The Economic Times

Kerala Christian priest steps in as father for orphan bride at Hindu wedding, performs kanyadaan; Viral video wins hearts

A wedding in Kottayam has gone viral after a touching video showed a Christian priest, Father Roy Mathew, performing the traditional kanyadaan ritual for a Hindu bride, Parvathy, whom he helped raise. Having grown up at Bethlehem Ashram after losing her mother, Parvathy shared a deep bond with the priest, who became a father figure in her life and even supported her marriage to Ananthu. The ceremony, held at St. Pauls Church but conducted according to Hindu customs, has drawn widespread praise online for symbolising compassion and unity beyond religious boundaries.