Four New Metropolitans To Malankara Church Consecrated Today

George Thazhakara

IOH News Service

Parumala March 5 2005: Malankara Orthodox Church is now blessed with four more Metropolitans today as the elect ones were consecrated as their new shepherds.

H. G. Dr. Gabriel Mar Gregorios, H. G. Dr. Zachariah Mar Theophilos, H. G. Augen Mar Dionysius and H. G. Dr. Yoohanon Mar Chrisostom are the four consecrated as Metropolitans at Parumala Seminary Church on Saturday March 5 2005.

The holy consecration ceremony was led the supreme head of the Church, His Holiness the Catholicos Baselius Marthoma Mathews II and assisted by the Catholicos elect H. B. Thomas Mar Thimothios, in the presence of 18 other Metropolitans, hundreds of clergies, tens of thousands of faithful at home and all over the world.

The Catholicos and other Metropolitans of the church first led the four Bishop-elects into the 'Madbaha' during the morning prayers.

After being initiated into the new ecclesiastic status by the Catholicos, the four Rambans knelt down in mediation facing the Holy Altar. In middle of the holy Eucharist, celebrated by His Holiness, the consecration ceremony began.

During the first phase, all the four Rambans sealed their divine contract affixing the signatures before the Chief celebrant His Holiness the Catholicos. The second phase saw them declared as new Metropolitans of the church. Then they were given the shepherd staff, seated in thrones attired in Metropolitan's vestments and raised three times as per custom by saying 'Oxios'.

After 'Bas''malko', H. G. Thomas Mar Athanasius, the Metropolitan of Kandanadu diocese delivered the Word of God regarding the 'good shepherd'. At 2pm the consecration ceremony came to an end.

Later, in a public meeting to felicitate the newly ordained shepherds, Chief Minister of Kerala Mr. Oommen Chandy hoped the newly ordained bishops would serve the church and society alike positively. He said this while on inaugurating the public meeting held at the Church premises immediately after the consecration ceremony.

His Holiness the Catholicos Baselius Marthoma Mathews II presided over the public meeting. Among those who offered felicitations were Dr Marthoma Metropolitan H. G. Philipose Mar Chrisostom , Catholicos-Elect of Malankara Orthodox Church H. B. Thomas Mar Thimothios, H. G. Thomas Mar Athanasios, H. G. Dr Thomas Mar Makarios, and Sabha Secretary Dr Alexander Karackal.

( Indian Orthodox Herald Release, March 5, 2005 )

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