NEDUMBASSERY: Amid hundreds of priests and faithful, hailing ‘Oxios’, Elias Mar Athnasios was lifted with his chair thrice, acknowledging him as the Metropolitan, in connection with the ‘Sunthroniso’ ceremony held at the Mar Sabore and Afroath church in Akaparambu on Sunday evening.

The holy patriarch Ignatios Zaka I appointed Mar Athanasios as the president of Viswasa Samrakshana Samithi, vicar-gerneral of Pathriarca Cathedral in Puthencruz and to assist the Catholicos Thomas I.

The ‘kalpana’ to commence the ceremony was read by Synod secretary Metropolitan Joseph Mar Gregorios.

Catholicos Thomas I was the chief celebrant. Metropolitans Joseph Mar Gregorios and Markose Mar Chrisostamos were the cocelebrants.

Catholicos Baselios Thomas I offered felicitation to Mar Athanasios on Monday.

Minister S Sarma inaugurated the felicitation meeting. Metropolitans Joseph Mar Gregorios and Markose Mar Chrisostamos, Fr Varghese Kallapara, Fr Poulose Arackappara, Poovanthara Mathai Cor Episcopa, Shibu Thekkumpuram and C.Y. Varghese offered felicitations.