His Holiness Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, is to visit India
2 Comments Published by georgy on Wednesday, October 1 at 10:53 PM.
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).
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.
The Orthodox Christians in India are hopeful that the Patriarch may visit the Catholicos of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.
The Orthodox Church in India is divided since 1972 as - Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church and Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church.
The relations between the two fractions in the church is not cordial.
The Patriarch of Antioch is visiting the churches with the support of the second fraction. He is supposed not to visit the leader of the other fraaction namely H.H Catholicos Baselius Didymos 1st.
The Majority of the orthodox christians are hopeful that atleast this time the Patriarch may visit and talk on the unification of the Indian church with the Catholicos.
It is to be noted that, out of the total population of India only 0.8% belongs to the Orthodox Church. Above all, the prominent churches like the Uniate Catholics and Petacosts are taking advantage of this situation.
Holiness must respect law of the land law passed by respected supreme court judgement ,appointing new leader for chruch with small change in name only adding fuel to the flame . The constution of the malankara chruch gives full respect holiness but holiness must decided we want to be spirtual leader or the boss othe chruch.
Jesus as said love our enemies but when great peoples not ready forgive what will be our futhure has christian ?