Date:18/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/18/stories/2008101861400300.htm

Kerala - Kochi

Cathedral consecrated

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: Ignatius Zakka I, Patriarch of the Jacobite Syrian Church, who arrived here on Friday on his fourth apostolic visit to the State, led the consecration of the St Athanasius Cathedral at Puthen Cruz in the suburbs of Kochi, in the evening.

Catholicos Baselios Thomas I; the secretary of the Episcopal Synod, Joseph Mor Gregorious; and bishops from California and Beirut were among those present. This was his first official function in the State, during his 12-day visit. A prominent function he would participate in is the one organised at the Marine Drive here on Sunday.

Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil will be the chief guest at the function which will be presided over by Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan. The other prominent guests include Union Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes and Union Minister of State for Overseas Indian Affairs, Vayalar Ravi. Former Union Minister O. Rajagopal, CPM State secretary Pinarayi Vijayan, KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala, NSS general secretary P.K. Narayana Panicker and SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellapally Natesan, will participate.