HC directs State Police Chief to ensure that Patriarch of Antioch does not violate court orders or visa conditions on Keralam visit

KOCHI The Kerala High Court has directed the State Police Chief to ensure that Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem III, the Patriarch of Antioch, does not violate previous court orders relating to the Orthodox-Jacobite Church dispute or his visa conditions. Justice P.V.

Kunhikrishnan was considering a petition by parishioners of the Orthodox Syrian Church alleging that the Patriarch may violate previous Supreme Court orders and indulge in religious activities, including performing Holy Qurbana in St.Mary’s Church, Manarcaud, or in any of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Churches during his visit to Keralam. The petitioner also sought to ensure that the Patriarch did not violate his visa conditions and the governing provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act.

Previously, the court had issued notice to the Patriarch, the Jacobaya Suriyani Christiani Sabha, and Thomas Mar Themothios, the Metropolitan of the Kottayam Diocese in the petition.