25-January-2007
Mangalam dt. 25th Jan 2007
New Indian Express dt. 25th Jan 2007
Talks fail, 'orma
perunnal' on Thursday
and Friday
ALUVA: The ‘orma
perunnal,’ to commemorate the metropolitans who were interred in the tombs
attached to Thrikkunnath Church, will be celebrated by Jacobite and Orthodox
Churches separately on Thursday and Friday.
The efforts of the government to solve the ongoing dispute between the churches,
regarding the worship at the Thrikkunnath Church, were in vain as the Orthodox
Church representatives reportedly took an adamant stand by rejecting the
proposal to open the church for worship at different time during the feast.
The talks led by the District Collector was attended by the representatives of
both factions on Wednesday. But the meeting failed to reach a consensus.
Meanwhile, the police have tightened the security on the church premises on
Wednesday in the wake of the demand of the Jacobite Church to allow Catholicos
Thomas I and newly-consecrated Bishop Elias Mar Athanasios to offer rites at the
Thrikkunnath Church, .
The police team visited the church premises and supervised the arrangements.
More force will be deployed from Thursday.
Catholicos Thomas I who visited the study centre on Wednesday said that some top
officers in the district administration and the Police Department were behind
toppling the effort of the government in solving the issue.
The Thrikkunnath Seminary Church legally belonged to Jacobite Church, he said.
We won’t give up our demand for the Thrikkunnath Church, the Catholicos said.
Orthodox Church general convenor E K Joseph, Alamppilly, said that the
celebrations of ‘orma perunnal’ would be held as scheduled. A prayer meeting
will be inaugurated by the Catholicos designate Poulose Mar Milithios at 2 pm.
A reception will be accorded to the pilgrims in front of the municipal office at
5.30 pm. The ‘orma perunnal’ will conclude on Friday.
The feast at Thrikkunnath Church will be celebrated by Jacobite and Orthodox
Churches separately.