H.B.'s Visit to St. Ignatius Elias III Parish in Atlanta, GA

by Fr. Mathai Varkey Puthukkunnathu

A BLESSED DAY FOR ST. IGNATIUS ELIAS III SYRIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH, ATLANTA, GEORGIA.

The awe inspiring visit of His Beatitude Aboon Mor Baselios Thomas I, Catholicose and Malankara Metropolitan Trustee of the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church in India became an epoch making event in the History of St. Ignatius Elias III Syrian Orthodox Church, Atlanta, Georgia. The Vicar Rev. Fr.Mathai Varkey Puthukkunnathu and parish members received His Beatitude at the Hartsfield Jackson International Airport on the 18th of March 2006. When His Beatitude reached at the entrance of the Church for the evening prayers, a traditional welcome was offered with a lighted candle given by the Vicar. After the evening prayers, during the address of blessing, His Beatitude reminded the congregants that as Zaccheus, a faithful should be eager to encounter Christ our Lord with a changed personality. Quoting the life of the Forefather Abraham from the book of Genesis, H.B. advised the faithful to be obedient to the Lord and urged to pray for the Holy Church, the Patriarch, His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I, the Supreme Head of the Syrian Orthodox Church and His Eminence Mor Titus Yeldho, the Archbishop of the Malankara Archdiocese. Thereafter a Lenten dinner was offered to all participants.

On the 19th of March His Beatitude presided over the Liturgical Services and the Special Service of the Mid Lent Feast. During the sermon, His Beatitude explained the blessed redemptive suffering of Christ on the Cross that wiped away the sinful nature of humanity, with reference to the venomous snake bites suffered by the Israelites and their escape by looking at the bronze serpent hoisted by the illustrious prophet Moses. We, the children of the Holy Church ought to look at Christ and His Cross in our every day life. The Holy Church in India is going forward and making significant spiritual progress, in spite of various trials and tribulations. The prayers and support of the faithful of our Church in North America has contributed tremendously to the advancement of the missions of the Malankara Church, His Beatitude added. H.B. remembered and shared the sweet memories of the commencement of the congregation in Atlanta in the Blessed intercession of Saint Ignatius Elias III of Omalloor in the year 2003 and wished all participants heavenly blessings.

The Vicar thanked God Almighty and registered gratitude to His Beatitude for the memorable visit and handed over the amount collected from the Members and well wishers, for the Puthencruz Patriarchal Center Cathedral fund. The unforgettable visit of His Beatitude Aboon Mor Baselios Thomas I came to a conclusion with a Lenten Luncheon, prepared by the members of the St. Mary’s Women’s League. The program was facilitated by the Vicar Rev. Fr. Mathai Varkey Puthukkunnathu, Secretary Mr. Anil Varghese and Treasurer Mr. Sunny Jacob.