 |
17-February-2004
Archbishop of Mount Lebanon, Mor Theophilus George Sleeba at Thiruvananthapuram
|
|
Mor Theophilus George Sleeba, the Archbishop of Mount Lebanon and the
Patriarchal Representative for this year's Manjanikkara pilgrimage was here in
the capital city of Kerala for a short visit for the foundation stone laying
ceremony of MRC School and Hospital Guidance Centre at Pongamood,
Thiruvananthapuram.
St:Peter's Charitable Society under St:Peter's Jacobite Syrian Simhasana church Thiruvananthapuram is planning to build a School for the Mentally Handicapped and also a Hospital Guidance Centre at Pongumood on land previously acquired by the Society. The School is already functioning at the church and because of lack of proper facilities the Society is planning to expand the School by shifting to a new complex here at Pongumood. The St:Peters Parish already has a sub-church here at Pongumood, the consecration of which was conducted last year. The MRC School and Guidance Centre are going to be constructed near to this sub-church(Kurishu pally).
The Chief Guest, Mor Theophilus was given a grand reception on behalf of the parish and the Mentally Retarded School. HG was accompanied by Mor Koorilose Markose, the Metropolitan of Thiruvananthapuram and Mor Osthathiose Benjamin Joseph. The guests were recieved by Rev.Fr.Elias George,vicar and Rev.Fr.Sam G.Varghese, the asst. vicar. The foundation stone was laid down by Archbishop of Lebanon.
After this, public meeting was held with
Metropolitan Mor Koorilose Markose presiding. The meeting was attended by
Prof.J.Chandra, the Mayor of Thiruvananthapuram, Mr.K.Mohan Kumar MLA of the
constituency, Councillor Padmakumar, Mr.Vijayakumar ex-Speaker and Dr.D.Babu
Paul, Retd. Addl. Chief Secretary. The meeting was attended by an august
gathering.
After the meeting, Archbishop proceeded to St:Peters Simhasana church. HG
chanted the 'Luthiniya' with burning incense infront of the altar. After the
luthiniya, HG talked with the correspondent reminiscing the last visit he made
to the church. HG was here with Patriarch HH Zakka I Iwas during the
consecration of the church way back in 1982.This is his third visit ,the second
visit being in 1986.Currently HG is the Secretary to Holy Synod. Earlier HG was
the Patriarchal Secretary. Also HG holds the charge of the diocese of Mount
Lebanon. He is one among the four Syrian Bishops in Lebanon. When enquired
about the Patriarch, HG told that H.H asked him to convey H.H's special regards
to all people in Malankara. HG has very high opinion about Kerala and the
faithful over here. HG said he loves Malankara like anything and that it is a
statement deep down from his heart. When asked about his next visit, HG told
that if God allows definitely he will come again.
{Reports and Photos by Dr.Paul Samuel,
St:Peter's Jacobite Syrian Simhasana Church, Thiruvananthapuram}
Mor Theophilus George Sleeba ,the Archbishop of Mount Lebanon
Blessing the Stone for the
MRC School and Hospital Guidance Centre at Pongamood, Thiruvananthapuram.
 |
Luthiniya at Pongumood
 |
{Reports and Photos by Dr.Paul Samuel,
St:Peter's Jacobite Syrian Simhasana Church, Thiruvananthapuram}