Metropolitan of Malankara church passes away

The Metropolitan of the Malankara Mar Thomas Syrian Church, Dr Zacharias Mar Theopilus Suffragan, passed away at a private hospital here today following a brief illness. He was 78.

He had been admitted to the KIMS Hospital here for treatment yesterday morning with high blood pressure and internal bleeding, hospital sources said.

He breathed his last at 5.52 PM this evening, the sources said.

He was consecrated as Bishop in May 1980 and had served in various dioceses.