Bishops |
St.Gregorios Geevarghese (1876-1902), popularly known as "PARUMALA KOCHUTHIRUMENI" was born in the distinguished priestly family of 'Pallithatta Thanagattu' in the village of Mulunthuruthy near Cochin on 15th June 1848. He was baptized by name Geevarghese at the Mulanthuruthy MarThoman Church. From childhood days he followed a very disciplined life which was enriched by prayer and fasting. Mor Gregorios had a thorough knowledge in Theology and Syriac, which he learned from his teachers, Pallithatta Fr. Geevarghese Malpan (uncle), Konatt Malpan of Pambakkuda and Yuyakim Mor Kurillos Bava the Patriarchal delegate. His Grace was a man of prayer and made it clear to the world that Prayer and devotion is mightier than any worldly possession. The Holy Father's short life was remarkable in many respects. A deacon at the age of 10, a priest at the age of 18, a bishop at the young age of 28 (the reason for calling him 'Kochu Thirumeni'); St. Gregorios, the first Indian saint to be canonized was appointed as the first Metropolitan of Niranam diocese by Patriarch Peter IV. The saintly father was closely and intimately associated with varied activities and development of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church. He was very much admired for his organizing ability and was very popular with the masses. Following the demise of Metropolitans, the administration of Thumpamon and Kollam dioceses also fell under him. At the age of 54 Thirumeni became seriously sick. He knew that his end was near. While the Metropolitans and priests and others were praying, Kochu Thirumeni uttered, "MY LORD" and closed his eyes. Kochu Thirumeni passed away on 2nd November 1902 after a saintly life of prayer to become the brightest jewel in the Jacobite Syrian Church. His mortal remains were entombed at the St.Peter's Church, Parumala. On 20th December 1987, through the historical Apostolic Bull No. E 265/87, The Patriarch of Antioch, H.H. Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas permitted to recite the name of 'MOR GREGORIOS OF MALANKARA' in the Fifth diptych ('TUBDEN') of 'Holy Qurbono'. The Patriarchal declaration regarding this was first read in theMulunthuruthy MarThoman Church, the home parish of Chathuruthy Kochu Thirumeni. Thereafter in the Holy Qurbono of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, 'Mor Gregorios of Malankara' is remembered in the 5th TUBDEN, after the names of Patriarch Mor Ignatius Elias III (Majanikkara-1932) and Maphriyono (Catholicose) Mor Baselios Yeldho (Kothamangalam-1685). This is very significant considering that, besides these three Holy fathers who lived between 17th and 20th centuries, all the other 23 Holy fathers remembered in the 5th TUBDEN, were of the pre-7th century. Mor Divanasios Joseph Pulikottil(1902-1909) Born in the 'Pulikottil' family of Kunnamkulam, is one of those illustrious fathers of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church who is remembered with great reverence and affection.The Syrian Christian community of India owes a lot to this spiritual father for his able and dedicated leadership. H.E. Mor Divanasios (Dionysius) Pulikottil is widely acknowledged as the architect of the modern Malankara Church. Mor Divanasios rose to the order of Metropolitan, in AD 1865. The sufferings he had faced as Metropolitan to retain the Syrian Christian faith in Malankara was unprecedented. In those period, the British were the dominant force in India and they supported the Anglican Church who tried to introduce their protestant faith among the Syrian Christians. In June AD 1876, Patriarch Mor Ignatius Peter IV convened a Synod at the Mulunthuruthy MarThoman Church, which gave birth to the popular and democratic 'Syrian Christian Association Committee'; a body comprising of representatives from the Parishes of Malankara. As per the decision of this historic Synod, Malankara Edavaka (Syrian Archdiocese in India) was divided into six new dioceses for administrative convenience, and Metropolitans were ordained for each (St.Gregorios of Parumala was one of those new Metropolitans ordained by the Patriarch Mor Ignatius Peter IV and appointed as Metropolitan of Niranam Diocese). Decision was also taken to elevate the senior most Metropolitan of Malankara Church 'H.E. Mor Divanasios Joseph Pulikottil', as the first Metropolitan President of the newly formed Association and as the chief of the local Synod, with the designation MALANKARA METROPOLITAN. Since then His Excellency came to be called 'Mor DIVANASIOS V', he being the fifth Metropolitan of the Indian Church known in the same name. His Grace Mor Divanasios V continued as the head of the Church in Malankara for 33 long years. When Parumala Kochuthirumeni Passed away His Grace Mor Divanasios took the charge of Niranam Diocese also. Geevarghese Mor Dionysius(1909-1911) was born at Mallappally Pauvothinkal family on 31st October 1858. His father was Wattaseril Joseph Joseph and mother Aleyamma. He had completed his preliminary education at Mallappally and High School education at C.M.S. High School, Kottayam. He was trained under Parumala Mor Gregorios Metropolitan initially at Vettikal Dayara and then to Parumala Seminary. He entered the service of the Church at an early age. He lived in Vettikal Dayara and Parumala Seminary in order to learn under the disciplined training of Parumala Mor Gregorios Metropolitan, the history of the Church, Syriac and the articles of Faith. He became on 16 October 1879 full deacon and on 18 January 1880 received priesthood from Parumala Thirumeni . On 2 November 1903 Pulikottil Joseph Mor Dionysios ordained him as a Ramban at the Old Seminary. On the 30th day of demise of Parumala Mor Gregorios Bawa, the Malankara Metropolitan convened a Holy Synod and choose two of Parumala Thirumeni's closest companions, 'Kochuparambil Ramban Paulose' and 'Wattasseril Fr. Geevarghese', as Metropolitan-designates. At that time, both Kochuparambil Ramban Paulose and Wattasseril Fr. Geevarghese were at the Kottayam Old Seminary, serving as Malpans (teachers). Six years after the death of Parumala Thirumeni in 1908, the elected Metropolitan-designates were ordained as Bishops, Mor Kurillos Paulose and Mor Dionysius Geevarghese by the then Patriarch of Antioch Moran Mor Ignatius Abded'Aloho II (Abdulla) at the Dayro of Markose, in Jerusalem. After the death of Pulikottil Mor Dionysius V in 1909, Mar Dionysius Geevarghese become his successor as 'Malankara Metropolitan' of the Jacobite Syrian Church. But just two years later, the Church split vertically due to various reasons which could have been avoided. Of the three trustees of the Syrian Church, while the Metropolitan Trustee 'Mor Dionysius V' defied the spiritual authority of Patriarch Mor Ignatius Abded'Aloho II, the other two (the lay trustee & the Priest trustee) stood with the Holy Apostolic Church. Subsequently in 1911, the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church elected Kochuparambil Paulose Mor Kurillos, as Malankara Metropolitan of the Holy Church. In 1934, Wattasseril Mor Dionysius VI, the Malankara Metropolitan of the Orthodox Syrian Church (Metran faction) died and was entombed at the Kottayam Old Seminary. Mor Koorilos Paulose (1911-1917) was born as the third son of Mulanthuruthy Kochuparambil Thomman on 4th December (20th Vrichikam) 1850.Paulose was ordained deacon at the age of nine by the Reesh Episcopo to Malankara Mor Koorilos Yuyakkim. It is said that the saintly Bava during the ordination of Paulose had a vision that this deacon will once lead the people of Malankara. Deacon Paulose was ordained Kassisso (Priest) at the age of sixteen and on 5th September 1876, the visiting Patriarch of Antioch Mor Ignatius Pathros IV ordained Fr. Paulose as Ramban, the Malankara Synod held on the 30th day of demise of St. Gregorios (in December 1902), decided to elevate him as Metropolitan. Vattasseril Geevarghese Malpan was the other Metropolitan candidate chosen by the Synod. On 31st May 1908, the Patriarch of Antioch & all the East H.H. Ignatius Abded 'Aloho (Abdulla II) consecrated Ramban Paulose as Metropolitan by name "MOR KOORILOS" at the Dayro of Markose (St. Mark's Syrian Orthodox Monastery) in Jerusalem. After becoming a Metropolitan, Mor Koorilos started gospel work, assisted by Fr. Michael of Kayamkulam and brought many to Christianity. It was during this time a major rift started in Malankara following the autocratic style of functioning of Vattasseril Mor Dionysius the Malankara Metropolitan and his inobservance of church laws, which finally resulted in his excommunication. Following the expulsion, the Episcopal Synod and the Syrian Christian Association was convened at Aluva in August 1911 under the leadership of the visiting supreme head of the Church H.H. Ignatius Abded'Aloho to elect a new leader. This historic Association choose the saintly Kochuparambuil Mor Koorilos Thirumeni as the Malankara Metropolitan on 30th August 1911. St. Athanasius Paulose (1917-1927) popularly known as 'Valiya Thirumeni', is one of the luminous stars of the Syriac Orthodox Church, Consecrated as Metropolitan for the Angamali diocese in 1910 by Patriarch Mor Ignatius Abded `Aloho (Abdulla II), he became the Malankara Metropolitan of the Jacobite Syrian Church in 1918. On 25th November 1898, Deacon Paulose was ordained 'Kassisso' (Full Priest) by St. Gregorios Geevarghese (Parumala Thirumeni). After three days, on 28th, he was ordained 'Ramban' (Monk-Priest, Rabban), again at the blessed hands of Mor Gregorios assisted by Pulikottil Mor Divanasios and Kadavil Mor Athanasius Metropolitans. From then on he came to be popularly known as KOCHU PAULOSE RAMBAN. There was then the other Paulose Ramban of Kochuparambil in Malankara. On 9th June 1910 Kochu Paulose Ramban was consecrated Metropolitan (Archbishop) by name 'MOR ATHANASIUS PAULOSE',by H.H. the Patriarch of Antioch and all the East Mor Ignatius Abded’ Aloho (Abdulla II).After the demise of Mor Kurillos Paulose (Kochuparambil), Mor Athanasius Thirumeni became the Malankara Metropolitan in 1918. On 25th January 1953, Our Lord called His Eminence Mor Athanasius Valiya Thirumeni to his eternal rest in heaven, at the ripe age of 84 years. The mortal remains of the Holy Father were interred at the northern side of the MADBOHO of the St.Mary's church at Thrikkunnathu, Alwaye, confirming to his last wish. Conferring to the wishes of the multitude of faithful, the Malankara Episcopal Synod in 2001 requested His Holiness the Patriarch, to beatify Mor Athanasius Paulose. On 19th August 2004, the Supreme head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church, H.H. Ignatius Zakka I Iwas issued the historic bull, canonizing Mor Athanasius Paulose, as Saint. The announcement was made at the Patriarchal Cathedral, Damascus, Syria. The very next day, at a solemn function held under the auspices of Catholicos Aboon Mor Baselios Thomas I at the Akaparambu Mor Sabor Afroth Church (the home parish of St. Athanasius), the Patriarchal Bull conferring sainthood to Valiya Thirumeni was announced by H.E. Mor Julius Kuriakose, the first secretary to the Patriarch of Antioch & the Metropolitan in charge of the Indian affairs. Mor Dionysius Michael(1927-1956) was one of the fearless Metropolitans who lead the Malankara church through a time of great crisis. He was born in 1880 (Edavam 15), as the son of Alummoottil John Upadeshi of Kayankulam. When Mikhayel was 18 years old, while playing in a tennis court, he was summoned by Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysius, the Malankara Metropolitan, who had arrived at the Kadisha church at Kayankulam and was ordained a deacon on Christmas day. Mikhayel accompanied Mor Dionysius to Kottayam where he continued his education at M.D. Seminary and Old Seminary. He was ordained shamshono by Parumala Mor Gregorius and on Chingam 15, 1910 was ordained priest by Vattasseril Mar Dionysius. Qasheesho Mikhayel served as member on the Kayamkulam town improvement committee and later in the Sree Moolam Praja Sabha. When schism rent apart the Malankara Syrian Church, Qasheesho Mikhail stood steadfast in his loyalty to the Patriarchate of Antioch parting ways with Vattasseril Mar Dionysius. In September 1927, Qasheesho Mikhayel was ordained Metropolitan Mor Dionysius by Patriarch Elias III. Mor Dionysius led a very simple life, giving away much of his possessions to the poor and needy. He was the founder of the Malankara Sunday School Association. Until his death on January 18, 1956, Mor Dionysius was considered a pillar of strength for the church. His mortal remains are interred at Panampady church..
Mor Gregorios Gewargis("Vayaliparambil)(1956-1964) the Iron man of Malankara, was chosen by God to shepherd his flock in India. He rejuvenated the church through many reforms over his life-time, in many spheres of activity-spiritual, social, educational, cultural, charitable, administrative, and financial, while zealously guarding the true faith in obedience to the Holy Apostolic Throne of Antioch. He dedicated his life for his church, leading a humble and true Christian life, ministering to his flock as the metropolitan bishop of Ankamali, Niranam and Thumbamon. On Aug 4th 1946, Fr. Gewargis was consecrated as bishop by H.H. Patriarch Mor Ignatius Afrem I Barsaum, at Homs, Syria with the name Gregorios for the Ankamali diocese succeeding late Malankara Metropolitan Mor Athanasious Paulose Pynadath.
Mor Divanasios Thoma (1964-1972), was born at Mavelikkara Kallumpurath Family on 8th June 1887 for Mr. Mathew & Mrs. Eliamma. He studied at Mavelikkara Government High School and Kottayam CMS College. H.G completed his higher studies in Theology from Oxford University. On November 1912 H.G.Wattaseril Mor Dionysius ordained him as Deacon at Old Syrian Church Chengannur. On 1934 Catholicose Mor Baselios Geevarghese II of the Methran faction of the Malankara Church ordained him as Priest and 1937 as Ramban. On 6th May 1940 he ordained as Metropolitan as Thomas Mor Divanasios by Mor Baselios Geevarghese II and 1944 he appointed as the Metropolitan of Niranam Diocese. H.G was inducted to the Holy Church on 1964 by Patriarch Mor Ignatius Ya`qub III along with other bishops of the Metharn faction of the church. H.G passed away on 3 Dec 1972 and his mortal remains were entombed at Mount Tabor Dayara Pathanapuram.
HG Mor Kurilos Kuriakose(1973-1995) was born as George Kurian on May 1, 1935 as the second son of Poothiyottu Paayikandathil Cherian George of Mepral and Annamma. He was ordained deacon by Mor Gheevarghese Gregorius of Ankamali in 1956. The late Catholicos Paulos II (then Metropolitan Mor Philoxenus Paulose) ordained him priest in 1956. Fr. George Kurian became the vicar of St. John's church, Mepral (Thiruvalla). Mor Gregorios Geevarghese (Perumpally Thirumeni)(1995-1999) Born as the third son of Parapallil Mathew Asan of Puthupally (near Kottayam) and Annamma, daughter of Veloor Kanjiram Edavamthalayil Abraham Vaidyan, on 1933 Thulam 8th, Varghese received his theological education at Thrikkothamangalam Mor Sharbil Deyro and Manjinikkara Mor Ignatius Dayro. Gheevarghese was ordained priest by Mor Yulius Elias Qoro on August 1, 1958 and for several years served as vicar of Perumpilly St. George's Simhasana Church. Fr. Gheevarghese was elected to the episcopate by the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Christian Association meeting at Karingachira St. George Church in January 1974. Consecrated metropolitan by Moran Mor Ignatius Ya`qub III on February 24, 1974 for Cochin diocese with additional charge of Kottayam diocese, Mor Gregorius became the Metropolitan of Kottayam after the 1982 Synod at Cochin presided by H.H. Patriarch Zakka I. In the early 1970s, when the church in Malankara became divided again over the role of the Patriarchate of Antioch, Mor Gregorius provided the faithful, who did not wish to sever their long spiritual association with Antioch, with able leadership. Due to his long association with the Perumpilly church, which he reconstructed in 1976, Mor Gregorius was affectionately called Perumpilly thirumeni. Following the death of Catholicos Paulos II on September 2, 1996, His Grace presided over the Synod of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church until he was called to eternal rest on February 22, 1999. His remains are interred in the sanctuary of the Perumpilly Simhasana Church.
H.G. Thomas Mor Divanasios (Catholicose Besalious Thomas I)(1999-2000), was born in the Cheruvillil family of Vadayambadi, Puthenkuriz to Mathai and Kunjamma on 22nd July 1929. His priestly formation was under the guidance of Mor Philoxenos Paulose (late Catholicos Mor Baselios Paulose II) who ordained him 'Korooyo' in 1952 and 'Shamshono' at Kadamattom Church in 1957. In August 1958, C M Thomas was ordained 'Kassisso' (full priest) by Mor Yulius Elias at the Majanikkara Dayro. Fr. C M Thomas was consecrated Metropolitan with the title 'Mor Dionysius' for Angamali Diocese by H.H. Mor Ignatius Ya`qub III on 24th February 1974 at Damascus, Syria. Following the demise of Mor Baselios Paulose II in 1996, Mor Gregorios Geevarghese (Perumpally Thirumeni) become the President of the Episcopal Synod of the Church in India. After the passing away of Mor Gregorios Geevarghese in February 1999, Mor Dionysius assumed the Presidency of the Malankara Church Synod and Diocesan metropolitan of Southern Dioceses Include Niranam. On 27th December 2000, H. E. Mor Divanasious was chosen as the Catholicos-designate by the Holy Episcopal Synod. H.E. Mor Divanasious Thomas was elected as the Catholicos and the Metropolitan Trustee of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church on 6th July 2002 at Puthencuriz Association. On Friday the 26th July 2002, His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas the Patriarch of Antioch & all the East, consecrated the 73-year old Mor Divanasious Thomas as the CATHOLICOS with the title 'BASELIOS THOMAS I' at a solemn function held at the St. Peter & St. Paul Cathedral in Mor Ephrem Monastery, Ma`arat Sayyidnaya, near Damascus. H.G. Mor Timotheos Thomas(2000-2005) was ordained the Metropolitan of the Outside Kerala Diocese on 3rd January 1991 by Late lamented Catholicos of the East Aboon Mor Baselios Paulose II. His Grace was born on 2nd May 1950 in the Muriyankal family of the Lakkattoor village (Kottayam District, Kerala, India) to Mr. Kurian Kuruvilla and Mrs. Annamma Kuruvilla, as the sixth of their eight children. H.G. had his initial primary education in the village CMS (the Anglican Church Missionary Society) School. Middle School and High School education were completed at the Amayannoor High School. In 1964, while in the ninth grade, Thomas was ordained Korooyo by Mor Philoxenos Paulose (later Catholicose Baselios Paulose II) who was then Metropolitan of the Kottayam diocese. His parish priest, Corepiscopus V. Rev. Thomas Mattathil, imparted early instruction in Syriac and liturgical rites. Having completed the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) examination in 1965, Dn. Thomas joined the Baselios College, Kottayam, for the Pre-Degree course. Subsequently, he joined the CMS college, Kottayam, where he continued till 1972, graduating with a Bachelors and Masters degrees in English literature. In 1964, while in the ninth grade, Thomas was ordained Korooyo by Mor Philoxenos Paulose (later Catholicose Baselios Paulose II) who was then Metropolitan of the Kottayam diocese. In 1973, Dn. Thomas joined the Old Seminary, Kottayam for theological studies. He could study there only for a year due to the then erupting volatile situation in the Malankara Church, which had its echoes on the Seminary too. Finding it difficult to continue, Dn. Thomas joined the Manjanikkara Dayro for Syriac Studies and priestly formation. Under the spiritual guidance of V. Rev. Jacob Madapattu Rabban (later Metropolitan H.G. Mor Yulius Ya`qub), he completed liturgical studies. In 1975, H.G. Mor Philoxenos Paulose (later Catholicose) ordained him Kassisso (priest). On 3rd January, 1991, Fr. Thomas was ordained Mor Timotheos Thomas to assist the then Metropolitan of the Outside Kerala diocese H.G. Mor Theophilos Thomas. On 12th January 1992, H.G. Theophilos Thomas passed away and Mor Timotheos assumed full responsibility for the diocese. In December 2000, H. E. Thomas Mor Devanasious was chosen as the Catholicos-designate, Mor Timotheos Thomas assumed responsibility of the Niranam diocese. H. G. Markose Mor Koorilos(2005) was born in the Ramanthara family of Nattassery, Kottayam on 6th October 1946 to Varkey and Aleyamma. He completed his B.A Degree from C.M.S College, Kottayam and G.S.T from M.D.Seminary, Kottayam. Late Mor Gregorios Geevarghese ordained him as Priest. He served as the vicar of the churches in Kurichy, Pangada, Bahrain, Roorkela and Bhilai. He was also the Head of the Dept. of Syriac at the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Theological Seminary, Mulanthuruthy and Chief Editor of the Journal of the Kottayam Diocese. He was ordained as Raban on 6th August 2000 at the St. George Simhasana Church, Perumpilly by H.G. Mor Dionysius Thomas. On 14th January 2001, H.H the Patriarch of Antioch and all the East Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas ordained him Metropolitan by name Mor Koorilos, at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Ma'arat Saydnaya, Damascus, Syria. Mor Ivanios Mathews, the Metropolitan of the diocese of Kandanad was also ordained along with him. The Jacobite Syrian Christian Association meeting held at Puthencuriz on 6 July 2002 which approved the present constitution of the Church was convened and presided by the late H.G. Markose Mor Koorilos Metropolitan. It was this historic association which elected the present head of the Indian Church Aboon Mor Baselios Thomas I, as the Catholicos and Metropolitan Trustee. His Grace passed away on 30 May 2005 after a prolonged illness and was laid to rest in the St. Mary's church at Pangada near Pampady in Kottayam district on 31 May 2005. The last ceremonies of the late Metropolitan was led by Catholicos Mor Baselios Thomas Bava and other Metropolitans of Malankara Church. Most of the young priests of the Malankara Church are students of the late Metropolitan. His Grace has also served as the Metropolitan of Kollam and Thumpamon dioceses for almost two years from 2001 to 2003. As a Syriac scholar, the late Bishop had served as the examiner of Syriac at Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. He was also a teacher of Syriac at St. Ephraim Syriac Research Centre (SEERI), Kottayam. H.G. was also an elegant speaker who had the ability to touch the hearts of common people with well-narrated parables with the touch of humor in it.
H.G. Mor Gregorios Joseph(2005-2007) was born as the youngest of four children to Srambickal Pallathitta Geevarghese and Saramma on 10 Nov 1960 in Perumpally, Mulanthuruthy. He is the Grand child of the cousin of St.Mor Gregorios Geevarghese Chathuruthil. He pursued his primary education at Perumpally Primary School and Mulanthuruthy High School. At a young age of 13 he was ordained deacon by Mor Gregorios Geevarghese at Mor Ignatius Dayro, Manjanikkara on 25 March 1974. Subsequently Dn. Joseph served as the secretary to Mor Gregorios for a very long period. Due to old age, the then Metropolitan of Cochin Diocese Mor Osthatheos Thomas retired from his temporal duties of serving the diocese. Fr. Joseph was ordained Ramban by H.H Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, Patriarch of Antioch at Damascus on 14 January 1994. On 16 January 1994, Rev. Joseph Ramban was consecrated Metropolitan by the name Mor Gregorios Joseph by H.H Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, Patriarch of Antioch at Damascus. Mor Gregorios Joseph assumed the office of the Metropolitan of Cochin Diocese on 23 January 1994 at Kyomtha Cathedral, Thiruvankulam.When H.G. MOR KOORILOSE MARKOSE passed away H.G. Mor Gregorios Joseph assumed responsibility of the Niranam diocese.
Niranam diocese of Jacobite Syrian christian Church, Under the appostolic see of Antioch and all the east
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