The annual Chempeduppu ceremony at St. George Orthodox Church (Valiyapally) at Chandanappally near here was held with religious fervour on Wednesday.
Thousands of the faithful attended the ‘Chempeduppu rasa’ procession in the afternoon.
Catholicos of East and Malankara Metropolitan Baselius Mar Thoma Paulose-II led the Holy Tri-mass celebrated at the church in the forenoon.
Pilgrims’ meet
The Catholicos also inaugurated the pilgrims’ meet held on the church premises. Zacharias Mar Anthonios Metropolitan delivered the benedictory speech.
T.J. Joshua was presented with the Order of St. George award on the occasion.
Kuriakose Mar Cleemis, Metropolitan of the Thumpamon diocese, presided over the ceremony.
Chittayam Gopakumar, Veena George, MLAs; Biju Oommen, Church secretary; Fr. M.O. John, clergy trustee; and Fr. Varghese Kaleeckal, parish priest, spoke at the ceremony.
The ‘rasa’ procession culminated at the church. This marked the grand finale of the annual festival in the evening.