Orthodox Metropolitan’s hold personal talks with Dr Modi, assures all help for Ahmedabad Diocese

Indian Malankara Orthodox Church
Liju Cherian- February 2014

KOCHI, Kerala — It was the maiden meeting between Gujarat Chief Minster Dr Narendra Modi and Ahmedabad Diocese Indian Orthodox Metropolitan HG Pulikkottil Dr Geevarghese Mar Yulios at the Kochi government guest house yesterday.
The cordial ‘personal’ meeting with the country’s future prime minister lasted 30 minutes but both the senior Metropolitans emerged satisfied after the talks and faced waiting media men with smiling faces.

Senior Malankara Orthodox Metropolitan and Chengannur Diocese Bishop HG Mar Athananious was the architect who initiated the meeting with the Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP’s prime ministerial candidate during his short visit to Kerala.

The meeting was in a way a coup of sorts for the Indian Malankara Orthodox since the Catholic and Jacobite groups pulled out from the scheduled meeting with Modi. Ever since the date of Modi’s visit was announced, there was speculation about Christian bishops from various denominations calling on him, as desired by the Gujarat chief minister. But barring Mar Athananious and Dr Mar Yulios from the Indian Orthodox, no one else turned up to meet Dr Modi.

Said a beaming Dr Mar Yulios after the meeting: “The high profile meeting was cordial, personal and went on very well and was held in a friendly manner. We spoke mainly about the development of Gujarat and wished him the best in his efforts towards the forthcoming elections.

The meeting with the fire brand BJP leader who revolutionised state of Gujarat was held before the Kochi rally after which he left for Thiruvananthapuram.

A thoroughly satisfied Dr Mar Yulios remarked that Dr Narendra Modi had invited him to Gandhinagar, the Gujarat capital, for further talks for which the Metropolitan mentioned that it could even be New Delhi since the prime ministerial designate for the BJP has high hopes of becoming the prime minister and lead the country after the general elections.

Dr Mar Yulios assured the chief minister that with the prayers and support of the Orthodox congregation it will be possible for him to climb up to his goals.

Both the senior Metropolitans honoured the BJP leader in the traditional Kerala style. They showered him with a shawl, garlanding him with a garland laced with cardamom, and presented the famous Aranmula Kannadi, and a huge brass lamp.

The meeting was also attended by Fr Abraham Koshy Kunnumpurathu from Chengannur Diocese and Kerala state BJP president V Muraleedharan.

Source:
Independent