Metropolitan Mor Aphrem Mathews Visited Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby
Syrian Orthodox Church in India – 19/12/12
DURHAM/UK: His Grace Mathews Mor Aphrem Patriarchal Vicar of the Syrian Orthodox Church in the UK paid a visit to the incumbent Archbishop of Canterbury, Bishop Justin Welby, to present his credentials. His Grace Mor Aphrem Mathews represents the Universal Syrian orthodox Church. In the UK there are more than 700 families in 24 congregations across the UK.
Mathews Mor Aphrem is in charge of the Angamally Diocese of the Jacobite Syrian Church and a professor at the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Seminary and Chairman of the Mar Athanasious Association in Kothamangalam, Kerala, India which runs Higher Educational Institutions including engineering colleges. Commenting on the visit Bishop Justin conveyed his pleasure at meeting His Grace Mathews Mor Aphrem and was looking forward to working closer together. HG said that he was delighted with his visit with Bishop Justin and was very much looking forward to working with the Church of England. Topics discussed included the ancient tradition of the Syrian Orthodox Church in India, the plight of the Syrian Christians in the Middle East and future joint working.
The meeting was attended by Fr Eldhose Vattaparambil, Mr Sajan George (Council member of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church in the UK), Dr Raju George, Mr BIkku Kuruvilla, Mr Eldhos Paul, Mr Shaan Samuel and Mr Eldhos Mathaikudy.Dr Raju George who organised the meeting said that this was a wonderful and unique opportunity for the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church to foster closer relationships with the Church of England. The meeting ending with a joint prayer by both Bishop Justin & Metropolitan.
