4-July-2006
New Indian Express dt. 4-July-2006
5 METROPOLITANS CONSECRATED FOR THE SYRIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH IN INDIA
Paravur, July 3: Amid the chiming of the church bells and the choir singing the devotional song Kurie Layson (have mercy on us), Catholicos Baselios Thomas I consecrated five Metropolitans at St. Thomas Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church here on Monday.
Ramban Meecah (Fr. Mathew P George) has given the name Mathews Mor Thevodosius and will take charge of Kollam diocese. Ramban Nahum (Fr. James Chitteth) who has been named Mathews Mor Aphrem, will assume charge of Metropolitan of High range Diocese. Ramban Haggai (Fr. Ekby Chacko), who will take charge of Delhi diocese of Greater India Outside Kerala, has changed his name to Pathros Mor Osthatheos. Ramban Malaki (Fr. Kuriakose George) will take charge of Thrissur Diocese, and has choosen the name Kuriakose Mor Eusebios. Ramban Samuel (Fr. George Mathew Nalunnakkal) will be known as Geevarghese Mor Coorilose and will be in charge of Niranam Diocese.
Metropolitans Joseph Mor Gregorios, Thomas Mor Thimotheos, Yuahnon Mor Philexenos, Kuriakose Mor Theophilos, Kuriakose Mor Severios, Kuriakos Mor Yulius, Mathews Mor Ivanios, Geevarghese Mor Dionysius and Yuhanon Mor Militheos were the co-celebrants at the consecration ceremony.
Kozhiparambath Elias Ramban, CorEspiscopas Adai Jacob, Kuriakose Moolayil, Paulose Parathuvayalil, Mathai Poonvanthara, Thomas Tharayil, Fr. Varghese Kallappara, Fr. Kuriakose Marachery, Fisheries Minister S. Sarama, M.L.A’s V.D.Satheesan, M.M. Monayi, Saju Paul and T.U.Kurivilla, Lonappan Nambadan MP and Church official Thambu George Thukalan and George Mathew Thekkethalackal were present at the function. Hundreds of priests, nuns and thousands of faithful also took part in the ceremony. The five hour ceremony began with concelebrated holy mass at the specially erected ‘Madbho’ on the church compound at 8.30 a.m.
The Catholicos said that it was a great moment of joy and blessing of the God that the church, which is celebrating the 325th Sradha Perunnnal of St. Gregorios Abdul Jaleel Bava, became the consecration venue. The Patriarchal Bull permitting the Catholicos to consecrate five bishops says that it is a landmark occasion in the history of the Jacobite Church. Kuriakose Mor Yulius read out the Bull.
The bishop-elects wearing the sosappa were escorted to the altar from behind the madbaha. They announced their unconditional faith in Jacobite Church, Holy Patriarch Zakka I Iwas and Catholicos Thomas I and signed the canonical documents, Salmoosa, which were handed over to the Catholicos to be submitted to the Patriarch.
The Catholicos presented the newly-consecrated bishops with the Episcopal vestments, staff, cross and chain. Priests representing various dioceses lifted the bishops who were sitting on chairs, announcing ‘Oxiyos’ as a mark of respect and recognition.
The Catholicos and the metropolitans were led to the church where they conducted ‘Dhoopa prayers’ at the tomb of St. Gregorios Abdul Jaleel Bava. Tens of thousands of faithful later partook of the holy feast after the consecration ceremony.