As many as seven priests of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church were professed as rambans (one who leads a monastic life) at a function held at the Thoothootty Mor Gregorian Centre in Kottayam on Thursday.
Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church, was the chief celebrant on the occasion. Other metropolitans of the Church were co-celebrants. Prior to commencing the ceremony, the Patriarch also offered a prayer at the centre.
The priests who were professed as rambans were Barsaumo Ramban (Father George Vayiliparampil), metropolitan-designate of the Australian diocese, Saliba Ramban (Father Kuriakose Kollannoor), Joshua Ramban (Father Joshi Vettikattil), Eliya Ramban (Father Kurian P.K.), Kuriakose Ramban (Father Kuriakos John Parayankuzhiyil), Mathayi Ramban (Father Matthew John Pokathayil) and Geevarghese Ramban (Father Varghese Kuttipuzhayil).