The 139th Archdiocesan Day of the Archdiocese of Changanassery — originally established as the Vicariate of Kottayam through Pope Leo XIII’s encyclical ‘Kaladyam Pradam’ — will be celebrated on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. The event will be held at Cardinal Mar Antony Padiyara Nagar, St. Mary’s Metropolitan Church, Changanassery, from 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM. Preparations led by the Changanassery Forona are in full swing.
More than five lakh faithful from 80,000 families across 300 parishes in five districts, along with religious and clergy representatives from the Archdiocese, are expected to participate.
The general assembly will be presided over by His Excellency Mar Thomas Tharayil. Bishop Mar John Nellikunnel of the Diocese of Idukki will inaugurate the celebrations. Archbishop Mar Thomas Tharayil will deliver the presidential address. Christ University (Bangalore) Vice-Chancellor Jose Chennattussery will present the keynote address. Archbishop Mar Joseph Perumthottam will deliver the benediction speech.
The Excellence Award — the Archdiocese’s highest honor — will be conferred by Mar Thomas Tharayil to Sabu Thomas, former Vice-Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University and a leading polymer nanoscientist, and Dr. George Padanilam, an esteemed philanthropist and medical leader. Individuals who have shown excellence in various fields, including charitable service, will be specially recognized. Those who have gained recognition at state, national, or international levels will also be honored. The honorees will be introduced by PRO Adv. Joji Chirayil.
The day's events will commence with flag hoisting by Pastoral Council Joint Secretary Biju Sebastian, followed by the singing of the Archdiocesan Anthem. Mon. Scaria will lead the Khuttha prayer. A memorial observance for the late Pope Francis will follow. Chief Vicar General Mon. Antony Ethakkatt will deliver the welcome address. Parish Vicar Joseph Vaniyapurakkal will introduce the gathering. Mon. Mathew Changankary will administer the Archdiocesan Day pledge. At that moment, Forona Council Secretaries from 18 regions will line up before the stage carrying papal flags.
Speeches will be delivered by Mother General C. Mercy Maria (ASMI Congregation), Yuvadeepthi Deputy President Elizabeth Varghese, and Joint Secretary P. V. Jerome. The recipients of the Excellence Award will deliver their response speeches. Additional prizes will be given for the best parish bulletin and directory. The announcement and flag handover for the next Archdiocesan Day will also take place.
Cathedral Church
Coordinator Fr. Jobin Anakallungal will deliver the vote of thanks. The celebration will conclude with a love feast and the singing of the Syro-Malabar Church anthem and the national anthem. Choir and cultural programs are scheduled to add to the festive atmosphere.
On Monday, May 19, 2025, as a prelude to the main celebration, Annunciation Day will be observed. At 1:00 PM, a portrait procession will begin from St. Basil’s Church, Manimala — the home parish of Cardinal Mar Antony Padiyara. The portrait will be handed over by parish priest Mathew Thanniyat to the Archdiocese Yuvadeepthi President.
At 2:00 PM, a torch relay will begin from Champakkulam, the mother parish of Venerable Mar Thomas Kuryalassery. Parish Vicar James Palakkal will hand the torch to the Mission League Archdiocesan President. Both processions will converge at Aramanapaddi and reach Changanassery Metropolitan Church by 5:00 PM. Mar Thomas Tharayil will receive the portrait and torch, handing them to the Changanassery Yuvadeepthi and Mission League Presidents, respectively. Mon. Antony Ethakkatt will lead the Ramsha prayer at 6:00 PM, followed by the Metropolitan’s message.
On Sunday, May 18, each parish will observe Archdiocesan Day with special Masses, the Archdiocesan Day pledge, and the reading of the day’s message.
On Archdiocesan Day, Archbishop Mar Thomas Tharayil will announce the formation of the Archbishop Joseph Pavvathil Foundation — in memory of the former Metropolitan, whom Pope Benedict XVI once described as “the crown of the Syro-Malabar Church.” The Foundation will support research conferences, publications, scholarships, charitable aid, and efforts to preserve Syriac heritage and Eastern traditions.
Another major announcement will be the launch of a housing project as a memorial to the re-consecration of the Parel Marian Pilgrimage Center. Under this project, 25 landless families from the Archdiocese will each receive five cents of land in the Rajamattom Thiruhridaya Parish area. The land was donated by Elikutty and Marykutty, children of Kanarikavungal Chacko K.C. of Pavathilaya.
The press meet was attended by Mon. Antony Ethakkatt (Chief Vicar General), Joseph Vaniyapurakkal (Parish Vicar), Fr. Jobin Anakallungal (Coordinator), Adv. Joji Chirayil (PRO), Fr. P. V. Jerome (Pastoral Council Joint Secretary), Saibi Akkara (Forona Council Secretary), and Joseph Alencherry (Metropolitan Church official).