May 12, 2025
Historic Audience at the City Hall
of Mönchengladbach
Historic Audience at the City Hall of Mönchengladbach: Eminent Ecclesiastical Dignitaries Honour
Lord Mayor Felix Heinrichs
Mönchengladbach, 18 August 2025 –
On the twelfth day of May in the Year of Our LORD two thousand and twenty-five, the Bishops of The Blessing Church — Archdiocese of the India Christian Mission Church for Continental Europe (An Anglican-Orthodox Church, Est. in 1897) — were accorded the singular honour of an audience, graciously convened within the venerable halls of the City Hall of Mönchengladbach,
by His Excellency, Lord Mayor Felix Wolfgang Heinrichs.
To this distinguished convocation there assembled pre-eminent spiritual dignitaries from both home and abroad: His Eminence, the Most Reverend Metropolitan Professor Dr. mult. Thomas Paul Schirrmacher of Bonn, together with the founder of the largest Tamil-speaking Pentecostal movement — The Faith Church Ministries — His Grace Archbishop Dr. G. A. Antony of Great Britain, accompanied by his esteemed consort, the Reverend Dr. Mala Antony (both originally from Sri Lanka, now entrusted with global leadership responsibilities in London). Also in attendance was the Founding Bishop of The Blessing Church, His Excellency, the Most Reverend Honorary Archbishop Antony Chandrathas, thus forming a delegation of notable distinction and ecclesiastical dignity.
During this historic assembly, Archbishop Schirrmacher offered profound commendation to Lord Mayor Felix Wolfgang Heinrichs, highlighting his exemplary openness to cultural and religious diversity. The assembled prelates, with sincerity and fraternal goodwill, conveyed their deep gratitude for his steadfast dedication to fostering cooperation and benevolence.
A moment of particular eminence was marked by the solemn presentation of the Letters of Appointment, elevating Archbishop Dr. G. A. Antony to the dignity of Honorary Archbishop of the Archdiocese of the India Christian Mission Church for Continental Europe. This investiture, conducted by Professor Schirrmacher, was duly authenticated by Superintendent Dieter Denker of the Church District of Gladbach-Neuss.
An additional historic moment of weight followed: In the name of the Christian Arab Royal House of the Ghassanids — the Royal House of Ghassan — and of His Royal Highness Prince Gharios El Chemor of Ghassan Al-Nu’man VIII, who is officially recognised by the Government of the Lebanese Republic as the legitimate heir to the last reigning monarchs of Lebanon, His Grace Archbishop Thomas Schirrmacher, in his capacity as Protestant Chaplain to the Royal House, did, in the distinguished presence of the Lord Mayor, bestow upon the Suffragan Metropolitan, Bishop Michael Chandrathas, the accolade of knighthood and the title of Knight Commander of The Equestrian Order of Saint Sergius (https://royalhonors.org/order-saint-sergius). The knightly orders of the Royal House of Ghassan trace their noble lineage far back to the era preceding the Crusades.
By virtue of these proceedings, the occasion stands as a testament not only to the international bonds and esteem accorded to Christian leadership, but also to the global significance of the blessed labours of The Blessing Church of Mönchengladbach.
