Pathanamthitta Diocese inaugurated

The senior Metropolitan of Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar Philipose Mar Chrysostum, has called upon churches in India to work together for the uplift of society as a whole.

Mar Chrysostum was inaugurating the public meeting held in connection with the inaugural ceremony of the Pathanamthitta diocese of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church at the District Stadium here on Saturday.

He said initiatives should be taken for the uplift of people in the below poverty line (BPL) category in a time-bound manner, making it a role model to the rest of the country.

Mar Chrysostum said the newly formed Syro-Malankara Catholic Church diocese and its bishop, Youhanon Mar Chrysostum, would join hands with other churches as well as like-minded people and organisations for the welfare and development of society and the region as a whole. Major Archbishop of Thiruvananthapuram Baselius Cleemis Catholicos presided over the meeting.

Minister for Public Works P.J. Joseph, Water Resources Minister N.K. Premachandran, P.J.Kurien, Rajya Sabha member, Anto Antony, MP, K.Sivadasan Nair, MLA were among those who addressed the public function.

Installation of Youhanon Mar Chrysostum as the first bishop of the Pathanamthitta diocese was held at a function at the Sacred Heart Church at Mylapra, in the afternoon. The Catholicos led the installation service.

Metropolitan Archbishop of Thiruvalla Thomas Mar Coorilos and bishops Geevarghese Mar Divannaseus, Joshua Mar Ignatheos, Geevarghese Mar Themotheos, Abraham Mar Eulios, Jacob Mar Barnabas, Joseph Mar Thomas, Vincent Mar Paulose, Samuel Mar Ireneus, Philipose Mar Stephanos and Thomas Mar Anthonios, were the co-celebrants.

The new bishop was seated on a throne and lifted three times by the priests to mark the installation.

Each time the throne was lifted, the priests chanted ‘Oxios’, a Syriac word which means ‘he is eligible’ and the entire gathering chorused ‘Oxios.’ Changanacherry Archbishop, Mar Joseph Perunthottom, delivered the benedictory speech.