APOSTOLIC VISIT OF THE HOLY FATHER TO INDIA

APOSTOLIC VISIT of HIS HOLINESS IGNATIUS ZAKKA I IWAS,

The Patriarch of Antioch and all the East,

The Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Church

His Holiness in INDIA from October 17-29th, 2008

KOCHI, Oct. 19: Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil said here on Sunday disruptive

forces would be dealt with under the law of the land. He was delivering the key-note address as a function organised to mark the golden jubilee celebrations of the priestly ordination of Catholicos Baselios Thomas I of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church. Mr. Patil said people recognised the great service rendered by the Christian Church. It did the work of providing education and imparting fortitude to people to face the ups and downs of life.

He said India was the land of the philosophy of pluralism and Indians saw divinity in everything in the universe. While religion should unite, in some cases, it tended to divide people. These were occasions created by people who did not understand the essence of religion.

Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan who presided over the function organised inside a massive 'pandal' on Marine Drive, said religions should create harmony and not intolerance. He reminded the gathering that love was the essence of Christian calling.

Ignatius Zaka I Iwas, Patriarch of Antioch and head of the Syrian Orthodox Church, inaugurated the function. As many as 80,000 of the faithful gave a standing ovation to the Patriarch, who is on his fourth apostolic visit to India.

Before lighting the ceremonial lamp, the Patriarch said that these were times when instruments of knowledge had improved human communication and brought nations closer as never before. However, the gap between the rich and the poor was increasing, he said, and the faithful must use the resources within their reach to work for the downtrodden.

"Growing materialism and selfishness are also making people turn away from God and destroy the bonds of love," he said.

Before addressing the faithful, the Patriarch moved through the middle of tthe capacity gathering too give apostolic blessings to the people on a vehicle.

Slogans of "long live the Malankara-Antioch relation" rend the air as the Patriarch gave his blessings. The Patriarch, who profusely praised the contributions made by Cathlicoss Baselios Thomas I to the growth of the Jacobite Syrian Church, decorated him with icons and a ring as a mark of recoginition and affection.

The ministers S. Sarma, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, Mons Joseph and M.A.Baby; Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy, T.U.Kurivilla, K. Babu and K,V.Thomas, MLAs; P.C. Thomas, MP; Mayor Mercy Williams; DIstrict Collector M.Beena; Archbishop Daniel Acharauparampil of Varappuzha of the Syro-Malabara Church; and Bishop Thpomas Samuel of the Church of South India were present. Mar Joseph Gregorios , Church secretary, welcomed the gathering.