Advani inaugurates Metropolitan's Navathy celebrations

Kottayam, Apr 26 (UNI) Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha L K Advani today inaugurated the valedictory function of the Navathy celebrations of Dr Philipose Mar Chrysostom, Valiya Metropolitan of the Mar Thoma Church.

Mr Advani during his inaugural address praised the church for its bold stand of openly opposing the Emergency. He also recalled his association with the Church.

Presenting the keys of Navathy homes to three persons, Mr Advani praised the Church for donating more than two thousand homes to the poorest of the poor as part of the celebrations.

Presiding over the function, Dr Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan, head of the Mar Thoma Church, expressed gratitude to the BJP leader for his and party leaders' help to the church, including during the rehabilitation work in Maharashtra and Gujarat.

Dr Isaac Mar Philoxenos, Bishop of Kottayam and Kochi Diocese, K M Mammen Sabha, Secretary, Paulose Mar Milithios Metropolitan, Catholicos designate of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, Dr Zacharias Mar Theophilus Suffragan Metropolitan of the Church, Dr Sam Mathew, CSI Bishop, Bishops of the church, O Rajagopal and others were present.

UNI VST GM MIR HT2130