Kottayam: Eight couples from financially weaker sections got married under the initiative of the St Mary’s Jacobite Syrian Church Manarcaud, coinciding with the, ‘Ettu Nombu’ (eight-day fast) which began on Monday. The initiative was sponsored by the laity who bore all the expense. The couples were selected by the church committee after inviting applications from candidates throughout the State.
One couple from the Jacobite community, three from other churches and four from other communities were selected by the church. All the marriages except that of the couple from St Mary’s Church, took place before August 31. The last marriage was held at the St Mary’s Church on August 31.
“We zeroed in on the list after going to the houses of the eight couples. We went by their financial background”, said Fr Andrews Chiravathra, Cor Episcopa. He added that the marriages were conducted according to the religious beliefs and convictions of the couples. The church received around 40 applications. Each couple was given gold ornaments worth Rs 50,000, dresses worth Rs 25,000 and Rs 12,500 each for the bride and the bride groom.
In addition, a fixed deposit of Rs 2 lakh will be given to each couple. The fixed deposits will be presented by Forest Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan at the public meeting on September 5.The deposits can be withdrawn after two years.
