Abba Seraphim greets new Catholicos

Abba Seraphim and Paulose Mar Milithios (Januray 2010)

The British Orthodox Church

31/10/2010

Abba Seraphim responded to the news by sending his congratulations to the Catholicos Designate with “warm fraternal greetings and assurance of prayers” and spoke of the great importance of the advancement and ecumenical witness of the Malankara Church for the Oriental Orthodox tradition, not only for its sister Orthodox churches but also for all Christians. During his visit to Kerala in January, Abba Seraphim and his party were warmly received by Paulose Mar Milithios at Kunnamkulam. The new Catholicos was consecrated a bishop at the age of thirty-eight and elected Catholicos-Designate in 2006.

At the relatively youthful age of sixty-four, he will bring energy and dynamism to a church which has already possesses vibrancy and vision. The former Catholicos, who abdicated on his eighty-ninth birthday, showed his deep love for the church by laying aside his high office to enable his successor to take up his responsibilities in time for the Centenary of the re-establishment of the Catholicate, which will be celebrated in 2012.

The Message

His Beatitude Paulose Mar Milithios,
Catholicos Designate,
Kottayam, Kerala.

Your Beatitude,

The joyful news of your forthcoming installation as Catholicos of the Apostolic Throne of St. Thomas and Malankara Metropolitan prompts me to send, on behalf of the clergy and people of the British Orthodox Church, warm fraternal greetings and assurance of my prayers in the fulfilment of this important ministry as you prepare to lead the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church into its second century as an autocephalous church.

The advancement and ecumenical witness of the Malankara Church for our Oriental Orthodox tradition is of great importance not only to your sister Orthodox churches but also to all Christians; and here in the United Kingdom the Malankara Church, its bishop, clergy and people is much loved and an inspiration of pastoral care and Orthodox fidelity. My recent visit to the Malankara churches in Kerala and the precious opportunity of meeting and sharing in woraship with many communities gave me a good understanding of the vibrancy and vision which provide such a powerful witness to our Orthodox faith.

We pray that Almighty God may grant Your Beatitude good health and many years to shepherd your flock.

Commending myself to Your Beatitude’s prayers.

Affectionately & fraternally in XP,

Church Secretariat,
10 Heathwood Gardens,
Charlton, London, SE7 8EP

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