Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II to visit India : Hopes for Peace and Reconciliation between Syriac and Indian Orthodox Malankara Churches
His Holiness Ignatius Aphrem II – Patriarch of Antioch and All East on the Apostolic Throne of St Peter – Primate of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Paulose II – Catholicos of the East & Metropolitan of Malankara on the Apostolic Throne of St Thomas – Primate of the Indian Orthodox Malankara Church, His Beatitude Baselios Thomas I – Catholicos & Maphriyano -Metropolitan Trustee of the Syriac Orthodox Church in India.
Prakash Varghese (OCP Delegate of UAE, Gulf and Levant Region)
OCP News Service – 17/10/14
Beirut: Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II of Antioch and All East – primate of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church will be visiting India in 2015. The invitation by His Beatitude Abune Thomas I- Catholicos and Metropolitan Trustee of the Church in India was accepted by the Patriarch. This will be his first apostolic visit to the east after ascending to the throne of St Peter in Antioch. The plan is to make the visit during the feast days of late lamented Patriarch St. Ignatius Elias III who is buried at Manjanikkara Dayro in Kerala.
During the meeting with Abune Thomas I and the Delegation from India, the Patriarch discussed in detail the situation in Malankara and the recent developments for peace and reconciliation between two ancient churches in the Oriental Orthodox family.
The Patriarch in his message urged the Syriac Orthodox faithful in India to pray and work hard for reconciliation with Indian Orthodox Malankara Church. The primate stated that he will use all possible means to implement peace between two churches.The Primate also added that amalgamation is not the possible way for unity, rather there should be peaceful existence with mutual respect.
The visit details to India will be published later by the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate. During the Patriarchal visit, the regional Synod in India will discuss details regarding the reconciliation process.
Source:
OCP News Service
