The patriarch was attending the commemoration of the thousands of Christians killed by Ottaman army in 1915, called the ‘Sayfo’ (sword) massacre.
When the security officials of the Patriarch blocked the suicide bomber who tried to enter the commemoration hall, the bomber detonated himself and three security officials died on the spot.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the incident.
In a statement, the Chief Minister said, “It is a relief to hear that the religious head was not injured.”
“We share the concern of all those who love and respect him,” Vijayan said, adding the incident was “extremely painful”.
