Express News Service

First Published : 10 Mar 2010 07:02:44 AM IST

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Gregorios III Laham, the Patriarch of Greek Melkite Rite, arrived in India on a five-day visit on Wednesday, 10 March. A linguist, the Patriarch is the author of several works and founder of charitable institutions in Jerusalem.

He is visiting in connection with the ordaining of four new bishops of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church.

Vincent Kulappuravilai, Samuel Kattukallil, Stephanos Thottathil and Antony Valiyavilayil will be ordained bishops at the Mar Ivanios Vidya Nagar near here on Saturday, Catholicos Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church said.

Patriarch Gregorios III will call on Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil of the Syro-Malabar Church at Ernakulam on his arrival there on Wednesday.

Later, the Patriarch will attend the installation of the new bishop at Marthandam.

On Saturday, the public function that follows the ordaining of the new bishops will be attended by Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor, Opposition Leader Oommen Chandy, Thrissur Archbishop Mar Andrews Thazhath and Mayor C Jayan Babu.

Source http://www.expressbuzz.com