Udupi: Centenary Celebration of Indian Orthodox Catholicate Held in Religious Grandeur

Pics by Snehalatha, Udupi
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 07 Nov 2012: The Brahmavar Diocese of the Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Syrian Church celebrated the Catholicate Re-establishment Centenary celebration of Indian (Malankara) Orthodx Syrian Church and commemoration of the re-establishment of Catholicate in India here at SMS Community hall on Wednesday November 7.

 

The Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Syrian Bishops were received at Udupi Karavali Junction and taken to Brahmavar in a massive vehicle rally which was followed by a Prayer Mass in the Cathedral. Later the stage programme began with a invocation, Fr Lawrence D’Souza Vicar General of St Mary’s Syrian Orthodox Cathedral Brahmavar welcomed the dignitaries and gathering. His grace Thomas Mar Athanasios Metropolitan of Chenganoor Diocease inaugurated the function by lighting the lamp.

 

In his inaugural message, Thomas Mar said that the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Catholicate being the indigenous Christian Catholicate, where St Thomas, one of the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ had spread Christianity in India. This Catholicate having a history of 1960 years, this has been carried forward till date maintaining its decorum blending with its age old practices, customs and traditions being true of its culture. The church retaining its age old practices and beliefs is a real Indian Church of the Christ, he said.

 

 

Udupi MLA Raghupathi Bhat participated as the chief guest of the function and said that all religions have right to practise their own culture. The Syrian Orthodox Church being born and  practising here is a matter of pride. More of such work of retaining Indian-nism should continue. Brahmavar and the SMS Educational Institutions being synonymous, offering good education is laudable, he said.

 

His grace Yakob Mar Elias Bishop and Metropolitan of Brahmavar Diocese readout the message of His Holiness Baselios Paulos II Supreme Head of Indian Malankara Orthodox Syrian Catholicate of East and the Malankar Metropolitan.

 

M O Johan, Church historian; MC Mathai, member of the Administrative Committee and all Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Syrian Congregational representatives from different Diocese were present on the dais.

 

H G Kuiakose Mar Clemis, Metorpolitan, Thumpamon Diocese, His Holiness Gevarghese Mar Coorilos Metropolitan of Bombay Diocese, Entrepreneur Pramod Madhwaraj also spoke on the occasion.

 

Brahmavar Diocese Secretary TM Eldo delivered the vote of thanks. Mathai and Valerian Crasta compered the programme.

 

The function was held as part of Catholicate Centenary Celebrations that are being held throughout the world and in all the Diocese of Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Syrian Church, which shall conclude on November 25, at Marine Drive Ernakulam, Kerala where a mega event is planned. Supreme Heads of Various Apostolic Churches of the world, other religious Supreme Heads and Politicians are expected to take part in the event.

 

Catholicate refers to the throne of Catholics, it is the supreme head of a church just as Patriarch or Pope. The idea behind the Catholicate or Patriarchate as the head of national independent Church was there from the early centuries and there was similar native position or authority in the Indian Church. As we say that St Peter was the first Pope of Rome, St Thomas was the first head or the Catholics of India.

 

St Thomas the Apostle, the direct disciple of Jesus Christ, came to India in 52 AD and evangelized in Kerala, and had even established 7 churches. Thus this Church traces its origin to evangelical labour of St Thomas was established in the 1st Century. This Church maintained its autonomous Character under its Regional Leaders, though it had developed connections with the Church of the East centered in Persia, by 3rd Century.