Most Rev. Dr. Joshua Mar Ignathios celebrates the feast of St. Ignathios of Antioch

The first Bishop of Mavelikara Most Rev. Dr. Joshua Mar Ignathios celebrated the feast of St. Ignathios of Antioch, his heavenly patron, on 29th January 2009. The celebrations started with solemn Holy Qurbono offered by Mar Ignathios in the cathedral, Punnamoodu. The felicitation meeting was presided over by Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos. During the meeting the Mr. John Thevarath and Mrs, Annamma John Plamootil were given the official medal of the Diligent Son (Bar Itho Kasiro) and Diligent Daughter (Barz Itho Kasirtho)  of the church respectively. The meeting also marked the official launching of the social activities of the diocese by Sri. M. Murali MLA, Sri. Babu Prasad MLA, Sri. Vasudeva Sharma and Sri. Kodikkunnil Suresh. During  the function Archbishops Mar Mathew Moolakkattil and Thomas Mar Koorilos, Bishops Dr. Stanley Roman, Mar Mathew Arackkal, Dr. Joseph Kariyil, Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom, Abraham Mar Yulios,  Jacob Mar Barnabas and Thomas Mar Timotheos, Leader of Opposition Sri.  Oommen Chandy, Minister Sri. Monson Joseph, Sri.  Tiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, Sri. G. Karthikeyan and  Sri. V.M. Sudheeran were present. Many priests, religious and lay people felicitated Mar Ignathios.

Foundation Stone Laid for the St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Muvattupuzha; Official website launched

On 15th January 2009, the 6th Annual day celebration of the establishment of Eparchy of Muvattupuzha was marked significant by another historical event. The foundation stone for the new cathedral which was blessed by Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, the Prefect of the Oriental Congregation, during his official visit to Malankara Catholic Church on 10 November 2008, was laid by Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos, in the presence of Archbishop Most Rev. Thomas Mar Koorilos and Most Rev. Abraham Mar Julios. The foundation stone. During the public meeting  Rt. Judge Justice Elizabeth Idikula and Mr. K. J. Peter were conferred with the Ecclesiastical honours namely “Barz etho sharrirtho” (Good Daughter of the Church) and “Bar etho shariro” (Good Son of the Church) respectively. The meeting also marked the launching ceremony of the official website of the eparchy (http://www.muvattupuzhadiocese.com). Many priests, religious and lay people were present during the programme.

Laity Honoured

Malankara Catholic Church honoured 21 members of the Laity who participate in the building up of the Church with immense sacrifice and exemplary service in the various missions of the Church. Among them 8 are women. The titles are called “(Bar Eetho Kasheetho) the Diligent Son of the Church” and “(Bars Eetho Kasheertho) the Diligent Daughter of the Church”. It goes without saying that the titles of honour bestowed in the Church are in recognition of the meritorious service they rendered to the Church. The Major Archbishop Catholicos announced the names of those dignitaries in the public meeting on the main day of the reunion day celebrations at Ranni. They laity are:

Trivandrum

1. Mr. Cherian Chenneerkara (Pampumala)
2. Mr. P. Poulose (Kanjiramkulam)
3. Mr. Mathew Varghse Keecheril (Pattom)
4. Mrs. Mary Samuel Mukkoottumannil (Punalur)

 
Thiruvalla
1. Mr. George Erumeda (Vandanmedu)
2. Mr. Thomas Pulickathara
3. Mrs. Eliyamma Varghese Madelil (Thottabhagam)

Bathery

1. Mr. M. K. Kuruvila Mekkatt (Uppatty)
2. Mrs. Valsamma Thankachan Parackal Puthenpura (Uppada)

Marthandom

1. Mr. Christal John (Nagarcoil)
2. Mrs. Vasanthakumari (Koickalthopp)

Moovattupuzha

1. Mr. K. J. Peter Keyyalil (Vettickal)
2. Mrs. Elizabeth Mathai Idikula (Ernakulam)

Mavelikara

1.Mr. Thomas John Thevareth (Puthiyakavu)
2. Mrs. Annamma George Plamoottil (Chengannur)

ETR

1. Mr. C. T. Symon (Bangalore)
2. Mr. P. V. THomas (Pune)
3. Mrs. Sarah Mani Kuriakose (Mumbai)

ETR outside India

1. Mr. Baby Thomas Naikamparambil (New York)
2. Mrs. Achamma John Mathai (Chicago)