Adoor(Kerala): The 87th Reunion Meet of the Syro-Malankara Church got off to a ceremonial start in Adoor on Sept 19. The three-day meet comemmorates the reunion of the Church with the Catholic Church following its split from the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church in 1930.

The meet began with the flag-hoisting ceremony at Mar Ivanios Nagar, specially prepared venue at the Green Valley Convention Centre, in Adoor. Mar Cleemis hoisted the ceremonial flag.

Church consecrated

Earlier, the Cardinal led the consecration of the newly constructed Sacred Heart Church at Central Junction in Adoor. Syrian Patriarch of the Antioch Ignatius Yousuf Younan; Thomas Mar Koorilos, Metropolitan Archbishop of Thiruvalla; and all bishops attached to the Malankara Catholic Church were the co-celebrants.

The Cardinal, the Syrian Patriarch and all other dignitaries were accorded a ceremonial reception at the Central Junction. A proclamation rally was also held as part of the three-day reunion meet in the afternoon.

The Cardinal will be the chief celebrant of the Pontifical High Mass to be held on Thursday morning. Vatican Ambassador in India Archbishop Giambattista Diquattro will deliver the keynote message on the occasion.

The episcopal ordination of Youhanon Kochuthundil Ramban and Geevarghese Kalayil Ramban as the new bishops of the Church will be held amid the holy Eucharist. The Church will also launch a series of charity programmes worth Rs. 10 million  in connection with the reunion anniversary. Free dialysis for 1,000 poor patients and financial assistance of Rs. 100,000 each will be provided to 45 poor families in and around Adoor have also been included in the charity schemes.