The Syro- Malankara Church Observes 1 December 2012 as Thanksgiving Day

A meeting of Proto-Syncellus, Syncellus, and Major Superiors of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church was convened by His Grace Most Rev. Thomas Mar Koorilos, Secretary of Holy Episcopal Synod and Metropolitan Archbishop of Tiruvalla, at the Catholicate Centre, Pattom at 3 p.m. on 8 November 2012. His Excellencies Most Rev. Thomas Mar Anthonios and Most Rev. Samuel Mar Irenios participated in the meeting.

It was decided to celebrate 1 December 2012 as a Thanksgiving Day by the entire Syro-Malankara Catholic Church following the Investiture of Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos, the Father and Head of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church as Cardinal of the Holy Catholic Church by the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI on 24 November 2012 in Vatican. The venue of the thanksgiving Holy Quorbono will be St. Mary’s Auditorium, Pattom. The Holy Qurbono will start with prayers at the tomb of the Servant of God Archbishop Mar Ivanios and the other venerable prelates of the Church. The celebrants will go in procession from St. Mary’s Cathedral to the temporary Sanctuary made in the Auditorium of St. Mary’s HSS Pattom, Trivandrum. All Bishops of the Catholic Church in India and all the heads of our Non-Catholic Churches in Kerala are to be invited to this religious event. The Nuncio, the Holy Father’s representative in India, Cardinals Oswald Gracias, Telesphore Toppo and representatives from the Holy See are expected to participate. Most Rev. Mar Adrews Thazhath, President of the KCBC and Archbishop of Trichur representing the KCBC and the Syro-Malabar Church will preach the homily on the occasion.

All Bishops, Priests, Religious and the Faithful are invited to this thanksgiving Holy Qurbono and the short public meeting thereafter.

A large number of participants are expected on the Thanksgiving Day. Various Committees are formed for the smooth conduct of the celebration. Further planning for the meeting will be on Monday, 12 November 2012