Tension prevailed in the Kolenchery area after Catholicos Baselious Thomas I of the Jacobite Church started a prayer meet on Sunday evening, demanding freedom of worship for faithful at St Peter’s and St Paul’s Church (Kolenchery Valiyapalli).
Metropolitans Mathew Mar Ivanios, Mathews Mar Aprem, Isaac Mar Osthathios and Geevarghese Mar Yousebios and Church trustee Thambu George Thukalan along with priests and hundreds of followers are also attending the prayer meet.
The Catholicos started the meet after he was denied permission to pray at the church by the police, following a High Court order. The High Court had, the other day, given a verdict upholding the Ernakulam District and Sessions Court’s order that the Orthodox faction should be given control over St Peter’s and St Paul’s Church.
A meeting of the special representatives of Kandanad diocese of the Jacobite Church decided to file a special leave petition in the Supreme Court and a review petition in the High Court. In view of the situation, the police have beefed up security in the area.
According to the police, members of the two factions have gathered in and around the area. However, the situation is under control and the police officials are keeping vigil, with more than 100 personnel in the area.
Earlier in the day, Baselius Mar Thoma Paulose II had offered Holy Mass in the church while faithful belonging to the Jacobite faction were waiting in front of the church. Although the police had reckoned the situation would be rather intense on Sunday when the Orthodox section conducts mass at the church, things went smoothly when compared to the previous days, as the Jacobite bishops and priests decided to leave the church premises without interrupting the Orthodox service.
According to Puthencruz police, people from both the faction had been in the vicinity of the church till Sunday night. They left the place after hour-long discussion. However the Jacobite priests were at the church till Sunday morning. But they also left shortly before beginning of the Orthodox service.
The Jacobite followers took out a march on Sunday as a mark of protest against the HC order. The court order was that Fr Jacob Kurien, the vicar of the Orthodox faction is entitled to hold the keys of the church. Earlier, both the sections had conducted a week-long prayer meet in Kolenchery.