Court releases Catholicos' passport for Damascus trip

A 40-member delegation comprising priests, bishops and laymen will accompany the Catholicos.

(Photo: scooch)

Kochi:  A court in Kerala has released the passport of the Catholicos Baselios Thomas I helping him travel to Damascus to attend the funeral services of Ignatius Zakka- I, the supreme head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church, who passed away last week.

The Judicial First Class Magistrate Court in Kolenchery released the passport on Monday and the Catholicos "will leave for Damascus as early as possible,” said Church authorities.

The passport of the Catholicos was surrendered earlier following an arrest warrant issued against him by the court on petitions alleging fund misappropriation.

The passport has been released following an application, the New Indian Express reported.

Patriarch Zakka I died in Germany on Friday and the funeral is scheduled for Friday in Damascus.

Catholicos Baselios Thomas I holds highest office after the patriarch in the Syrian Orthodox Church. As per hierarchical protocol he is to preside over the funeral and the election of new patriarch thereafter.

A 40-member delegation comprising priests, bishops and laymen will accompany the Catholicos.

Source: New Indian Express