Having raised its strong objections to a move to install a new Catholicos for the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church, the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church has now approached the court seeking to declare the installation null and void.
Sources said three members of the Orthodox Syrian Church have jointly filed a suit in the Kottayam munsiff court, arguing that the installation has no bearing on the Malankara Church.
“The petitioners have questioned the Patriarch of Antioch’s authority in appointing a Catholicos for the Malankara Church, which, according to them, is governed by the 1934 Malankara Constitution. They have also sought a court order restraining the newly installed Catholicos from functioning in any capacity within India, citing the Supreme Court’s ruling upholding the 1934 constitution,” they said.
The petition also seeks to prevent any attempt at parallel administration in 1,064 parishes under the Malankara Church. The court has accepted the petition and issued a notice to the opposing side. The case is scheduled for hearing on April 2. The Orthodox Church is represented by lawyer Jojo Thomas.
In Lebanon
Joseph Mar Gregorios, Malankara Metropolitan of the Jacobite Church and president of its Synod, is set to be installed as Catholicos of the Jacobite Church in Lebanon on March 25. The installation ceremony will be attended by delegations from both the Union and State governments, along with bishops and dignitaries from India and abroad.
The Orthodox Church has strongly condemned the move, accusing the Patriarch of Antioch of attempting to sow discord in India by appointing a rival Catholicos, thereby threatening the long-standing peace within the Malankara Church. The Orthodox Church has also written to the State and Central governments, urging them not to send official delegations to the ceremony.
Published – March 24, 2025 07:40 pm IST