KOTTAYAM: The 120th Maramon Convention will begin on the riverbed of Pampa at Maramon, near Kozhenchery, on February 8. The eight-day convention, one of the largest Christian gatherings in the world, will commence with the introductory prayer by Philipose Mar Chrysostom Mar Thoma Valiya Metropolitan, at 2.30 pm.
The convention, being organised under the auspices of Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association, will be inaugurated by Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan, the supreme head of the Mar Thoma Church, at 3 pm. Association president Thomas Mar Timotheos will preside over the meeting.
Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Association functionaries said that Zacharias Mar Theophilus Suffragan Metropolitan, Episcopas Geevarghese Mar Theodosius, Euyakim Mar Coorilos, Joseph Mar Barnabas, Mathews Mar Makarios, Gregorios Mar Stephanos, and Thomas Mar Theethos will be present at the inaugural function.
Evangelists Bishop Sifo De Silva from South Africa; Samuel T Kamalesan; Leonard Sweete from the US; and Dushanta Rodrigo from Sri Lanka would be the key speakers at the convention. Bishops attached to the Mar Thoma Church and other Churches will address various sessions of the meet.
Madya Kerala Diocese of Church of South India Bishop and Deputy Moderator of Church of South India Rev Thomas K Oommen will address the meeting on the second day at 6.30 pm. Philipose Mar Chrysostom Mar Thoma Valiya Metropolitan will deliver the sermon at 10 am on February 10. Public meetings will be held at 10 am, 2 pm and 6.30 pm on the days of convention.
Association general secretary Rev George Varghese Punnakkad, correspondent secretary Raju Abraham Vennikkulam, travelling secretaries Rev Binu Varghese, Boby Philip and K K Royson attended the press meet.