Malankara Marthoma church in Kerala observes Int'l Yoga Day

A church in Kerala today observed International Yoga Day inside its premises after the Holy Communion.
At least 250 faithful of the Malankara Marthoma church, located at Areeblachy, a rural area in Punalur in Kollam district, participated in the yoga exercises after the Holy Communion, Parish Vicar of the church Rev A C Thomas told PTI.
"Young and old, children, all enthusiastically participated
in the yoga exercises," he said.
Yesterday, he had said yoga practise was not against Christian faith.
The Vicar gave an introduction-- a theological basis for yoga and the practise of yoga within the Jewish tradition after the Holy Communion before yoga exercises were held.

Bishops Conference of India, apex body of the Catholic priests in the country, had earlier expressed displeasure over government's decision to organise Yoga Day on June 21, saying Sundays are "sacred day" for Christians.

CBCI President and Syro-Malankara Major Archbishop Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, had made it clear that the Church was not against yoga.
However, he had expressed displeasure as "important events are being observed on Sundays these days", and said the Church will raise its concern before authorities concerned.
"We are not against Yoga. But it is sad that such important events are being observed on Sundays these days. Sundays are holy day for Christians. Organising such programmes on Sundays will clash with our belief," Cleemis, also leader of the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council, had said.

Meanwhile, Malayalam superstar Mohanlal extended his support to yoga in his blog saying it was above religion and politics.
In a posting, the actor said it was unfortunate that there were protests against the move to include yoga in school curriculum.