopresbyter, Correspondent of MSC schools, Member of Education Board, Director of Children for Unity and Member of the Commission for Liturgy.  Presently he is Professor and Registrar of St. Mary’s Malankara Seminary.  Besides English and Tamil, he knows Malayalam, German, Italian, Spanish and Syriac.

The present bishop of Marthandom, Most Rev. Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom
is transfered to the new see of Pathanamthitta
and Very Rev. Fr. Vincent Kulapuravilai,
the Professor and Registrar of St. Mary’s Malankara Seminary Trivandrum
is appointed the bishop of Marthandom.

Cardinal Oswald Gracias Elected the New CBCI President

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Cardinal Oswald Gracias Elected the New CBCI President
Cardinal Oswald Gracias, the Archbishop of Bombay was elected the new President of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) the world’s fourth largest bishops’ conference. His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Mar Cleemis Catholicos the Major Archbishop of Syro-Malankara Catholic Church and Mar George Punnakottil, the Bishop of Kothamangalam Syro-Malabar diocese, were elected the first and second Vice Presidents respectively. Archbishop Albert D’Souza of Agra was elected as the new Secretary General of the CBCI for next two years. The Secretary General of the Bishops’ Conference is the chief functionary and as such he deals with the most important matters that come under the purview of the Conference.
Cardinal Oswald Gracias served as the Secretary General as well as the Vice President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India and currently the President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), belonging to the bishops of Latin rite, which is one of the three Episcopal bodies of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India. He is a consulter to the Pontifical Council for the Interpretation of Legislative Texts. His Beatitude Baselios Mar Cleemis Catholicos was also served the CBCI as its Vice President.
Cardinal Oswald expressed his gratitude to the bishops for placing their trust in him and assured them that he would continue the good work of his predecessors for the whole Catholic Church in the country. The outgoing President of CBCI Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church and Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly who was unable to attend the Plenary Assembly of Bishops thanked the religious heads of the Catholic Church for their cooperation and support to him for the last two years as President of CBCI.
The new office bearers were elected by the 29th General Body Meeting of the CBCI in the north eastern city of Guwahati, the capital of Assam state, at Don Bosco Institute, Kharguli, on the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra river. One hundred and forty five member bishops of CBCI took part in the election of new office bearers. The office bearers of the CBCI consist of President, 2 Vice Presidents and Secretary General. At every biennial General Body Meeting of the Bishops new officer bearers are elected to guide the apex body of the Catholic Church in India.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) is the permanent association of the Catholic Bishops of India. It was formally constituted in September 1944 at the Conference of Metropolitans held in Madras. Its objectives are to facilitate coordinated study and discussion of questions affecting the Church, and adoption of a common policy and effective action in all matters concerning the interests of the Church in India. The CBCI has 228 member Bishops from the Latin, Syro-Malabar and the Syro-Malankara ecclesial traditions. Among these are 158 heads of dioceses of whom 3 are Cardinals, 27 Archbishops and 51 Retired Bishops.

Four New Bishops and Two New Eparchies for the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church

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Four New Bishops and Two New Eparchies for the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church

His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos, the Major Archbishop with the consent of the Holy Episcopal Synod of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church and having consulted the Apostolic See of Rome, has created two new Eparchies in the Church. They are Pathanamthitta in Kerala and Puthur in the State of Karnataka. Having been elected by the Holy Episcopal Synod, four new Bishops also have been appointed by him for the Church with the approval of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. He has announced the transfer of Most Rev. Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom, the present Bishop of Marthandom to the new See of Pathanamthitta and Most Rev. Geevarghese Mar Divannasios from the See of Bathery to the new See of Puthur. Most Rev. Joseph Mar Thomas, the Apostolic Visitator to North America and Europe is appointed Bishop of Bathery. To the See of Marthandom, falling vacant due the transfer of its present Bishop is appointed Very Rev. Fr. Vincent Kulapuravilai, the Professor and Registrar of St. Mary’s Malankara Seminary Trivandrum. Very Rev. Dr. Samuel Kattukallil, the Syncellus of the Major Archieparchy of Trivandrum and Very Rev. Dr. Stephen Thottathil, Dean of the Faculty of Theology of St. Mary’s Malankara Seminary are appointed Auxiliary Bishops of the Major Archieparchy of Trivandrum and the Archieparchy of Tiruvalla respectively. Very Rev. Dr. Antony Valiyavilayil OIC, the Postulator of the Cause of Canonisation of Servant of God Archbishop Mar Ivanios and the Chancellor of the Major Archiepiscopal Curia is appointed the Bishop of the Curia.

The announcement was simultaneously made in Rome at 12 noon local time and in Trivandrum, the headquarters of the Syro-Malankara Church and at other Eparchial centres at 4.30 p.m. IST. In Trivandrum His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos made the announcement at St. Mary’s Cathedral in the presence of Bishops and a large number of Priests, Religious and Faithful of the Church. The Bishops of the Church invested the Bishops Designates with Episcopal insignia and congratulated them.

THE EPARCHIES

The Eparchy of Pathanamthitta is created bifurcating the present Major Archipearchy of Trivandrum. Its territory consists of the four ecclesiastical districts – Pathanamthitta, Konni, Ranni-Perunadu, Pandalam and the parishes of Anandapally, Angadickal, Chandanapally, Pongalady and Thatta of the ecclesiastical district of Adoor. This Eparchy is spread over a territory of 2100 Km2 with a total population of 1234016 of citizens. The Cathedral of the New Eparchy will be St. Peter’s Church Pathanamthitta.

The Eparchy of Puthur, is created consisting of the northern part of the Eparchy of Bathery. The territory of the Eparchy comprises of the civil districts of Dakshina Kannada, Chamrajnagar, Chickmagalur, Hassan, Kodagu, Mandya, Mysore, Shimoga and Udupi of the Karnataka State. The Eparchy extends over an area of 51950 Km2 with a population of 13000000 citizens. The Eparchy has 21 parishes. There are 6 Eparchial Priests. There are also 6 Religious Priests and 21 women Religious working in the Eparchy. There are 36 educational and 4 charitable institutions. The Cathedral of the Eparchy will be St. Joseph’s Church, Puthur.

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Very Rev. Dr. Vincent Kulapuravilai, born on 20 February 1964 hails from Kumarankudy in the District of Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu and belongs to the Eparchy of Marthandom. His parents are Kochupillai and Maria Thangam. After completing Higher Secondary Education at Yettacode, he joined the St. Aloysius Minor Seminary Trivandrum. He took his bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from St. Mary’s Malankara Seminary and degree in Theology from St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Kottayam. He was ordained Priest at his home parish Annakarai on 2 January 1991 by Most Rev. Benedict Mar Gregorios. He did his Master’s Degree in History and professionally qualified himself with B. Ed. He obtained a doctorate in Dogmatic Theology from Rome. He served the Eparchy of Marthandom in various capacities like Parish Priest, Protopresbyter, Correspondent of MSC schools, Member of Education Board, Director of Children for Unity and Member of the Commission for Liturgy. Presently he is Professor and Registrar of St. Mary’s Malankara Seminary. Besides English and Tamil, he knows Malayalam, German, Italian, Spanish and Syriac.

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Very Rev. Dr. Samuel Kattukallil born on 13 May 1952 hails from Kadamminitta in Pathanamthitta District of Kerala, India in the Major Archieparchy of Trivandrum. His parents are late K. C. Thomas and Annamma. After his High School Education in Kadammanitta, he joined the St. Aloysius Minor Seminary Trivandrum. On completing the bachelor’s degrees in Philosophy and Theology from St. Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary Aluva he was ordained priest on 22 December 1978 by Most Rev. Benedict Mar Gregorios. He completed secular degrees of BA, MA, MPhil and PhD from the University of Kerala. After being Appointed Lecturer in Mar Ivanios College, he later served as the Principal of St. John’s College Anchal and retired as the Principal of Mar Ivanios College Trivandrum. From 1979 he served several parishes such as Erathumpamon, Muttathukonam, Pampukala, Vattakarikkam, Kuttichal, Vengode, Manjakala, Kunnapuzha, Kalliyal, Thirumala, Chalai, Palayam, Thiruvallam, Karakulam, Kallayam, Chenckalchoola, Anchal, Thazhamel and Ozhukuparackal as parish priest. Presently he is serving as the Syncellus of the Major Archieparchy of Trivandum. Languages known are Malayalam, English and Syriac.

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Very Rev. Dr. Stephen Thottathil, born on 9 May 1952 hails from Karimpinamkuzhy, Ranni, Kerala, India in the Archieparchy of Tiruvalla. His parents are Philip and Mariamma. After High School education in Ranni he joined the Infant Mary Minor Seminary of Tiruvalla. He studied at Papal Seminary Pune and completed bechelor’s degree in Philosophy and Theology at Jnana Deepa Vidyapeeth Pune. He was ordained priest for the then Eparchy of Tiruvalla on 27 April 1979 by Most Rev. Isaac Mar Yoohanon. He also completed his Master’s Degree in Theology from Jnana Deepa Vidyapeeth Pune. After a few years of pastoral experience he did his Doctorate in Moral Theology at the Academia Alfonsiana Rome. Besides his ministry as Parish Priest, he served the Eparchy of Tiruvalla as the Rector of the Minor Seminary, Director of the Malankara Catholic Youth Movement andAssociate Administrator and later Director of Pushpagiri Hospital. He also served the Archieparchy of Tiruvalla as its Administrator when the See was vacant in the year 2003. From 2003 to 2006 he was the Protosyncellus of the Eparchy. Fr. Stephen Thottathil who was the Rector of the St. Mary’s Malankara Seminary during years 2000-’03 is presently serving the same seminary as the Dean of the Faculty of Theology. Besides Malayalam and English he knows Italian, German and Syriac.

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Very Rev. Dr. Antony Valiyavilayil OIC was born on 25 November 1955 at Adoor in the District of Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India. His parents are late C. Koshy and Kunjamma. After his schooling at Adoor and Kattanam he joined the Order of the Imitation of Christ or Bethany Ashram and made his First Profession in the year 1974. He had his priestly formation at Bethany Ashram Pune and took the bachelor’s degrees in Philosophy and Theology from the Jnanadeepa Vidyapeeth Pune. He was ordained priest on 27 December 1980 by Most Rev. Cyril Mar Baselios, at Mar Ivanios Nagar, Kottayam, the venue of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the Reunion Movement initiated by the Servant of God Archbishop Mar Ivanios. He completed his graduation from the University of Kerala. From the Pontifical Oriental Institute Rome he took his Doctorate in Oriental Canon Law. He was engaged in the ministry of the Bethany Ashram in various offices such as Master of Pre-Philosophers, Master of Pre-Novices, Procurator and Rector of Bethany Ashram Pune. He was the Director of Bethany Vedvijnana Peeth, Institute of Oriental Thology Pune. He served the Congregation as a member of General Council for two consecutive terms. His pastoral activities in the Church were primarily in the field of the organization of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church in the Extraterritorial Regions in India, especially in Pune. He also served the Archieparchy of Tiruvalla as its Judicial Vicar. Presently he is the Postulator of the Cause of Canonisation of the Servant of God Archbishop Mar Ivanios and the Chancellor of the Major Archiepiscopal Curia. Besides Malayalam and English, he speaks Hindi, German and Italian and knows Syriac

Third Commemoration feast of Moran Mor Cyril Baselios Catholicos in Delhi

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Third Commemoration feast of Moran Mor Cyril Baselios Catholicos in Delhi

 

The ETRI Delhi region commemorated the death anniversary of Moran Mor Cyril Baselios Catholicos, the first Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church and Most Rev. Joseph Mar Severios the Metropolitan of the Archi-eparchy of Tiruvalla, at St. Mary’s Malankara Catholic Church Neb Sarai, on 17 January 2010. Most Rev. Dr. Jacob Mar Barnabas, the Apostolic Visitor was the main celebrant in the Solemn Holy Qurbono. During the celebration the new edition of the Vishal Malankara Voice, the magazine of ETRI was released by giving first copy to Mr. Thomas T., the Trustee of St. Mary’s Church. It was followed by Commemoration Speech and Nearch. Rev. Fr. Rijo Puthenparambil, Rev. Dn. Visakham Scariah, Br. Charls, Rev. Sisters and many faithful were present in the commemoration celebration.

Historical Commission for the Cause of Canonisation of the Servant of God Archbishop Mar Ivanios established

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Historical Commission for the Cause of Canonisation of the Servant of God Archbishop Mar Ivanios established

The Historical Commission for the Cause of Canonisation of the Servant of God Archbishop Mar Ivanios was established by His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos, the Father and Head of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church on 15 December 2009. The installation ceremony was held after the morning prayers and the concelebrated Holy Qurbono officiated by the Catholicos. Fr. Antony Valiyavilayil OIC, Chancellor of the Major Archiepiscopal Curia and the Postulator of the Cause read out the decree of His Beatitude establishing the commission. After the announcement, His Beatitude handed over the letter of appointment to Rev. Fr. James Puthuparampil OIC, the President of the commission and to the members Rev. Fr. Cheriyan Varicattu of the Eparchy of Kothamangalam and Rev. Fr. Prabheesh George Mekarikathu of the Major Archieparchy of Trivandrum. They assumed their office taking oath before His Beatitude and in the presence of Very Rev. Fr. John Kochuthundil, the Vice-chancellor of the Major Archiepiscopal Curia, swearing that they will be faithful before God in fulfilling the given responsibility.

Most Rev. Joseph Mar Thomas, the Auxiliary Bishop of Trivandrum and the Apostolic Visitator to North America, Rt. Rev. Msgr. James Paravila, Pro-Syncellus of Major Archieparchy of Trivandrum, Rt. Rev. Msgr. Samuel Kattukalil, Syncellus, Rt. Rev. Thomas Thannickakuzhy Chorepiscopa, Rector of the St. Mary’s Malankara Seminary, Very Rev. Fr. Jerome Peedikaparampil, Provincial Superior of Bethany Navajeevan Province, Very Rev. Mother Lissieu DM, Provincial Superior St. Mary’s Province Pongummoodu, Very Rev. Mother Deepa SIC, Provincial Superior Pathanamthitta, members of the Major Archiepiscopal Eparchial Curia of Trivandrum, Very Rev. Fr. Geevarghese Nediyath, Vicar of the Cathedral, Rev. Fathers, Brothers, Sisters and Lay Faithful were present on the occasion. His Beatitude said that with the establishment of the Historical Commission is an important step forward in the Cause. He also announced that the Theological Commission and the Tribunal for the Cause will come into existence very soon.

Delhi Sub-region of ETRI of Syro-Malankara Catholic Church celebrated the Re-union day and Mar Gregorios Day

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Delhi Sub-region of ETRI of Syro-Malankara Catholic Church celebrated the Re-union day and Mar Gregorios Day

The Delhi Sub-region of ETRI of Syro-Malankara Catholic Church celebrated the Re-union day and Mar Gregorios Day together at Sardana (Meerut Diocese) Pilgrimage Centre on 11 October 2009. The Malankarites of seven parishes of Delhi region marched together to the St. Mary’s pilgrimage centre and celebrated the reunion day. The celebrations started with the Holy Qurbono at 11 am. His Excellency Most Rev Dr. Jacob Mar Barnabas, the Apostolic Visitor of ETRI was the main celebrant. Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Kuzhithadathil (Coordinator General ETRI), Fr. Varghese Vinyanand OIC, Fr. Philips Vazhakkunnathu, Fr. Sam Pathackal, Fr. John Chennelil, Fr. Cyprian and Fr. Prabheesh George concelebrated in the Holy Eucharist. At 2 pm faithful together with the religious conducted the re-union day rally. After the procession public meeting was held. During the meeting Jacob Mar Barnabas gave the reunion day message. The cash awards to the rank holders of Catechism exam were also distributed in the meeting. The programme concluded with the commemoration of Late Archbishop Benedict Mar Gregorios. Rev. Fathers, Rev. Sisters and Delhi Malankara Catholic Association (DMCA) together arranged and gave leadership to the celebrations.

Rev. Fr. Puthuparambil Chacko Called to Eternal Rest

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Rev. Fr. Puthuparambil Chacko Called to Eternal Rest

 

Rev. Fr. Puthuparambil Chacko, the secretary to the Bishop of Bathery and vicar of Pattayal parish expired on 16 July 2009. It was in a road accident Fr. Chacko was called to eternal rest. After high school education he joined the Gurukulam Minor Seminary of Bathery. He successfully completed his philosophy and theology studies in St. Mary’s Malankara Major Seminary during the period 1997 to 2004. January 2005 he was ordained a priest by Most Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Divannasios. After a year of parish ministry he was appointed secretary to the Bishop of the Eparchy. The death of Fr. Chacko, an energetic, enthusiastic and friendly young priest is a great loss to the Malankara Catholic Church particularly to the eparchy of Bathery. The burial will take place on 18 July 2009 at St. Thomas Cathedral, Sultan Bathery. His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Mar Koorilos will officiate the service.

May his soul rest in peace.

The Syro-Malankara Catholic Church celebrated the 56th commemoration feast of the Servant of God Archbishop Mar Ivanios

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The Syro-Malankara Catholic Church celebrated the 56th commemoration feast of the Servant of God Archbishop Mar Ivanios

 

The Syro-Malankara Catholic Church celebrated the 56th commemoration feast of the Servant of God Archbishop Mar Ivanios on 15 July, 2009 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Pattom, Trivandrum.

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