Syrian Orthodox Church News

Wenesday, September 11, 2002

Antony volunteers to intervene in Malankara church dispute

Thiruvananthapuram: In a significant move, Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony on Wednesday expressed his willingness to intervene and settle the dispute between the two factions of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, one of the oldest in the Christendom in India, if both the contending parties agreed to it. It was for the first time that Antony had publicly announced his readiness to mediate in the church dispute. In a post-Cabinet press briefing, he said he had held several rounds of unofficial discussions with the Catholicos of the East and the rival faction, owing allegiance to the Patriarch of Antioch, on the vexed question of control over the 1,250-odd churches and their properties worth crores of Rupees. Antony said the Government was neither a party to the dispute nor had any of the courts issued any direction to it in this regard. ''This being the truth, it is unfair to accuse the Government of not having taken any steps in relation to the dispute'', he added. Stating that it was dangerous to submit oneself to emotions, he said ''those believing in Jesus should exercise restraint and not seek to settle church matters on the street.'' The Chief Minister urged all concerned to find a solution to the issue through the avenues available in the democratic set up and not allow it to escalate to the level of a law and order problem.

Source: ManoramoOnline

Tuesday, September 10, 2002

Wide-spread protest against Methran faction's brutal attack on the Majanikkara Dayaro

The Jacobite Syrian Church today at a specially convened meeting held at Puthencuriz, expressed their strong protest at yesterdays pre-planned attack of Methran faction on the Majanikkara Dayro, the Holy place where the tomb of many Church fathers including that of the late Patriarch of Antioch His Holiness Mor Ignatius Elias III, are situated. Many Church dignitaries participated in the meeting. The problems at the Majanikkara Dayara that happened on 8th evening, started when some vehicles accompanying a ‘proclamation procession’ of Methran faction, intentionally tried to enter the Dayro premises and create trouble as per the instruction of a priest of that faction and with the help of a few anti-social elements of his group. Moreover these intruders started raising provocative slogans against the Church Fathers and the Holy Church through loud speakers fitted in the cars. When the residents protested, the Methran faction started brutal attack on the Dayara and the few people remaining inside the complex. Actually there was no need for the announcement vehicles to pass through the front of the Dayro, but they have done it with some hidden intention, which has now been exposed. Motivation to the whole episode is said to be started with the recent undesirable statements from the Chief of Methran faction, Mar Mathews II, in which he indirectly claimed the ownership of Majanikkara Dayara. As explained in the previous report, rumours were flouting for a few days before this incident that the Methran faction might do something that may damage the peaceful atmosphere in the Dayro and the same was reported to the Police. But only a very few, expected such a move on yesterday itself as the youth meeting of Methran faction was arranged only on the coming Sunday (15th) at the nearby town. So now it’s become very clear that the whole episode was pre-arranged, orelse a vehicle full of stones and metals, which is used for road works, would not have been reached the spot at such a short time after the problems started. Moreover a large group of anti-social elements belonging to Methran faction has also reached the spot in no time; that too under the leadership of some more priests. One of the Priests was seen instructing, as well as leading his group to throw stones at the people and the Dayara. The worst side of the whole episode is that the Priest & his group have also not spared the nearby houses belonging to different communities, as they tried to help the Dayara residents; many houses are damaged in this attack. The people of the area are very agitated at the action of Methran faction and its leadership for intentionally creating troubles in the Holy Place. People belonging to all walks of life have yesterday submitted a memorandum to the responsible authorities regarding the pre-planned attack of Methran Kakshi. They also warned that if such a brutal attack happens once again, then they too will be forced to react. Meanwhile Metropolitan Benyamin Joseph Mar Osthathious is staying at the Dayara and is trying to pacify the people. He has held several round of talks with Government officials and has requested the authorities to take necessary action against those criminals who attacked the Holy Place. The opposite group’s Chief, Catholicose Mar Mathews II’s claim of ownership of the Dayro a few weeks back was the beginning of all the problems. It is heard from reliable sources that the attempt to enter the Dayara was a pre-arranged plan and that too with the silent support of the Methran faction’s leadership. This is becoming very clearer after going through the last day’s statement by Mathews II in Malayala Manorama daily, in which he supported the criminals who attacked the Dayara. After the recent failure of Mar Mathews II to enter the Manarcad Church, he has become more aggressive out of frustration and is reported to have taken a very aggressive posture against the Jacobite Syrian Christians. But what Mar Mathews II or some of his close associates in his faction fail to understand is that, he is now considered to be a laughing stock among the common man. Already there is a wide spread protest, even among Methran faction, against Mar Mathews II, for his recent actions and claims. In the Kolencherry meeting held in July end, he used a very bad word, which any cultured persons prefer to avoid, and the same was telecasted in Soorya TV Channel. In another instance, at a press conference held at Ernakulam on 29th August, which was shown in all TV channels and reported in all dailies, Mar Mathews II has openly supported the claim of Mar Militias Yuhanon in which the bishop said that if his faction requests, 38 elected representatives of Kerala Legislative assembly will resign in no time. Mar Mathews II was then seen sitting next to Mar Milithios and he fully endorsed the views expressed there. All the Malayalam newspapers (except Malayala Manorama) including the English dailies have then reported the said farce statement of Mar Mathews II and Mar Milithios, and have severely criticized the Methran faction for such an irresponsible statement, particularly by a Church leader. But when some top persons in Methran faction questioned the leadership for making such farce statements, Mar Mathews II tried to backtrack from what he or his fellow bishop said in an open Press conference. May be to convince others, in an interview telecasted on Kairali TV channel last day (broadcasted on 8th and 9th), Mar Mathews II even gone to the extend of denying the very fact that his faction has ever claimed for the resignation of MLA’s. He then even gone to the extend saying that if he had ever said so, then he is mad. Can anyone ever believe this Methran faction leadership who have no hesitation to change, even what they said earlier in public, just like political personalities ? Now Mar Mathews II has started another misinformation campaigning by claiming that he respects the Patriarch so much, but the Patriarch has acted against the guarantee, which he claims to have given to him, by consecrating the Catholicose for the Jacobite Syrian Church. But at the same time, Mar Mathews II intentionally try to forget the fact that it was he who approached the central govt. authorities and tried all methods to prevent the 2nd Apostolic Visit of the Patriarch on 8th April 2000 when H.H was invited to preside in the specially convened jubilee celebration function of Mor Clemis Abraham, the senior most Metropolitan in the Malankara Church. Again Mar Mathews II tries to hide the fact that he has submitted an affidavit in the Supreme Court of County of Richmond for the Staten Island church case, on 17th July, in support, of the rebel bishop Nicholovos Zacharia & his churches, which is under the direct administration of the Patriarch of Antioch. This was at a time when Mar Mathews II was trying to mislead the Patriarch by telephoning His Holiness every other day; thereby to somehow prevent the consecration of the Catholicose for the Jacobite Syrian Church. In the above said affidavit, submitted before the American court, Mar Mathews II tried to hint that he and the Patriarch are equal in status and both churches have only a sisterly affection and so and so. This was very contradictory to his circular issued on 16th July and which was send to all churches in Malankara on 20th of the same month. Meanwhile Mar Mathews II and some in his leadership was also trying to canvass some of the Syrian Church dignitaries through back doors and thereby to influence the Patriarch so that the consecration of a Catholicose can be prevented or atleast be delayed in any means; but they miserably failed. Mar Mathews II thought that by preventing the consecration of the Catholicose, the Jacobite Syrian Christians can be sidelined by demoralizing them and thereby he can easily make divisions in the Holy Church. With the sole intention to confuse the Patriarch, Mar Mathews II was in contact with His Holiness directly, as well as through some people who left the Holy Church in the last few years in search of better opportunities. It was when the Patriarch fully understood the cunning approach & the double-stand of Mar Mathews II, His Holiness decided to consecrate a Catholicose to safeguard the Malankara Church, which was facing severe persecution by the influential group under Mar Mathews II and his predecessors, for so many years now. The mental torture experienced by H.H the Patriarch because of the crooked approach of Mar Mathews II and his followers in the period just before the consecration of the Catholicose for the Jacobite Syrian Church, was so great that the Patriarch is reported to have said that he never had seen such cunning fellows like Methran faction. Now with the recent attack on Majanikkara Dayro on 8th, the people really doubt that the whole episode are part of a pre-planned strategy to take possession of the properties of the Jacobite Syrian Church; this they think that the Methran faction are doing under instruction from its leadership. The people fear, continued attacks on the churches of Jacobite Syrian Chrsitians in the coming days. In the last two months there were many attempts to either capture or atleast close down the parishes of Jacobites. The problems created by Methran faction in the Jacobite Syrian churches at Vellikulangara, Vadvucode, Adoor, Kizhakkabelam, Manaracad and now at Majanikkara in the last two months points to this very fact.

Source: MalankaraVoice

GRAND RECEPTION FOR BAWA THIRUMENI

ST.MARY’S JACOBITE SYRIAN CHURCH, SHARJAH IS ALL SET TO RECEIVE H.B.BASELIUS THOMAS I, THE CATHOLICOSE OF THE EAST IN A MEMORABLE WAY ON 15TH SEPTEMBER 2002 ON HIS FIRST VISIT TO THE U.A.E. A GRAND RECEPTION MEETING WILL BE HELD IN THE CHURCH ON SUNDAY, 15TH SEPTEMBER AT 9 P.M. AFTER THE HOLY MASS WHERE BAWA THIRUMENI WILL BE THE MAIN CELEBRANT. FOR DETAILS CONTACT THE WEBSITE :- www.stmaryssharjah.com

Source: Dr.Mathews Abraham, St.Mary's Jacobite Syrian Church, Sharjah

Monday, September 9, 2002

If Orthodox Church head asks, KC(B) MLAs willing to quit Assembly: Pillai

KOLLAM: Kerala Congress(B) chairman R Balakrishna Pillai has said that the two MLAs of his party will resign from the Assembly if the Orthodox Church head Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Mathews II asks him to do so. Delivering the keynote address at the rally held under the joint auspices of the Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam dioceses of the Orthodox Church, at Kottarakkara on Sunday, Pillai criticised the United Democratic Front Government and Chief Minister AK Antony for not implementing the order of the Supreme Court in the church case. He asked the Chief Minister to study the Supreme Court verdict in the church case and take a decision. Declaring his party’s solidarity with the Orthodox Church, Pillai urged the church authorities to be more active to get justice from the Government. Inaugurating the rally, Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Mathews II said that the church was strong enough to face any challenge. He termed the present conflict with the Patriarch faction as a ‘‘holy war’’ waged by the church to seek justice. ‘‘If the parish churches belonging to the Orthodox faction are encroached upon by the rival faction, we will resist and won’t forgive’’, he said. He denied press reports of withdrawing the support of 32 MLAs to the Government. ‘‘I had never stated like that and I was misquoted by the media,’’ he added. Delivering the presidential address, Catholicos-designate Thomas Mar Timothios Metropolitan said, ‘‘The United Democratic Front Government came to power with our support too. Elections will come again and we won’t allow them to use the churches for their campaign’’. Philipose Mar Yousebios Metropolitan, Yuhanon Mar Milithiose Metropolitan, Orthodox Church secretary Alexander Karakkal, former secretary AK Thomas and diocese secretary Fr KT Varghese also addressed the rally. Fr V Varghese submitted the memorandum of the Church to R Balakrishna Pillai. Fr PM John Manjakkala welcomed the gathering and Fr Joseph George proposed a vote of thanks.

Source:newindpress.com

Sunday, September 8, 2002

MAJANIKKARA DAYARO ATTACKED BY METHRAN FACTION

In a pre-planned move, the youth wing of Methran Kakshi today assembled near Majanikkara Dayro, the Holy place of the Jacobite Syrian Christians, and started throwing stones at the Dayro building and brutally attacked the pilgrims who were present in the Dayro premises. It is reported that there were some priests among those 500 odd anti-social elements who assembled there to attack the Dayaro & the nearby houses of the Jacobite Syrian Christians. For quite some days there were rumours that some Methran Kakshi youth members, under the instruction of a priest who is an ‘insider’ of Devolokom Catholicate office & a close associate of Catholicose Mathews II, is planning to create troubles at Majanikkara Dayro. It was only a few weeks back had Mar Mathews II, the head of the Methran faction of the Orthodox Church in Kerala, made the provocative statement that he is the legal owner of the Dayro & its properties, at a specially convened press conference held at Pathanamithitta Orthodox church. The Jacobite Christians had then strongly opposed the claims made by Mar Mathews II with evidences and it was reported in almost all newspapers. (Almost the entire property of the Dayro Church was donated to the Holy See by Elavanimannil family of Omalloor and two other families of Kottayam). Even many intellectuals belonging to Methran Kakshi Church also had then criticized the statement of their Church head. But Mar Mathews II repeated the claim in a few more public meetings and tried to inject hatred among some of his extremist followers. From then onwards there were fears among the Jacobites that Methran Kakshi may forcibly enter the Holy Place and do something undesirable, particularly after Mar Mathew II failed to create trouble in the Manarcad Church. Following the intelligence reports that Methran faction is planning for an attack against the Dayara, the District Collector and police intervened a few days back and requested the responsible authorities of Methran Kakshi leadership to restrain from any such provocative actions. The Dist. Collector and other police officials also had then guaranteed the Dayro authorities that they will give enough protection to the Holy church. But today when a group of youth members of the Methran faction assembled under the banner of their youth wing at the entrance of the Dayro, there was no police force to control these anti-social elements. The whole episode started when some youth wing members of Methran Kakshi who came near the Dayaro in some vehicles at around 3.00 PM, started raising provocative slogans against the Church Fathers and the Holy Church through loud speakers fitted in the cars. The few Jacobite Christians who assembled there, requested the Methran Kakshi members to stop using the loud speaker as it may disturb the peaceful atmosphere of the Holy Place where many pilgrims usually visits, but the supporters of Catholicose Mathews II continued to raise slogans against the Holy Church and tried for a provocative atmosphere. Suddenly one of the cars belonging to Methran Kakshi rushed into the private road leading to the Dayaro. (This road is so near to the Dayro Church). The Jacobites then tried to prevent the car from entering the church premises and there was a great tension. Suddenly more Methran Kakshi members numbering about 500, under the leadership of their priests, rushed to the spot as if it is a pre-planned move and started attacking the few Jacobites in front of the Majanikkara Dayara. Within no time the situation became very serious as the Methran Kakshi members started to throw stones at the Dayra complex and its residents. The people present there tried to defend themselves, but as they were few in numbers, were brutally attacked by the rowdies of Methran Kakshi church. In this brutal attack, many pilgrims & Dayro Church members are said to be very seriously injured. The most disturbing factor in the whole episode is that there were even some Priests belonging to the Methran Kakshi Church, to throw stones at the Dayaro as well as the nearby houses of the Jacobite Syrian Christians. Though the situation at present is under control, a large police force is remaining at the Dayaro premises. A few hours after the incident, Govt. officials visited the Dayro and held discussions with Metropolitans Mor Benyamin Joseph Mor Osthathios and Markose Mor Koorilose. Police has also registered a criminal case against those who attacked the Holy Place. The area is still under tense situation following the ‘goondaism’ of Methran Kakshi Church. Meanwhile, many from Kottayam and nearby areas are flowing to the Majanikkara Dayaro.

Source: MalankaraVoice

Saturday, September 7, 2002

Thousands witness exposition of Mary

KOTTAYAM: Thousands of devotees irrespective of caste and creed paid their obeisance to St Mary and Infant Jesus when their ancient portrait was exposed for public veneration on Saturday as part of the "Ettunombuperunal" at St Marys Jacobite Syrian Church, Manarcad. Metropolitan of the Kottayam Diocese Thomas Mar Themothios officiated at the Nadathurackal ceremony. Surging multitudes of devotees chanted praises of Manarkattamma and sought her mediation for favours as the "Nada" was slowly opened. The 8-day Perunal would conclude on Sunday with procession, blessings and "Nercha" distribution.

Source: newindpress.com

Thursday, September 5, 2002

Need for preserving sanctity of Manarcaud church stressed

KOTTAYAM: The need for maintaining a peaceful atmosphere and preserving the sanctity of the famous St Mary’s church, Manarcaud, was stressed at a public meet on Wednesday, held in connection with the eight-day lent and the Feast of Nativity of Mother Mary. Inaugurating the meet, Markose Mar Koorilose, metropolitan of the Kollam, Niranam and Thumpamon dioceses of the Syrian Jacobite church, noted that all visitors to Manarcaud church have gone back enriched and that this has contributed to the growth of the pilgrim shrine over the years. The services rendered by the church to the poor was noteworthy and the involvement of more non-Christians in the festivities than Christians, makes it a shining example of faith, communal amity and brotherhood. Kottayam diocese supremo Thomas Mar Theemothios, in his presidential address called upon all concerned, to follow the path of Christian love and faith and to resist attempts from all quarters to taint the name of the famous church. The Manarcaud church acts as a magnet for devotees, cutting across caste, creed and religion and faithfuls are keen to have their prayers in the holy precincts of the church for long hours, he noted. K Suresh Kurup MP, said that religion had become a double-edged tool and that conscious efforts were needed to make it a tool to acheive peace and communal harmony. Kottayam Municipal Chairman Sunny Kaloor also spoke on the occasion. ˜Ponnadas" was presented to four elderly persons. Church vicar Rev Mathew P Eliyas Cor Episcopa presented the keys of the house constructed for the poor. Rev E T Kuriakose Cor Episcopa welcomed the gathering and church secretary K V Skaria proposed the vote of thanks.

Source: newindpress.com

Tuesday, September 3, 2002

Church case kept for admission on September 11

Kochi: The petition submitted by Orthodox faction of Malankara Church before the High Court seeking police protection to conduct service in over 1000 churches, has been kept for admission on September 11. An interim petition about admission rights to nine churches including Manarkaud church is under a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice B.N. Sri Krishna and Justice C.N. Ramachandran. The Court asked why those who stayed away from the election as directed by the Supreme Court were seeking the protection of the Supreme Court's verdict in the case of parish churches alone. Advocate C.S. Vaidyanathan who appeared for the Patriarch faction brought to the Court's attention the Supreme Court verdict saying that in the absence of the individual parishes, no order which affects their rights can be made. It was then the Court made such a comment.

Source: ManoramaOnline

Monday, September 2, 2002

GRAND RECEPTION TO H.B. MOR BASELIOS THOMAS I BAVA, THE CATHOLICOSE AND MALANKARA METROPOLITAN OF THE JACOBITE SYRIAN CHURCH, ON SEPTEMBER 9th AT KUWAIT

Kuwait St. George Universal Syrian Orthodox Church is all set for a grand reception to Catholicose H.B. Mor Baselios Thomas I Bava. Bava begins his visit to Kuwait on Monday 9th September. His Beatitude will be greeted at the Kuwait airport with lighted candle by Vicar Fr. Jain Thomas and will be escorted to the Parsonage Chapel by a large number of faithfuls. His Beatitude will be the main celebrant to the Holy Tri-Qurbana on Friday 13 Sept. at National Evangelical Church. At the reception meeting on 13th evening at Central School auditorium eminent personalities from various communities in Kuwait including Indian Ambassador H.E. J. Singh will give facilitations to Bava

Source: MalankaraVoice

Friday, August 30, 2002

Orthodox faction threatened withdrawal of support to the UDF Government Methran faction backtracked from the proposed Manarcad Pilgrimage following strong opposition from his own church

KOTTAYAM: Giving a political twist to the ongoing feud between the Orthodox and the Jacobite factions of the Malankara Church, the Orthodox Syrian Church on Thursday warned the Antony Government that it may even go to the extent of asking the MLAs loyal to the Church to tender their resignation if the Government fails to implement the Supreme Court verdict. Catholicos Baselius Mathews II, the supreme head of the Orthodox faction, said his Church has decided to put off its August 31 march to Manarcaud St Mary's church in view of Thursday's court verdict. Talking to mediapersons in the presence of Mar Baselius, Church highpower committee convenor Yuhanon Mar Milithios Metropolitan claimed that at least 38 MLAs in the Assembly are loyal to the Orthodox Church. "We are confident that they would not disobey if we request them to take an extreme step to protect the interest of the Church, such as the withdrawal of support to the A K Antony Government,'' said Mar Milithios. Reacting to Chief Minister A K Antony's statement that the Government has nothing to do with the Church feud, Mar Milithios said, "Antony's statement is unbecoming of his post. As Chief Minister, he has to accept our plea. If he fails to fulfill it, we would say that he is unfit for his job". "To ensure that the order is implemented, we would fight against the Government both legally and politically,'' he added. Questions were raised by press persons whether a Church-sponsored agitation was not against the spirit of Christian doctrines, for that the Metropolitan said that his faction will fight it out in a Christian way. Meanwhile, Catholicose Mar Baselius Mathews II denied the press reports that he had rejected the peace proposal initiated by sister Churches. He also blamed the Jacobite faction for spreading an impression that only they are interested for a peace move. This helped the Jacobite faction to make an head-way in court, he alleged. When asked to specify whether the Orthodox Church was welcoming the peace initiative, the Catholicos said: ``We are only for a conditional talk. The mediators should accept the fact that we have our own constitution. Peace at any cost is not acceptable to us.'' Meanwhile the Jacobites Syrian Christians questioned the Orthodox faction's claim to allot a fixed time schedule for Mar Baselios Mathews II in the historical Manaracad Church during the 8 day lent period. The Jacobite Syrian Church asked how the orthodox faction can put forward such a claim when it is a well known fact that Catholicos Baselios Mathews II & some of his predecessors itself have strongly opposed celebrating the 'Ettu Noyambu' in any of the Malankara churches. Many time in the past, Orthodox faction's Supremes has issued 'kalpanas' (circulars) against this celebration, the Jacobites pointed out. The Church also added that if Orthodox faction would have any morality, they would have never claimed for such a request as they are the same persons who earlier were against celebrating the 'Ettu Noyambu Perunnal'. So by put forwarding such a claim, it become clearer that the sole intention of opposite group is to object 'whatever the Jacobites do' and at the same time to establish authority over the churches of Jacobite Syrian Christians through any means.

Source: MalankarVoice

YMCA plea to Church factions

KOCHI Aug. 30. The YMCA has urged the Orthodox and Jacobite factions of the Malankara Church to make peace and also offered to mediate between the two. In separate letters sent to the Catholicoi of the two factions, the YMCA's South West India regional functionaries pointed out that the Church row was moving to an ugly stage. The regional chairman, P. J. Oommen, and the secretary, Jose Verghese, pointed out that the YMCA had taken a peace effort a few years ago. As a first step towards peace, the YMCA functionaries suggested to the two Catholicoi a four-point initiative: Take a decision that a negotiated settlement will be found on the basis of the 1995 Supreme Court verdict, in the presence of mediators; Keep the faithful under check; Take a decision to keep off situation that will lead to confrontations; And avoid provocative statements and meetings.

Source: theHindu

Thursday, August 29, 2002

Bava started 3 day fasting in the Manarcad Church

 

A political twist to Malankara Church feud

KOCHI: Giving a political twist to the ongoing feud between the Orthodox and the Jacobite factions of the Malankara Church, the Orthodox Syrian Church on Thursday warned the Antony Government that it may even go to the extent of asking MLAs loyal to the Church to tender their resignation if the Government fails to implement the Supreme Court verdict. Catholicos Baselius Mathews II, the supreme head of the Church, said the Orthodox Church has decided to put off its August 31 march to Manarcaud St Mary's church in view of Thursday's court verdict. Talking to mediapersons in the presence of Mar Baselius, Church highpower committee convenor Yuhanon Mar Milithios Metropolitan claimed that at least 38 MLAs in the Assembly are loyal to the Orthodox Church. ``These MLAs were elected with the support of Orthodox Church members. We are confident that they would not disobey if we request them to take an extreme step to protect the interest of the Church,'' said Mar Milithios. Reacting to Chief Minister A K Antony's statement that the Government has nothing to do with the Church feud, Mar Milithios said, ``Antony's statement is unbecoming of his post. As Chief Minister, he has the constitutional accountability to implement the Supreme Court order. If he fails to fulfill it, we would say that he is unfit for his job,'' he said. ``To ensure that the court order is implemented, we would fight against the Government both legally and politically,'' he added. Asked whether the Church-sponsored agitation was not against the spirit of Christian doctrines, the Metropolitan said: ``When the ruling class denies justice to the common man, raising voice against it is a Christian way. There is nothing unusual in it.'' Meanwhile, Mar Baselius denied the reports that he had rejected the peace proposal initiated by sister Churches. ``I am the head of a constitutional Church. Before responding to the proposal, I have to consult with the heads of various Church bodies. If the delay in responding to the peace initiative was a fault on my part, I seek the pardon of the Church heads who came to us with the peace proposal,'' Mar Baselius said. He also pointed out the ``impropriety'' of the Jacobite faction unilaterally releasing the confidential letter wrote by the heads of the sister Churches to the media. He also alleged that the opposite faction produced this letter before the court as an evidence against him. When asked to specify whether the Orthodox Church was welcoming the peace initiative, the Catholicos said: ``We are for a conditional talk. The mediators should accept the fact that it is a 20-century-old Church and it has its own constitution. They should also respect the merit of the Supreme Court verdict. Peace at any cost is not acceptable to us.''

Source: newindpress.com

Court declines to pass order in Manarcaud church case

Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Thursday declined to issue an interim order to permit the Catholicos of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Mar Basalius Marthoma Mathews-II to enter the Manarcaud St Mary's Church and conduct religious services. A division bench of the court, headed by Chief Justice B.N. Sreekrishna, was of the view that the interim order was not possible in the case as the Jacobite faction which claims administrative control of the Manarcuad church had vehemently opposed the court suggestion for a consensus in allowing the Metropolitan of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian faction to conduct religious ceremonies in the Manarcaud church. The Orthodox faction had yesterday sought police protection to enter the Manarcaud church to conduct religious rituals. The case was posted to September 3 for final hearing.

Source: ManoromaOnline

Jacobites against Catholicos entering church

Kochi Aug. 29. A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Thursday adjourned to September 3 for final hearing a writ petition filed by the Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan, Baselius Marthoma Mathews II, supreme head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, and other Metropolitans under him, regarding the Church dispute. The Bench, comprising the Chief Justice, B.N. Srikrishna, and Justice C.N. Ramachandran, was informed today by the counsel for the Jacobite faction that the Jacobite Syrian Association was not in favour of allowing the Catholicos of the East to enter the St. Mary's Church at Manarcaud and perform religious rituals there. The Bench had on Wednesday sought the views of the Jacobite Syrian Association on allowing the Orthodox Syrian Association and the Malankara Metropolitan to perform religious rituals at the church. It was also submitted that in fact, the Catholicos had never entered the church and done any religious service during the last 30 years. In the writ petition, the Catholicos and the Metropolitans had sought permission to exercise their power over as many as 1,150 churches and pleaded for a direction to the State Government and the police to provide adequate and effective protection for exercising such powers. During the arguments, counsel for the Orthodox faction had confined his plea for police protection for performing religious services to nine churches. They were the Marthoman Christian Church, Kothamangalam, St.Mary's Church, Angamaly, St. George Church, Karingachira, Martha Mariyan Church, Kandanad, St. Kuriakose Church, Mampara, St. Mary's Church, Errikumchira, Marthoman Church,, Mulanthuruthy, St. Mary's Church, Manarcadu, and the St. Peter's and St. Paul's Church, Puthemkurizhu.

Source: theHindu

Wednesday, August 28, 2002

Orthodox Church turns down peace-brokering

KOTTAYAM: The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church on Tuesday virtually slammed the doors on the peace initiatives of sister Church denominations to settle the dispute with the Patriarch sect by saying the moves had ulterior motives. Holding the view that the feud is an internal affair of Malankara Church and there was ample scope for other Churches and heads to mediate in the past, but which didn’t happen, the Orthodox Church also categorically put it that if at all there is any peace brokering it will be accepted only if it is linked to the Supreme Court verdict. Church secretary Dr Alexander Karakkal said that though the moves of heads of sister Churches are welcome, it is nothing but a belated reaction. None was there to speak when a parallel Catholicos was installed and a new constitution was drafted by a group in an effort to divide the Malankara Church, he said. What Churches should do now is to facilitate the discharging of duties by Malankara Metropolitan as head of the Malankara Church. Geevarghese Mar Ivanios, Kottayam diocese head of the Orthodox Church, told mediapersons that the Church was tortured to the hilt by none other than sister Churches in the past, whereas, it was safe from the attacks of Hindu community. ‘‘There is internal dispute in the Catholic Church with regard to liturgy. We are not interfering in it. Nor had we interferred in disputes between the Marthoma Church and Evangelists as well as between factions in the CSI in the past,’’ he noted. Asserting that the Orthodox Church faithfuls will see to it that the Supreme Court verdict is implemented in letter and spirit, Mar Ivanios said that the reception being planned to the Malankara Metropolitan and Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Mathews II and other bishops and later at the Manarcaud St Mary’s Church on August 31 is definitely aimed at securing justice. The Bishop said that the Manarcaud church is one among hundreds of Churches in Malankara which ought to have been under the total control of Baselios Marthoma Mathews II by virtue of his status as Malankara Metropolitan, finalised through the Supreme Court verdict. To a query on why the Orthodox Church chose an opportune moment like August 31, the day when the famous Ettunombu Thirunaal commences at the Manarcaud Church, which is under the total control of the Patriarch sect, to assert itself and take out a procession, Mar Ivanios said what is intended is passive resistance. ‘‘The parish should be ruled properly under the Malankara Metropolitan. Or else, we’ll bring it under the rule of a court-appointed receiver,’’ he said. ‘‘We are ready to be crucified for truth. We’re not going there for a fight. We’re going there to receive blows,’’ he added. On the stand if authorities take a serious note of an emerging law and order problem and decide to prevent the moves of both factions for a standoff centred around the Manarcaud Church, the Bishop retorted by lashing out at the Government for its failure in the implementation of the SC order. ‘‘Antony is dead long ago. What remains is the ghost of Antony,’’ said Mar Ivanios. The Bishop, however, made it clear that violence will not be promoted by the Orthodox side on Saturday. ‘‘Around 1.5 lakh people will participate in the procession,’’ he claimed. On whether the Orthodox Church is ready to call off the proposed procession to Manarcaud, if it indeed turns into a social and law and order problem, Mar Ivanios said that it will have to be considered, but only if there is equal parameters and justice for both sides. Fr E K George, Malankara Metropolitan-appointed vicar to the Manarcaud church, Fr P K Zacharia, diocesan secretary, Fr C O George, reception committee convener, and Thomas Rajan, Church managing committee member were also present at the news conference.

Source: newindpress.com

Consider filing execution plea, HC tells Orthodox faction

KOCHI: A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Tuesday required the senior counsel appearing for Catholicos Baselious Marthoma Mathews II and seven other metropolitans of the Orthodox faction of Malankara Syrian Church to consider filing of an execution petition, rather than a writ petition, to enforce their rights under the Supreme Court judgment in the Church case. This was while hearing arguments on a writ petition filed by the Catholicos and the metropolitans seeking to direct the State Government and the police authorities to give effective police protection to them to enter the 1,150 churches and other institutions and exercise their rights, duties and privileges in their capacity as Catholicos/bishops/priests, without any obstruction from Thomas Mar Dionysius (Catholicos Baselious Thomas I) and other metropolitans of the Jacobite faction. The bench, consisting of Chief Justice B N Srikrishna and Justice C N Ramachandran Nair, said the petitioners having secured in their favour a decree which is partially declaratory and partially directory, the proper course was to file a petition for the execution of the decree in accordance with the Civil Procedure Code. The execution court (in this case it is the High Court as the decree had been passed by it) is competent to order police protection to execute the decree. Instead, the petitioners have adopted a shortcut by filing a writ petition. Another course open to the petitioners is to move a contempt of court petition, the court pointed out. The petition will come up again for hearing tomorrow. On August 12, the bench had directed the police authorities to ensure that there was no breach of peace, and that law and order is maintained in the 1,150 Malankara Syrian churches in Kerala. According to the petitioners, elections to the Malankara Association and the Managing Committee was held as per the direction of the Supreme Court dated November 28, 2001, under the supervision of Justice V S Malimath, retired Chief Justice of Kerala, who had been appointed by the apex court as receiver. The association meeting held at Parumala on March 20, 2002, approved the appointment of the first petitioner, Baselious Marthoma Mathews II, as Malankara Metropolitan. The Supreme Court by order dated July 12, 2002, approved the appointment as final and binding and said it was not open to challenge in any court or other forums. In this circumstance, the 1,662 parish churches in and outside Kerala are under the episcopal and temporal administration of the first petitioner. He has the exclusive right and control over the parish churches. However, Thomas Mar Dionysius and other metropolitans of the Jacobite faction are entering in, and claiming exclusive right and control over some of the churches in the districts of Ernakulam, Thrissur and Kottayam, and causing hindrance to the petitioners in carrying out their responsibilities.

Source: newindpress.com

CM asks Malankara Orthodox Church factions to keep restraint

Chief Minister A K Antony appealed to the warring factions of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, one of the oldest in Christendom in India, not to take the dispute among them to streets. Talking to newsmen after a meeting of state cabinet on Wednesday, he asserted that government was not a party to the dispute (among the Catholicos of the East and the faction owing allegiance to the Patriarch of Antioch on the question of control over 1,250-odd chruches and their properties worth crores of Rupees). He said neither Supreme Court nor High Court had ever issued any direction to state government with regard to this issue. "This being so, there was no meaning in blaming the government for not taking any step in relation to the dispute." Antony said government would certainly implement any direction if it came from courts. He said those concerned should exercise restraint and should try to find out solutions through the avenues available in democratic set up. Instead, issue should not be allowed to escalate to the level of a law and order problem. Antony also reminded the concerned that government would have to maintain law and order situation. "Under such a situation, the government and police should not be blamed." Chief Minister asked all not to pour oil to flames and restraint from making political gains. It may be recalled that Catholicos faction had announced that it would undertake a journey to St Mary's Church at Manarcaudu on August 31. Rival faction had announced that it would resist the move.

Source: www.asianetglobal.com

Govt not to take sides in church dispute: Antony

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony on Wednesday said the UDF government would strictly maintain its "neutrality" in the dispute between the Catholicose and Patriarch factions in the Malankara Church in the state. "Except steps to maintain law and order, there is no role for the government in the dispute as it is not bound to execute any court order relating to the problem," he told reporters here. "The government is not a party to the dispute nor is there any direction from either the High Court or Supreme Court to execute any orders." The chief minister appealed to the spiritual heads and community leaders from both sides to maintain utmost restraint and ensure that the wrangles would not spill on to the street in the form of law and order problems. "Please don't drag the dispute to the street. That is my appeal to all," he added.

Source: Times of India

Tension building up in Malankara Church

Kottayam: Tension is building up in Malankara following the decision of Malankara Metropolitan Catholicos Baselious Marthoma Mathews II to enter the St Mary's church, Manarcadu and establish his ''right'' under the Supreme Court verdict on the eve of the historic eight-day feast in the church, disregarding the strong opposition of the rival faction. At a news conference here today, Kottayam Diocese Metropolitan Geevarghese Mar Ivanios and other church leaders declared that they were going ahead with the programme to be held on August 31. The procession to St Mary's church was to establish the authority of the Malankara Metropolitan over the church on the basis of the final verdict of the Apex court. Over one lakh devotees would accompany the Metropolitan, he said. Alleging that the State Government had failed in discharging its duty to implement the court verdict, he said the church had lost its faith in the Government. Now it was up to the Government to give protection to the Metropolitan who was acting in accordance with the court verdict, he added. Regarding the mediation offered by the heads of five episcopal churches, he said the question of conciliation did not arise now as the Supeme Court had disposed of the case by pronouncing the final verdict. Meanwhile, the Patriarch faction Catholicos and followers stated that under any circumstance the Malankara Metropolitan would not be allowed to enter the St Mary's church which belonged to them.

Source: manoramaonline

Tuesday, August 27, 2002

A peace pilgrimage: Catholicos

KOTTAYAM AUG. 27. Catholicos Baselius Mar Thoma Mathews II, the supreme head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, has said that he was ready to have a rethink on the controversial journey to the St. Mary's Church, Manarcadu, scheduled for August 31, provided the "appropriate authorities'' gave him the "necessary assurances" on the issue. Speaking to , after marathon discussions with various delegations who had approached him with peace initiatives, at the Catholicate Palace here today, the Catholicos made it clear that his journey to the church (where the opposing Jacobite faction has a brute majority) was not a move to antagonise anyone or an attempt to "capture" the church, but a pilgrimage in peace. According to him, while the peace initiative by the head of various sister churches was a welcome move, he personally felt that the time had already run out for such moves. The need of the hour was to get the final verdict of the Supreme Court on the Samba case implemented, he pointed out. The pontiff allayed fears expressed by the Jacobite faction regarding the conduct of the Ettu Nombu Perunal (the feast of St. Mary), which begins on September 1, and said it would be conducted as before. He also made it clear that he was not for the closure of the church by dragging it into legal wrangles, but reminded all concerned that all were bound by the 1934 Constitution. Reacting to a question, he said he had not so far sought police protection for his journey to the St. Mary's Church and such decisions would be taken by various bodies of the church entrusted with respective duties. However, if a law and order situation arose out of the challenges posed by the Jacobite faction, it was up to the district authorities to deal with it, he pointed out. Even as the more extreme sections in the Orthodox faction stepped up their pressure on the authorities for intervention in getting the Supreme Court verdict implemented, it appears that the moderates were busy sorting out the confusion and the resultant dent on the goodwill for the church. A mission undertaken by the poetess, Sugathakumari, is still working on a peace formula to avert a major law and order problem on August 31.

Source: thehindu

'Orthodox faction remark immature'

KOCHI AUG. 26. The Patriarch faction head, Catholicos Baselios Thomas I, has termed as ``immature'' and ``senile'' the reported remark of the Orthodox faction head that he would consider entering politics. The Catholicos told a news conference here today that faith and politics were two different concepts and church leaders should view the church and the State as two separate entities. He said that it was not proper to ``wield the sword'' against the Government. The Orthodox faction head, Baselius Marthoma Mathews II, had unleashed an attack on the UDF Government at a public meeting at Thiruvalla on Sunday. The Catholicos said the rival faction was attempting to mislead the Government and the courts and was trying to bring pressure on the UDF Government. The Patriarch chief said his faction would resist any attempt by the Orthodox faction to enter the St. Mary's Church, Manarcadu. The Catholicos, Beselius Marthoma Mathews II, has announced that he would take out a huge rally on August 30 to the Manarcadu church. The church was ``fully owned'' by the Patriarch faction and its functionaries had never sent out an invitation to the rival Catholicos to visit the church, the Patriarch faction chief claimed. They had also resolved not to receive the rival Catholicos onto the church premises. He alleged that the move for the march by the Orthodox faction was with an ``evil intention'' to seize the church.

Source: thehindu

Peace bid by heads of sister churches

KOCHI AUG. 26. The Patriarch faction (Jacobite Syrian Christian Church) has welcomed the help offered by the heads of five episcopal churches to end the factional feud in the Malankara Church. Addressing mediapersons here today, the Catholicos, Baselios Thomas I, announced the Patriarch faction's acceptance of the offer and praised the initiative being taken by the heads of five sister churches. The Catholicos offered his faction's `total support and cooperation' to the efforts of other church leaders to bring peace to the Malankara Church. The Catholicos' announcement comes as a ray of hope in the church feud that led to street brawls and attempts to grab churches by rival groups being reported from several parts of the State. Holding up of burying the dead and barring of entry of the faithful to churches have vitiated the atmosphere. The Catholicos said his faction was ready for any negotiated settlement `rooted in Christian faith and based on the 1995 verdict of the Supreme Court'. "The Jacobite Church is duty-bound to find a permanent solution, based on Christian ideology to the church row,'' he asserted. The five high priests, including heads of the three Catholic Rites in Kerala, had, in a joint letter on August 16, written to both the Catholicoi offering their mediation in resolving the row. They suggested that the two factions sit across the table and talk it over. The church heads who have offered the helping hand are: Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church; Daniel Acharuparambil, Archbishop of Varappuzha and head of the Latin Catholic Church; Archbishop Cyril Mar Baselius of the Malankara Catholic Church who is also the president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India; Bishop K.J. Samuel of the Church of South India and Philipose Mar Chrisostum, Metropolitan of the Mar Thoma Church. The Orthodox faction is yet to respond to the offer of mediated settlement

Source: thehindu

Jacobite faction welcomes the initiative

KOCHI: In an unprecedented peace initiative, the heads of various Churches in Kerala have sent a letter to the heads of the feuding factions of the Malankara Syrian Church offering to mediate between them. The letter was cited today by Catholicos Mar Baselios Thomas I of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Christian Church at a press conference, who extended all possible cooperation to the initiative put forward by the prelates of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Malankara Catholic Church, Latin Catholic Church, Mar Thoma Church and the CSI. The signatories, Cardinal Varkey Mar Vithayathil, Archbishop Cyril Mar Baselios, Archbishop Daniel Acharuparambil, Philipose Mar Chrysostum and Bishop K J Samuel, called for peace and asked the feuding Patriarch and Orthodox factions to settle all outstanding disputes in Christian faith. While it is not clear when both factions will come together to discuss issues for a peaceful settlement, Catholicos Mar Baselios Thomas I assured that they were committed to peace and promised to take all necessary steps to avoid conflicts. Since the rival Orthodox faction had opted themselves out of the Church fold, he said that the dispute could be settled only if they recognised the Patriarch of Antioch as the supreme head of the Church. The recent statements by the Catholicos of the Orthodox faction to derail `Ettnombu Perunal' at Manarcaud St Mary's Church, which begins on September 1, was provocative as the church belonged to the Jacobite faction, he said and any attempt at creating disturbances will be dealt with a firm hand. The recent incident in which Fr Joseph Vendrappally was buried at the Vadavukode St Mary's Syrian Church on an appeal from the Orthodox faction and Government agencies is a clear indication of our desire for peace, he said, condemning the acts of the rival faction at Adoor and Thamarachal where they tried to forcibly occupy Jacobite churches.

Source: newindpress.com

Monday, August 26, 2002

Catholicos of Jacobite church welcomes prelates' move

Kochi: The peace initiative by various churches in Kerala to settle the dispute of the Patriarch and Orthodox factions of Malankara Church was welcomed by the Holy Catholicos Baselios Thomas I of Malankara Jacobite Syrian Christian Church. He has assured to cooperate with them on any decision they take, based on Supreme Court's order. The Catholicos alleged that the rival Orthodox faction was planning to hinder 'Ettunombu Perunnal' at Manarcaud and to grab the properties and organisations of the Church. He said he will not allow anyone to create disturbances at Manarcaud. The Catholicos condemned the action of the Orthodox Church in the incident of the burial of a Church member at Maramkode church. He pointed out that the Jacobite faction allowed Father Vendrapally's body to be buried at Vadavukode church though he belonged to another church. Faith and politics are two different things, the Catholicos said. He denied the allegation that he entered the church against court order. He added that he went there on the request of member churches of Jacobite Syrian Christian Association.

Source: manoramaonline

Church leaders offer mediation in Malankara church dispute

Kochi: Leaders of other Christian Churches have come forward to offer help to solve the problems in Malankara Church. They have send letters to both the factions expressing hope that a solution can be found on the issue through dialogue. The letter says that the path of violence is not in tune with the Biblical values. A confrontational approach like this will harm not only the Jacobite Church but also all the other Churches, says the letter signed by Major Archbishop Cardinal Mar Varkey Vithayathil of the Syro Malabar Church and others. The letter urges the factions to find solutions to the problems through Christian values. The Church leaders have pointed out that they are ready to offer a platform to settle the issues through discussions.

Source: manoramaonline

SC asks Patriarch faction to pay Rs one lakh

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has ruled here on Monday asking the Patriarch faction of the Jacobite Church to pay Rs 3 lakh to the former chief justice V.S. Maleemat, who was the observer in the Malankara Association election. The Court had ruled both the factions to give Rs 1 lakh each to Maleemat. The Catholicos faction had given the money. The Patriarch section counsel pleaded that it was because of financial difficulties that his party was not able to give the money should be allowed get more time to give the money. Responding to the counsel the Bench comprising of Chief Justice K.N. Kripal, Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justice Arijit Pasayat has allotted three days time. For the Patriarch faction P.K. Manohar and for the Catholicos, Sadarul Anam appeared in the court.

Source: manoramaonline

Sunday, August 25, 2002

Many condemn Mar Mathews II's plan to disturb the Manarcad Church festival

In a Methran faction's diocesan council meeting held today, Mar Mathews II once again declared that he will establish his authority over the parish by entering the church at any cost. Many sections of people from other religious communities, as well as from a group within the Methran faction, strongly condemned the plan of Mar Mathews II and his faction to create law & order problem at the Manarcad Church, particularly during the eve of the famous lent period when lakhs may visit the Church, praying for the intercession of St.Mary, the Mother of God. There are some reports that some 10,000 odd parishioners of Manarcad Church are planning to march towards the Devolokam Church headquarters of Methran faction, if Mar Mathews II of Methran faction try to enter their Church, while the remaining 20,000 will remain at the Church premises. Many doubt that the last days declaration of Mar Mathews II to enter the Manarcad Church as a tactics to artificially create law & order problem and thereby to pressurize the government to permanently close down the famous Church where he or his faction have no support. Meanwhile the head of the Jacobite Syrian Christians and the Catholicose of India, His Beatitude Mor Baselios Thomas I, kindly advised the leadership of Methran faction to restrain from any further provocative statements

Source: malankara.cjb.net

Church faction threatens to storm rival bastion

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A row between two groups of the Malankara Syrian Church in Kerala could snowball into violence, with one planning to forcefully enter a church synonymous with the rival faction. The Orthodox faction is set to enter the famous St. Mary's Church at Manarcaud, seven km from Kottayam on August 31. The church, however, is considered a prestigious symbol of the Patriarch faction. This was decided at a diocesan level meeting held at the headquarters of the Orthodox church in Kottayam Friday. The faithful belonging to the Orthodox faction are to give a mammoth reception to Baselios Mar Thoma II, the supreme head of the church, at Kottayam and then lead him and other bishops in a vehicle procession to Manarcaud. The metropolitan is to offer prayers at the St. Mary's Church in the evening. St. Mary's Church has always been the citadel of the Patriarch faction and never has a priest from the Orthodox faction been able to officially enter it. "We will not allow such a thing to happen and this act is meant to destroy whatever little peace is left between the two factions. If they try to enter the church, there will be severe law and order problems," said a staunch member of the Patriarch faction. The newly ordained supreme head of the Patriarch faction Baselios Thomas I has gone on record to say that if anyone tries encroach upon churches under its control, the move will be dealt with accordingly. But hardliners in the Orthodox faction are determined that unless some "action" is taken, the government will not act. "The Patriarch faction wants the state government to act according to a Supreme Court verdict that says the supreme head of the church is Baselios Mar Thoma II and all the properties belong to him," said an Orthodox faction devotee. Trouble has already broken out in Ernakulam and in some parts of Trissur where the Patriarch faction has an edge and controls most churches. Ugly scenes were witnessed on two occasions in the last week when the Patriarch faction followers objected to the last rites of two people belonging to the Orthodox faction. Finally police had to intervene. The funeral of Fr. Joseph Vendrapally, an Orthodox priest at St Mary's church Vadvacode in Ernakulam district, Friday took place after several rounds of discussion between the district administration, the police and the two factions. The church is fully under the control of the Patriarch faction. Senior bishops of the Orthodox faction were not allowed to enter the church and they performed the last rites at another place even before the body was brought to the church at Vadvacode for burial. Despite the presence of several churches in the state for different sections of Christians, none has made efforts to broker peace between the Orthodox and Patriarch factions. When asked about the feud and the damage it could do to Christians in Kerala, the supreme head of the Mar Thoma Church, Phillipose Mar Chrysostom, evaded an answer. In February this year, the Supreme Court had asked the Malankara Association to elect the Malankara metropolitan to facilitate reconciliation between the factions. Until 1970, the two groups were united. The Patriarch faction, constituting around 35 percent of the Malankara Syrian Church, did not find the Supreme Court judgment to its liking and did not take part in preparing the electoral rolls for the association. In March the association meeting held at Parumala saw the election of Baselios Mar Thoma II as the catholicos and the new metropolitan. But the last vestiges of unity ended in June when the Patriarch of Antioch in Damascus ordained Thomas Mar Dinonysius as Catholicos Baselios Thomas I, the supreme head of the new church.

Source: The Times of India

Saturday, August 24, 2002

Church feud set to take turn for the worse

KOTTAYAM: The church feud involving the Orthodox and Patriarch factions of the Malankara Church is all set to take a turn for the worse with the former deciding to take out a procession from here to the famous St Mary's Church, Manarcaud, which is under the exclusive control of the Patriarch sect, on August 31. It is part of a reception being planned for the Malankara Metropolitan and Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Mathews II at Manarcaud. The Kottayam diocese of the Orthodox Church is behind the confrontationist tactics, apparently also to pressurise the government to the hilt. A top-level diocesan meet held on Thursday has decided to accord a reception to the Malankara Metropolitan at the MD Seminary compound here, followed by one at Manarcaud, 7 km away. The plan is to lead the Metropolitan and bishops in a procession of vehicles to the church. It has also been announced that the Metropolitan will offer evening prayers at the St Mary's Church. That the Orthodox faction could never match the brute majority of the Patrairch wing in the Manarcaud church and the priests appointed by the former could never officially enter the church in recent times has given serious undertones to the announcement made by the Kottayam diocese. Baselios Thomas I, supremo of the Patriarch group is on record that if someone ``encroaches'' into churches under their control, it will be repulsed severely. It may be recalled that the Orthodox Church has been consistent in its grouse that the government is not keen to implement the Supreme Court directives in the church case and is, in fact, favouring the Patriarch group. The Orthodox faction remains virtually stranded after Thomas Mar Dionysios got consecrated at Damascus as Baselios Thomas I and arrived here for a tumultuous welcome in churches under the Patriarch sect's fold. The Orthodox Church had been pleading with the government for restraining the Patriarch group's activities, but the government apparently professed a policy of non-intervention, citing the sensitive nature of the rift. What a few hardliners in the Orthodox Church reportedly want to break now is the perceived notion that they are not capable to take upon the other side effectively. Also, they would like to see whether the government will act if there is indeed a law and order threat. But a top official of the district administration, confiding to this paper, felt that there won't be a problem as such. Majority of the faithfuls are peace lovers and they know the reality. The issue will be settled without any law and order problem, he asserted. As of now, the administration has taken the announcement as only a sort of pressure tactics by some hardliners in the Orthodox group. Anyhow, it has generated immense curiosity among the faithfuls as well as observers. Another interesting aspect of the development is the impression gaining around that the Orthodox group, traditional supporters of the UDF camp, is slowly getting disenchanted with it.

Source: newindpress.com

Friday, August 23, 2002

Priest’s burial: Row settled

ALUVA/KOCHI: Tension over the burial of a priest at the St Mary’s church cemetery in Vadavucode, near Kolencherry, blew over following talks convened by District Collector Gyanesh Kumar in Kochi on Thursday evening. Following the discussions, in which top leaders of both the factions took part, it was agreed to bury Fr Joseph Vendarappilly, 72, a member of Malankara Orthodox faction, who died yesterday, at the cemetery at 2 pm tomorrow. The Jacobite Syrian faction, which opposed the priest’s burial at the cemetery since the deceased was reportedly not a member of the parish, however, insisted that metropolitans of the opposite faction should keep away from the funeral. With the Jacobite faction agreeing to this condition, tension that gripped the area from last evening eased. The main objection to the burial of Fr Vendarappilly was that the deceased was a member of Nadamel parish and his burial could be held in that parish only.

Source: www.newindpress.com

Wednesday, August 21, 2002

Orthodox faction lashes out at Government

KOTTAYAM: The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church on Tuesday lashed out at the UDF Government for what it felt was the protection given to the Patriarch faction of the Church for its ``totally illegal'' activities including seizing of churches and warned that it will be forced to launch an agitation against the Government for the injustice meted out to them. Addressing mediapersons, Malankara Metropolitan Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Mathews II pointed out that the UDF leadership including Irrigation Minister T M Jacob has proved that they are giving protection to all the activities of the `dissident' sect led by Thomas Mar Dionysios, now Baselios Thomas I. The Catholicos also accused UDF leaders P P Thankachan, T H Mustafa and Benny Behanan of shielding the Patriarch faction. T H Mustafa had reportedly said that the Supreme Court directives would not be adhered to in his Assembly constituency, the Catholicos charged. The Malankara Metropolitan also alleged that the violent incidents in connection with the recent burial of an old man at the Vellikulangara chapel of the Marmakode church near Chalakkudy was a pre-planned act of the `dissidents'. A rift had been in the air for quite a long time in the chapel between the two factions. That one of the sons of the deceased Manjooran Ittoop was an ardent Patriarch camp follower had forced the vicar to alert the police. The vicar had offered to bury the body if it was brought to the cemetery after performing last rites in any of the churches under the total control of the Patriarch fold. Unfortunately, it was turned down. The incidents that followed showed a deep rooted conspiracy at the behest of the Patriarch sect heirarchy to foment trouble. The Patriarch group tried to gatecrash and attacks were also unleashed on those in the opposite side, he said. Even after all these untoward events, the Government seems to be apathetic to it all, he said. Thomas Mar Sevarios, Mathews Mar Sevarios and Church secretary Dr Alexander Karakkal were also present at the news conference.

Source: www.newindpress.com

Friday, August 16, 2002

Priest, several others hurt in violence

THRISSUR: The dispute over the burial of Manjuran Ittop, 70, in the cemetery attached to the Marankode church here, now under the control of the Malankara Orthodox Church, culminated in a police lathicharge on Thursday. The secretary of Thrissur Cathedral of the Jacobite Syrian Church Fr. Mathew Azhamthara and a dozen others were injured. Fr. Azhamthara has been admitted to St. James Hospital at Chalakkudy. Members belonging to the two Church factions pelted stones at each other and the police. Two policemen were also injured. Police said that 26 persons belonging to both the factions were arrested in this connection. The body of Ittoop was later buried by his relatives in the cemetery with police help. Marankode church was the original church of the Jacobite Church in Vellikulangara. There is also a chapel belonging to the church in the village. While the original church has a cemetery attached to it, the chapel is without a cemetery. The main Marankode church with the cemetery facility is now under the control of the Malankara Orthodox faction while the chapel is under the control of the Jacobite faction. Bodies of the faithful belonging to both the groups were traditionally buried in the cemetery attached to the Marankode church. Manjuran Ittoop, a resident of Vellikulangara, belonging to the Jacobite Syrian faction had died on Wednesday night and as per the practice, his relatives approached the Marankode church authorities for burial in the cemetery. They conceded the request on condition that no priest belonging to the Jacobite Syrian faction will be allowed to enter the church along with the body for the burial ceremony. However, the relatives of the deceased insisted that one priest hailing from Vellikulangara would accompany the body, which was not agreeable to the other faction. The RDO and district police authorities tried to settle the issue amicably right from this morning. However, both factions refused to relent. About 4 pm, the relatives of Ittoop carried the body to the Marankode church. But members of the opposing faction closed the gate of the church. Finding that the gate was closed, the group tried to break open the gate by force. The faithful of the Malankara Orthodox Church assembled inside the church pelted stones at them and the police. At this point, the police resorted to a lathicharge in which people of both the groups were injured. The injuries were not serious. Following the lathicharge, both the groups dispersed keeping the body on the church compound. Later, with the help of the police the relatives of the deceased buried the body in the cemetery as per their religious rites.

Source: newindpress.com

Government Conspiracy?

PATHANAMTHITTA: Baselios Mar Thomas Mathews II, Catholicos of Malankara Orthodox Church (rival faction), has said that the UDF Government is playing vote bank politics on the issue of implementing Supreme Court verdict on the supreme head of Malankara Orthodox Church and ownership of its churches. The Catholicos, who was in Adoor today in connection with a protest rally of the faithfuls from the churches under the Kollam diocese, told The New Indian Express that even now the Government's attitude towards the Malankara Orthodox Church was neither positive nor sincere. ``We are not asking for any concessions or undue favours from the Government'', he said. ``The Malankara Orthodox Church and over 20 lakh faithfuls want the court orders to be implemented immediately'', the Catholicos said. Even after holding talks on various issues with the Government, no sincere follow-up actions were taken by the Government, he said. ``We want to keep the 1,600-odd parishes under the Malankara Orthodox Church as per the Supreme Court order'', he said. `We want and stand for peace among believers. But don't interpret it as a weakness'', the Catholicos said. Later, he inaugurated the protest rally and meeting organised by the various churches under the Kollam diocese.

Source: malankaralaityforum

Wednesday, August 14, 2002

Knanaya Church joins issue with Orthodox faction

KOTTAYAM: The ongoing Church feud has taken an interesting turn with the Malankara Syrian Knanaya Jacobite Church joining issue with the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, for the latter's attempt to interfere in the administrative affairs of the former and moves to excommunicate the Knanaya Jacobite Church supremo Abraham Mar Clemis, the longest serving bishop in the country. The managing committee of the Orthodox Syrian Church, held here last weekend, had recommended to the Church synod the `removal' of Mar Clemis along with Patriarch sect supremo Baselius Thomas I and eight other bishops from the list of Malankara Church hierarchy. Knanaya Samudaya trustee T O Elias and secretary Thampan Thomas told mediapersons that the reported move of Orthodox Church head Catholicos Baselius Marthoma Mathews II to `take over' the temporal and administrative powers in parishes belonging to the Knanaya Church along with that of the Patriarch sect, in his capacity as the Malankara Metropolitan, is totally ill-motivated and even points to a conspiracy. They added that it may not be wrong if someone suspects that the real motive behind the clamour for control of churches in the possession of even sister denominations is nothing but intense yearning for wealth and institutions. They pointed out that the Knanaya Jacobite Church is a purely independent Church with a constitution approved by the Supreme Court and a Knanaya Association and managing committee under it. Only bishops elected by the Association have valid powers, as per the Knanaya Church constitution. The office-bearers said that it was really sad to see the responsible Church heads acting in a way to foment trouble in sister churches, when they are supposed to be the apostles of peace. Church heads coming out with statements and facts which is at odds with truth is against the basic tenets of Christianity, they reminded. On whether there was any likelihood of joint moves by the Knanaya and Patriarch Churches against the Orthodox faction, Elias said that as of now there was no scope. ``There were instances in the past also on some bishops excommunicating other bishops and vice-versa at the height of any feud between churches,'' he said. ``But we consider those who have recorded unstinted allegiance to the Patriarch of Antioch as our sister churches,'' he added

RSS may revive `Swadeshi Church' agenda at Kottayam conclave

KOCHI: When its top national leadership sits across a table with Christian intellectuals in Kottayam next week discussing the possibility of a `National Church', the RSS is likely to revive its Swadeshi Church agenda with the hope of finding an ally in the Orthodox faction of the Malankara Church. Citing the live discussion between the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church and the Jacobite Syrian Church over the ``foreign supremacy of the Church,'' RSS sources said that the concept of Swadeshi Church would evolve stronger through the ongoing row between these factions. Realising that time is opportune for cashing in on this, the RSS may use the Kottayam conclave to propagate its `Swadeshi Church' theory. The argument that the Catholicos enjoys the supreme control over the temporal powers of the churches corroborates Sudarshan's Nagpur statement that ``Churches should have no foreign links or financial transactions'', sources pointed out. ``We have always been of the view that Indian Churches should be independent and that their management and properties should be solely under the control of Indian Christians. The Orthodox faction is also attesting to this view of Swadeshi management,'' they said. However, according to Joseph Pulikkunnel, the main host of the dialogue, the `National Church' is merely one of the six agendas set for the programme. ``There would be also discussions on `Conversions, minority rights, Dalit issues and flow of foreign funds. We don't know what Sudarshan is going to focus on,'' Pulikkunnel said. Sources, however, said that RSS chief K Sudarshan's idea of a Federation of Swadeshi Churches is one of the main agendas of the meet. Addressing a public function at Nagpur last year, the RSS chief had called on the Christian intellectuals in the country to initiate the process by sitting together and discussing the shape of the federation. Speaking on his concept of `Swadeshi' Church, the RSS chief had also wanted the Indian Churches to sever all their foreign links, including financial transactions. Sudarshan had also insisted that the properties of the Churches should be solely under the control of Indian Christians. The RSS supremo's speech had drawn heavy flak from the spiritual heads of various Churches and the laity associations in the country. But Sudarshan reiterated his theory during a major dialogue between the RSS and the Church leaders at Aluva in November last. The Aluva meet was attended by the spiritual leaders of almost all the major Churches in India, except the Syro- Malabar Church and the Orthodox Syrian Church. There were reports that Sudarshan's repeated adherence to his theory was one of the reasons that deterred these major Churches from keeping out of the meet.

Source: newindpress.com

Tuesday, August 13, 2002

HC orders the police to maintain law and order in Malankara Church

Kochi: The High Court, in an order to the police, said that law and order should be ensured in the churches under Malankara Church. A Division Bench comprising Justice B.N. Krishna and Justice G. Sivarajan gave the order saying that the court will not interfere in the dispute between the Orthodox and Jacobite factions of Malankara Church for the time being. A petition submitted by the Orhtodox faction has been kept for admission on August 27. The petition was submitted by Malankara Metropolitan Holy Baselius Marthoma Mathews II Catholicos, Thomas Mar Athanaseus, Yohannan Mar Milithious, Sahkarias Mar Antonius and Paulose Mar Pakkomios. The petitioners have asked the court to give protection to the Holy Catholios to exercise his rights as 'Catholicos and Malankara Metropolitan'. The petition further said that enough police protection should be given to the other seven Metropolitans to enter the churches and excercise their rights and authority and the believers to conduct prayer meetings. The Holy Catholicos Baselius Thomas I Joseph Mar Gregarios, Thomas Mar Thimotheus, Yuhanan Mar Peluxinos, Benyamin Mar Osthatheus, Mathews Mar Ivanios, Marcose Mar Kurilos, Geevarghese Mar Polycarpus and Kuriakose Mar Yulios of Jacobite faction should be prevented from entering Malankara churches, the petition said. According to 1934 Constitution, the petitioners have rights to about 1150 churches and the opposing faction has no rights to prevent them from entering these churches. The appellants solicited police protection in this. The Supreme Court had ordered on November 28, 2001, to form Malankara Association after an election. Justice V. Malimat was appointed to supervise the election. The petitioners said that the Holy Catholicos was selected as Malankara Metropolitan based on this order.

Source: manoramaonline

Sunday, August 11, 2002

Malankara Syrian Orthodox Bishops 'blacklisted'

KOTTAYAM Aug. 11. The crisis in the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church appears to have taken a decisive turn with the Managing Committee owing allegiance to Catholicos Baselius Mar Thoma Mathews II, which met here the other day, deciding not to recognise the validity of the consecration of 10 bishops, including the senior most bishop in Indian Christendom, Bishop Abraham Mar Clemis, and the Catholicos Baselius Thomas I of the Patriarch faction. The Managing Committee, which took several important decisions on the basis of the Supreme Court directive that they have the right to decide on "who are all the incumbents'' of the various dioceses, has also approved the list of 22 bishops including the four who had crossed over from the Patriarch faction and also on 25 dioceses, including four new ones. The dioceses of Angamali and Kandanad have been bifurcated, Thrissur has been added and a new dioceses, Mavelikara has been newly created. The 10 bishops who have been `blacklisted' by the Orthodox Church also include Joseph Mar Gregorios, Juhanon Mar Philexinos, Thomas Mar Thimotheos, Benyamin Mar Osthathios, Geevarghees Mar Policarpos, Kuriakose Mar Eulios, Markose Mar Koorilos and Mathews Mar Ivanos. Bishop Abraham Mar Clemis, who has been serving the Knanaya Orthodox Church for more than half a century as the bishop and had served as Malankara Metropolitan for a brief period earlier, has the distinction of being excommunicated by the former Catholicos, Baselius Ougen. According to the Orthodox Church spokesman, the decision not to recognise his consecration was nothing unexpected as he had not declared his allegiance to Catholicos Baselius Mar Thomas Mathews II. Knanaya Church sources, however, pointed out that Mar Clemis was much senior to the Catholicos in the church hierarchy. The four bishops who had crossed over to the Orthodox Church from the Patriarch faction and have been recognised by the Managing Committee are Bishop Abraham Mar Savarios (Angamali), Thomas Mar Athanasios (Kandanad), Juhanon Mar Milithos (Thrissur) and Zacharias Mar Nicholovas (U.S.) The recommendations of the Managing Committee will have to be ratified by the Synod, but it is only a formality. According to sources, a total overhauling of the administrative structure is in the offing in the Orthodox Church and this process would be completed within six months. They also said the publication of the list of bishops `blacklisted' by the Church did not amount to a closing of the doors on any peace moves still in process, since the decisions could be revoked by the authoritative body if the `blacklisted' persons expressed their allegiance to the 1934 Constitution and Catholicos Mathews II.

source: the hindu

Saturday, August 10, 2002

Principle secretary to His Beatitude is appointed

Fr. Varghese Mykulangara is appointed as principle Secretary to Catholicose Mor Baselious Thomas I by the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East.

Source: [SOCM-FORUM] Digest Number 298

Thursday, August 8, 2002

Orthodox faction fomenting feud

PATHANAMTHITTA Aug 7. The Antiochia Visvasa Samrakshana Samithy (AVSS) floated by the laity and clergy of the Jacobite Syrian Church has alleged that the Orthodox faction led by Moran Mar Baselius Marthoma Mathews-II, who was recently declared as the Malankara Metropolitan by the Supreme Court, was fomenting factional feud among the believers by trying to sabotage the receptions to Catholicos Thomas-I organised by the former in different parts of the State. Addressing a press conference here today, the AVSS president and the chief of the Manjanikkara Mor Ignathios Diara near Pathanamthitta said the reception to the Catholicos Thomas-I at Thiruvalla slated for August 25 has been postponed to September 22 following the alleged move by the Orthodox faction to make trouble there by organising another meeting there on the same day. The AVSS had to postpone similar receptions organised for the Catholicos Thomas-I at Adoor and various other places following the provocative attitude of the Orthodox faction at these places, the Metropolitan alleged. However, the AVSS leader said the Jacobite faction, which fully endorsed the supremacy of the Patriarch of Antioch, was duty-bound to protect the churches now in its control at any cost. Joseph Mar Osthathios alleged that the so-called Orthodox faction was trying to create troubles by misleading the people and authorities through spreading false interpretation of the Supreme Court order. He said the apex court had upheld the Patriarch of Antioch as the supreme head of the Jacobite Church. Moreover, the Patriarch had never anointed Baselius Marthoma-II as the Catholicos of the East, the Diara chief said. He said the Manjanikara Mar Ignathios Diara and 27 other Simhasana churches were under the direct control of the Patriarch and the so-called Malankara Metropolitan had absolutely no power over them. Fr. E.T.John, T.V.Thomas, T.V.Punnose, Fr Paul Nallila, Mr Koshy P.George and A.J.Abraham also spoke.

source: the hindu

Sunday, August 4, 2002

Court restrains Baselios Thomas I from entering churches

KOCHI: Ernakulam Additional District Judge A Hariprasad on Saturday issued an order of temporary injunction restraining Baselios Thomas I (formerly Thomas Mar Dionysius), the new Catholicos of the Jacobite Syrian Church, from entering any of the 107 parish churches in Angamali Diocese, 57 churches in Kochi Diocese and 55 churches in Kandanad Diocese of the Malankara Church which are administered under the 1934 constitution of the Church. The Court also issued orders restraining the Catholicos from acting as the Catholicos or bishop of the Malankara Church. The Judge pointed out that nobody could claim that there are still two groups in the Church after the election to the Malankara Association held under the supervision of Justice Malimath, the observer appointed by the Apex Court. The order was passed on an interlocutory application filed by Thomas Mar Athanasius Metropolitan of the Chengannur Diocese and two others belonging to the rival Orthodox faction of the Malankara Church. They submitted that Mar Dionysius was not entitled to benefit the status quo order of the Supreme Court in the Church dispute case. Meanwhile, Thampu George Thukalan, secretary of the Jacobite Syrian Church, said in a statement that Saturday’s order was not applicable to the Jacobite Church or its Catholicos as it is made clear in the order itself that the order is applicable only to churches belonging to Malankara Orthodox Church which are administered by the 1934 constitution. The order is not applicable to churches which have joined together to form Jacobite Syrian Christian Association and decided to stand steadfast for the ancient traditions and faith of the Malankara Church. These churches are administered as per the constitution drawn up and accepted by the Jacobite Syrian Christian Association. Thomas Mar Dionysius was elected Catholicos as per the said constitution. Even as per the the Supreme Court judgment the Patriarch of Antioch is the supreme head of the Church. Mar Dionysius was ordained Catholicos by that supreme head

Source: newindpress.com

Monday, July 29, 2002

5 Hurt as Church factions clash in Kolenchery KOCHI:

Atleast five persons, including three policemen, were injured in a series of violent incidents at the tension-gripped Kolenchery in the district where the Orthodox-Jacobite factions of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church convened two separate meetings on Sunday. The policemen were hurt in stone-pelting while trying to disperse the mob and another person was injured in the attack by the opposite camp. A physically handicapped man who was witnessing the scene atop a compound wall injured when he fell down from it. The injured cops Rajesh, Satheesh and Ismail have been admitted to Kolenchery Medical Mission Hospital. The area has been under the grip of tension ever since both the factions decided to organise separate functions on the same day. Though the police had advised the rival factions to organise the functions on different dates, the leaderships did not oblige, said police sources. Tension mounted this afternoon as a procession taking Catholicos Mar Baselios Thomas I reached Kolenchery junction. The police had a tough time to control both the groups which blocked the road and raised provocative slogans on each other. Though, after much persuasions the police could divert the Jacobite procession to the venue of their meeting, clash broke out when both the factions thronged in front of the St Peters and St Paul Church. The police first chased away t he mob but later, they regrouped and started pelting stones against the rivals which forced the police to resort mild lathi charge. The cops were injured when the scattered mob pelted stone against them. A strong contingent of police led by Rural SP P V Kunjikannan is camping in the area.

Source: [SOCM-FORUM] Digest Number 285

Friday, July 26, 2002

Meeting between Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox in Warburg, Germany

From Friday 27 July 2001 until Sunday 29 we, Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox bishops, priests, deacons, readers, monks, laypeople and youngsters, living mostly in Western Europe, gathered together in Warburg near Kassel, Germany, in order to know each other better as well as to discuss issues of mutual interest and of possible common action. More than 30 people coming from eleven countries were present. The list of all participants will be given in the Appendix. Our meeting was honoured by the presence of three Bishops: Bishop Damian of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Germany who, very generously, invited the whole group to stay at the Coptic premises; Metropolitan Seraphim, Romanian Orthodox Metropolitan of Western and Central Europe with seat in Germany and his secretary Fr. Calinic, as well as by that of Archbishop Mor Julius Cicek of the Syrian Orthodox Church accompanied by two monks from the monastery in Hengelo near Enschede, the Netherlands. Our meeting was in fact an implementation of pastoral outcomes of the official theological dialogue, in order to know better our Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox brothers and sisters and their specific traditions. This was proposed several times in Recommendations on Pastoral Issues of the Official Theological Dialogue. For example, in Chambésy, Geneva, in September 1990, in Relations of our two Families of Churches (I), it was stated that «We feel as a Joint Thological Commission that a period of intense preparation of our people to participate in the implementation of our recommendations and in the restoration of communion of our Churches is needed. To this end we propose the following practical procedure. It is important to plan an exchange of visits by our heads of Churches and prelates, priests and lay people of each one of our two Families of Churches to the other » (...) and also « to exchange theological professors and students » (...) « In localities where Churches of the two Families co-exist, the congregations should organize participation of one group of people- men, women, youth and children, including priests-, where possible from one congregation of one Family to a congregation of the other, to attend in the latter's Eucharistic worship on Sundays and feast days. « (see `Towards Unity', chief editor C.Chaillot, Geneva 1998, p.65). Recommendations of members of the Official Dialogue of September 1990 also suggest to work for « our common service to the world of suffering, need, injustice and conflicts » (...)« We need to think together how best we could co-ordinate our existing schemes for promoting our humanitarian and philanthropic projects in the socio- ethnic context of our peoples and of the world at large. This would entail our common approach to such problems such as: a) hunger and poverty, b) sickness and suffering, c) political, religious and social discrimination, d) refugees and victims of war, e) youth, drugs and unemployment, f) the mentally and physically handicapped, g) the old and the aged ». So we came together to see what can be discussed and done together. Firstly, on Friday afternoon, we went to the Syrian Orthodox Monastery of St. Jacob of Sarugh situated in Warburg where we learned about the Syrian Orthodox history, culture and liturgical life. The questions posed were answered by Father Hanna Aydin, who is the Abbot of the monastery as well as the director of the seminary (where theology, liturgy, Syriac language and culture are taught): the place is also the seat of a new diocese since 1997. We attended vespers sung in Syriac language by the Syrian Orthodox students of a summer course of Syriac language. In addition, we were astonished to hear about the tremendous amount of work done in the 44 Syrian Orthodox parishes establised in Germany since 1981, with more than 60000 faithful, mostly from Tur Abdin (South East Turkey) and by others coming from Syria, Lebanon and also Iraq. On Friday late afternoon we went to the Coptic Village in Borgentreich, and started there by introducing each other. Several sessions held on Saturday were dealing with two key issues chosen by the participants for the morning and afternoon meetings: (1) interaction in practice betwen the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox; (2) youthwork. (1) Within the given theme we identified the following main topics, and many examples from churches in different countries were given: - social issues: it was suggested to have a future common net of diaconial work, e.g. among the immigrants, handicapped, elderly, etc. - liturgical issues: e.g. to have liturgical explanation about the different traditions, perhaps in a form of a conference; regular common meetings of clergy on local and national level were proposed, who could also be joined by lay and young people, as it has been the case in Australia for many years. - cultural issues: an icon exhibition of the different traditions was suggested. (Bishop Damian is ready to host such an event in the Coptic Village in Borgentreich). (2) On Saturday afternoon the core of discussion was on youth work. The participants shared their experience in youth fellowship and deliberated how to motivate youngsters to take an active part in the Church life. Many people stressed that parents and even grandparents, and the example of an Orthodox attitude especially towards the children and the family life in general, plays a big role in passing on the faith in a lively way. The Church herself should be more open in a way to help the youth to understand the Orthodox Christian life, for instance by arranging a cathechetical material, perhaps in a form of leaflets, in different European languages. Moreover, we tried to reflect upon the mutual relationship of ethnic and religious identities and upon common problems. On Saturday evening we attended vespers in the Byzantine rite, sung in various languages. On Sunday morning the Syrian, Ethiopian and Armenian Orthodox clergy celebrated the Coptic Orthodox Liturgy, with the presence of the Eastern Orthodox, in Brenkhausen, in the Coptic monastery named after the Virgin Mary and St. Maurice, a Christian born in Egypt who died in the 4th century as a martyr with his Theban Legion in Switzerland. The Coptic monastery is situated 35 km from Borgenreich, and is being restored since 1994. As for the activities of the Coptic Orthodox Church, which has been present in Germany since 1975, there are now 6 000 Copts organized in 8 communities, (23 in all Europe), with 2 monasteries and a cultural centre in Borgentreich, 15 km from Warburg, huge ex-military areal with lots of potential with ambitious plans for the future. Three Ethiopians, including a priest, Father Semu Mitiku (Germany), and a deacon, Fisseha Teferi ( the U.K.), also joined the meeting and helped us to get a basic insight into the situation of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in Europe: more than 50000 faithful in Europe (with about 12 parishes mainly in England, Sweden, Italy, Austria, Greece, the Netherlands, and about 20000 faithful and 6 priests in Germany). There was a presentation of the Ethiopian Orthodox Youth Association Mehebere Kidussan, with the seat in Addis Abbaba and recently being established also in Europe. An Armenian deacon from France, Philippe Sukiasyan, explained about the history of the Armenian Church, its modern reality and problems in diaspora and he also shared his experience of growing in a double cultural context. Alexandra Popescu and Lilian Agi represented the Eastern Orthodox youth movement of Germany. The two participants from Finland, Lea and Shimelles Tenaw-Rissanen, explained that the International Orthodox Community of the Helsinki Orthodox Parish, named St. Isaac of Nineveh, welcomes all Oriental Orthodox living there to join their parish and liturgical life as they don't have their own churches there: this situation is fully recognised by the Orthodox Church in Finland and they have several activities, such as family camps, excursions, seminars, exhibition of icons and Church ustensils, food bazaar, as well as the publication of a newletter `St. Isaac News'. Moreover, Oriental Orthodox priests are invited from abroad occasionally to conduct Oriental divine liturgy service in their native tongues and participate in seminars organized by the Community. Rudolf Stransky from the Czechoslovak Orthodox Church, who helped to organise the whole event, spoke on the possibilities of supporting Armenian immigrants living now in the Czech Republic not to lose their religious identity. Concretely, the representants of different youth movement decided to invite one another to participate at each other's future activities. Bishop Damian proposed to convert one of the buildings of the Coptic centre into a youth house so that youth movements of Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox could share in their activities. Bishop Damian also offered the premises of the Coptic village in Borgentreich as a possible permanent meeting centre for conferences, retreats and other future happenings. Monasteries were also suggested as another option of a cheap meeting place. Metropolitan Serafim informed the gathering about his willingness to have Saints common to both Traditions depicted in the new Romanian Orthodox cathedral in Nuerenberg. We all agreed that conferences, at local and regional levels, on various themes, including ethics and other contemporary problems, could be organised. Some people should be appointed to organise future meetings in order to foster continuing relationship, principally through the Eastern Orthodox Association `Inter-Orthodox Dialogue' based in Paris and founded in 2000 by Christine Chaillot, the main organiser of this meeting. It was adviced that funds should be raised from within our own communities, or even through the help of professional fundraisers. In order to make their presence in contemporary Europe more visible, the participants have agreed to prepare a Western European guide of Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox sites (parishes and monasteries) with addresses, pictures and maps. Having such a book, it would be easier to organize common visits and pilgrimages. People have been appointed for each region. (Father Moussa, France; Bishop Anba Damian and Father Calinic, Germany; etc). In the Netherlands the Eastern Orthodox have already published such a booklet. Information from all Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches in western Europe and information about upcoming events, including news from other Orthodox sites, newly published books and CDs, etc., will be collected on an international web site, which will be operated by an appointed committee with responsible persons for each tradition and to whom news, topics and notices can be sent by email. (Deacon Philip Sukiasyan for the Armenian tradition, Father Moussa for the Coptic tradition and other volunteers to be appointed). There is also a desire to have a Church radio for Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox. Conclusion. This type of meeting of the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox prelates, clergy and faithful was held for the first time in Europe. It is very enriching to learn from the other traditions, at the liturgical, cultural and, especially, at the spiritual levels. It was also a unique chance for the Oriental Orthodox to meet each other. The accent was put on trying to find the way how to attract young people to Church, and how to increase the quality of the prayers and divine services, which should not be just a mere routine , but a means to develop a deep spiritual experience of the union with God through prayer. We enjoyed very much the hospitality we received in the Syrian Orthodox monastery and in the Coptic Orthodox places, and we may say that all participants were really enthusiastic about the whole event, (as clearly shown by a young representative of the Fellowship of Orthodox Youth in Poland, Pawel Zelezniakowicz, who came by hitchhiking!). We all came to the conclusion that it is a necessity to carry on similar encounters and events in an atmosphere of mutual love and respect in order to maintain our own Orthodox Faith Traditon, and every Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Tradition respectively, in continuity from generation to generation, which is more and more difficult in the context of diaspora. We hope to have similar meetings in the near future in Belgium, the Netherlands, England and France, and later in other places. All Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches have now many parishes all around Europe. We have to prepare qualified people to serve our churches in Europe. We hope to produce a common practical network. We shall send these minutes to our Patriarchs, Bishops and all the people interested in these issues.

Source: Orthodox Unity News

Thursday, July 25, 2002

Catholicos of the East to be consecrated

H.G. Mor Dionysius Thomas will be consecrated the Catholicose of Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church on Friday, 26th July 2002 at 9.00 A.M in the Patriarchal Cathedral, Damascus, Syria. The Supreme Head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church, His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East will be the chief celebrant. Syrian Orthodox Bishops from Malankara, Syria, Sweden, Netherlands, Germany, Lebanon, Jerusalem and Australia will be the co-celebrants. Indian ambassador to Syria, and representatives of Syrian Government will attend the consecration as guests. His Beatitude will arrive at 10.30 AM Cochin international airport via Dubai & Bombay on 27th Saturday. A warm welcome by the Malankara church representatives will be given at the Airport. H.B will be escorted by many vehicles to Kottayam for the grand reception of the church to be held at Thirunnakkara Ground on the evening and will be presided by the Chief Metropolitan of the East Mor Cleemis. Many sister church, political, government dignitaries will attend the public function. Mor Dionysius Thomas was chosen to be the Catholicose at the church delegates meeting held at Puthencurish, Kerala On July 6th, 2002. The election was ratified by the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church Synod on 22nd July 2002. With the consecration of the new Catholicose, the split in the Malankara Syrian Church will be final. Of the total two million followers of the Syrian Church, the independent Indian Orthodox Church will have 1,244 churches, while the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church will have a total of 944 churches including a majority of the ancient churches.

Source: Thomas Daniel

March 2002

Mor Ivanios Mathews appointed as the diocesan metropolitan by His Holiness Moran Mar Ignatius Zakka I Iwas

Source: www.malankara.com

December 29, 2001

PATRIARCHAL SUSPENSION OF NICHOLOVOS ZACHARIAH

On December 28, 2001 we have received an official notification from His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, Syrian Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, that Nicholovos Zachariah, the former prelate of the Malankara Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church in North America, has been suspended and relieved of all spiritual and temporal authority and responsibilities. This action has been taken due to the fact that Nicholovos Zachariah unilaterally chose to leave our Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch and join the other faction in Kottayam in open violation of the purpose of his episcopal calling. By his action, Nicholovos Zachariah has chosen to be an outsider to the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch. As such, he can no longer be entrusted with the spiritual direction of the Malankara Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church in North America which is directly under the Holy Apostolic Sea of Antioch and is not bound by the developments in our Church in India.

Source: Syrian Orthodox Church