The faithful and the leadership of the Changanassery Archdiocese are eagerly preparing for the enthronement of Mar Thomas Tharayil as the new Metropolitan Archbishop of Changanassery. The ceremony will be held on October 31 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Changanassery. Dignitaries from India and abroad, including the Apostolic Nuncio to India, Archbishop Leo Pauldo Girrelli, central and state ministers, high-ranking officials, and over ten thousand representatives from the Changanassery Archdiocese, are expected to attend. The organizing committee has called for the wholehearted cooperation and support of everyone to ensure the smooth conduct of the event.
The enthronement service will commence at 9:00 a.m. with Archbishop Mar Joseph Perumthottam offering a welcome address. Major Archbishop Mar Raphael Thattill will be the chief celebrant, with Archbishop Mar Joseph Perumthottam and Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangatt of Pala as co-celebrants. This will be followed by the Holy Qurbana, led by the new Archbishop Mar Thomas Tharayil. During the Qurbana, Archbishop Dr. Thomas J Netto of Thiruvananthapuram will deliver a message.
A public meeting will be held at 11:45 a.m., presided over by CBCI President Archbishop Mar Andrews Thazhath. The gathering will include a farewell to outgoing Archbishop Mar Joseph Perumthottam and congratulations for the new Archbishop Mar Thomas Tharayil. Fr. Thomas Thaikkudusheri & team will present a welcome song. Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop George Kocheeri will light the lamp, and Fr. Joseph Vaniyappurackal will offer a welcome address.
Minister of State for Minority Affairs George Kurian will inaugurate the gathering. Major Archbishop Emeritus Mar George Alencherry of the Syro-Malabar Church will deliver a blessing speech. Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Mathews III of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church and Dr. Theodosius Mar Thoma XXII of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church will give their blessings. Dr. Deepti Jose S.D, Provincial Superior of the St. Joseph Province, will extend a vote of thanks to Archbishop Joseph Perumthottam. Dr. Rekha Mathew, Secretary of the Pastoral Council, will convey congratulations to Archbishop Thomas Tharayil.
The event will also witness greetings from dignitaries such as Archbishop Herwig Gossell of Bamberg, Germany, Bishop Joshua Mar Ignathios of Mavelikkara, Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan, Minister for Water Resources Roshi Augustine, Minister for Cooperation V.N. Vasavan, MP Kodikkunnil Suresh, MLA Adv. Job Michael, and Municipal Chairperson Krishnakumari Rajasekharan. Both Archbishop Mar Joseph Perumthottam and Archbishop Mar Thomas Tharayil will deliver responses, and Vicar General Fr. James Palakkal will conclude with a vote of thanks.
For those coming from various locations, special parking arrangements have been made in school and college grounds. No vehicles will be permitted near the cathedral premises where the ceremony is held.