In a spiritually significant ceremony, the Chandanappally St. George Malankara Syrian Catholic Pilgrimage Church became the reverent home for the sacred relics of St. George, known affectionately as Mor Geevarghese Sahada. The custodial handover of the relics was conducted with solemn grace, with His Excellency Bishop Dr. Samuel Mar Irenios of the Pathanamthitta Ecclesiastical District receiving them from the venerable Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Almaty of the Russian Orthodox Church, under the watchful presence of His Eminence Archbishop Dr. George Panamthundil, the Apostolic Nuncio in Kazakhstan.
This historic event was not merely a transaction of sacred items but a testament to the ecumenical spirit shared between the Christian East and West. The relics, once housed within the spiritual confines of the Russian Orthodox Church in Kazakhstan, have traversed nations and denominational lines to be enshrined in Kerala, further enriching the region’s tapestry of devotion.
Coinciding with the feast of St. George, the celebrations began with a vibrant procession heralding the installation of St. George’s iconography within the church. Pilgrims and devotees gathered in large numbers, a resounding affirmation of their shared veneration for the warrior saint known for his legendary triumphs and unwavering faith.
The highlight of the day was the sanctified Divine Liturgy presided over by the esteemed Bishop Dr. Vincent Mar Paulos of Marthandom. Amid the rhythm of sacred hymns and the community’s heartfelt prayers, the liturgy was both a spiritual feast and an invitation for divine intercession.
The annual festival kicked off with the ceremonial flag hoisting, adding to the reverential atmosphere. The newly dedicated flagpole, generously offered by Smt. Radhamma from Kudamukku, was carried forth in a procession embellished with ornate umbrellas, rhythmic bands, and fluttering papal flags, culminating in a heartfelt dedication at the St. George Shrine.
As the flag was hoisted by Vicar Rev. Fr. Benny Narakathinal, the air was thick with devotion, and the skies bore witness to the faith of the gathered faithful, clergy, and religious sisters. The flag hoisting was more than a mere ritual; it was a proclamation of faith and unity.
The festival’s inauguration and subsequent family gathering underscored the church’s role as a centre of not just spiritual nourishment but also community bonding. Rev. Fr. Joseph Puthenpurayil OFM CAP led an engaging session, leaving the congregants with renewed spiritual vigour and familial bonds strengthened.
As the community in Chandanappally joyously embarked on the feast days, their spirits were buoyed by the presence of the holy relics of St. George. They stand as a symbol of the victory of faith over tribulation, of valour over fear, echoing the timeless call for sanctity and courage in the lives of the modern faithful.
This sacred reception of St. George’s relics into the Chandanappally Church’s embrace marks a momentous chapter in the life of the Malankara Syrian Catholic Church. It reaffirms the deep cultural and devotional threads that weave the fabric of the Syro-Malankara Catholic community, both in Kerala and beyond.
In the joyful spirit of their patron saint, the Chandanappally faithful look to the future, invoking St. George’s intercession, ‘Mor Geevarghese Sahada, pray for us’, as they continue their pilgrimage of faith, bolstered by the grace of their heavenly protector.
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