Mortal remains of Moran Mor Athanasius Yohan I brought back; thousands bid tearful adieu to Metropolitan of Believers Eastern Church

THIRUVALLA: The body of Moran Mor Athanasius Yohan I Metropolitan (formerly known as K. P. Yohannan), who was the founding Metropolitan Bishop of Believers Eastern Church (formerly Believers Church), has been repatriated. The body was brought to the Kochi airport yesterday afternoon and was brought to his hometown Niranam as a mourning procession. The Metropolitan's son and Bishop Daniel Mor Timotheos, son-in-law and Church Secretary Rev. Dr. Daniel Johnson, Joshua Mar Barnabas Episcopa and Church spokesman Rev. Fr. Sijo Pandappilly accompanied the procession.

After the last rites of the Haripad Municipality, the ambulance carrying the dead body arrived at Niranam St Thomas Church at 6.45 pm. A large crowd including relatives, friends, classmates, political and social and cultural dignitaries had arrived. Mathews Mar Silvanos Episcopa and Mathews Mar Aprem Episcopa officiated the second burial service here. Then citizenry paid their last respects at Tiruvalla KSRTC corner under the leadership of the municipal council. Hundreds of people waited late into the night to pay their last respects to the Metropolitan who was an active presence in Thiruvalla.

Public viewing at church headquarters today, burial tomorrow

Public viewing at Believers' Convention Center, St. Thomas Nagar, Thiruvalla from 9 am today to 9 am tomorrow (Tuesday). Funeral procession to the church tomorrow at 10 am. Graveside service at 11 a.m. at Believers Eastern Church Cathedral. The grave is next to the church. Preparations for the eight steps in the burial service according to Orthodox tradition have been completed. The Metropolitan, who was injured in a car accident during a morning ride in Dallas, USA on the 7th, passed away on the evening of the 8th while undergoing treatment.