The conclusion of the year long programs arranged by the Jacobite Syrian Church to commemorate the death centenary of

Commemoration of the 100 th Memorial Feast of 'Saint Gregorios' of Malankara

The "Noottonninmel Qurbano" (Holy Mass jointly celebrated by 101 priests) celebrated at the Puthencuriz Patriarchal Centre,

to mark the valedictory of the year-long celebrations in connection with the 100th death anniversary of

Metropolitan Chathuruthy Mor Gregorious Geevarghese (Parumala Kochu Thirumeni)

The year-long centenary celebrations to commemorate the 100th death anniversary of Saintly Chathuruthy Mor Gregorios Bava (Parumala Kochu Thirumeni), came to an end with the offering of Holy Mass at the Mulanthuruthy MarThoman Church, the home parish of Kochu Thirumeni and the nearby Puthencuriz Patriarchal Centre Chapel, the head quarters of the Church in India, on 1st and 2nd of November, 2002.

On Saturday November 2nd, the Church celebrated "Noottonninmmel Qurbono" (Holy Mass by a hundred and one priests) at the specially erected Altars in the 'Patriarchal Centre', Puthencuriz. The Catholicose Aboon Mor Baselios Thomas I, who is also the Metropolitan Trustee of the Jacobite Syrian Church in India was the chief celebrant. His Beatitude was assisted by the Metropolitans, Rambans, Corepiscopa's and Kassiso's. Thousands of faithful were present at the Patriarchal Centre to participate in this blessed ceremony.

In between the Holy Mass, Metropolitan H.G.Joseph Mor Gregorious read the message from the supreme head of the Church, the Patriarch of Antioch and all the East Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iywas. His Holiness while recalling the prayerful life of Mor Gregorious Bava, requested the faithful to follow the faith and traditions of the Church which the Saintly father strictly adhered to.

After the Holy Qurbano, the keys to the Houses constructed for poor at the "SAINT GREGORIOS VILLAGE", which is developed by the Church in memory of Mor Gregorios Bava's 100th Dhukrono, was distributed by the Honourable Minister of State Mr. T M Jacob. This housing colony is situated at Mulunthuruthy, the home town of Saintly Kochu Thirumeni; in the coming years more houses are expected to be constructed here. Later at the solemn function, Asiad Gold medallist Mrs. Anju Baby George, who is a member of the Nalunnakkal St.Adai's Church in the Kottayam diocese, was honoured by the Church.

Faithful attending the Holy Qurbono

(Click here to access the photos)

The temporary 'Madboho' which was 7,000 feet long, built at the Patriarchal Centre ground was the stage for the holy ceremony. It was here the hundred and one altars were arranged at five levels for the priests to celebrate the Holy Mass.

The believers were seen flooding to the place several hours before the Holy Mass. By around 8.30 am, the entire 81,000 sq.ft temporary shed was tightly packed and a great number of faithful were standing outside the covered area. The entire 6 acres of land adjoining the Patriarchal centre was crowded with the faithful. Over a lakh (Hundred thousand) are estimated to have attended the Holy Mass. The ceremonies ended by around 11.30 am. The offering of Holy Mass by priests standing at 101 altars to commemorate the death anniversary of St.Gregorious Bava is one of the rarest ceremonies in the history of the Indian Church.

The Plan of the temporary Madboho where 101 priests jointly celebrated the Holy Mass on Nov. 2nd, 2002

On the previous day (November 1st), His Beatitude the Catholicose Aboon Mor Baselious Thomas I offered Holy Qurbono at the home parish of St.Gregorious Bava, the Mulanthuruthy MarThoman Church, assisted by the Metropolitans. This was followed by the consecration of the newly constructed under ground 'RETREAT CENTRE', named after Mor Gregorios Bava, which is situated in the premises of Mulunthuruthy MarThoman Church. During the occasion the Relic of the Saint was enshrined in a font inside the retreat centre.

Mulanthuruthy MarThoman Church

Mor Gregorios Retreat Centre