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Published by
IOH News Service, March 5, 2005
Four New
Metropolitans To Malankara Church Consecrated |
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By
George Thazhakara
Parumala - March 5, 2005 (IOH
News Service) - Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
is now blessed with four more Metropolitans today
as the elect ones were consecrated as their new
shepherds.
H. G. Dr. Gabriel Mar Gregorios, H. G. Dr.
Zachariah Mar Theophilos, H. G. Augen Mar
Dionysius and H. G. Dr. Yoohanon Mar Chrisostom
are the four consecrated as Metropolitans at
Parumala Seminary Church on Saturday, March 5,
2005.
The holy consecration ceremony was led the supreme
head of the Church, His Holiness Baselius Marthoma
Mathews II, Catholicos of the East and Malankara
Metropolitan and assisted by the Catholicos elect
H. B. Thomas Mar Thimothios, in the presence of 18
other Metropolitans, hundreds of clergy, tens of
thousands of faithful at home and all over the
world.
The Catholicos and other Metropolitans of the
church first led the four Bishop-elects into the 'Madbaha'
during the morning prayers.
After being initiated into the new ecclesiastic
status by the Catholicos, the four Rambans knelt
down in mediation facing the Holy Altar. During
the holy Eucharist, celebrated by His Holiness,
the consecration ceremony began.
During the first phase, all the four Rambans
sealed their divine contract affixing the
signatures before the Chief celebrant His Holiness
the Catholicos. The second phase saw them declared
as new Metropolitans of the church. Then they were
given the shepherd staff, seated in thrones
attired in Metropolitan's vestments and raised
three times as per custom by saying 'Oxios'.
After 'Bas'malko', H. G. Thomas Mar Athanasius,
the Metropolitan of Kandanadu diocese delivered
the Word of God regarding the 'good shepherd'. At
2 pm the
consecration ceremony came to an end.
Later, in a public meeting to felicitate the
newly-ordained shepherds, Chief Minister of Kerala
Mr. Oommen Chandy hoped the newly ordained bishops
would serve the church and society alike
positively. He said this while on inaugurating the
public meeting held at
the Church premises immediately after the
consecration ceremony.
His Holiness the Catholicos Baselius Marthoma
Mathews II presided over the public meeting. Among
those who offered felicitations were Dr Marthoma
Metropolitan H.
G. Philipose Mar Chrisostom , Catholicos-Elect of
Malankara Orthodox Church H. B. Thomas Mar
Thimothios, H. G. Thomas Mar Athanasios, H. G. Dr
Thomas Mar Makarios, and Sabha Secretary Dr
Alexander Karackal.
The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (also
known as Indian Orthodox Church or Orthodox Syrian
Church of the East), is a prominent member of the
Oriental
Orthodox Church family. The Church traces its
origins to St. Thomas the Apostle, who came to
India in AD 52.
The head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
is the Catholicos of the East and Malankara
Metropolitan H.H. Mar Baselius Mar Thoma Mathews
II whose seat is at Kottayam, Kerala, India. The
Church has dioceses and churches in most parts of
India as well as in the US, Canada, United
Kingdom, Western Europe, Persian Gulf nations,
Australia and New Zealand. The official title of
the head of the Church is "the Catholicos of the
East, Catholicos of the Apostolic throne of St.
Thomas and the Malankara Metropolitan".
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