Episcopal Visit to the Varavel Mar Thoma Church
Veravel can be reached by Air on selected days from Bombay. This place is in Gujarat in Kuch region. The Diocesan Bishop, Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius, flew from Bombay to DIU Airport on January 26, 2017. Rev. Anup Mathew and members of the parish gave a warm welcome. 
This being a Central Government Territory, once occupied by the Portughese, Mar Theodosius took some time to visit the places of importance. He, along with the members in Veravel Church had lunch with the Catholic fathers of St. Paul’s Catholic Church. 
Then he visited the Museum and some of the old churches that are 400 years old in the vicinity.It took more than two hours for the team to reach Veravel by road from DIU. The morning hours of 27th was used to go and visit the GHIR forest where there are wild animals. Only a few were visible on the day. Later, the members of the parish visited the Bishop in the place where he was staying and joined for fellowship meals. Some of the members took the day off to get the work of renovation of the church – building completed before the worship service started as scheduled for the evening.
The Holy Qurbana started at 6.30 pm attended by members and friends. There was a First Communicant to participate in the Sacrament. A Dedication service, assisted by the Vicar, was conducted for him. The parish has a membership of 10 families now, even though there was a time when there were about 40 members when it was recognized as a parish. 
Majority of the adult members present participated in the Holy Qurbana.There was a General meeting following the Sacrament in which members of the sister churches participated. There was a fellowship meal for all present, after the Kaimuthu Service.The Episcopal visit was a rejenuating experience for the parish as a whole.
Mar Theodosius+
Diocesan Bishop
