Brahmavar, (The Hindu): The consecration of the renovated St. Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Cathedral began with prayers at Brahmavar in Udupi district on Thursday.

Prior to the consecration prayer, a Hore Kanike procession was taken out from the Akashvani Junction to the cathedral. Yakob Mar Elias, Metropolitan of Brahmavar Diocese, flagged off the procession at the Gandhi Maidan near Akashvani Junction.

The devotees, who were dressed to symbolise the original tradition of the community, gathered, with their wide variety of gifts. The procession was accompanied by various tableaux and folk troupes.

The head-load offerings with a variety of gifts from the parishioners of all churches were brought to the cathedral in a procession. The gift offerings were then ceremoniously accepted by His Grace Joseph Mar Dionysius, Calcutta Bishop, and His Grace Yakob Mar Elias, Brahmavar Diocese Bishop, along with the Vicar Fr. C.A. Isaac, Fr. Yuhanon Mulamoottil Cor Episcopa and Fr. Joseph Thaliamparambil Cor Episcopa at the church, in front of the stone cross.

Later, the Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Paulose II, the Supreme Head of Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Syrian Church, opened the renovated cathedral door by cutting the ribbon and lighting the lamp with other dignitaries.

Fr. CA Isaac, Vicar General of St Mary’s Cathedral, urged the Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Paulose II to conduct the consecration ceremony of renovated St. Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Cathedral. Then, Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Paulose II held the consecration prayer, along with Mr. Elias, Mr. Dionysius, Geevarghese Mar Coorilos (Bishop, Mumbai Diocese), Geevarghese Mar Yulios (Bishop, Ahmedabad Diocese) and Abraham Mar Seraphim (Bishop, Bangalore Diocese). Fellowship community dinner was served to all those who attended the consecration ceremony.

Fr. C.A. Isaac, Fr. Lawrence D’Souza, Fr. David Crasta, Fr. Abraham Kuriakose, Fr. Noel Lewis and Fr. Joseph Chacko, Anil B. Rodrigues, trustee, Alan Rohan Vaz, president, Cathedral Renovation Committee, and others were present.

On Friday, the second part of the consecration prayers will begin at 6.30 a.m., followed by the Holy Mass at 8.30 a.m. After the Holy Mass, a public felicitation will be held.

Ramalinga Reddy, Home Minister, K.J. George, Minister for Bengaluru Development and Town Planning, and Pramod Madhwaraj, Minister for Fisheries, Youth Empowerment and Sports, will be among the chief guests at the public felicitation programme.