Lithuania Honours Indian Priest for Fostering Memory of 18th Century Bishop

Kochi, August 1, 2024: Fr. Prasad Theruvathu OCD hailing the state of Kerala was awarded by the Lithunania – India Forum “For Merit to the Friendship between India and Lithuania“ on 27 July at a ceremony held in Rusne. The award was established in 2019 by the Forum to recognize individuals who contribute to the friendship between the two countries. 

He won the award for his long-term work in fostering the memory of the 18th century Lithuanian bishop Florence of Jesus of Nazareth OCD (1710-1773), who lived and worked for 34 years in the Malabar Coast. Bishop Florence was sent by the Order in 1739 to Malabar and served as the apostolic vicar of Verapoly Vicariate from 1751 until his death in 1773. 

Fr. Prasad's efforts led to the Lithuanian Embassy in India unveiling a commemorative plaque dedicated to Bishop Florence in 2016. The plaque is housed in the form of a white marble slab with a Latin inscription in the neo-Gothic cathedral of Verapoly near Kochi, where Bishop Florence served as apostolic vicar and was buried after his death.

By Catholic Connect Reporter