Malankara Voice

6-February-2004

Manjanikkara Perunnal festival to begin on Friday

(Source:- The New Indian Express, dt. 6-Feb-2004, http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IER20040205114529&Page=R&Title=Kerala&Topic=0& )

PATHANAMTHITTA: The annual Manjanikkara Perunnal, celebrated in memory of Patriarch Elias Mor Ignathios, whose mortal remains are kept at Ignathios Dayara at Manjinikara, will be held from February 7 to 13.

Addressing a news conference on Ignathios Dayara premises on Manjinikara near here on Thursday, head of the Manjinikara Dayara and metropolitan of Syrian Jacobite cathedrals Benyamin Joseph Mor Osthathios said that Patriarch representative and Mount Lebanon Archbishop Theophilos George Sleeba would lead the 72nd perunnal celebrations.

The metropolitan said that to mark the beginning of the perunnal, Markose Mor Coorilos would hoist the Patriarch flag near the cross in the name of the Moran at Omallur Cross Junction at 6 a.m on February 7.

Benyamin Mor Osthathios said that thousands of pilgrims, including hundreds from the US and European countries, would take part in the celebrations. Pilgrims from 600 centres, including those from Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore and Chennai, would participate in the pilgrimage.

Metropolitans Markose Mor Coorlios, Yuhonnon Mor Meelithios, Kuriakose Mor Diyaskorus, Mathews Mor Ivanios and Geevarghese Mor Athansios would deliver discourses on the perunnal days.

Fr Yuhannon Plavilayil, Fr Elias Kozhiparampath, Fr Mathew P George, Fr Thomas Tharayil, Fr T G Jacob, Fr Jacob Thomas and Fr Geevarghese Natumuriyil would speak at the gospel meetings.

As part of the perunnal, free clothes would be distributed to destitutes on February 11.

On February 12, the pilgrims would be given a traditional reception at Omallur Cross Junction under the leadership of the Patriarch representative and the perunnal committee office-bearers at 4 p.m.

Archbishop Theophilos George Sleeba would be the chief guest at the valedictory function of the pilgrimage at the Dayara. Irrigation Minister T M Jacob would inaugurate the meeting. Union Minister P C Thomas would deliver the keynote address. Catholicos Baselios Mar Thomas I would deliver the benedictory address.

Francis George MP, K K Nair MLA, District Panchayat president Mathew Kulathunkal, District Collector Rabindra K Agarwal, Pathanamthitta municipal chairperson Ajeeba M Sahib, Chennerkara panchayat president P C Hari and Omallur panchayat president M K Vasu would offer felicitations.

Holy Mass would be conducted under the leadership of Catholicos Baselios Mar Thomas I between 5.30 a.m. and 8 a.m. on February 13 in the presence of Thomas Mor Thimothios and Kurikose Mor Severios.

The 42nd commemoration perunnal of Mor Julius metropolitan would be celebrated on February 18. Programme committee general convener T. Thomas Vilavinal, Mathew Ramban and Fr Jacob Mammen Manapatt were present at the news conference.

Tomb of Patriarch Elias III at Manjinikkara.
Source: Photos taken in December 2000.

(Source:- http://sor.cua.edu/Personage/PElias3/index.html - Syriac Orthodox Resources web site)