The 33rd Meeting of the Joint International Commission for Dialogue Between the Catholic Church and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church

Kottayam: The Catholicate Aramana hosted the 33rd Meeting of the Joint International Commission for Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church on 9 December 2025. The gathering carried a calm sense of purpose, reflecting decades of patient engagement between the two apostolic communities.

The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church delegation was led by His Grace Dr. Yuhanon Mar Demetrios, who served as Co-Chair. He was joined by His Grace Dr. Yuhanon Mar Chrisostomos, His Grace Dr. Yakub Mar Irenaios, His Grace Dr. Yuhanon Mar Dioscoros, His Grace Geevarghese Mar Barnabas, Revd Dr. Jose John, Revd Dr. Mathew Varghese, and Revd Dr. Koshy Vaidyan, who served as Co-Secretary. Their presence offered a picture of theological steadiness and long experience.

Representing the Catholic Church were His Grace Mathew Moolakkatt, His Grace Dr. Thomas Mor Koorilos, His Grace Dr. Selvister Ponnumuthan, His Grace Mar Joseph Kallarangatt, Revd Dr. Augustine Kadeparambil, Rev. Dr. Philip Nelpuraparampil, Rev. Dr. Jacob Thekkepparampil, and Rev. Fr. Hyacinthe Destivelle, who served as Co-Secretary. Together, the group reflected the Catholic Church’s ongoing commitment to dialogue rooted in both tradition and goodwill.

A moment of particular warmth came when His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, Catholicos of the East, met the delegation at the session and offered his blessing. His presence affirmed that genuine dialogue is not an academic exercise but an encounter shaped by faith, memory, and a shared desire for clarity and fraternity.

The meeting opened with a renewed spirit of sincerity, demonstrating that while differences exist, the willingness to meet, listen, and move forward keeps the conversation alive. Each participant carried both the responsibility of history and the hope that the future may yet hold deeper communion.