Syro-Malankara Catholic Church Celebrates 94th Reunion Anniversary in Parassala

The Syro-Malankara Catholic Church commemorated its 94th Reunion Anniversary at Mar Ivanios Nagar, Venganoor, Parassala, with profound spiritual enthusiasm and grandeur. The event, hosted by the Parassala Diocese, drew an impressive gathering of clergy, religious, and laity from across Kerala and around the world. The two-day celebration, which witnessed the participation of nearly 25,000 faithful, paid tribute to the Reunion Movement initiated by the Servant of God Archbishop Mar Ivanios OIC in 1930, which brought the Malankara Church into full communion with the Holy See.

The celebration was graced by the Major Archbishop-Catholicos, His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos, who presided over the Holy Qurbana and other functions, alongside the bishops of the Syro-Malankara Church, priests, religious, and thousands of faithful.

Day One: Inauguration and Evangelical Evening

The grand celebration commenced on the evening of September 20 with a spiritually enriching session of evangelical sermons and Eucharistic adoration led by the Church’s Evangelization Team. The opening day set a tone of deep reflection, focusing on the themes of unity, evangelization, and the Church’s ongoing mission. Thousands of faithful joined in prayer, experiencing a renewal of their spiritual lives.

This anniversary is a poignant reminder of Archbishop Mar Ivanios’ courageous efforts to unite the Malankara Church with Rome while preserving its rich Syriac liturgical heritage. His legacy was honoured throughout the celebrations, which reflected the immense gratitude of the faithful for the Church’s continued growth and mission.

Day Two: Flag Hoisting and Spiritual Renewal

The second day of the event began with the hoisting of the Papal flag and the Catholicos’ flag, symbolizing the unity between the Syro-Malankara Church and the Holy See. This was followed by a series of vibrant assemblies, including the MCCL Global Assembly, the 28th MCA Global Lay Conference, and the 33rd MCYM International Youth Convention, which ran concurrently at different venues on the Mar Ivanios Nagar campus.

Holy Qurbana and Reunion Message

On the morning of September 21, a solemn Holy Qurbana was celebrated by His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos. The Qurbana, concelebrated by all the bishops of the Syro-Malankara Church, was a moving display of unity and shared faith. Among the co-celebrants were His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Mor Koorilos, Metropolitan Archbishop of Tiruvalla; His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Mor Thomas, Bishop of Bathery; His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Joshua Mor Ignathios, Bishop of Mavelikara, and other bishops representing various dioceses.

The Archbishop-elect of Changanassery, His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Mor Tharayil, delivered a homily that deeply resonated with the faithful. Reflecting on the Church’s spiritual journey since the Reunion Movement, Archbishop-elect Mor Tharayil highlighted the immense sacrifices made by Archbishop Mar Ivanios and his fellow leaders to establish the Church’s mission of unity. He emphasized, “In an era where unity is feared, the legacy of Mar Ivanios continues to inspire the faithful to strive towards unity in Christ.”

Public Gathering and Historical Significance

Following the Holy Qurbana, a public gathering was held at the Mar Baselios Auditorium. His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis delivered the Reunion Message, in which he called upon the faithful to remain committed to the Church’s mission of unity and service. He reminded everyone that the spirit of the Reunion Movement, as envisioned by Mar Ivanios, remains alive and strong, propelling the Church into the future.

The historical significance of the Reunion Movement of 1930 was a central theme throughout the celebrations. Under the visionary leadership of Archbishop Mar Ivanios, the Malankara Church had achieved communion with the Roman Catholic Church while maintaining its Eastern traditions and liturgy. This bold step paved the way for the establishment of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church as a flourishing community that continues to grow, with dioceses in India and abroad.

28th MCA Global Lay Conference

One of the highlights of the second day was the 28th MCA Global Lay Conference, which brought together lay leaders from across the globe. His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos inaugurated the event, which emphasized the pivotal role of the laity in advancing the mission of the Church worldwide.

Adv. Abraham M. Pattiyani, President of the MCA, presided over the conference, where His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Joshua Mor Ignathios, Bishop of Mavelikara, delivered an inspiring keynote address. The prestigious Mar Baselios Vidyashree Award, instituted by KMRM, was presented by His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Mor Eusebius, Bishop of Parassala, to honour outstanding contributions to the Church.

33rd MCYM International Youth Convention

Simultaneously, the 33rd MCYM International Youth Convention was underway, bringing together thousands of young faithful. His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis inaugurated the convention, which was themed “Pilgrims of Hope”. His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Vincent Mor Paulos, Bishop of Marthandam, delivered a stirring keynote address, urging the youth to remain steadfast in their faith and to see themselves as agents of change within the Church. Fr. Daniel Poovannathil led a powerful session that further encouraged the youth to embrace their calling as witnesses to Christ.

The 33rd International Youth Convention, titled Hesed 2024, was marked by the unveiling of its official logo. His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Vincent Mor Paulos, Bishop of Neyyattinkara, presided over the logo launch, which took place at the convention venue. The logo was received by Mr. Cyriac, President of the Tiruvalla Diocese. Designed to reflect the spirit of the convention, the event aimed to foster a deeper sense of faith, fellowship, and commitment among the Syro-Malankara youth.

Historical Significance of the Reunion Movement

The Reunion Movement of 1930 was a pivotal moment in the history of the Malankara Church. Under the visionary leadership of Archbishop Mar Ivanios, the movement aimed at achieving communion with the Roman Catholic Church while preserving the unique Eastern traditions of the Malankara Church. The initiative was a bold and challenging one, as it required reconciling the differences that had historically divided the Malankara and Catholic communities. Archbishop Mar Ivanios’ vision was driven by a deep commitment to unity, and his efforts resulted in the establishment of a unique Eastern Catholic Church, which today flourishes as the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church.

The 94th anniversary celebrations honored this legacy, not just as a historical event, but as a spiritual journey that continues to guide the Church’s mission. The Malankara Church, over the years, has grown both in numbers and influence, with dioceses established across India and in countries like the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia and the Middle East. The Reunion Anniversary serves as a reminder of the Church’s ongoing efforts to preserve its spiritual heritage while embracing modern challenges.

Looking Forward to the 95th Anniversary

As the 94th Reunion Anniversary celebrations drew to a close, attention turned towards the future. His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis symbolically handed over the Catholicate flag to His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Samuel Mor Irenios, Bishop of Pathanamthitta, signifying the start of preparations for the 95th Reunion Anniversary, which will be hosted by the Pathanamthitta Diocese in 2025.

The event, marked by prayer, reflection, and celebration, left the faithful with a renewed sense of unity and a commitment to continue the Church’s mission of evangelization and spiritual renewal.

Credits: Mr. Williams Mathai and Mr. Rony Varghese for the photographs.