Encyclical on Last Rites of His Holiness Athanasius Yohan I Metropolitan

May the grace, peace and mercy of Christ risen in glory be with you all!

Respected brother Episcopas, priests, brothers and sisters,

It is with great sorrow and deep sadness we have received the news of repose of our spiritual Father. Although our Metropolitan’s departing came as a shock to all of us, we believe that our Almighty God has chosen to allow this to happen in His sovereign will. We as a church rejoicing over a life lived with a single focus – to bring Gods love to all.

Given below are important guidelines and information related to the last rites of His Holiness, the Metropolitan

1) HG Geevarghese Mor Makarios, the Bishop of Colombo and Kigali is deputed to travel to the U.S. on behalf of the Council of Senior Bishops and to help with the liturgy services that would be held for the reposed Metropolitan’s soul in Dallas, Texas.

2) The mortal remains of the reposed Metropolitan Athanasius Yohan I of blessed memory is expected to be brought to India from the U.S. by May 20, 2024, and would be kept for public viewing at the Believers Convention Center located at the Church’s global headquarters in St. Thomas Community, T ruvalla, Kerala.

The funeral rites of the reposed Metropolitan would be held on May 21, 2024, at the St. Thomas Believers Eastern Church Cathedral, located in the global headquarters of the Church in St. Thomas Community, Thiruvalla, Kerala.

3) The entire funeral rites and services would be telecast live over the news channels and the internet.

4) Beginning from today, all the dioceses and parishes of the Church worldwide are to observe a 40-day mourning period. During the Divine Liturgies held in this period, all celebrants are to include Metropolitan Athanasius Yohan I’s name as the first among the departed souls to be remembered in the Diptychs.

5) All the Bishops have to arrive by 16*h of May 2024 and stay back for few more days after the last rites. Return travel will be finalized after the last rites.

6) All the Diocesan and Mission Province Vicars have to report either of 18th or 19th of May and leave on 24th of May 2024.

7) Maximum participation from each Diocese is encouraged. Please remember, limited accommodation will be available on-campus.

8) As there is limited accommodation availability, all the Dioceses have to send advance information on number of participants and travel details to Fr. Abhishek Sahay.

9) All Episcopas are requested to bring official Kapa and black vestments.

10) All the Priests should bring their black vestments. And, all who have official kapa should bring it along with them.

11) Please feel free to contact HG Joshua Mor Barnabas Episcopa if you need any further information.

We really appreciate your prayers. Requesting continued prayers for our honourable Metropolitan’s soul and for the funeral arrangements, that as a church we give our beloved spiritual father a blessed farewell.

+ Samuel Mor Theophilus Episcopa

Administrator,
The Holy Synod