CHICAGO: His Beatitude Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil, Head of Syromalbar Church inaugurated last month the feast of St. Thomas at the Marhomasleeha cathedral and it was participated by 3500 believers.

The official flag of Thirunal was blessed and hoisted by Archbishop Mar Joseph. It was followed by Prusedenti night a night with lot of entertainment organized by Prusedenti Scaraia and Thresiamma Chennikkara. Major Archbishop Varkey Cardinal Vithyathil, Archbishop Mar Joseph Powathil, Bishop Mar James Pazhayattil, Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath and several priests along with hundreds of believers. In addition to the liturgical programs the most colorful item was the procession. The procession took approximate an hour to pass one point carrying all saints statues and holy relics of St Thomas.

Men and women dressed in traditional attire chanting prayers and hymns took part in procession . The Traditional Chendamelam consisting of 40 drums and bands set also played a vital role to make the procession so traditional. Marthomasleeha Cathedral at Bellwood Chicago is the official Cathedral for St Thomas Syromalabar catholic diocese the one and only diocese for Syromalbarians in America and Mar Jacob Angadiath is the bishop of St Thomas Catholic Diocese and Apostolic Visitator to Canada.

This is the only Syromalabar church in America which possesses the Holy Relics of St Thomas the apostle. This year's Prusudenti was Mr. Scaria and Thresiamma Chennikkara. The official flag handed over to the next year's Prusudenti representative Cyraic Thattarattu by Vicar Rev Fr Antony Thundathil on July 15.