Sylvester D’Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD)

Udupi, May 19: “The beautiful church built with the help of the donors and well-wishers shows the grace of God,'' said His Holiness Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, the supreme head of the Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Syrian Church. He was addressing the faithful in a felicitation program organized on the occasion of Consecration and inauguration of St Thomas Orthodox Syrian Church, here in Sasthan on Wednesday May 18.

The morning prayers started at 6:30 am followed by consecration prayers and thereafter the Eucharistic celebration. The consecration involved the anointing of Holy Myron oil to the altar and blessing the doors of the church with the sign of the cross. After the consecration, the Triune Altar Holy Mass was celebrated. Catholicos Mathews III offered the holy Mass on the central altar, while Bishop Yakob Mar Irenios and Bishop Geevarghese Mar Yulios offered the same on the side altars.

In his address to the parishioners during the felicitation programme, His Holiness Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Mathews III said, “What you give to God will be returned to you in manifolds.” He congratulated the priest of the church, the church committee, renovation committee members and all the parishioners for building a beautiful church and making the consecration event a success. He urged the parishioners to help the downtrodden of the community and treat everyone as brothers and sisters, irrespective of caste, creed and religion.”

Yakub Mar Eliyas, bishop, Brahmavar diocese presided over the function. In his message, he urged the parishioners to build the community by growing spiritually as well as educationally.

Dr Geevarghese Mar Yulios, bishop, Ahmedabad diocese gave his message on the occasion.

Robert Rodrigues, secretary, renovation committee presented the report of the renovation work conducted. The church souvenir was symbolically released by His Holiness Mathews III.

A felicitation programme was also conducted.

Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, Bishop Yakob Mar Irenios and Geevarghese Mar Yulios were felicitated. Rev Ramaban G M Skaria, Fr P A Johnson, Fr P C Mani, and Fr Ashwin Fernandes were also felicitated and honoured for their services and contribution to Brahmavar Konkani Orthodox community. The present clergy members of Brahmavar Konkani Orthodox community, Fr M C Mathai, Fr Lawrence D'Souza, Fr Lawrence David Crasta, Fr Abraham Kuriakose, Fr Joseph Chacko, Fr Antony Merwin D’Silva were honoured on the occasion. Reji Mathai, the architect of the new church, Fr Noel Lewis, parish priest, and Moses Rodrigues, convener construction committee were also felicitated. Felix Banj was felicitated for his 48 years of services to the church.

Fr Sunil Thomas, Fr Herold Pereira and other dignitaries were present on the occasion. Fr Noel Lewis welcomed the gathering. Violet Lewis, Flausia Rodrigues, Priya Lewis and Pramila D’Silva compered the programme. Moses Rodrigues proposed the vote of thanks.