President Pranab Mukherjee releases commemorative stamp on Kottayam Old Seminary

NEW DELHI: President Pranab Mukherjee today released a commemorative postage stamp on the bi-centennial of Kerala's Orthodox Theological Seminary or Old Seminary, Kottayam here.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said for nearly four centuries, the three major religions of Kerala - Hinduism, Christianity and Islam have existed in peace and harmony, respecting each other's belief and cooperating to promote social welfare.

In fact, he said, Kerala was the first state in the country where both Christianity and Islam took roots with people voluntarily choosing different religious beliefs.

"The old seminary was set up by the Malankara orthodox church situated in Kerala, a state known for the peaceful co-existence of different religions and communal harmony. The seminary and the orthodox Church played their part in achieving this goal which led to the state realising the complete separation of spiritualism and communalism.

"The lighting of oil lamps in and around Churches, the raising of the flag-staff and flags during festivals and the custom of entering the churches barefoot are all Hindu traditions that have become a part of the church practice. These bear testimony to the sharing of traditions by both the religions," he said.