KOTTAYAM: Joy to the entire country, pride and respect for the church in India. Archbishop Mar George Jacob Koovakkad has been ordained a Cardinal in a prayerful ceremony held at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. The Pope elevated 21 people to the rank of Cardinal, including Mar George Koovakkad, a member of the Archdiocese of Changanassery. Cardinals, archbishops, bishops and priests from different countries attended the services.

The ceremony started at around 8.30 PM IST. The one-and-a-half-hour long ceremony called Consistory began with the greeting of the Pope after the circumambulation. After the words of gratitude, prayer and proclamation of the Gospel, the cardinals were sworn in by the Pope and blessed with the insignia. He was dressed by the Pope in a red cap, with another smaller hemispherical cap and a ring on his finger. A letter of ordination for each cardinal was also given. The historic moment came to an end when they all received the Pope's embrace.

At the end of the liturgy, the new cardinals met with the Pope. Tomorrow morning at 9:30 Vatican time, the new cardinals and priests who received a special invitation from the Syro-Malabar Congregation will be concelebrating the Holy Mass which is part of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady. In the evening, a words of gratitude service in Malayalam will be held at Sant'Anastasia Syro Malabar Basilica under the patronage of Cardinal George Koovakkad, followed by a reception.

Parents present for historic moment

Cardinal George Koovakkad's parents Jacob-Leelamma, brother Anthony and family members came to witness the historic moment. A seven-member team led by Minister George Kurien also participated in the services on behalf of the central government. Syro Malabar Church Major Archbishop Mar Raphael Thattil, Cardinal Mar George Alencheri, Archbishop Mar Thomas Tharayil, Archbishop Mar Joseph Perumthottam, Mar Thomas Padiyath, Mar Stephen Chirappanath and others were present in the liturgy. The devotees celebrated by distributing sweets at Changanassery Mammood, the birth place of Mar Koovakkad. Ordaining ceremonies were also shown on a large LED screen.