Malankara Voice

20-June-2004

Thousands pay farewell to Metropolitan Benyamin Joseph Mor Osthathios

Pathanamthitta, Kerala June 19 (UNI). Thousands of faithful and people from all walks of life bade a tearful adieu to Benyamin Joseph Mar Osthathios Metropolitan, the head of 'Simhasana' churches of Jacobite Syrian Church, at Manjanikkara, near here today.

The solemn funeral service was conducted at Manjanikkara Dayara church, in which, apart from devotees, a large number of people from social, cultural and political fields took part.

The funeral service was preceded by a tri-mass, the chief celebrant of which was Catholicose Baselios Thomas I. Amid the funeral rites, a condolence meeting was also held, in which speakers paid glowing tributes to the departed Benyamin Metropolitan.

At the end of the rituals, the body of the Metropolitan was interred in a 'crypt' adjacent to the tomb of St. Mar Elias III.

Before the burial, the body of the Metropolitan in a sitting posture was raised by Bishops and Clerics towards four directions, three times, each.

The funeral was attended by Metropolitans of the Jacobite Syrian Church Yuhanon Mar Philexinos, Thomas Mar Themothios, Joseph Mar Gregorios, Yuhanon Mar Milithios, Kuriakose Mar Savarios, Geevarghese Mar Policarpus, Kuriakose Mar Theophilos, Geevarghese Mar Athanasius, Philipose Mar Chrisostem Marthoma Metropolitan, Joshua Mar Ignathios of Malankara Catholic Church and Dr Joseph Mar Coorilos of Thoziyoor Church, besides former Union Minister P C Thomas MP, UDF Convener Oommen Chandy and MLAs.