Archdiocese of India: H.H. Mar Dinkha IV and Prelates Arrive in India, Commence Apostolic Sojourn

2010-01-13

Commencing his Apostolic Sojourn to the blessed land of India, His Holiness Mar Dinkha IV arrived at Nedumbassery Airport on the 13th of January 2010 at 8.30am. 

His Holiness is in India for the convocation of a Holy Synod which will commence on the 14th of January 2010 at the Metropolitan's Palace of the Church of the East; the headquarters of the Assyrian Church of the East in India located at Trichur (Thrissur), Kerala State.  

The Apostolic Sojourn of His Holiness and fellow Prelates will conclude on the 20th of January 2010. During the visit, by the grace of Almighty God, Rev. Joju Antony Chirakkekaran and Rev. Shaju Poulose Pachamparambil, both doctoral candidates, will be consecrated Bishops for the Church of the East in India.  

During the visit, His Holiness is accompanied by the following venerable prelates:  

His Beatitude Mar Gewargis Sliwa - Metropolitan of Assyria, Jordan and Russia
His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia AM - Metropolitan of Australia and New Zealand
His Grace Mar Aprim Khamis - Bishop of Arizona and Western United States
His Grace Mar Odisho Oraham - Bishop of Europe
His Grace Mar Emmanuel Yousip - Bishop of Canada
His Grace Mar Aprim Athniel - Bishop of Syria
His Grace Mar Iskhaq Yosip - Bishop of Duhok (Nohadra) and Russia
His Grace Mar Awa Royel - Bishop of California 

His Beatitude Dr. Mar Aprem, Metropolitan of Malabar and All India is the host of the visit.

It is worthy of noting that this Apostolic Sojourn will include the first convocation of a Holy Synod in India in the 2000 year history of the Church of the East's presence in the country. Similarly it is the first visit by an entire Holy Synod.