The week-long annual church festival and the 107th feast of St. Gregorios, first native saint of any Indian Church and the only saint of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, came to a close with a holy raasa at St. Paul’s and St. Peter’s Church on the banks of the river Pampa at Parumala on Monday afternoon.
The 107th feast of the saint was also celebrated at the church with religious fervour on Monday.
Thousands of believers belonging to different religious faiths thronged the Parumala Seminary premises to offer prayers at the saint’s tomb.
They offered lighted candles at the tomb and took part in the sermons by bishops and religious scholars.
Holy eucharist
The Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan, Moran Mor Baselius Marthoma Didymus-I, led the holy eucharist held at the church as part of the feast in the morning.
The Metropolitans of the Church, Youhanon Mar Chrysostomos, Yakoob Mar Ireneus, Mathews Mar Savarios, Geevarghese Mar Coorilos, Zacharia Mar Anthonios, Paulose Mar Pachomios and Dr M.D. Youhanon Ramban, Parumala Seminary manager, were the co-celebrants of the holy eucharist.
The Catholicos, accompanied by the metropolitans of the Church, ascended the balcony of the church and blessed the mammoth congregation of pilgrims assembled at the seminary premises, later.
MGOCSM meet
The annual meeting of Mar Gregorios Orthodox Christian Students Movement (MGOCSM) was held at the church auditorium, later.
Captain Raju, cine actor, inaugurated the meeting and Geevarghese Mar Coorilos Metropolitan, MGOCSM president, presided over the function.
Geevarghese Mar Osthatheos, senior Metropolitan of the Church, delivered the keynote address and Dr. M.D. Youhanon Ramban, seminary manager, welcomed the gathering.
Holy Raasa
The annual pilgrimage and church festival came to a close with a Holy Raasa attended by hundreds of faithfuls later, in the afternoon.
The ceremonial flag was brought down from the holy mast in the presence of a large gathering of clergy and lay members later, marking the culmination of the annual event.
