Catholicos Paulose II maiden visit to St Mary’s Brahmavar - Dec 4

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Nov 13, 2015:  Spokesman of St Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Cathedral Vicar General Fr Isaac C A told the media that the Catholicos, the Supreme Head, ( similar to Pope) of Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Syrian Church, Baselios Marthoma Paulose II, is set to make his maiden visit to St Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Cathedral, Brahmavar and its chapels (also known as ’Brahmavar Konkani Orthodox Community’) from December 4 to 6.

 

 

St Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Cathedral and its seven Chapels are the only konkani-speaking orthodox community, within the jurisdiction of Indian Orthodox Church and in the entire world. As such, his visit is of great pride and importance for the community and its churches.

"The Brahmavar Konkani Orthodox Community and the Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church, share many things in common, especially their history. Both have fought against foreign (Western) domination over the Indian Church fostering native Indian leadership and thus promulgating ’Swadeshi Ideology’ within the Christian Church. It was for this reason that the founder of Brahmavar Konkani Orthodox Community, Late Lamented Alvares Mar Julius Archbishop, bought the community under the communion of Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church, in 1889," he added.

"Catholicos Paulose II is the 91st successor to the apostolic throne of St Thomas in India. His Holiness was enthroned on Nov 1, 2010. His tenure has been greatly marked with building of ecumenical relations, between various Apostolic Churches. He has met various Popes, Patriarchs, Catholicos of different Orthodox Churches. In September 2013, he had paid a fraternal visit to Pope Francis (Supreme Head of the Roman Catholic Church), soon after his coronation, as the new pontiff of Rome," he added.

"His Holiness has taken keen interest in the affairs of the Brahmavar Konkani Orthodox Community from the beginning and had expressed keen interest in visiting the community. Vicar General said His Holiness will arrive in Udupi, on December 4 morning. Catholicos Paulose II, will be warmly welcomed with a procession from Udupi Karavali Junction to St Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Cathedral, Brahmavar at 9 am. In the evening at 4, a public meeting will be held in commemoration of the Maiden Visit of Catholicos Paulose II. Along with it, the inaugural ceremony of the centennial celebrations of the Cosmopolitan Higher Primary School, Brahmavar (the first educational institution of St Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Cathedral, Brahmavar) will be held," he said.

"On Dec 6th, His Holiness will be celebrating Holy Mass at 8.30 am. During the Holy Mass, Late Lamented Archbishop Alvares Mar Juilus (Founder, Brahmavar Konkani Orthodox Community) and the late Rev Fr R Z Noronha (First Vicar General, St Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Cathedral, Brahmavar), will be declared ’Blessed Saint’," he added.