Syro-Malabar Bishops Explore The Chosen During Synod

Kochi, August 21, 2026: The story of Jesus through the popular series The Chosen came under discussion at a special screening and presentation held during the Synod of the Syro-Malabar Bishops on August 21, bringing together 52 bishops from across the world.

Msgr Francis Eluvathingal introduced the resource persons for the session — Ashish Nag, Strategy Lead for The Chosen in Asia, and Ajin Joseph, CCBI Catholic Engagement Manager for The Chosen and Associate Secretary of the CCBI Family Commission with special responsibility for Pro-Life Ministry.

Joseph spoke about the support extended to The Chosen by Church leaders in different parts of the world, including Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV. He presented selected clips from the series and highlighted its approach to portraying the humanity of Jesus while bringing Gospel narratives to audiences through visual storytelling.

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The session also examined the potential of The Chosen to create spaces where people and communities can come together for prayer, reflection and conversation, leading to a renewed encounter with the Gospel.

Nag outlined plans for the upcoming theatrical release of The Chosen: Crucifixion, scheduled for March 2027. He highlighted the importance of the Syro-Malabar Church’s support in taking the story of Christ’s Passion to wider audiences through the cinema.

Concluding the session, Major Archbishop Mar Raphael Thattil thanked Nag and Joseph for presenting the vision and outreach of The Chosen to the bishops.

He assured the team of the collaboration and support of the Syro-Malabar Bishops for the upcoming Crucifixion project.

The interaction provided an opportunity for the Syro-Malabar Church and the team behind The Chosen to explore ways of using film and community engagement to make the story of Jesus accessible to wider audiences and encourage renewed engagement with the Gospel.

By Catholic Connect Reporter