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Apostolic Voyage to India -2000
Second Apostolic Visit of His Holiness the Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas to India

 

Reception to His Holiness at Mumbai (Bombay) in April 2000

 

His Holiness's second Apostolic visit to India was in April 2000, to attend the Episcopal Golden Jubilee of Mor Abraham Clemis, the late Metropolitan of the Knanaya diocese of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church.  

On April 7th, Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas arrived at Nedumbassery airport in Kerala, India from Mumbai.  His Holiness was accorded a tumultuous welcome at the airport where he addressed and blessed the gathering.  Representatives of the State Government were also present at the airport to receive His Holiness.  The Patriarch then proceeded to Chingavanam, making an unscheduled stop enroute at Malecuriz Dayro to pay his respects at the tomb of late Catholicos Mor Baselios Paulose II. The Patriarch  reached Chingavanam by the evening.  Next day, on April 8th, His Holiness presided over the golden jubilee celebrations of the Episcopal consecration of the Knanaya Syrian Orthodox Metropolitan, Qooberneeyto Hakeemo H.G. Mor Clemis Abraham at Kottayam. Multitudes of faithful gathered at the Nehru Stadium, Kottayam on the occasion. Earlier in the morning, His Holiness visited the Mor Ignatius Dayro at Manjanikkara to pay respects at the tomb of late Patriarch Mor Ignatius Elias III.

The Holy Father was the chief celebrant of the Holy Qurbono offered on 18 altars on 9th (Sunday) at the Mor Aphrem Dayro, Chingavanam, marking the Jubilee celebrations of the exalted Metropolitan; Bishops from India and other countries were the co-celebrants.  

Following felicitations to H.G. Mor Clemis Abraham on the Episcopal golden jubilee, His Holiness addressed a large gathering of people at the Patriarchal Center of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church, Puthencuriz.   During the occasion His Holiness the Patriarch declared Mor Gregorios Abdul`Jaleel (1681) and Mor Osthatheos Sleeba (1930) as SAINTS, and also permitted  to recite the Quqalyon for the Saints (Zadeeko) at their holy tombs and beseech their intercession.  Enroute to Puthenkuriz, the Patriarch offered prayers of incense at the tomb of late metropolitan, H.G. Mor Gregorios Geevarghese at Perumpally. The Patriarchal entourage retired to the theological seminary at Udayagiri for the night.  In the morning, His Holiness and the metropolitans left the seminary and arrived at the Akaparambu Mar Sabor Mor Aphroth Church where they were given a royal reception. After leading Lenten prayers, His Holiness addressed the gathering there and expressed his gladness in visiting the birthplace and parish church of the late Malankara Metropolitan Mor Athanasius Paulose. A large gathering lead by the metropolitans of the Malankara Church assembled at the Nedumbassery International Airport to see off the beloved Patriarch and the metropolitans who accompanied him. The Patriarchal entourage left Nedumbassery at 11:45 am ending the brief but eventful apostolic visit to Malankara.

On arriving at Mumbai Santacruz airport at 1 pm, the Patriarch proceeded to Hotel Sun-N-Sand at Juhu. At 6:30 pm, His Holiness and the accompanying metropolitans were taken to Shanmukhananda Hall at Sion (the largest hall in Asia) in a convoy of about 100 cars, lead by a pilot jeep bearing the patriarchal flag. The Patriarch was received into the hall by priests, and laity with lit candles while the choir chanted the hymn 'Tobo shlom'. Following vespers, H.G Mor Themotheos Thomas welcomed His Holiness. The Patriarch exhorted all to be good citizens of India and to uphold the doctrines of true Christian faith. His Holiness and metropolitans retired to Hotel Sun-N-Sand at Juhu and left for Damascus on April 11th at 7:30 am via Dubai.

News from the 'Syriac orthodox Resources' on the Patriarchal visit of 2000
1. The Patriarch arrives in Malankara http://sor.cua.edu/SOCNews/2000/00040801.html
2. His Holiness Presides at Jubilee Celebrations http://sor.cua.edu/SOCNews/2000/00040901.html
3. The Patriarch offers Holy Qurbono at Chingavanam, Addresses Gathering in Puthenkurishu http://sor.cua.edu/SOCNews/2000/00041001.html
4.  His Holiness returns to Damascus from Malankara  http://sor.cua.edu/SOCNews/index.html

 

Photos of the 2nd Apostolic visit of the Patriarch (2000)
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