Daijiworld Media Network-Udupi (EC)
Udupi, Dec 3: On his maiden apostolic visit of his Holiness Baselios Marthoma Paulose II, Catholicos of the East and the Malankara Metropolitan, India, an honorary celebratory reception has been organized in the historical vicinity of St Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Cathedral, Brahmavar on Friday, December 4 at 4pm.
To cater the religious and pious needs of the laity in the rural area, under the leadership of the late Alwares Mar Julius, Archbishop, the Cathedral was formed. Further the cathedral also nourished the education, sports, cultural and socio-economic needs of the people.
The Catholicos (the supreme head, equal to Pope) of Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Syrian church, His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Paulose II the 91st successor to the apostolic throne of St Thomas in India.
Late Fr R Jude Noronha, late Fr PG Koshi, late Fr Damien Lopez, late Fr KK Kuriakose, late Fr KT Verges, late Fr Ramban N J Thomas, late Fr Ramban Kuriakose, Fr Ramban GM Scaria, were the priests who contributed equally for the growth of cathedral and its services. Presently Fr C A Isaac, vicar general is serving the cathedral.
Presently there are six churches and societies under this cathedral. The churches being St Mary’s Church, Kandlur, St Anthony Church, Kolalgiri, St Thomas Church, Sasthan, St Gregarious Church, Hulikal, St George Church, Hosangandi, St Peter’s Paul’s Church, Korady. These chapels are the only Konkani speaking orthodox community, within the jurisdiction of Indian Orthodox Church, and in the entire world. As such, this visit of the Catholicos Paulose II is of great pride and importance for the community and its churches.
The societies being St Thomas Brahmavar Orthodox Community, Mandya, St Mary’s Brahmavar, Orthodox Chapel, Bombay, St Mary’s Brahmavar Orthodox, Community, Bengaluru, Kuwait Brahmavar Orthodox Community, Dubai Brahmavar Orthodox Community.
Services to the society were initiated by late Fr R Jude Noronha by setting up a Cosmopolitan Higher Primary School for the children of Brahmavar and surrounding in the year 1916. The school is presently run under OSC Educational Society founded at 1953 by late Fr Koshi. The school on this centenary occasion has organized many fellowship programmes. The inauguration of the centenary celebrations will be commencing tomorrow at 4:00 pm with the eminent presence of his holiness Baselios Marthoma Paulose II.
All the old students, ex- correspondents and staff will be expected on this occasion.
Catholicos Paulose II was enthroned on November 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 round the globe. 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.
Taking a keen interest in the affairs of the Brahmavar Konkani Orthodox Community, they have happily agreed on visiting the community here in Brahmavar on December 4.
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, a public meet held in the commemoration of the maiden visit of Catholicos Paulose II in the church compound at 4 pm. His holiness Baselios Paulose II will be the chief guest. HG Yakob Mar Elias, Metropolitan, Brahmavar diocese, while KJ George, Urban development minister, Bangalore, will be inaugurating the public meet. Kimmane Rathnakar, Primary and Secondary Education Minister will be unveiling the centennial plaque. Other guests will be Fr Gerald Lobo, Bishop, diocese of Udupi, Rt Mohan Manoraj, bishop, CSI, Karnataka Southern diocese, HG Dr Yuhanobn Mar Dioscorus, Metropolitan Madras diocese, HG Yuhanon Mar Demetrios, Metropolitan, Delhi Diocese, HG Yuhanon Mar Dionysius, Metropolitan, Calcutta diocese, Fr Dr Johns Abraham Konattu, Priest Trustee, MOSC, M.G. George Muthoot, Lay Trustee, MOSC Dr George Joseph, Malankara association secretary, Vinay Kumar Sorake, Urban Development Minister, Udupi District In-charge minister, Oscar Fernandes, Former Rajya Sabha Member, Sobha Karandlaje, MP Udupi- Chikmangalur Constituency, Pramod Madhwaraj, MLA, Udupi constituency, Jayaprakash Hegde, Former MP, Veronica Cornelio, President, KS&DL, Nithyananda, President Varamballi Panchayath.
On December 5, his holiness will set out to Hulikel, Shimoga district to consecrate the newly built St Gregorios Orthodox Syrian Church (a chapel of St Mary's Orthodox Syrian Cathedral, Brahmavar). Thereafter, his holiness will be visiting all the chapels, namely: Hosangady-St George Church, Kandlur-St. Mary's Church, Sastan-St Thomas Church, Kurady-St Peter's & Paul's Church and Kolalgiri-St Antony Church.
On December 6, 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 late Fr R Z. Noronha (First Vicar General, St Mary's Orthodox Syrian Cathedral, Brahmavar), will be declared as 'Blessed Saint'. Thereafter his holiness will engage in talks with various Spiritual Organizations, and Management Committees concerned with St Mary's Orthodox Syrian Cathedral, Brahmavar.
On the morning of December 7, Catholicos Paulos will bid adieu to Brahmavar.