The annual festival at St Paul’s and St Peter’s Church on the banks of river Pampa at Parumala in Thiruvalla taluk will begin with the kodiyettu ceremony on October 26.
Parumala Seminary manager, Youhanon Ramban, told The Hindu that the senior Metropolitan of Malankara Orthodox Church, Geevarghese Mar Osthatheos and Dr. Youhanon Mar Chrysostomos, Metropolitan of the Niranom diocese, will lead the kodiyettu ceremony at 2 p.m. on Monday.
The Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan, Baselius Mar Thoma Didymus, will inaugurate the week-long annual pilgrimage to the tomb of St Gregorios at a meeting to be held, later, at 3 p.m. Paulose Mar Milithios, Catholios-designate, will preside over the function.
A 144-hour continuous prayer session would begin under the auspices of the Malankara Orthodox Youth Movement, later, at 5 p.m.
Medical camp
Dr. T.M. Thomas Issac, Finance Minister, will inaugurate the free medical camp followed by birthday celebrations of the Catholicos on October 29 forenoon.
Various pilgrimage processions would be accorded a rousing reception at Parumala at 9.30 a.m. on October 30. A meeting to commemorate the death centenary of Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysius, founder of Parumala Seminary, will be held, later, at 11 a.m.
Saint’s 107th feast
The feast of St Gregorios will be held on November 2. A public meeting in connection with the 107th feast of St Gregorios will be held at 11 p.m. on November 1. A Christian musical concert will also be held, later, in the evening.
Believers from different parts of the State will reach Parumala in separate processions to offer prayers at the Saint’s tomb on November 1 and 2.
Minister for Public Works, P.J.Joseph, will inaugurate the annual meeting of Mar Gregorios Orthodox Christian Students Movement at 11 a.m. on November 2.
The annual church festival and pilgrim week will come to a close with the customary holy Rasa, later, at 2 p.m., according to the seminary manager.
