Maronite Patriarch visits Kerala

His Beatitude Moran Mor Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, Patriarch of the Maronite Syrian Catholic Church, reached Kerala today as the guest of the state government. His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos, the Major Archbishop of Syro- Malankara Catholic Church, welcomed the Patriarch at the Trivandrum International Airport at 9 a.m. and gave a warm reception at the Major Archbishop’s House, Pattom. The Patriarch attended the press conference at 3 p.m. and after that visited Queen of Peace Basilica, Palayam and St. Mary’s Cathedral, Pattom. His Beatitude was given a grand reception at the Major Archiepiscopal Curia at 5.30 p.m.

The Patriarch will concelebrate the blessing of St. Peter’s Cathedral, Pathanamthitta on 20 September and will be the chief guest of the Reunion Day celebrations on 21 September. His Beatitude will address the Syro-Malankara Catholic Holy Episcopal Synod on the same day and will visit St. Ephrem Ecumenical Research Institute, Kottayam and St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Muvattupuzha on 22 September. His Beatitude will return from Nedumpassery Airport on 23 September.

His Beatitude Moran Mor Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, the 77th Patriarch of the Maronite Syrian Catholic Church, visits India the first time. The Centre of the Maronite Syrian Catholic Church, with 35 lakhs faithful, is in Lebanon.