Joseph Mar Gregorios being installed as Catholicos of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church by Patriarch of Antioch Ignatius Aphrem II in Lebanon on Tuesday.
Malankara Metropolitan of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church and president of the synod Joseph Mar Gregorios was installed as Catholicos of the Church on Tuesday.
The ceremony was led by the Patriarch of Antioch and head of the Syriac Orthodox Church Ignatius Aphrem II at the St Mary’s cathedral near Beirut in Lebanon. He will henceforth be known as Baselios Joseph, said an official release.
Union and State government representatives attended the ceremony. They included Union Minister George Kurian, former Minister of State for External Affairs and Bharatiya Janata Party leader V. Muraleedharan, and Minister of Industries and Law P. Rajeeve. Heads and representatives of many Churches and around 700 believers and others from Kerala also attended the event that began with an evening prayer by the Patriarch.
This was followed by the two-hour installation ceremony wherein he handed over a crosier and three chains to the new Catholicos. The crosier was from among the many that were used by the late Catholicoi, as a symbol of succession in the Church, the release said.
Apart from Mr. Kurian, the Central delegation included former Union Minister K.J. Alphons, Benny Behanan, MP, and BJP leader Shone George. The State delegation led by Mr. Rajeeve comprised MLAs Anoop Jacob, Eldhose Kunnapilly, P.V. Srinijin, Job Maichil, E.T. Taison, and Industries Principal Secretary A.P.M Mohammed Hanish.
Mr. Alphons read out a message of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while Mr. Rajeeve addressed the gathering that comprised over 60 bishops and priests.
After his arrival in Kochi, the new Catholicos will assume office as head of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church on March 30. He will offer prayers at the tomb of his predecessor Baselios Thomas I, before proceeding for ceremonies to be led by senior Metropolitan Abraham Mar Severios.
A public reception for the new Catholicos will be inaugurated by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar.
Published – March 25, 2025 11:37 pm IST
