Hundreds offer prayers at saint’s tomb at Parumala

Believers lighting candles at the tomb of St Gregorios during their pilgrimage to the saint’s tomb at the St Paul’s and Peter’s Church at Parumala on Monday. Photo: Leju Kamal

Hundreds of believers undertook their annual pilgrimage to the tomb of St Gregorios, first Indian canonised saint, at the St Paul’s and St Peter’s Church on the banks of river Pampa at Parumala on Monday.

Pilgrims reached the Parumala Church from different parts of the State offered prayers and lit candles at the sacred tomb, paying obeisance to the saint whom they reverently called Parumala Tirumeni.

The Parumala Seminary manager, Rev. M.D. Youhanon Ramban, inaugurated the prayer meet and religious retreat held at the seminary auditorium in the forenoon. Fr Mathew Varghese presided the meeting.

Holy Tri-mass

Dr Youhanon Mar Diascorus Metropolitan led the holy Tri-mass celebrated at the church, earlier, in the morning.

The round the clock prayer that began on October 26 afternoon will come to close on Tuesday.

Pilgrimage processions coming from different parts of the State to the Saint’s tomb will be accorded a customary reception on their arrival at the Parumala Seminary premises on Tuesday.

The Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan, Baselius Mar Thoma Paulose-II, accompanied by other bishops of the Church, will bless the believers from the balcony of the church, later.

The 109th feast of St Gregorios will be celebrated on Wednesday. The annual pilgrimage and church festival will come to a close with a holy raasa, later, in the afternoon.