Latest news with #JacobiteChurch
New Indian Express
12-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Churches hold special prayers for country and frontline soldiers
KOCHI: Churches of various Christian denominations in Kerala, led by their vicars and supreme heads, prayed for divine intervention on Sunday to ease tensions and end the conflict between India and Pakistan. Prayers were also offered for the safety of Indian soldiers on the front line. The Malankara Orthodox Church, led by Metropolitan and Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, offered prayers for the country and for the soldiers. The parishioners also prayed that peace be restored without further escalation. 'For us living in the southern tip of India, the war may be just news. However, there is a large community in India's border villages whose life and livelihood are in crisis. Many soldiers, including those from Kerala, are on the battlefield. Their families are worried. It is the commitment of every Indian to work for the country. However, we should realise that wars and riots are always a threat to society's existence,' the Catholicos said in a communique to the laity. Jacobite Church members too offered special prayers on Sunday. Catholicos Baselios Joseph I, in a message to the laity, said, 'War and riots are challenges to humanity. This is the time to pray for the country. Our prayer should be that we are not dragged into war and that peace is restored. May God strengthen the country's rulers to lead India to security and peace with diplomatic excellence at this crucial juncture.' He said this was the time 'for us to face this adverse situation with unity, beyond party, religious and political factions, along with the country.' 'We should pray with one heart that the clouds of unrest be lifted and the blue sky of peace spread, and that lasting peace be established in the country as soon as possible,' he said.
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Catholicos visits Pahalgam attack victim's family
Kochi: Catholicos Baselios Joseph I of the Jacobite Church visited the house of N Ramachandran, who was killed in the Pahalgam terror attack, on Monday. The Catholicos spoke to his daughter, who survived the attack, and consoled the family members. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Catholicos said that the loss suffered by the family was irreplaceable, and the church's prayers and mental support are with the family. He mentioned that the terrorist activities in Kashmir, often described as paradise on earth, are a challenge to humanity. Such violent incidents, which threaten the nation's integrity, unity, and peace, should not be repeated. The prelate stated that it is time to take strong action, standing united beyond political and religious divisions, considering the nation's security as paramount. The country must fight terrorism together, and the church fully supports the measures the nation takes against terrorism, the Catholicos said. Ramachandran, 65, was among the 26 people gunned down by terrorists in a Pahalgam on April 22.
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Pope Francis: A bridge-builder vexed by fissures
Pope Francis often surprised the world by breaking Vatican traditions. He elevated several men from remote corners of the world to the rank of cardinal—the highest position in the Catholic Church after the Pope. During his 12-year tenure, he reshaped the pastoral direction of Kerala's three self-governing Churches—Latin, Syro-Malabar, and Syro-Malankara—through key appointments of archbishops and bishops, along with timely guidance to clergy and believers. In 2016, Pope Francis appointed Bishop Joseph Kalathiparambil—then secretary of the Vatican's pontifical council for the pastoral care of migrants and itinerant people—as archbishop of Verapoly. In Kerala's Latin Church hierarchy, Pope Francis picked all three archbishops, including those of Trivandrum and the newly-formed Calicut archdiocese, as well as most of the bishops. He also appointed many archbishops and bishops in Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara Churches. Pope Francis had to step in during a tense period in Syro-Malabar Church , the second-largest of the 23 Eastern Catholic Churches. When the synod of bishops faced protests from some clergy and laity over financial allegations and property issues at Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese—the seat of the major archbishop—the matter reached the Holy See. Eventually, the Vatican removed Cardinal Mar George Alencherry from his role as major archbishop. In Aug 2021, Syro-Malabar Church's synod ordered a uniform Holy Mass across its 35 eparchies. But clergy and laity in Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese resisted, insisting on continuing the people-facing Mass, a practice adopted after the Second Vatican Council. Even a video appeal from the Pope failed to change their stand. Protests turned violent at St. Mary's Basilica in Ernakulam. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like She Was Beautiful, Now Its Hard To Look At Her Crowdy Fan Undo Pope Francis worked hard to strengthen ecumenical ties with various Orthodox Christian Churches. He led key meetings with Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem-II of Antioch, head of Syrian Orthodox Church, who recently consecrated a Catholicos for Malankara Jacobite Church in Lebanon. He also invited the Catholicos of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, based in Kottayam. In Nov 2024, a delegation of eight bishops from the synod of Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church met him at the Vatican. Pope Francis, the first pope to visit the Arabian Peninsula, played a key role in building bridges between the Christian and Islamic worlds. He signed the Declaration of Human Fraternity in Abu Dhabi. His strong stand against the 'madness of war' and the destruction in Gaza won widespread support, especially from Kerala's peace-loving Muslim community. In Dec 2024, he hosted Sivagiri Mutt's centenary commemoration of Sree Narayana Guru's historic all-religion conference at the Vatican, praising Kerala's tradition of religious harmony. (Chief editor, Jeevanaadam)
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Jacobite Syrian Church declares three days' mourning
Kochi: The Jacobite Syrian Church has declared three days' mourning as a gesture of respect towards the late Roman pontiff. Catholicos and Malankara Metropolitan of the Jacobite Church Mor Baselios Joseph I stated that the passing of Pope Francis was an irreplaceable loss for Christian denominations and the general society. "He had a deep love and care for the Syriac Orthodox Church and the hospitality and affection showed during his visit with Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II in 2015 was an unforgettable experience. The Jacobite Syriac Church shares the profound sorrow experienced by the global Catholic Church and the world due to the passing of Pope Francis," the Catholicos said. He added that along with expressing condolences to the Catholic Church, he prays that he continues to intercede for the Church and society. Metropolitan Kuriakose Mor Theophilos said that he remembers the time the Pope and he both attended an ecumenical meet in the Vatican at a time when Metropolitan Ibrahim was kidnapped in Aleppo. "At the meeting, I spoke about the kidnapping in my speech and presented my sorrow before the Pope. Usually, it was I who was to go towards him and kiss his hand. However, he got up from his chair and came towards me. He hugged me and consoled me," said Theophilos. He added that he met the Pope at least once a year for ecumenical meetings and he was amazed by his broad ecumenical perspective. He said that the loss of Pope Francis, is a loss not just for the Catholic Church but that of everyone. "I express my condolences to everyone, especially those from the Catholic Church," said Theophilos.
