2010-02-14
Bishop Mar Awgin Kuriakose
The Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East and the noble nation of India by the grace of God almighty, have been witnessed and blessed by the historic third Patriarchal visit of His Holiness Maran Mar Dinka IV, the Catholicos Patriarch, along with other 8 prelates of the Church of the East from across the world in order to convene the Holy Synod and holy consecration of two Bishops in India, both the Holy synod and Bishop Consecration for the first time in the history of the church of the east in the Indian soil. The Holy Synod was convened from 13th – 19th January 2010, at the Metropolitan’s palace, Thrissur, the cultural capital of Kerala, is popularly called “God’s own Country” the southern state of India.
Arrival and warm welcome: His Holiness Maran Mar Dinkha IV, the Catholicos Patriarch and the Arch Bishops and Bishops and their staff, arrived at Kochi Airport on 13th January 2010 for the Holy Synod, were wholeheartedly received by His Grace Dr. Mar Aprem, Metropolitan of the Church of the East in India and both designated Bishop candidates: Rev. Joju Anto, Rev. Shaju Paulose; along with the Chairman Er. K.A. John and all the members of the Board of Central trustees, Mr. P.C. Chacko (Member of Parliament of India), Rev. Fathers, Deacons, Sisters, and the office bearers and members of various church organizations together with a mass of faithful of the church of the east in India.
As a long motorcade they were driven to the headquarters of the Church of the East in India at Thrissur, Kerala. On their way to Metropolitan’s palace, at different occasions, the workers and staff of Tiles factory of the Church in India, the students and teachers from the Schools of the church in India along with a number of faithful, waved from road side expressing their fidelity and love, welcomed the Catholicos Patriarch and all prelates to Indian Soil and His Holiness kindly blessed them all. His Holiness and all prelates were also given a royal welcome at the Cathedral, named Marth Mariam Big Church, Thrissur which is the first Christian Church built in the 18th century, inside the erstwhile fort of Thrissur City. Rev. Fr. Sunny S. Koola, Vicar of the Cathedral Church welcomed His Holiness by presenting a golden brocade decorated candle and the Secretary of the Clergy Council, Deacon Nipun with incense, received His Holiness into the Church. After a special prayer inside the cathedral along with other Arch Bishops and Bishops, His Holiness kindly blessed all faithful and moved on to the Metropolitan’s palace adjacent to the Cathedral Church.
Holy Synod: January 2010
The Holy Synod was convened at the Metropolitan’s palace, Thrissur, from 13 – 19th January 2010, regularly at 10 am to 4.30 pm. It was the first time the Holy Synod held in Indian soil under the supreme leadership of His Holiness Mar Dinkha IV, which is written forever in gold letters in the history of the Assyrian Church of the East. Historically it was the 13th synod which is presided by His Holiness being the Catholicos Patriarch of the Church of the East for last 33 years. The following attended the synod;
1. His Beatitude, Mar Aprem, Metropolitan of Thrissur and all-India.
2. His Beatitude, Mar Gewargis Sliwa, Metropolitan of Baghdad and all-Iraq and all Russia.
3. His Beatitude, Mar Meelis Zaia, Metropolitan of Australia and New Zealand.
4. His Grace, Mar Aprim Khamis, Bishop of Western America.
5. His Grace, Mar Emanuel Joseph, Bishop of Toronto and All-Canada.
6. His Grace, Mar Odisho Oraham, Bishop of Sweden and All-Europe.
7. His Grace, Mar Aprim Athneil, Bishop of Syria.
8. His Grace, Mar Isaac Yosip, Bishop of Nuhadra, North Iraq and Russia.
9. His Grace, Mar Awa Royel, Bishop of California.
Apologies,
10. His Beatitude, Mar Narsai De Baz, Metropolitan of Lebanon and all-Europe. And
11. His Grace, Mar Sargis Yousip, Bishop of Baghdad.
The confirmation and consecration of the two new Bishops for the Arch-Diocese of India was the first decision to be made in the Holy synod and His Grace, Dr. Mar Aprem, metropolitan of India was assigned to conduct the ordination of two designated Bishop Candidates Rev. Joju Anto and Rev. Shaju Paulose to the rank of Cor-Episcopa and Arch-Deacon on 15th Friday 2010. It was again a historical moment of blessing in the entire life of Mar Aprem Metropolitan that, it was the first time His Grace conducted such an ordination of Cor-Episcopas and Arch-Deacons in his church service of 41 years as the Metropolitan of India.
After the Holy Synod sessions on 14th January, the prelates of the Church of the East visited our Seminary and Rubber Plantation. It was a blessed experience for the faithful adjacent to the Seminary church and our prelates enjoyed the interaction with the faithful.
On 15th Friday morning, all Prelates conducted Holy Qurbana, at different churches, which was a unique blessed experience for the faithful of India:-
After the synod sessions on 15th Friday evening, all prelates had a chance to visit the church Orphanage for children, Bathania Ashram for Old, and newly re-constructed Mar Yohannan Mamdhana Church, East fort, Thrissur.
After the morning regular holy synod sessions on 16th Saturday, His Holiness and all prelates had some exceptional time at evening for an exclusive photo session at the premises of Metropolitan’s Palace, with the Board of Central Trustees, Clergies, Deacons, sisters, Representative Council, Parish Trustees, Steering Committee members and volunteers of the Patriarchal visit and Holy Synod -- January 2010.
17th January 2010—the Big Day
By Divine will and unconditional grace, His Holiness Maran Mar Dinkha IV the Catholicos Patriarch of the Church of the East, consecrated the two Arch-Deacons as Episcopas (Bishops) on Sunday 17th January 2010, and thus the country India witnessed one more historical event. Arch Deacon Joju Anto received the name Mar Yohannan Joseph Episcopa and Arch Deacon Shaju Paulose, named Mar Awgin Kuriakose Episcopa. The Holy Consecration and Holy Qurbana were conducted at specially prepared temporary Altar in the Chaldean Syrian High Secondary School ground, near to the Cathedral Church. At 7am on this Big Day, His Holiness and all prelates, the designated bishops and the clergy of the church came to the altar in a procession. The faithful who attended the Holy consecration and Holy Qurbana overflowed the school ground.
His Holiness read the decree of the Holy Synod to ordain the two candidates as Bishops, then both read out the prescribed oath and signed, and then the consecration ceremony started. At the end of consecration His Holiness kissed the new Bishops on top of their heads and the metropolitans and other bishops embraced them. At the evangalion sermon His Holiness declared that, “the Holy Synod gives the new two Bishops as a spiritual gift to the children of the Indian Church. The bishops will serve you as the apostles of our Christ.” Then His Holiness blessed the new Bishops saying that, “labouring like brothers in the vineyard of the Indian church they would produce a rich harvest of sweet grapes for Jesus Christ, the real owner of the vineyard.” More than 5000 faithful received Holy Qurbana on the occasion. The cathedral, Marth Mariam Big Church provided breakfast to all who were present on the occasion.
Public Reception: The faithful in India again been privileged to have His Holiness’ esteemed presence and apostolic message at the official reception being extended to His Holiness and the prelates of the Holy Synod and honoring the newly consecrated Bishops of India, at 6pm on 17th January 2010, at Mar Abimalek Timotheus Nagar (Chaldean Syrian Higher Secondary School Grounds) Thrissur.
H.G. Dr. Mar Aprem Metropolitan of India welcomed the dignitaries and gathering. H.G. Dr. Joseph Marthoma Metropolitan presided over the meeting, and Prof. K.V. Thomas (Hon’ble Minister of State, Govt. of India) did the Inaugural address. H.G. Poulose Mar Milithiose (Catholicos Designate, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church) done the Benedictory address, and H. G. Dr. Mar Andrews Thazhath (Metropolitan of Syro-Malabar Church), H.G. Mathews Mor Aprem (Metropolitan of Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church), Sri. P. C. Chacko (Member of Parliament), Sri, P. R. Rajan (Member of Parliament), Mr. Therambil Ramakrishnan (MLA) did felicitations. H.B. Mar Meelis Zaia AM delivered the reply speech and thanked everyone on behalf of the Holy Synod for this amazing reception. His Holiness Maran Mar Dinkha IV delivered the Apostolic Message and concluding Benediction. In his apostolic Message, His Holiness thanked and prayed for the Almighty God to help India in her mission of keeping peace and tranquility among all citizens of this country who are from a variety of races and religion. Also His Holiness blessed and prayed for peace and steadfast progress to all sons and daughters of the God protected unique land of India. Er. K.A. John (Chairman, and General Convener for Reception Committee) expressed the vote of thanks and the meeting dispersed for an honorable dinner at Metropolitan’s palace, Thrissur.
Youth Meet 2010: On 18th Sunday after the regular Holy Synod sessions at the metropolitan’s palace, His Holiness and all members of Holy Synod met the Youths of our church in India at 6pm at Chaldean Centre, our Church owned largest air-conditioned auditorium in the city. It was filled with an exciting multi-talented programme which included Music show of Indian Youths, Devotional Hymns by H. B. Mar Oudisho Oraham Bishop of Europe, and hymn by six deacons from Australia, Key Note Address by H.B. Mar Meelis Zaia AM (Metropolitan of Australia and New Zealand), a Talk by Mar Emmanuel, Bishop of Canada on “Youth is the future of our Church: as a Monastic, as a Priest and as a lay man”, another presentation by Mar Awa Royel, Bishop of California on “Discipleship: Following in Jesus’ foot steps” and a session of interaction between Indian youth and All Holy Synod Members of our Church. His Holiness blessed the youth by his Presidential and Apostolic Message and the final Benediction. It was an auspicious occasion in the lives of Youths in India where they received direction to keep them along the divine path and grow in spiritual strength, peace and unity. Rev. Sr. Jincy expressed Vote of Thanks for the day which turned a historic day in the history of Indian youths.
At the evening on 19th January 2010, after the Holy Synod, His Holiness and all synod members attended a special meeting of releasing a documentary named in Malayalam “Kizhakkinte Chaithanyam” (translated as “Radiance of the East”) along with a press conference at Metropolitan’s Palace. H.G. Dr. Mar Awa Royel, Secretary of Holy Synod briefed at the press conference about the first Historic Holy Synod which held in India and H.B. Dr. Mar Aprem, Metropolitan of India translated and helped to answer various press questions.
Departure: On Wednesday 20th January 2010, His Holiness and all prelates and members of the Holy Synod departed from India after fulfilling all their mission, embracing and hugging one another, smiled and waved hearty farewell to the clergies and faithful at the airport who had arrived to see them off. Indian Church is ever grateful to God almighty for these historic days and events and God’s blessings showered upon Indian church by this Holy Patriarchal Visit, Holy Synod and the consecration of two new Bishops in India. The Indian flock returned to their duties recollecting the historic events in the church that left them in much happiness and greater spiritual enthusiasm. May God Almighty continue to bless our Church.
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