MALAYATTOOR: The Lenten season pilgrimage to the Malayattoor Hilltop, where St Thomas the Apostle is believed to have spent his time while on his mission to India, began on Sunday. Lakhs of devotees from different parts of the country used to visit the Kurisumudi and the international shrine during the Lenten season and puthunjayar festival.Chanting ‘Ponninkurusu Mala Muthappo, Ponmala Kayattam’ thousands of parishioners of St Thomas ‘Great Parish’ and four parish churches around Malayattoor, led by Vicar Fr John Thekkenath and priests, climbed the hilltop at 3 pm on Sunday, to mark the beginning of the two-month pilgrimage.They carried the holy relics of St Thomas from the Thazhatheppally. The sacred relics have been handed over to Rector of International Shrine at Hill top Fr Xavier Thelekkat who installed it at Marthoma Mandapam at hilltop for the pilgrims to offer prayers. The Ernakulam Archdiocesan-level pilgrimage to the hilltop began at 4 pm. Devotees from Kanjoor, Koratty, Kizhekkambalam and Cherthala Forane churches, led by Pro-Vicar-General Fr Jose Puthenveettil and several priests, participated in the pilgrimage.A concelebrated High Mass, led by Fr Jose Puthenveettil, Fr Xavier Thelekkat and Fr John Thekkenath, was offered at the Kurisumudi church. The pilgrimage will continue day and night during Lenten season and Puthunjayar, the first Sunday following Easter. The main festival of St Thomas is celebrated at Thazhatheppally, Adivaram and Kurisumudi churches on Puthunjayar.
Comments
0 comment