By IANS,
Maramon (Kerala) : The Maramon Convention, considered to be the largest Christian congregation in Asia, opened its 116th session Sunday in the central Kerala town of Maramon.
Joseph Marthoma Metropolitan, the head of the Mar Thoma Church, inaugurated the convention organised by the Syrian Mar Thoma Church headquartered in Thiruvalla, about 130 km from Thiruvananthapuram.
Maramon is situated on the banks of the river Pampa, about 20 km from Thiruvalla, and the annual convention takes place on the river bed, which is almost dried up during the month.
Archbishop Roger Herft from Austria, N. Barney Pityana from South Africa, Rev. Canon Peter Maiden from England, Rev Ulf G. Ekman from Sweden and R. Rajkumar from New Delhi are among the evangelists addressing the convention this year, which is themed on “Where are you? Where is your brother?”
The week-long event includes a series of prayer and devotional music sessions.
The Mar Thoma community has nearly a million followers in Kerala.
Going by past records, close to three million people cutting across the various Christian denominations are expected to converge in Maramon during the week.