As a representative of His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, His Eminence Archbishop Mor Dionysius John Kawak visited Kerala, India, to participate in the annual commemoration of the late lamented Catholicos Mor Baselios Paulose II, from August 28 until September 3, 2025.
Upon his arrival on August 28, 2025, His Eminence was received at Cochin Airport by His Eminence Mor Dioscorus Kuriakose, Metropolitan of the Monastery of the Holy Cross in Malecuriz, where the tomb of the late Catholicos Mor Baselios Paulose II is located.
On the afternoon of Thursday, August 28, Archbishop Kawak visited His Beatitude Catholicos Mor Baselios Joseph at the Patriarchal Center in Puthencruz. Afterwards, he visited Mor Ephrem Theological Seminary in Vettickal, where he was welcomed by His Eminence Mor Theophilus Kuriakose, the Principal of the Seminary, along with the faculty and students. He joined them in the evening prayer and addressed them afterwards, expressing his admiration for their proficiency in the Syriac liturgical prayers, encouraging them to take their studies seriously, reminding them that tomorrow they will be the leaders of the Church.
On the evening of Saturday, August 30, Archbishop Kawak visited His Eminence Mor Timotheos Mathews at his residence in Mor Gabriel Monastery in VEETTOOR MUVATTUPUZHA, KERALA, where he first visited the elderly home adjacent to the monastery. Afterwards, he presided over the service of the Virgin Mary and the Saints in the monastery church and spoke with the faithful who had gathered to welcome him.
On Sunday morning, August 31, His Eminence Archbishop John celebrated the Holy Qurobo at St. Mary’s Church in Vadayaparabum on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of its establishment.
On the same evening, His Eminence participated in the evening prayer at the Church of the Holy Cross Monastery, which was presided over by His Beatitude Catholicos Mor Baselios Joseph, the Metropolitan of the monastery, and several other bishops of our Church in Kerala.
On Monday morning, September 1, 2025, at the same church, His Eminence celebrated the Holy Liturgy together with their Eminences Mor Philaxinos Zacharias and Mor Timotheos Matthew, in the presence of H.E. Mor Dioscoros Kuriakose, marking the commemoration of the late Catholicos Mor Baselios Paulose II. In his sermon, he conveyed the blessings and prayers of His Holiness Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II. His sermon was titled: “A Life of Humility and Faithfulness – Lessons from Mor Baselios Paulose II.”
