Centenary celebrations of the Establishment of Catholicate in India Started.

Indian Orthodox Church

21 Dec 2009 has been converted as a day of historic importance and a glorious day for the Holy Church for many reasons. First of all it was the martyrdom day of the Patron Saint of the Church as well as the nation (the actual St. Thomas Day) and it was observed in almost all churches and especially at St. Mary’s Orthodox Valiya Palli, Niranam, which was originally established by St. Thomas in AD 54. The core Committee of the centenary celebrations decided to start the celebrations with the releasing of the Logo of the celebrations and it was held at the same place of great significance and importance. The Holy Episcopal synod approved the suggestion to have con-celebration in the Holy Church and granted permission to have a con-celebration in connection with the Logo releasing and the 1958th anniversary of the Christian Church in India. In 1912, if God allows, we will celebrate the 1960th anniversary of our Church and the valedictory functions of the centenary celebrations.

From the dawn on 21st Dec, faithful were flowing literally to Niranam from different parts of Kerala. By 7.15 am, 100 priests (Including Rambans, Cor-Episcopas and priests) moved to the Church in line, wearing the full colorful vestments from the nearby building, outside the Church compound, receiving the Metropolitans. Altar assistants, Deacons and other priests moved in line ahead of the co-celebrants. The faithful stood in lines on both sides of the passage to receive blessings from the celebrants and co-celebrants. H.B. Paulos Mar Militios, Catholicate Designate, H.G. Thomas Mar Athanasius, Metropolitan of Chengannur and Chairman of the centenary celebrations committee, H.G. Dr. Youhanon Mar Chrisostomos, Metropolitan of Niranam moved just behind the procession blessing the faithful on both the sides of the passage. Each co-celebrant was briefed where he had to stand in the Church. The Holy Eucharist was co-celebrated by the three Metropolitans. All the co-celebrants stood watching and meditating the liturgy (Thaksa) in their hands. They were informed about the liturgy selected and used by the chief celebrant.

Immediately after the Holy Eucharist, the meeting started inside the Church. The gathering was welcomed by H.G. Dr. Youhanon Mar Chrisostomos, Metropolitan of Niranam Diocese. In the presidential address, His Beatitude said: “the roots of Indian Orthodox church will never get perished. The Holy Church had been vigil during the days of frustrations in the past, in prayer, meditation and in added devotion. H.B hopefully added that the unending blessings of God Almighty would still empower the faithful of the Holy Church to overcome the tensions and obstacles. Justice Benjamin Koshy delivered the key note felicitation. The Logo covered in satin cloth, placed over the Catholicate flag on top of a golden place was carried by Rev. Fr. Varghese George, (Vicar Niranam Church) and accompanied by two priests in full vestments. They came into the Church from the main door on the western side and came forward ceremoniously and handed over the Logo to His Beatitude. The Holy Father released the Logo and handed over to H.G. Thomas Mar Athanasius Metropolitan. H.G. Mar Athanasius spoke about the details of the plans chalked out by the Core Committee of celebrations and requested one and all to co-operate with the programs harmoniously. H.G. expressed happiness and satisfaction for obtaining the glorious and blessed land of Niranam to start with the centenary celebrations on the martyrdom day of our Patron Saint. His Beatitude Mar Militios Thirumeni opened the web site of the Celebrations www.ccc,mosc.in and exhorted the blessed children of the Holy Church, across the globe to make use of the website meaningfully.

Rev. Fr. Kurian Daniel, Rev. Fr. Varghese George (Vicar Niranam church) and Jose Kurian Puliyeril spoke on the occasion. Dr. George Joseph (Malankara Association Secretary) mentioned that our program “house for all’ is in full swing in various Dioceses across Kerala and the housewarming of at least two houses are taking place every week in any one of the Dioceses. He proposed vote of thanks. When the celebrations committee longed to have a logo of its own, decided to invite designs from our own members and hence advertisements were published in the Church periodicals and Web media. And 16 participants from across the globe sent 34 different designs and the committee selected a design and decided the designer as the winner of the logo designing competition. A gold coin with the picture of St. Gregorios of Parumala was presented to Mr. A.V. Joseph from Chengannur, the winner of the competition in addition to the certificate signed jointly by H.G. Thomas Mar Athanasius, Metropolitan, Chairman of the celebrations Committee and H.H. Moran Mar Baselios Didimos I, Catholicose on the throne of St. Thomas in India. The similar framed certificates were presented to the ones who were present. Those who did not collect so far are earnestly requested to contact in the address given below. .

Jose Kurian Puliyeril
Secretary
Catholicate Centenary Celebrations
Committee Office.
Catholicate Palace, Devalokam,
Kottayam.
Email:cccco@mosc.in