Orthodox holds mass at Kandanad

Kochi: The Orthodox faction of Malankara Church celebrated mass at Kandanad St. Mary's Church on Sunday after a gap of 45 years amidst protest from the rival Jacobite faction. The police had placed a heavy security cordon around the church under the leadership of Ernakulam DCP to maintain peace and avoid any law and order situation.    

The mass was led by Kandanad West Diocese Bishop Metropolitan Dr Mathews Mar Severios and other senior priests of the Orthodox faction. The Orthodox faction was able to conduct mass in the church, currently under the possession of the Jacobite faction, on the strength of the Supreme Court verdict in July 2017 on a long-standing dispute between the two factions.

The verdict of the Supreme Court has virtually handed over the possession and administration of churches to the Orthodox faction as per the 1934 constitution of the church.

The Orthodox faction was holding the mass and prayer in the Kandanad Church for the first time after 1974. The members of the Jacobite faction including priests held a protest outside the church against the rival faction entering the church.