New Catholicos for Jacobite church; Metropolitan Joseph Mar Gregorios consecrated 

BEIRUT (LEBANON): Receiving the blessings of believers from all over the world, Metropolitan Joseph Mar Gregorios was consecrated as the Catholicos of the Malankara Jacobite Church. He will be known as His Eminence Catholicos Baselios Joseph I. The ceremony was held at the newly built St. Mary's Church in the Patriarch's palace in Achane, 20 kilometers from Beirut.

The Supreme Head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church, His Holiness Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II, presided over the ceremony. All the metropolitans of the Malankara Jacobite Church, heads of other Christian churches, and representatives of the central and state governments were witnesses. Brothers Sunny and Ummachan and more than 700 Malayalis participated. The ceremonies, which began at 8:30 PM Indian time, lasted for two hours.

After the evening prayer, the 'Shalmosa' (oath) declaring devotion, respect and submission to the Patriarch and the Throne was recited, signed and handed over to the Patriarch. The Patriarch gave the 'Sustathikon' (letter of authority). The Catholicos, dressed in full vestments, was led to the madhhab by the Metropolitans. After the Patriarch recited the prayer, the Metropolitans raised the Catholicos, who was seated on the pedestal. The chief celebrant announced the name "His Eminence Catholicos Baselios Joseph I." The Patriarch recited "Oxios," meaning "He is worthy." The metropolitans and priests bowed three times. After being seated on the throne, the chief celebrant handed over the three rosaries and the Crozier, which are the symbols of the office, to His Eminence Catholicos. The ceremonies ended with His Eminence Catholicos bowing to the faithful. The ceremonies faithfully followed age-old beliefs and customs.