Indian Orthodox pondering an Orthodox university

BENGALURU (Orthodox Herald) - Indian Orthodox youngest bishop has set his vision for Bangalore Diocese with focus on the education sector. Metropolitan HG Dr Abraham Mar Seraphim has envisioned setting up of an ‘Orthodox University’ on the city’s outskirts.

In all about 10 to 12 acres, 30 kilometers beyond the Bengaluru International Airport in Devanahalli area, was spotted for the University. Registration deal for the property failed to materialize when real estate agents hiked up the prices at the last moment. Though, this has come has a setback, the Diocese is scouting for new spots around fast developing areas like Malur (in nearby Kolar district), Kengeri, the satellite area of Bangalore, for the project.

Disclosing these details in a telephonic interview with this correspondent, Mar Serpahim said he desires the proposed university to be set up on the lines of Christ University in Bangalore. Managed by priests of Carmelites of Mary Immaculate, Christ University on Hosur Road, is a private deemed to be university and is the first indigenous Syrian Catholic religious congregation in India.

Land acquisition will be the main criteria for the Diocese in the coming days, Mar Seraphim said, adding that this will be the only project of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church if it comes up in future. “Agriculture lands can be used for educational purposes and the project will be launched in a phased manner, in stages of about 4 to 5 years. We will not launch it at one go, but go about in a phased manner – maybe start from primary school onwards and develop it further to extend it to university level,” Mar Seraphim explained.