Court allots time to Malankara factions for prayers

Each group should not take more than 10 minutes for prayers. The court banned cameras and mobile phones inside the church.

(Photo: .syrianchurch.org )

Kochi:  The Kerala High Court has fixed timings for the two factions of the Syro-Malankara rite to offer prayers at the Thrikkunnathu Seminary Church in Aluva.

The court also fixed time for the two factions to pray at the tombs of the fathers of the Church as part of memorial prayer.

The Bench comprising Justice Thottathil B. Radhakrishnan and Justice A.K.

Jayasankaran Nambiar ordered that the members of the Orthodox faction offer their prayers from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and the members of the Patriarch faction from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

The court passed the order on a petition filed by the Ernakulam District Collector seeking directives from the court for the smooth conduct of the annual festival.

The Bench directed that the faithful could enter the church in groups not exceeding 10 persons.

Each group should not take more than 10 minutes for prayers. The court banned cameras and mobile phones inside the church.

The heads of both the factions should enter the church during the last ten minutes allotted to respective factions for administrative reason.

The court appointed High Court lawyer Sreelal Warrier as observer to oversee the implementation of the court directives.

Source: The Hindu