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 17-27th, 2008

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   APOSTOLIC VISIT- 2008:  NEWS & PHOTOS

 

Oct.  17, 2008:   Holy Father will arrive at Kochi International Airport at 8.50 am today; Proclamation Processions ended  (Mangalam)

Oct.  16, 2008:   The Holy Father to arrive tomorrow (Mathrubhumi)

Oct.  15, 2008:   Proclamation procession given warm welcome by the Niranam diocesan Metropolitan (Mathrubhumi)

Oct.  14, 2008:   Canonisation declaration of Mor Koorilos Kochuparambil Thirumeni at Panampady Church on Friday 24th  (Mangalam)

Oct.  14, 2008:   The Holy Father will visit the Knanaya Archdiocesan headquarters on 23rd  (Mangalam)

Oct.  12, 2008:   Apostolic Visit:  Maharaja of Travancore inaugurated the Proclamation procession from Thiruvanathapuram

Oct.  12, 2008:   Apostolic Visit:  Proclamation procession led by the Youth Association begins from Malabar Diocese (Malayala Manorma)  

Oct . 11, 2008:   Elaborate arrangements for Patriarch Visit  (The New Indian Express)

Oct.  11, 2008:   Patriarch arriving next week (The Hindu)

Oct.    7, 2008:   Holy Patriarch's Kerala Visit begins on 17th (Malayala Manorma)

Oct.    4, 2008:   Syrian Christian Association on October 25th- Schedule of programs given  (Mangalam Translation)

Oct.    3, 2008:   Proclamation processions starts on October 11th

Oct.    2, 2008:   Kottayam diocese getting prepared for the Apostolic Visit (Mathrubhumi)

Sep.  28, 2008:   Patriarch of Antioch to visit Pathanamthitta (The Hindu)

Sep.  26, 2008:   Central Office of the Publicity & Reception Committees inaugurated

Sep . 09, 2008:   Apostolic Visit of the Holy Father begins on October 17th

 

 

 

 


HOLY FATHER WILL ARRIVE AT KOCHI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AT 8.50 AM TODAY: PROCLAMATION PROCESSIONS ENDED

(Matngalam, October 17, 2008)

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HOLY FATHER TO ARRIVE IN MALANKARA TOMORROW

(Mathrubhumi, October 16, 2008)

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PROCLAMATION PROCESSION WITH THE PORTRAIT OF THE HOLY FATHER REACHED KOTTAYAM

(Mathrubhumi, October 15, 2008)

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CANONISATION DECLARATION OF  MOR KOORILOS PAULOSE KOCHUPARAMBIL AT PANAMPADY CHURCH ON 24TH  

(Mangalam, October 14, 2008)

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THE HOLY FATHER WILL VISIT KNANAYA ARCHDIOCESAN HEADQUARTERS AT CHINGAVANAM ON 23RD

(Mangalam, October 14, 2008)

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MAHARAJA OF TRAVANCORE INAUGURATED THE PROCLAMATION PROCESSION FROM THE STATE CAPITAL

THRIVANATHAPURAM, Sunday, October 12:    In the presence of an august gathering, the Patriarchal Proclamation procession was inaugurated at St.Peters Jacobite Syrian Simhasana Cathedral Thiruvanathapuram. The Maharaja of Travancore Royal Family, His Highness Sree Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma Raja inaugurated the ceremony and handed over the picture of His Holiness the Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas to the procession leaders. H.G. Mor Athanasius Elias presided the meeting. The procession was flagged off by Mayor of Thiruvanathapuram city, Sri .C. Jayan Babu. Meeting was welcomed by Dr. D. Babu Paul IAS and felicitated by Sri. V. Sivankutty MLA. As a token of gratitude, a memento with the pictures of HH Patriarch and HB Catholicos along with the Patriarchal logo and the logo of Travancore Royal Family engraved was presented to Maharaja. The meeting was attended by Vicar Rev. Fr. George Elluvila, Rev. Dn. Dr. Paul Samuel, Rev.Dn. Reji, Rev. Dn. Bennet, Chev. Dr. C A Ninan, Chev. Koshy M George, Chev. K J Varkey, Chev. K O Mathew, Mr. Mathew K (Parish Trustee) and Mr. Reji Abraham (Parish Secretary). 

The procession from the capital city to Puthencurizu is arranged under the auspices of 'Anthiokya Viswasa Samrakshna Samithi'. The captain for this procession is Chev. K O Mathew. 

The procession had its first halt at St .Ignatius Knanaya Church, Pattoor where a rousing reception was given to it by the faithful under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Joseph (vicar). 

The next halt was at St. Mary’s Jacobite Syrian Church Pongumoodu, TVM and the faithful received the procession in a grand manner. Fireworks accompanied the reception proclaiming the arrival. Rev. Fr. Abraham Kattathara and Trustee Mr. M.V. Samuel led the reception function. 

The procession is heading to Kollam diocese today and the next halt will be Vilavoorkonam in the NH -47. About 100 cars along with about 20 two wheelers are accompanying the procession. 

 

 

 

 

 

More Photos of the inaugural ceremony of the Proclamation

procession from the Sate Capital:

 http://www.SyrianChurch.org/ApostolicVisit2008/PPOct12/index.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos courtesy: 

Gary Kurien Paul & Sarun Mani
 

 

 

 

 

APOSTOLIC VISIT:  PROCLAMATION PROCESSION LED BY YOUTH ASSOCIATION BEGINS FROM MALABAR DIOCESE

(Malayala Manorama, October 12, 2008)

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ELABORATE ARRANGEMENTS FOR PATRIARCH VISIT

(The New Indian Express, October 11, 2008)

Express News Service, Kottayam, October 10:    ELABORATE arrangements have been finalized for the two-day visit of Patriarch Ignatius Zakka –I Iwas of Antioch in the town and around, falling on October 23 and 24 in the course of his twelve-day visit to the state from October 17 as a guest of the state government. 

One of the important programmes in his itinerary here will be the declaration and canonization of the late Paulose Mar Koorilose as a saint, said Jacobite Church Episcopal Synod secretary Joseph Mar Gregorios, Kottayam diocesan bishop Thomas Mar Theemotheos and publicity committee chairman and Highrange bishop Mathews Mar Aphrem at a news conference here. The mortal remains of the late Mar Koorilose is interred in the famous Panampady St. Mary’s shrine, near here.

Paulose Mar Koorilose is among the three bishops whom the Patriarch will declare as saints during his forthcoming visit to the state. He is the third among the native bishops of the Jacobite Church who have been clubbed in the category of saints. 

The patriarch will declare Sakralla Mor Baselios and Yuyakkim Mor Koorilose, the late bishops of foreign origin and interred in the Kandanad and Mulamthuruthy churches respectively, in functions slated to be held ahead of his visit to the Kottayam belt. 

The functions including conferring of sainthood is apart from the main event of celebrations of the golden jubilee of priesthood of Baselios Thomas I, supremo of the Jacobite Church in India, which will be held on October 19 evening at Marine Drive, Kochi. 

Various scheduled programmes of the Patriarch in the Kottayam area includes consecration of Puthupally Patriarch centre and Kavumbhagam chapel, visit to the Kumarakom Aattamangalam Church, Knanaya archeparchy at Chingavanam and St. Mary’s Cathedral at Pathanamthitta and participation in a cultural meet at Manarcaud St. Mary’s Cathedral.

 

 

 

 

 

PATRIARCH ARRIVING NEXT WEEK

 (The Hindu, Oct 12, 2008)

Staff Reporter, The Hindu

KOTTAYAM: The Patriarch of Antioch, Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka Ivas I, will visit his flock in Kottayam district on October 24.

The pontiff will arrive in Kochi on October 17. Speaking to media persons, secretary of the synod of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church, Joseph Mar Gregorios, said the Patriarchal visit will be historic importance as Patriarch Zakka Ivas I is the first to visit Kerala four times.

Top on the agenda of his visit to Kottayam will be the canonisation of the late Metropolitan Paulos Mor Koorilose whose mortal remains are entombed at the Panambadi Church near here. Following the canonisation ceremony he will visit the Attamangalam Church.

The Patriarch will be accorded a civic reception at the Central junction in the town. Kottayam Municipal chairperson Reeba Varkey, K. Suresh Kurup, MP, V.N. Vasavan, MLA, and others will receive the pontiff.  He will also dedicate the Patriarchal centre at Puthuppally on that day. The Patriarch will then move to St. Mary’s Cathedral Manarcadu for a civic reception. He will be received by the leaders of the Knanaya Jacobite Archdiocese when the Patriarch reaches the headquarters of the Knanaya Jacobite church at Chingavanom in the evening.

On Wednesday, 19 October, the Patriarch will preside over the Episcopal Golden Jubilee celebrations of Moran Mor Baselius Thomas I, Catholicos and head of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church, scheduled to be held at the Marine Drive in Kochi.

Patriarch Zakka Ivas I, who will stay at the Patriarchal Centre at Puthenkurisu during his visit, will also participate in the conference of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Christian Association, the meetings of the church managing committee, church working committee, Sunday School samajom and Vanitha samajoms during his stay. The Patriarch will also pay visits to the tombs of the late Patriarch Elias III at Manjanikkara and the late Catholicos Baselius Paulos II at Malekkurissu during his visit.

The Patriarch will be a State guest. Head of the diocese of Kottayam, Thomas Mor Themotheos Metropolitan, head of the High Range Diocese, Mathews Mor Aprem and other church leaders participated in the press conference.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/11/stories/2008101152880300.htm

 

 

 

 

 

HOLY PATRIARCH'S KERALA VISIT BEGINS ON 17TH - MALAYALA MANORMA REPORT

 (Malayala Manorama, Oct 7, 2008)

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'SYRIAN CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION'  ON OCTOBER 25th 

 

Kochi, October 24, 2008:  At the forthcoming 'Jacobite Syrian Christian Association' meet at Kothamangalam on 25th of this month,  His Holiness Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, the prince Patriarch & the Supreme head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch & all the East, who is also the Chief Patron of the Association, will preside. The arrangements for the Malankara Association has already been started.

The Program committee is presently in the process of chalking out the schedules and other details  of the 4th Apostolic Visit of the Holy father.  As per the latest information, His Holiness will arrive at Kochi International Airport (Nedumbasserry) at 9.20 AM on October 17th and will be received to the Church headquarters at Puthencuriz near Kochi, by His Beatitude the Catholicos, the regional head of the Syriac Church of India,  the Metropolitans and other office bearers of the Church.

On October 19th at 4 pm, His Holiness will inaugurate the grand public function to be held at the Marine Drive grounds in Kochi, marking  the end of the year-long Sacerdotal Golden Jubilee celebrations of His Beatitude Catholicos Baselios Thomas I.  Eminent personalities from different walks of life are expected to participate in that function.

On October 22, a special meeting of the Managing Committee and Working Committee will be convened at the Patriarchal centre, the Church headquarters in Puthencuriz, under the president ship of His Holiness.

On October 23, His Holiness will offer prayers at the tomb of his predecessor, Saint Ignatius Elias III at the Mor Ignatius Dayro, Manjinikkara. Later the Holy father will visit the St. Mary's Cathedral  in Pathanamthitta, which is the main church of the Thumpamon diocese. From here His Holiness will proceed to Kavumbagam near Thiruvalla to consecrate a new Syrian Orthodox Church there.

October 24th 2008 will be an important day for the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Christians when the Patriarch is expected to formally announce the beatification of Mor Koorilose Paulose Kochuparambil, the former Malankara Metropolitan and head of the Malankara Syrian Church. The declaration will be held at the Panampady St. Mary's Church near Kottayam, where the late Metropolitan is entombed.  Another major program of His Holiness for the day is the consecration of the newly built Church of the Syrian Orthodox Christians at Puthuppally.  His Holiness will also visit the 200 year-old Attamangalam Church at Kumarakom on the same day. The evening will be spend at the famous Marian Pilgrim Centre, the St. Mary's Cathedral, Manarcaud. This will be the third visit of His Holiness to this parish which has been declared a Cathedral by the holy father in 2004.  Way back in 1982, it was in this 1000 year-old church that the Patriarch Mor Ignatius Zakka I consecrated the Holy Moroon, which was His Holiness' first Moroon consecration in India and the third Moroon consecration ceremony ever held  by any Church head in the Indian soil.

The very next day on October 25, the Holy father will visit the 'Mor Athanasius College' at Kothamangalam which is one of the oldest higher education centers of the Church and also the St. Gregorios Dental College at Chelad near Kothamangalam.

On October 26, His Holiness will participate in the combined meeting of all the spiritual organizations of the Church at the Church headquarters in Puthencuriz and will also visit the sacred tomb of late lamented Catholicos of the East,  Aboon Mor Baselios Paulos II at Malecuriz Dayro.

During this Apostolic visit, His Holiness will also conduct the Moroon consecration of the St. Athanasius Cathedral at Puthencuriz. On October 27th, the holy father will return. 

Program details from Mangalam daily:

http://mangalam.com/index.php?page=detail&nid=80861

 

 

 

 

 

APOSTOLIC VISIT:   PROCLAMATION PROCESSIONS BEGINS ON OCTOBER 11TH

 

The traditional 'Proclamation Procession' proclaiming the forthcoming Apostolic visit of His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, the Prince Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, to India, will be flagged off from Meenagadi in Malabar diocese on Saturday the 11th October 2008 under the leadership of 'Youth Association',  from Thiruvanathapuram on Sunday the 12th October under the leadership of 'Viswasa Samrakshana Samithi' and from Kattappana in Idukki diocese on Monday the 13th October under the leadership of 'Sunday School Association'.  All these processions, after passing through as many churches as possible, will converge at the Church headquarters at Puthencuriz on Thursday 16th October 2008 and will then proceed to Marine drive grounds in Kochi where the Patriarchal flag will be hoisted prior to the grand public meeting to be held there on October 19th.  The proclamation processions that starts from Thiruvanathapuram, Meengadi, and Kattapana will be led by Metropolitans Their Eminences Mor Athanasius Elias, Mor Irenious Paulose, Mor Clemis Kuriakose respectively. 

 

The details of the program can be accessed from here:   

http://www.SyrianChurch.org/ApostolicVisit2008/ProclamationProc2008.pdf

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KOTTAYAM DIOCESE GETTING PREPARED FOR THE APOSTOLIC VISIT

 (Mathrubhumi, Oct 2, 2008)

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PATRIARCH OF ANTIOCH TO VISIT PATHANAMTHITTA

 (The Hindu, Sep 28, 2008)

Jubilee celebrations of Catholicos Baselius Thomas-I

Pathanamthitta: The Patriarch of Antioch and the head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church, Ignatius Zakka-I Ivas, will visit the Manjanikkara Diara and the tomb of St. Elias-III at the adjoining Diara Church in the last quarter of October, reception committee office-bearers have said. The reception committee meet chaired by Youhanon Mar Milithios Metropolitan at Manjanikkara, near here, on Friday chalked out arrangements for a ceremonious reception to the patriarch. The meeting nominated Fr. Mathew Philip (Niranom), Jose Panachackal and Binu Vazhamuttom (Thumpamon) and Zacharia Mathew (Kollam) to the central reception committee.

The patriarch will participate in the Episcopal jubilee celebrations of Catholicos Baselius Thomas-I at Ernakulam on October 19. Though the date of the patriarchal visit to the district is yet to be finalised, the organisers said he is likely to reach Manjanikkara on October 24 or 25.

The Syrian Orthodox Church head will also participate in the consecration of St. George Syrian Jacobite Church at Kavumbhagom, near Thiruvalla. Mar Milithios said this was the patriarch’s fourth visit to the State. He said believers from the Kollam, Niranom and Thumpamon dioceses will attend the Episcopal jubilee celebrations of Catholicos Baselius Thomas-I.

Special arrangements for transportation of the faithful to Ernakulam on October 19 will also be made from different parishes in the district. Mar Milithios said the patriarch would also visit St. Mary’s Cathedral in Pathanamthitta, besides offering prayers at the tomb of St Elias-III, the one and only Syrian Patriarch entombed in the State, in 1932.  Mathews Mar Theodosius Metropolitan, Mathews Mar Aprem Metropolitan and church managing committee members, M.A. Paulose, Biby Abraham and Aji Jacob also attended the meeting.

       http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/28/stories/2008092852430300.htm

 

 

 

 

 

CENTRAL OFFICE OF THE PUBLICITY COMMITTEE INAUGURATED

Puthencuriz, Sep 26, 2008:  At a special function held at the Malankara Syrian Church Headquarters at Puthencuriz today, the central reception committee office for the forthcoming Patriarchal visit was inaugurated by Catholicos Aboon Mor Baselios Thomas I, lighting the traditional Kerala lamp. The metropolitans H.E. Mor Aphrem Mathews, the coordinator and head of the reception and publicity committee, and H.E. Mor Athanasius Elias who is authorized to lead the proclamation procession, too had joined the Catholicos while lighting the lamp, marking the inauguration of the central office.  

Very Rev. Kuriakose Corepiscopa Moolayil, Rev. Fr. Varghese Kallapara,  George Mathew Thekkethalakal, the lay trustee, Thambu George Thukalan, Church Secretary, Prof M A Paulose, the publicity committee chief, Chev. Bibby Abraham, regional coordinator, and other members of the central committee were also present.

The concerned diocesan level meetings has already begun in the respective diocesan headquarters and is expected to be completed by this month end.  The Proclamation procession, pronouncing the 4th Apostolic visit of the Holy Father, will begin from Thiruvnathapuram, the State Capital and will conclude at the Church headquarters at Puthencuriz by the second week of October.  A similar procession will also start from the other three corners of the State, Idukki diocese, Malabar diocese, all of which will culminate at Puthencuriz on the same day.

 

 

 

 

 

APOSTOLIC VISIT OF THE HOLY FATHER BEGINS ON OCTOBER 17

 

      Church fathers to be canonized

      Golden Jubilee of the sacerdotal ordination of Catholicos on October 19th

 

Cochin, September 9: The Supreme head of the Universal Syrian Church and the Patriarch of the Apostolic see of Antioch & all the East, His Holiness Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, is to visit India in the second week of October 2008 to attend the concluding function of the sacerdotal Golden jubilee celebrations of the regional head of the Church in India, His Beatitude the Catholicos Aboon Mor Baselios Thomas I.  As per the program schedule finalized by the Malankara Episcopal Synod, His Holiness is expected to reach Cochin International Airport on October 17 and will proceed to the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church headquarters at Puthencuriz. The Holy father will be accorded the status of State Guest by the honourable Government of Kerala. This will be His Holiness’ fourth apostolic visit to India, the last visit being in 2004.

 

One of the main programs of  His Holiness will be the official announcement regarding the canonization of three fathers of Syriac Orthodox Church; Maphryono Mor Baselios Shakralla (AD 1764, Kandanad), Mor Coorilos Yuyakkim, the Patrirachal delegate (AD 1874, Mulanthuruthy) and Mor Coorilos Paulose Kochuparamabil, the former Malankara Metropolitan and the regional head of the Church in India (AD 1917, Panampady).  

 

Church fathers to be canonized during H.H's Apostolic Visit

MAPHRYONO

MOR BASELIOS SHAKRALLA

AD 1764, Kandanad

SACRED TOMB OF

MOR COORILOS YUYAKKIM

AD 1874, Mulanthuruthy

MALANKARA METROPOLITAN

MOR COORILOS PAULOSE

AD 1917, Panampady

 

On Sunday 19th October, the Sacredotal Golden jubilee function of His Beatitude the Catholicos will be held at Marine Drive grounds in Cochin. His Holiness will Chair the jubilee function. Besides the representatives of the State Government, the heads of the Episcopal Churches in India and the other communities will be invited for the function. A 501-member committee has been chosen by the Malankara Association for making preparations for the grand jubilee function. The Episcopal Synod Secretary and Metropolitan of Kochi diocese, His Grace Mor Gregorios Joseph is the Chairman of the committee. 

 

The Malankara Episcopal Synod and a meeting of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Association will be convened under the president-ship of His Holiness during this apostolic visit. After attending a few more programs in Kerala, His Holiness will proceed to Banglore and will leave for Damascus on October 27th. Hectic preparations has already been started in Malankara to welcome the supreme head of the Universal Syrian Christian community.

 

News from dailies:

      Malayala Manorma

      Mathrubhumi: 1....   2....

 

 

 


 

@ MSCR  -  Malankara Syriac Christian Resources

http://SyriacChristianity.org

Email:  johnphilipsk@gmail.com