On Saturday, 20 September 2025, the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church gathered in deep joy and gratitude to celebrate the ninety-fifth anniversary of its reunion with the See of Rome. The celebrations, held in Adoor, in the Eparchy of Pathanamthitta, were presided over by His Beatitude Ignatius Joseph III Younan, Patriarch of the Syriac Catholic Church of Antioch, together with His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos, Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church.
At half past eight in the morning, the Patriarch and the Catholicos entered a vast open-air stage erected in the grounds of All Saints’ Higher Secondary School, Adoor, accompanied by the bishops of the Syro-Malankara Synod, together with Most Rev. Barnaba Joseph Habash and Most Rev. Ephrem Joseph Abba, both of the Syriac Catholic Church. They were joined by hundreds of priests, deacons, religious, and nearly ten thousand faithful who had come from across Kerala and beyond, eager to share in this moment of grace.
The solemn Pontifical Divine Liturgy was celebrated upon a specially prepared altar. The Patriarch was accompanied by his delegation: Abbot Edmond Rizk, Monsignor Habib Mourad, Monsignor Abdo Abou Kassem, Rev. Fr. Jean Younes, Rev. Fr. Paul Kass Dawood, Rev. Fr. Saïd Massouh, Rev. Fr. Karim Kalash, Rev. Fr. Ephrem al-Jazrawi, Rev. Fr. Tarek Khayyat, Mother Huda al-Halou, and Sister Ikhlas Sheeto.
After the proclamation of the Gospel, the Catholicos preached a moving homily, expressing gratitude to the Patriarch for his fraternal presence and recalling the bonds that unite the two sister Churches, particularly the friendship between Patriarch Ignatius Ephrem II Rahmani of blessed memory and the Servant of God Mar Ivanios. He also remembered Patriarch Ignatius Cardinal Moussa I Daoud, under whose leadership in Rome the Malankara Church was raised to the dignity of a Major Archiepiscopal Church. The Catholicos lifted prayers for all the Syriac Churches of the Middle East, and gave thanks for the communion and solidarity of faith.
Before the final blessing, the Catholicos presented the Patriarch with a golden pectoral cross, a gesture of fraternal honour, while the Patriarch in turn gifted the Catholicos an icon of Our Lady of Deliverance, as a token of gratitude and love.
Later that same day, a central public celebration was held in the same venue, with the participation of bishops, clergy, religious, and the great multitude of faithful. Civil dignitaries also joined, among them the Honourable Chief Minister of Kerala, Mr. Pinarayi Vijayan, together with representatives of both the state and central governments.
In his heartfelt address, the Patriarch shared his joy at standing among the Malankara faithful on this blessed occasion:
“It is difficult to put into words the joy and pride we have experienced in celebrating this anniversary with you. Nearly a century ago, it was our Patriarch, Ignatius Ephrem II Rahmani, who encouraged and supported the heroic step of Mar Ivanios in entering communion with Rome. We look forward with hope to the day of his beatification, which will be a moment of immense blessing for the entire Syriac family.”
The Patriarch warmly congratulated the Catholicos on his Silver Jubilee of episcopal consecration, praising his pastoral dedication and many achievements for the Malankara Church. He reminded the faithful that the mark of every disciple of Christ is love:
“The Lord told His followers that the world will recognise them as His disciples only if they love one another. Love is the sign of every Christian, whether bishop, priest, religious, or lay faithful. It is through this love that we bear witness to Christ.”
He spoke also of the communion of the Syriac Churches:
“We, as Antiochene Christians — Syriac Catholics, Maronites, and Malankara Catholics — share the same ancient heritage. Our mission is to keep this treasure alive, and together we strive for unity, preserving the Syriac language, liturgy, and traditions entrusted to us.”
The Patriarch concluded with an earnest plea:
“Pray for us, and support our efforts to defend the rights of Christians in the Middle East. In Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and the Holy Land, our people suffer grave hardships and persecution. Yet we remain rooted in our lands as the original followers of Christ, even when the world overlooks us. With your prayers, we will continue to bear witness to the Lord through love and peace.”
In his own address, the Catholicos gave thanks to God for the grace of the day, linking it with his own episcopal jubilee. He renewed his commitment to pastoral service, including the building of new homes for the poor, and thanked the Patriarch and his delegation for their presence, which he described as a sign of unity and apostolic continuity.
The Chief Minister of Kerala also spoke, praising the rich witness of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church and the leadership of the Catholicos, noting the flourishing life of the Church and its contribution to Kerala’s society.
The celebration concluded with songs of thanksgiving, words of brotherhood, and above all, the Patriarch’s Apostolic Blessing, imparted upon the bishops, clergy, religious, and faithful of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church.
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