Saudi Arabian Malankara Meet

The Saudi Arabian Malankara Meet, the annual get together of the Syro- Malankara Syrian Catholic Church, Saudi Arabia was held at Catholicate Centre, Pattom on Sunday 11 August 2013. His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos inaugurated the meeting. His Beatitude exhorted, “The faith life should be built upon the strong spiritual foundation. The spiritual energy we receive through the Holy Qurbono is the main source for the faith life and communion among the faithful. We should be proud in sustaining our faith in God and in growing further in our relationship with God amongst the hardship of life and religious intolerance.”

About 300 members participated in the Annual Meet. After the inaugural session, the Holy Qurbono was celebrated at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Pattom. It was followed by the meeting, presided over by His Beatitude. The former priests-in-charge of Saudi Arabian Mission were honoured during the meeting. They shared their missionary and pastoral experience in Saudi Arabia. It was very inspiring. During the afternoon session, the couples who have completed 25 years of marriage life were felicitated. The members of the Saudi Arabian community donated their contribution to the Sacredotal Silver Jubilee Housing Project of His Beatitude Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos and handed over the donation for the monument of the Servant of God Archbishop Mar Ivanios, nearby the Tomb Chapel, which was newly constructed. Very Rev. Dr. John Padippurackal, Co-ordinator of the Syro-Malankara Catholics in Gulf Region, Rev. Fr. Shaji Makkappallil, Priest-in-charge of the Syro Malankara Catholics in Saudi Arabia, Rev. Fr. John Kampara, Rev. Fr. Joshua Kannilethu, Mr. James Palamuttam, Mr. Joy Mathew, Mr. Joseph Varghese and other representatives from Saudi Malankara Catholic Community were present and gave leadership to the Annual Meet.