Church honour conferrred on Armenian Patriarch

Kottayam, Nov 6 (UNI) The Order of St Thomas, the highest honour of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, was conferred on the visiting Patriarch Karekin II Catholicos of All Armenians by Catholicos and Malankara Metropolitan Baselios Marthoma Didymus I at a function here today.

The function began with lighting the traditional lamp by the Patiarch, Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Didymus and Catholicos- designate Paulose Mar Milithios.

Dr Zacharias Mar Theophilus Suffragan Metropolitan of the Marthoma Church, Kottayam Archbishop Mathew Moolakkattu, Church of South India (CSI) Bishop Thomas Samuel, legislators V N Vasavan, K C Joseph and Joseph M Puthusserry, Malankara Association Secreary George Joseph were among those who felicitated the Patriarch.

He also launched an endowment scholarship instituted as part of the 'Sapthati' celebrations of Thomas Mar Athanasius Metropolitan of the Chengannur diocese.

The Metropolitan had set up several schools in Gujarat. A Student representative from that State felicitated the septuagenarian prelate on the occasion.

Mr M G George Muthoot, Orthodox Church trustee representing the laity, and Rev Yohannan Ramban also addressed the meeting.

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