Joseph Mar Gregorios was a Catholic in the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church in Antioch Ignatius Aphrem II on Tuesday.
Joseph Mar Gregorios, president of the Jacob-sponsored Syrian Christian Church, was appointed Catholic on Tuesday.
The ceremony was held by the patriarch of Antioch and the head of the Syrian Orthodox church Ignatius Aphrem II at the Cathedral of St. Mary near Beirut, Lebanon. The official press release says he will be called Baselios Joseph after that.
The union and state government representatives attended the ceremony. They include Union Minister George Kurian, former Minister of External Affairs and Bharatiya Janata Party Leader V. Muraleedharan and Minister of Industry and Law P. Rajeeve. Many church leaders and representatives, about 700 believers, and others from Kerala also participated in the patriarch’s evening prayer.
The next two hours of installation ceremony, where he handed over a Crosier and three chains to the new Catholics. The mountain people come from many people used by late Catholics, a symbol of church inheritance, the release said.
In addition to Mr. Kurian, the central delegation also included former Union Minister KJ Alphons, Benny Behanan, MP and BJP leader Shone George. The national delegation led by Mr. Rajeeve included Mlas Anoop Jacob, Eldhose Kunnapilly, PV Srinijin, Job Maichil and others, as well as APM Mohammed Hanish, Chief Secretary of the Industry.
Mr. Alphins read the message of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while Mr. Rajeeve spoke to a gathering of over 60 bishops and pastors.
Upon arrival in Kochi, the new Catholics will serve as head of the Jacobian Syrian Christian Church on March 30.
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar will hold an open reception for the new Catholics.
publishing – March 25, 2025, 11:37 pm IST
