Funeral for HG Makarios will be Held at Devalokam

The funeral of Thomas Mar Makarios, Metropolitan of the Canada-UK-Europe diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, who passed away on Saturday , will be held at the specially constructed enclosure at Devalokam, the headquarters of the Orthodox Syrian church, near here, later.

The funeral services will be led by Catholicos Baselios Didymos I, Catholicos designate Paulose Mar Milithios and other bishops.

The obstacles for the final journey to Kottayam are resolved concerning the US Citizenship of HG Mar Makarios.

The service in London are as follows.

Friday 29th February:

3PM to 5:45 PM: Viewing at St.Gregorios Church, London
6PM to 7.15 PM: Funeral service 1st part.
7.15 PM: Holy Qurbana
9.15 PM: Farewell service
9.45 PM: Body leaving church to the Funeral Home.
H.G. Geevarghese Mar Coorilose will lead the services.

Final journey to Kottayam will be Saturday 1st March 13:40 Hrs. by Emirates flight from Gatwick (London).

From the airport the body will be brought to Orthodox Seminary, Kottayam where it will be kept overnight for prayer and vigil. The funeral is likely to take place in a specially prepared tomb at the southern part of the Catholicate Aramana Chapel, Devalokam.

Known for his erudition, extraordinary leadership qualities and organisational and administrative acumen, Mar Makarios had been the Metropolitan of Canada-UK-Europe diocese, ever since it was formed in 1993.

He was headquartered at the Episcopal Diocesan House at Buffallo in New York state.

He was the visiting professor of Richmond Union Theological Seminary, USA and the Orthodox Theological Seminary here.

He had also been the president of the Malankara Sabha Samrakshana Samithi..

Born into the Kuttikandathil family of Ayroor, near Kozhencherry, on May 6,1926 as the son of A T Chacko, he joined the Orthodox theological seminary after completing intermediate course.

He took his BA in History and Politics from the Punjab University, BD from Winscon university, USA and STM from Alexandria Episcopal Seminary, USA.

He had his doctorate from Richmond Union Theological Seminary, USA.

He was ordained as a priest by the late Catholicos Baselios Geevarghese II in 1952 and consecrated as a bishop in 1975 by the late Catholicos Baselios Ougen at Niranam.

After serving as the supremo of the Mumbai diocese for four years, he was shifted to the diocese in USA.

Since 1985, Mar Makarios has been teaching religion at Alma College in Michigan. He believes that he can help give students a deeper insight into the `mysterious' insight of the Eastern Church. In recognition of Mar Makarios' achievements and contributions to society, the college awarded him an honorary Doctor of Divinity in 1990.

The family of Mar Makarios is noted for submitting themselves at the service of God.

Rev K C Mathew Cor Episcopa is one of his brothers. Another brother, Lazarus Ramban is a monk.

Sister Mary, one of his sisters is a nun in the Indian Orthodox Church.

Source: Express News Service, Newind Press