KOCHI: The Syro-Malabar Synod has announced that four major churches in the Syro-Malabar Church will be converted into a major arch episcopal pilgrimage center. These are the St. Mary’s Forona Church in Kodamalarur in the diocese of Changanassery, St. Mary’s Marian Pilgrim Center (Pazhayapalli) in the diocese of Kanjirappally, St. Thomas Church in the parish of Thrissur and St. Sebastian’s Church in Thazhekkad in the diocese of Iringalakkudy. The privilege is given to the historical importance of the church and the request of the believing community. The parish, which occupies the title of Major Archy Episcopal Pilgrimage, is known as the Archbishop of the parish.
The Synod has already established procedures for obtaining a Major Archy Episcopal status for a church. The most important of these was the decision of the parish general meeting. The application of the General Meeting for the acceptance of the terms of the Mosques which are being promoted to this position should be submitted to the Major Archbishop of Syro-Malabar with the recommendation of the Diocese. This application will be reviewed by a three-member bishops committee and presented at the Synod’s conference.
The Synod decides to grant this status after public consultation with the Synod. When the procedure is completed, the Major Archbishop will sign an official decree granting this designation to the shrine where the application is made. Once the ordinance is officially announced, the procedure will be completed and announcements will be made in the churches. The Major Archy Episcopal Church of Kuruvilangadu, Pala Diocese is the first Major Archy Episcopal Pilgrimage of the Syro-Malabar Church. St. Augustine’s Church, Kaduthuruthy, in the Synod of Kottayam in August 2019, and the Church of the Holy Trinity Holy Cross Church in Mananthavady.
