Udupi: The Baselios Marthoma Paulose II Catholicos (the Supreme Head, equivalent to the Pope for Roman Catholics) of the Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Syrian Church, arrived in Udupi on Friday December 4 on a three-day pastoral visit. The Catholicos will make his maiden visit to St Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Cathedral Brahmavar and its chapels (also known as ‘Brahmavar KonkaniOrthodox Community’) from 4th to 6th of December.
The Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Paulose II was welcomed by Rev C A Isaac Vicar General of St Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Cathedral Brahmavar near KarvaliJunction Udupi. After receiving Catholicos at the Karavali Junction, he was taken to Brahmavar in a massive vehicle rally.
Metropolitan of Calcutta Diocese – Dr Joseph Mar Dionysius, Rev Yakoob Mar Elias, Metropolitan of Brahmavar Diocese, Assistant Parish Priests Fr Abraham Kuriyakose, Fr Lawerence David Crasta, Fr Noel Lewis, Fr Lawrence D’Souza, Anil Rodrigues Trustee, Wilson Lewis and others were present.
During his 3 days visit Catholicos will attend various programmes in Brahmavar. In the evening at 4 pm, a public meet will be held in the Church compound in view of the maiden visit of Catholicos Paulose II. Along with it, the inaugural ceremony of the Centennial Celebrations of the Cosmopolitan Higher Primary SchoolBrahmavar (the first educational institution of St Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Cathedral, Brahmavar) will also be held.
On 5 December, Catholicos Paulose II will set out to Hulikel, Shivamogga district to consecrate the newly built St Gregorios Orthodox Syrian Church (a chapel of St Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Cathedral, Brahmavar). Thereafter, His Holiness will be visiting all the chapels.
On 6 December, Catholicos Paulose II will be celebrating the holy mass at 8:30 am. During the mass, late Alvares Mar Julius Archbishop (Founder of Brahmavar Konkani Orthodox Community) and late Fr R Z Noronha (First Vicar General of St Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Cathedral Brahmavar) will be declared as ‘Blessed Saints’. Thereafter, Paulose II will engage in talks with various spiritual organizations and management committees associated with St Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Cathedral, Brahmavar. In the morning on 7 December, Catholicos Paulosewill bid adieu to Brahmavar.
