On Sunday, September 25th, the Northeast American Diocese, hosted a grand reception to honor His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, on his first Apostolic Visit to our Diocese. His Holiness was received for the very first time to our Diocese as the Church's chief shepherd by Metropolitan Zachariah Mar Nicholovos on Thursday, September 22nd.
Marking the first Apostolic Visit of our Primate, a reception in honor of His Holiness was hosted by the Diocese at Saint Thomas Orthodox Church, in Levittown, New York. Both religious and civil leaders joined the Diocese to felicitate His Holiness, including Metropolitan Dr. Youhanon Mar Demetrios of Delhi Diocese, His Grace, the Right Reverend Johncy Itty, Bishop of the Episcopal Church, New York State Senator, Kevin Thomas, and the Deputy Consul General of India, Dr. Varun Jeph.
His Holiness, formerly Metropolitan Dr. Mathews Mar Severios, was enthroned by the Holy Synod as His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, as the 9th Catholicos of the East, and 22nd Malankara Metropolitan in the Apostolic lineage of Saint Thomas in October 2021. Since assuming the sacred responsibility as Primate of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, His Holiness is on an official visit to the Diocese from September 22nd to October 2nd, 2022.
For pictures, please visit our Flickr page.