Jacobite Church team to leave for Damascus

KOCHI: A team from the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church will leave for Damascus on January 14 in connection with the consecration of Ramban Stephanos as metropolitan. The delegation includes Catholicos Aboon Mor Baselios Thomas I, newly installed metropolitans, spokesperson of the Church Fr Varghese Kallappara and family members of the bishops.  Bishop-designate Ramban Stephanos will be consecrated by Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, Patriarch of Antioch. Catholicose Baselios Thomas I will also take part in the function to be held at the Patriarch Cathedral, Damascus, on January 15. Bishops and metropolitans of the Global Syrian Church and laity leaders will also be present at the consecration ceremony. The team will travel to Damascus in two groups. The first group comprises newly installed metropolitans Elias Mor Yuliyos, Thomas Alexanthrayos, Zacharias Mor Policarpos and metropolitan-designate Ramban  Stephanose. The second team will be led by Fr Varghese Kallappara.