Orthodox parishes drop fireworks from fetes this year, set aside funds for charity

In a major shift from long-cherished feast traditions, several parishes under the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church in Central Travancore have decided to forgo fireworks displays this year. The decision comes in response to a call by Baselios Marthoma Mathews III Catholicos in the wake of the Mundathikode fireworks accident.

According to the Church authorities, the St. George Orthodox Church at Puthuppally, one of the foremost pilgrimage centres of the Malankara Orthodox Church, has decided to skip fireworks for this year’s annual feast.