CHURCH HONOUR CONFERRRED ON ARMENIAN PATRIARCH

UNI (United News of India)
November 6, 2008 Thursday 2:15 PM EST

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.