Gayatri, rig-veda part of US Christian Head Bishop's funeral

Chandigarh, Sep 20 (UNI) Sanskrit recitations from ancient Hindu scriptures Rig-Veda, Upanishad, and Bhagavadgita formed part of the funeral service of a prominent Christian Head Bishop in the US today.

Starting with highly revered Gayatri Mantra and ending with Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti (Peace, Peace, Peace be unto all), Rajan Zed, prominent Punjab-born Hindu chaplain, read from Brahadaranyakopanisad and Bhagavad-Gita at the funeral service of Most Right Reverend Douglas Eugene Savoy, Head Bishop of International Community of Christ with headquarters in Reno.

While United States Navy Honor Guard presented the colors at the Chapel of the Holy Child here, which was overflowing with mourners, a communique from Mr Zed's office in the US said today.

Besides inspirational reading from Khalil Gibran, a Lebanese American writer, by Reverend Rebecca Willis; the service included Arabic recitation from Koran by Tunay Durmaz of Sierra Foundation, Buddhist prayer by Dr. William Bartlett of Reno Buddhist Church, while Dr. Clair Earl, Stake President of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, quoted from Book of Mormon.

Reverend John Auer of First United Methodist Church and Reverend Onie Cooper of Second Baptist Church gave blessings in their own respective traditions.

Head Bishop Douglas Eugene Savoy (1927-2007), Doctor of Divinity and Theology, also served as the Rector of the Cathedral Church of the Americas, Chancellor of the Sacred College of Jamilian Theology, and President of the Jamilian University of the Ordained.

His publications included about 50 theological and religious texts and over 400 recorded lectures and he contributed to the better understanding of the Dead Sea literature. Besides, he was a world class explorer, lecturer, producer, theologian and educator, the statement said.

UNI