Jacobite Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II Visits Manarcad Cathedral Amid Opposition
15 Nov 2026 10:43 AM IST15 Nov 2026 10:43 AM IST
The Jacobite Syrian Church considers Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch, its supreme leader
Keralam Chief Minister V D Satheesan, left, during a meeting with Patriarch of Antioch & the East, Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, in Kochi. (@vdsatheesan/X via PTI Photo)
Kottayam: Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and Supreme Head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church, visited St Mary's Cathedral at Manarcad here on Sunday amid opposition from the rival Malankara Orthodox faction, Jacobite church representatives said. The dispute between the Malankara Orthodox faction and the Jacobite Syrian Church concerns the ownership and administration of several churches in Keralam and has been the subject of prolonged legal battles.
The Jacobite Syrian Church considers Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch, its supreme leader.
He is on a five-day visit to Keralam.
The Patriarch reached the cathedral at around 9.15 am and received a grand reception from thousands of Jacobite Syrian Church faithful who gathered with palm leaves and raised slogans to welcome him.
On reaching the cathedral premises, Ignatius Aphrem II moved to an open-roof SUV and greeted the faithful while standing in the vehicle.
Heavy security arrangements were made to prevent any untoward incidents in view of the opposition from the Malankara Orthodox Church faction to the Patriarch's visit, police said.
Ignatius Aphrem II later led a holy mass at the cathedral as part of his visit.
The cathedral is a famous pilgrim centre in Central Keralam.
The cathedral is currently managed by the Jacobite faction, while the Malankara Orthodox Church faction also claims ownership of the place.
Recently, believers of the Malankara Orthodox faction approached the Kerala High Court seeking to prevent the Patriarch from visiting the Manarcad cathedral.
The court directed the State Police Chief to ensure that the spiritual leader did not violate visa norms or directions issued by the Supreme Court in connection with the church dispute cases.
( Source : PTI )
Next Story