Hundreds of believers undertook the annual pilgrimage to the tomb of the Syrian Patriarch, St. Elias-III, at Mor Ignatius Diara Church at Manjanikkara near here on Friday.
The pilgrimage processions coming from different parts of the State, in connection with the 79th feast of the Saint, assembled before the Omalloor Cross in the afternoon.
The bishops, accompanied by Anto Antony, MP, and T.U. Kuruvilla, former Minister and Mor Ignatius Diara secretary, received the processions at the Omalloor Cross.
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Knanaya Archbishop Geevarghese Mar Savarios and Bishops Geevarghese Mar Coorilos, Kuriakose Mar Ivanios and Youhanon Mar Milithios led the processions to the Diara later.
Public meeting
Catholicos Baselius Thomas-I presided over the public meeting held in connection with the Saint's feast in the evening.
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Archbishop Geevarghese Mar Savarios, Kuriakose Mar Eulios Metropolitan, Kuriakose Mar Ivanios, Joseph Mar Gregorios, Kuriakose Mar Diascorus, Geevarghese Mar Coorilos, Youhanon Mar Milithios and Mr. Kuruvilla also addressed the meeting.
The Catholicos will lead a holy Tri-mass at 5.30 a.m. on Saturday and the annual church festival will come to a close with the holy raasa at 10 a.m.