PATHANAMTHITTA: Thousands of faithful, from various parts of the State, participated in the Manjanikkara pilgrimage in commemoration of Patriarch Elias Mor Ignathios at Manjanikkara in Omallur near here on Friday.
The pilgrims had been accorded a traditional reception on their arrival at Omallur Cross Junction at 3 p.m.
Manjanikkara Dayara head Geevarghese Mor Devanasios, Geevarghese Mor Athanasios, Yuhananon Mor Milithios, Geevarghese Mor Thevodosios and Yuhananon Mor Philexinos were among the metropolitans who received the pilgrims.
After the reception, the pilgrims, in a procession, went to Manjanikkara Dayara. The valedictory function, to mark the conclusion of the pilgrimage was inaugurated by Transport Minister Mathew T. Thomas at 6 p.m. Supreme head and Catholicos of Syrian Jacobite Church Baselios Mor Thomas-I presided over the function.
Patriarch representative and Jordan Metropolitan Severios Mor Malki Murad delivered the benedictory address.
Kuriakose Mor Julios, Yuhananon Mor Milithios, Kuriakose Mor Gregorios, Francis George MP, MLAs K. Sivadasan Nair and T.U. Kuruvila, District Panchayat Standing Committee chairman Omallur Sankaran, Chenneerkara panchayat president Eliyamma Yohannan and Omallur panchayat president K.G. Anitha offered felicitations.
Geevarghese Mor Devansios welcomed the gathering and Geevarghese Mor Athanasios proposed a vote of thanks.
Perunnal conclusion: The annual perunnal will conclude after the special holy mass led by Partriarch representative Severios Mor Malki Murad in the presence of Baselios Mor Thomas-I and Kuriakose Mor Ignathios and Paulose Mor Evanios at 9.30 a.m. on Saturday.