Metropolitan Geevarghese Mar Ivanios of Indian Orthodox Church passes away

By Express News Service

KOTTAYAM, April 13, 2013: Geevarghese Mar Ivanios, 72, Metropolitan of the Kottayam Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, the beloved Mar Ivanios Thirumeni for many of the Orthodox faithful, passed away owing to age-related ailments. Mar Ivanios, who was under treatment for renal problems at a private hospital here, breathed his last around 7.30 am on Friday.

The mortal remains will be laid to rest at Mar Baselios Dayara at Njaliyakuzhi near Kottayam, a monastery which was founded by him in order to spread the radiance of Orthodox spirituality and monasticism. The funeral services will begin at 1 pm on Saturday. The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church supremo Baselius Mar Thoma Paulose II and Baselios Marthoma Didymos I will lead the funeral proceedings. The mortal remains which was brought to Pampady Dayara in the morning for the faithful to pay homage was taken to the Mar Baselios Dayara at Njaliyakuzhi, in the evening in a procession. Mar Ivanios used to reach here for meditation till his death.

Geevarghese Mar Ivanios was born on November 14, 1940, at the Keeyath family, Othara, Tiruvalla, as the son of George and Annamma. After his schooling, he did his BSc from Fathima Matha College, Kollam. Further to that he took his post-graduation in Hebrew and Syriac from Mansfield College, England. He also took a Masters in Theology from Oxford University. Meanwhile, he learnt Sanskrit and Latin.

He was ordained a deacon in 1963 and a priest in 1973 by Mathews Mar Kurilos. There upon, he worked as the vicar of Karappuzha Chapel. In 1979, Marthoma Mathews I ordained him to the rank of a Ramban. Geevarghese Ramban was elected a bishop on December 28, 1982, convened at MGM High School Tiruvalla. He was later consecrated as Mar Ivanios Episcopa on May 15, 1985, at St Mary’s Orthodox Church, Puthiyakavu, Mavelikkara. Since then, he was serving the Kottayam Diocese as Bishop. He was elevated a metropolitan in 1991.

From 1971 onwards, he had been teaching at the Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam, and has authored books, ‘Hridaya Sudhikaranam,’ ‘Nirlepam,’ and ‘Mounathinte Lavanyam.’

He was diagnosed with cancer in 1978 and admitted to Adayar Cancer Institute, Chennai. However, he survived the disease and worked hard for sick and sufferers.

K G Itty (Retired manager, Punalur Paper Mills), the late Captain K G Thomas, K G Jacob (Abu Dhabi), K G Abraham (Doha) and Mary Jose Kurien (Kottayam) are his siblings.

The New Indian Express

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I RECEIVES THE PRIME MINISTER OF KARABAGH

Antelias: His Holiness Aram I receives the Prime Minister of Karabagh, Wednesday 20 March 2013, Antelias

His Holiness Aram I receives the Prime Minister of Karabagh, Wednesday 20 March 2013, Antelias His Holiness Aram I receives the Prime Minister of Karabagh, Wednesday 20 March 2013, Antelias

On Wednesday, 20 March 2013, His Holiness Aram I received the Prime Minister, Ara Haroutiounian, and his delegation, who were visiting Lebanon to discuss new business partnerships. The Prime Minister briefed the Catholicos Karabagh’s economic achievements and future strategies.

His Holiness Aram I honored his guests with a reception, at which they met members of the Executive Council of the Catholicosate, representatives of the three Armenian political parties and around 200 persons from the business community.

In his welcoming speech, the Catholicos informed the local business community of the measures the President and the Prime Minister are employing to strengthen the economy of Karabagh and encouraged them to help in every way possible.

The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia participates in the inauguration of the new Archbishop of Canterbury

The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia participates in the inauguration of the new Archbishop of Canterbury to right: Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Primate of the Western Prelacy of the United States to left: the new Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby

Delegates of the Catholicosate of Cilicia Present at the Enthronement of Roman Pope Francis I

Antelias: On Tuesday 19 March 2013, the delegates representing His Holiness Aram I attended the enthronement of Pope Francis I at St. Peter’s Cathedral. The delegation consisted of Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate of the Western Diocese of the USA, Archbishop Nareg Alemezian, Ecumenical Officer, and benefactors Alecco and Annie Bezikian. On Wednesday, the delegates met with Pope Francis I, congratulated him and transmitted the greetings of His Holiness Aram I. The Pope in return sent his greetings to His Holiness Aram I.

Coptic Orthodox Bishop Angaelos attends the enthronement of the new Archbishop of Canterbury

London,March 21 2013:
His Grace Bishop Angaelos attends the enthronement of, and meets with the new Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd and Rt Hon Justin Welby.

On 21 March 2013, approximately 2000 guests were in attendance at Canterbury Cathedral during the enthronement service of the Most Revd Justin Welby, the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury. Amongst those attending were the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, Prime Minister David Cameron, and other members of parliament, with representation from the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches, and the whole breadth of Christian Churches, denominations, and expressions.

His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of The Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom was also in attendance representing His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, the Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of Saint Mark, and said the following shortly after the service:

‘After having attended the enthronement service for the His Grace, the Archbishop of Canterbury, we pray for the continued good relations between our Churches and our common witness here in the United Kingdom on so many fronts and at so many levels.

At this pivotal time during which we have witnessed the appointment of new leaders in the Church of England, the Roman Catholic Church and our own Coptic Orthodox Church, we pray that there is a common heart and intention for fellowship and unity, and for collaboration on valuable witness and testimony, not only for members of our own Churches but for the whole world. I echo the words of His Grace, the Archbishop, in saying that ‘there is every possible reason for optimism about the future of Christian Faith in the world, and this country.’’

*Ends*

Source: The Coptic Orthodox Church Centre UK Media and Communications Office
http://copticcentre.blogspot.in/2013/03/press-release-hg-bishop-angaelos.html

The new Archbishop of Canterbury Justin’s Journey of Prayer

Abba Seraphim with the Most Rev’d Justin Welby (L)

16th March, 2013: In preparation for his enthronement on 21 March, the new Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Rev’d Justin Welby, has been making a ‘Journey of Prayer’ around the Province of Canterbury. On the afternoon of 16 March he visited Southwark Cathedral to meet with the clergy and people of that diocese as well as representatives of other Christian communities, who would be his new ecumenical partners in his new ministry. Although Southwark Cathedral was cheerful and bustling, the emphasis on prayer in its many manifestations was apparent as was a general spirit of welcome and good-will. The Archbishop, Bishop Christopher Chessum of Southwark and his suffragans were scattered around the cathedral and all easily accessible to those who came to greet them and especially to assure the new Archbishop of their prayers. Among these were Mgr. Peter Smith, the Catholic Archbishop of Southwark, and Abba Seraphim, who both greeted him warmly. In his prayers in their presence Archbishop Justin gave thanks for the recent elections of both the Coptic and the Roman Popes. The afternoon concluded with a short evening prayer, which included two Orthodox elements: the Trisagion and the Great Litany.
British Orthodox Church

THE ARMENIAN CHURCH AT THE ENTHRONEMENT OF THE NEW ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX PATRIARCH

Antelias: The Armenian Church participates in the enthronement ceremony of the new Patriarch of Ethiopia, Sunday 3 March 2013 The Armenian Church participates in the enthronement ceremony of the new Patriarch of Ethiopia, Sunday 3 March 2013

On Sunday, 3 March 2013, Archbishop Avak Assadourian and Bishop Ashod Menatsakanian from the Holy See of Etchmiadzin and Archbishops Gorun Babian and Nareg Alemezian from the Holy See of Cilicia represented the Armenian Orthodox Church at the enthronement of His Holiness Patriarch Abuna Mathias in Addis Ababa.

During the ceremony, Archbishop Gorun read the message of His Holiness Aram I, who described the long historical relationship between the two sister churches and particularly the recent close relations with the late Patriarch Abuna Paulos. The Catholicos said that he looked forward to working in that same spirit with the new patriarch.

The visit to Addis Ababa was also an opportunity for the Armenian delegation to celebrate the Holy Liturgy at the St. Gregory Armenian Church and to greet the community.
Armenian Orthodox Church (The Holy See of Cilicia)