H.G Thomas Mar Makarios Laid to rest

While thousands of faithful attended in reverence and prayers, the mortal remains of HG Mar Makarios was interred in a special tomb built near the Aramana Chapel at Devalokom Headquarters of our Church, on Monday, March 3, 2008. HH Baselios Mar Thoma Dydimus I was the chief celebrant, assisted by His Beatitude Paulose Mar Milithios and other metropolitans of our Church. The funeral prayers were represented and attend by, sister churches' bishops including H.E. Dr. Thomas Mor Themoteous metropolitan of Kottayam and Grater India dioceses of Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church.

Thousands of people thronged the small village of Ayroor, near Kozhencherry, on Sunday to pay last respects to the departed bishop. Many dignitaries and sister church metropolitans paid tributes to the Metropolitan at his native place including Jacobite Syrain Orthodox Church Knananya diocese metropolitan Archbishop H.E Kuriakose Mor Sevarius.

Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church holy synod secretary H.E Dr. Joseph Mor Gregorious & Niranam diocese metropolitan H.E Dr. Geevarghese Mor Coorilos paid tributes to the bishop when the funeral procession reached Thiruvalla along with Kerala State Transport Minister Mathew T. Thomas and other personalities. Hundreds of people waited on the wayside and at major junctions en route to pay tributes to the departed soul.

HG’s body reached the Theological Seminary around 1 am on Monday. The 4th through 6th segments of the funeral service were completed at the Seminary. The traditional farewell procession (Nagarikanickal) started at 8.30 am, and reached Devalokom at 10 am. The solemn occasion of bidding farewell to the Church, the Altar, the priests and laity was one of the final segments of the funeral ceremony. While the priests lifted the body in four directions, the faithful bid farewell by chanting “Blessed Father, go in peace.” The Metropolitans and the senior priests kissed the body of the departed father. His face was then covered with a special piece of cloth, and anointed with Holy Oil. The body was then lowered into the specially built tomb.

Thousands of faithful who flocked from different continents paid homage to the departed father.

Funeral pictures can be seen in the following websites:

http://www.malankaraorthodox.tv/

http://www.malankaraorthodoxchurch.in