On November 1, 2024, as part of a visit to India, the chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk met with the Primate of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, His Holiness Catholicos Basil Mar Thomas Matthew III, in Parumala, Kerala. The sides discussed a wide range of issues concerning inter-church interaction.
Antonia.
Afterwards, Metropolitan Anthony took part in a solemn ceremony on the occasion of the memorial day of the revered Indian Christian saint — Gregory of Parumala, which gathered thousands of pilgrims from different cities of India and from other states. The Primate of the Malankara Church of India delivered a welcoming address, in which, in particular, he noted the high level of cooperation with the Russian Orthodox Church. His Holiness Catholicos Basil Mar Thoma Matthew III mentioned the telephone conversation he had with His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia on that day and emphasized the important role played by the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church for the entire Christian world.
In his reply, Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk welcomed his His Holiness and the gathered on behalf of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. Vladyka noted the importance of the saints who serve as examples for Christians on the path of their spiritual perfection, and presented the Primate of the Malankara Church with an icon of St. Sergius of Radonezh.
Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Malankara Church Metropolitan Yuhanon Mar Chrysostomos of Niranam, Archbishop Thomas Taraiil of Changanacherry (Syro-Malabar Church) and others also spoke during the ceremony.
The Primate of the Malankara Church was also addressed.
A major highlight of the event was the presentation of a book published by the Malankara Church on the outstanding Russian missionary of the 20th century who served in India, Archimandrite Andronik (Elpidinsky) «The tantalizing sweetness of the peaks of Mount Tabor» and the English translation of Father Andronik's book «Eighteen years in India».
An important moment of the event was the presentation of the book published by the Malankara Church.
After the ceremony, a solemn procession was held to the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, where the tomb of St. Gregory of Parumala is located, where the celebrations in his honor continued.
EVCS Communications Office/Patriarchy.ru
