Setting up of a care home for cancer patients, taking up fallow-land cultivation, and inter-faith dialogues will mark the birth centenary celebrations of the late archbishop Benedict Mar Gregorios.
The celebrations will begin with special prayers at churches under the Malankara Syrian Catholic archdiocese on February 1, the birth anniversary of the late archbishop.
Addressing a press meet here on Friday, the present head of the church Cardinal Baselios Cleemis said he would lead the prayers at St. Mary’s cathedral at Pattom where the mortal remains of the archbishop were interred. The formal inauguration of the year-long celebrations would be done by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on February 17.
A cancer care home would be set up at the St. John’s medical village at Pirappancode.
Memorial talks
Mar Gregorios memorial orations would be held in 100 centres. An organic farming drive would be launched at the 316 dioceses across the State and in other church-owned property.
In addition to this, inter-faith meetings, free meal programmes in government hospitals and anti-liquor programmes would be initiated. The church would also fund scholarly research on various aspects of the life and work of the late archbishop, the Cardinal added.
Auxiliary Bishop Samuel Mar Iranios was present on the occasion.
A cancer care home will be set up at
St. John’s medical village, Pirappancode.
