Parumala March 4 2005:
In a matter of hours, Malankara Orthodox Church will be blessed
with four more bishops. As the elect ones will be consecrated at
Parumala Seminary and elevated directly to the rank of
Metropolitans by His Holiness Catholicos Baselius Mathews II, in
the presence of all the Metropolitans, and hundreds of clergies,
thousands of faithful at home and all over the world will watch
with fervent prayers and await to receive the new shepherds.
Augen Ramban, Dr .K J Gabriel Ramban, Dr. Yoohanon Ramban, and
Dr. Zachariah Ramban are the four elected to the new office at
Parumala Association on June 10 2004. This election was ratified
by the Holy Episcopal Synod of the church later on. After the
ratification by the Holy Synod His Holiness had send out an
encyclical vide No.23/2005 announcing the date and venue of the
consecration.
Normally the bishop elects are consecrated as Episcopos and
later on when they are assigned with a diocese, these Episcopos
will be elevated to Metropolitans. But the Holy Episcopal Synod
held on yesterday decided to consecrate them directly as
Metropolitans.
All these bishop elects are been on meditation and fasting for
so many days in preparation to the consecration.
“The new Bishops be capable of steering the church in such a
turbulent period of time”“ wished HB Catholicos designate Thomas
Mar Themothios in a message.
As the tradition goes,
these Episcopos will eventually become Metropolitans as their
appointment follows by the Sabha Managing committee.
His Grace Dr. Geevarghese Mar Osthathios exhorted the faithful
to pray for the new Bishops so that the future of the Church is
safe in their hands in a renewed vision”
In a felicitation meeting that follows the consecration at
Parumala Seminary, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will be the
chief guest. His Holiness Baselius Marthoma Mathews II will
preside over the function. Marthoma Metropolitan Dr. Chrisostem
and Archbishop Joseph Mar Powathil of the Catholic Church are
among other social, religious and cultural leaders, who
felicitate the new bishops.
“Every consecration of Bishop is a mil stone in the history of
the Church and the new Bishops as leaders have great
responsibility and mission to carry on. The growth of Church
does not necessarily mean the expansion of
boundaries but being instrument to bring out peace and happiness
to mankind at large” said in another message by His Grace Dr.
Thomas Mar Makarios.
"Elaborate arrangements have been completed for this historical
event", said Dr. Alexander Karakkal, the Sabha Secretary.
