Indian Orthodox Church Commemorates the 107th Dukrono of Saint Gregorios of Parumala

St Gregory of India- The First Canonized Indian Saint

India-Kerala State-PARUMALA: Commemorating the 107th Dukrono of Saint Gregorios of Parumala, which is widely known as Parumala Perunnal, began with the kodiyettu ceremony on Monday October 26, 2009. Catholicose elect Paulose Mar Milithios, Metropolitan Geevarghese Mar Osthathios and Dr. Yuhanon Mar Chrysostomos, conducted the kodiyettu ceremony at 3 different locations of the Seminary at 2 p.m. on Monday.

The Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan, Baselios Marthoma Didymos I, inaugurated the week-long annual pilgrimage to the tomb of St Gregorios at a meeting at 3 p.m. on Monday.

A 144-hour continuous prayer session also began under the auspices of the Malankara Orthodox Youth Movement, later, at 5 p.m.

Various pilgrimage processions would be accorded a warm reception at Parumala at 9.30 a.m. on October 30. A meeting to commemorate the death centenary of Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysius, founder of Parumala Seminary, will be held, later, at 11 a.m.

Believers from different parts of the State and abroad will reach Parumala in separate processions to seek intercessory prayers of the saint at the Saint’s tomb on November 1 and 2. Hundreds of thousands of faithful will attend the week long Perunnal.

The annual Perunnal and pilgrim week will conclude with the customary Rasa, at 2 p.m. on November 2, 2009.

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