News
* By Liju Cherian
His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Paulose II, Supreme Head of the Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church, and Catholicos of the East, met with Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia at St Daniel Monastery in Moscow on 3 September.
His Holiness Catholicos Paulose II thanked Patriarch Kirill for the hospitality, stressing that “forty years have elapsed and now we as primates of our Churches can resume the exchange of visits. Your Holiness, your love and insight have helped to make it possible. Once again, thank you for it”.
Photo: Dept of Ecumenical Relations, MOSC
The Malankara delegation requested the primate of the Russian Orthodox Church to develop cooperation in the academic sphere and help train icon-painters and church choristers for the Church of India and to share its experience of Russian monasticism.
A working group for coordinating the bilateral relations will be created.
The Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Syrian Church also celebrated consecration of its first retreat, research centre and chapel in northern India.
Flanked by natural wonders of the Aravalli ranges in Mount Abu in the desert state of Rajasthan, the retreat centre is located near Nakki Lake, a paradise for nature lovers.
Mount Abu is known as the international headquarters of the Brahma Kumaris, the Hindu spiritual movement, and the area will now have a Christian landmark in Kui village, in the Sirohi district of Rajasthan state.
The official consecration ceremony was on 10-11 September.
Photo: St Thomas Orthodox Research Centre
Built in Rajasthani architecture style, the retreat center is an initiative of the Ahmedabad Diocese under Metropolitan Dr Geevarghese Mar Yulios.
The chapel, named after St Thomas, features Orthodox iconography and can accommodate 40 people at a time to study together, aided with a high-tech media room.
* Liju Cherian is a print media journalist
