for the election of the new Joseph, the Metropolitan Trustee and Metropolitan of Kochi Diocese to the office of Catholicos of India. According to Article 22 (A) of our Church Constitution, we wrote to their Emi- nences, the Archbishops members of our Holy Synod of Antioch to endorse this election. Their Eminences unanimously expressed their endorsement of election. Accordingly, We chose Tuesday March 25, 2025 Feast of the Annunciation to cel- ebrate the ordination of His Eminence as Catholicos of India with the name "His Beatitude Mor Baselios Joseph" at our St. Mary's Cathedral in Atchanch, Lebanon. His Eminence Mor Gregorios Joseph was born in Kochi in 1960. He was or- dained Metropolitan of Kochi Diocese in 1994, by the late Patriarch Mor Ignatius Zakka I, of blessed memory. He was elected by the Church Association in 2019, as Metropolitan Trustee, following the resignation of His Beatitude Mor Baselios Tho- mas I. We conferred to him the title "Malankara Metropolitan" during our Apostolic visit to India in February 2024. Dearly beloved, We wish also to inform you that we will convene a Universal Synod on March 26, 2025, at our Patriarchal Residence in Atchanch. Their Eminences the Archbishops, members of the Holy Synod of Antioch and the Regional Holy Synod of India, will meet at the Universal Synod to discuss matters of importance to our Church. We solicit your prayers asking the Lord to bless the ministry of the new Catholicos and to inspire us all to do what is good for our Church through the intercession of the Holy Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, Saint Peter, the Chief of the Apostles. St. Thomas the Apostle, and all the martyrs and saints
Issued at our Patriarchate in Damascus, Syria On the twentyseventh of January 2025, Which is the 11th year of our Patriarchate
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