Metropolitan-Archbishop Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Mar Koorilos appointed Rev. Dr. Antony Kakkanatt the New Syncellus of the Archieparchy of Tiruvalla on 1 May 2008 at Marygiri, the Archbishop’s House Tiruvalla. He was born in the year 1961 at Kudamankulam. He holds a Doctorate in the Theology of Catechism from Salesan University, Rome. Presently he is the Secretary of Synodal Commission for Faith Formation of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church and Chancellor of the Archieparchy of Tiruvalla.
Most Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Divannasios appointed Rev. Dr. Eldho Puthenkandathil, the New Protosyncellus of the Eparchy of Bathery on 31 March 2008 at Dharmapeedom Bathery. He was born on 30 April 1957 at Kodancherry and ordained priest on 30 December 1982. He holds a Doctorate in Biblical Theology from the Gregorian University, Rome. He has been serving as the Director of Shreyas, the Social Service Apostolate of the Eparchy for the last seven years. He is also a Visiting Professor in the faculty of Theology of the Malankara Major Seminary.
The Sixth Ordinary Holy Episcopal Synod of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church began at 6 pm on 5 March 2008, at the Catholicate Centre, Pattom. His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos presided over the Holy Synod. All the Synod Fathers, His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos (President), Most Rev. Thomas Mar Koorilos (Secretary), Most Rev. Geevarghese Mar Divannasios, Most Rev. Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom, Most Rev. Joshua Mar Ignathios, Most Rev. Abraham Mar Julios, Most Rev. Geevarghese Mar Timotheos, Most Rev. Joseph Mar Thomas and Most Rev. Jacob Mar Barnabas participated in the Synod. The Synod concludes on 7 March 2008.
An assembly of the members of the various Synodal Commissions of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church was held on 5 March 2008 at the Catholicate Centre, Pattom. His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos inaugurated the assembly. Most Rev. George Alenchery, Bishop of Thakkalai gave the orientation talk for the assembly. Thereafter, each commission gathered in group and discussed their activities. In the afternoon, the secretaries of each Synodal Commission presented the report of their discussions. The assembly concluded with the Apostolic blessing imparted by His Beatitude the Catholicos along with the Metropolitans present on the occasion. Around 300 members participated in the assembly.