Geevarghese Philoxenos

Last updated

Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos
Metropolitan of Thumpamon Diocese
Church Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
Appointed3 November 1930
Term ended17 April 1951
PredecessorGeevarghese Mar Gregorios
SuccessorAugen Mar Themothios
Orders
Ordination1929
by St. Mar Dionysious
Consecration3 November 1930
by  Baselios Geevarghese II
Personal details
Born
Geevarghese Kizhakkethalakal

(1897-06-10)10 June 1897
Puthencavu, Kerala
Died17 April 1951(1951-04-17) (aged 53)
Marathamkode (Kunnamkulam), Kerala
Previous post(s)Metropolitan of Thumpamon Diocese

Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos aka Puthencavil Kochu Thirumeni (born K. T. Geevarghese) was an administrator, orator and an advocate of Orthodox and the Catholicate of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church of India. He served as Metropolitan of Thumpamon Diocese from 1930 to 1951. [1]

Contents

Birth

Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos was born on 10 June 1897 at Puthencavu, a village on the banks of the River Pamba, as the second son of Thoma Kathanar of Kizhakethallekal family and Rachelamma of Chungathil family of Koipuram. [2]

Early life and education

He was known as Geevarghese as a child and was the second of 4 brothers and 1 sister. He completed his primary education in Puthencavu, middle school education at Mavelikara and high school education at Chengannur. He obtained his Intermediate certificate from Calcutta, and went on to complete his BD at Serampore College, where he had traveled to, along with Fr P T Geevarghese (who later became Geevarghese Mar Ivanios). After completing his Bachelor of Divinity degree, he joined the MD Seminary School as a teacher in 1921. He then went on to complete his MA in English Literature from the Calcutta University in 1926. [3]

Priestly life and ordination

Guard of Honor accorded to Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos and Mar Dionysius at Kunnamkulam Guard of Honor accorded to Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos and Mar Dionysious at Kunnamkulam..jpeg
Guard of Honor accorded to Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos and Mar Dionysius at Kunnamkulam

He was ordained as a Deacon and Priest in 1929 by St. Mar Dionysious, who was his mentor. He was ordained as Ramban on 6 November 1929 and consecrated as Bishop with the name Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos, Metropolitan of Thumpamon, at the Parumala Seminary on 3 November 1930 by HH Baselios Geevarghese II. As he was the youngest bishop at the time, he was referred to as 'Kochu Thirumeni'. Following his consecration he served as the Metropolitan of the Thumpamon diocese [4] (of which Parumala Kochu Thirumeni was the Second Metropolitan) from 1931–1951. [1]

Achievements

During his lifetime, Kochu Thirumeni headed many organizations and established many educational institutions:

He also served as the President of the Sunday School, and Gospel Team. Other institutions that he set up include:

Kochu Thirumeni was a strong influence on many of the clergy and along with Vattasseril Geevarghese Mar Dionysius persuaded H.H Baselos Marthoma Mathews I to go for Theological studies at Calcutta. [7] He also led the legal battles [8] against Mar Ivanios to regain control over some of the schools which were handed over to the latter for management while Mar Dionysius, undertook a trip to Mardin [9]

Death

Funeral of Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos Kochu Thirumeni-Funeral photo.jpg
Funeral of Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos

Kochu Thirumeni died on 17 April 1951 at 54, at the Marathamcode Mar Gregorios Chapel, where the room and the bed he used are maintained as relics of his life. His remains were interred at St. Mary's Orthodox Cathedral, Puthencavu where the remains of Mar Thoma VI and Mar Thoma VIII are also entombed. [10]

The following lines are inscribed on his tomb:

His Presence was Joyful,
His Voice Sweet,
His Words Inspiring,
His Manners Endearing,
His Smile Unforgettable.

Kochu Thirumeni's tomb is a pilgrimage destination for Malankara Orthodox Christians.[ citation needed ]

Feasts and honors

The commemoration feast of Kochu Thirumeni is held on 16 and 17 April every year (usually coinciding with 18th & 19th of Kumbham, as per the Malayalam calendar).

On 17 April 2013, his 62nd Commemoration he was conferred the title of 'Ratna Deepam' of the Catholicate by HH Baselios Marthoma Paulose II, as per the decision of the Episcopal Synod [11] [12] and the declaration was read out by HG Thomas Mar Athanasius, Kochu Thirumeni's Nephew.

Further reading

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church</span> Orthodox Church in Kerala, India

The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (MOSC) also known as the Indian Orthodox Church (IOC) or simply as the Malankara Church, is an autocephalous Oriental Orthodox church headquartered in Devalokam, near Kottayam, India. The church serves India's Saint Thomas Christian population. According to tradition, these communities originated in the missions of Thomas the Apostle in the 1st century. It employs the Malankara Rite, an Indian form of the West Syriac liturgical rite.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malankara Metropolitan</span> A title in Indian Christianity

Malankara Metropolitan is an ecclesiastical title given to the head of the Malankara Syrian Church.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geevarghese Gregorios of Parumala</span> Saint of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church

Saint Geevarghese Mar Gregorios, popularly known as Parumala Thirumeni, was a Metropolitan of the Malankara Church. Parumala Thirumeni became the first person of Indian origin to be canonised as saint. In 1947, the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church declared Mar Gregorios as a saint, making him the first saint from India canonized by that church. In November 1987, the Syriac Orthodox Church canonized him as a saint.

Baselios Marthoma Didymus I born C. T. Thomas was the primate of the Malankara Orthodox Church from 2005 to 2010. He was the 7th Catholicos of the East since the Catholicate of the East was established India and the 20th Malankara Metropolitan. He was the 7th Catholicos of East.

Baselios Geevarghese I of the East popularly known as Vallikkattu Bava, he was the second Catholicos of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. He was installed in the Apostolic Throne of St. Thomas in 1925, and died after a short tenure of three years on 17 December 1928.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baselios Thomas I</span> Syriac Orthodox Catholicos of India (born 1929)

Baselios Thomas I is a Syriac Orthodox Catholicos of India (Maphrian) and head of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church, the Syriac Orthodox Church in India. He was enthroned on 26 July 2002 by Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East in a ceremony held in Damascus, Syria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baselios Marthoma Mathews I</span>

Baselios Marthoma Mathews I was the primate of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, also known as Indian Orthodox Church. He was the 5th catholicos of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church and 18th Malankara Metropolitan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dionysius of Vattasseril</span>

Geevarghese Mar Dionysius of Vattasseril popularly known as Vattasseril Thirumeni was a bishop of the Malankara Church and 15th Malankara Metropolitan. In 2003, the Church declared Mar Dionysius as a saint. He is known as 'The Great Luminary of Malankara Church', a title which the Church bestowed on him in recognition of his contribution to the Church.

Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan are the titles used by the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, which is also called the Indian Orthodox Church, for the same bishop holding two offices of Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan. The term "Catholicos" is derived from the Greek word Katholikos (Καθολικός), meaning "Universal Bishop". His Holiness Baselius Marthoma Mathews III is the present Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baselios Augen I</span>

Baselios Augen I was the 17th Malankara Metropolitan and fourth Catholicos of the East.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Athanasius Paulose</span> 19th and 20th-century Jacobite Syrian patriarch

St.Paulose Mor Athanasios, popularly known as Aluvayile Valiya Thirumeni, was the Metropolitan of the Angamaly Diocese and malankara Metropolitan of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church.

St. Mary's Orthodox Cathedral, Puthencavu is one of the important churches in South India, located at a village named Puthencavu, Alappuzha district in Kerala state of India. The church is one of the oldest Christian churches in the Central Travancore region of Kerala.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baselios Marthoma Paulose II</span> 21st Malankara Metropolitan and 8th Catholicos of the Malankara Church (1946–2021)

Baselios Marthoma Paulose II ; 30 August 1946 – 12 July 2021) was the primate of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. He was enthroned as the 8th Catholicos of the Malankara Church and the 21st Malankara Metropolitan on 1 November 2010, succeeding Didymos I.

Chengannur Diocese is one of the 30 dioceses of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Its headquarters is situated at Bethel Aramana, Chengannur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. John's Orthodox Church, Kadammanitta</span> Church in Kerala, India

Kadammanittapally in Kadammanitta is a parish church under Thumpamon Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, named after St John the Baptist. Sacred footprints of Geevarghese Mar Gregorios of Parumala are claimed to be in the parish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Mary's Church, Meenangadi</span> Church in Kerala, India

E. A. E St. Mary's Soonoro Syriac Orthodox Church, Meenangadi, is a Marian Pilgrim center of the Syriac Orthodox Church located at Meenangadi in Kerala, India. The church is under E.A.E Arch Diocese, the first missionary association of Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East, and is currently under the direct control of Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church. In 2006, the church was elevated to the status of "Marian Pilgrim Centre", and in 2018, it celebrated its diamond jubilee. It is the first church to adopt the 8 Day Lent in Malabar Region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kottayam Orthodox Diocese</span>

Kottayam Diocese is one of the 30 dioceses of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. The diocese was created in Mulanthuruthy Synod in 1876.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thumpamon Orthodox Diocese</span>

Thumpamon Diocese is one of the 30 dioceses of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. The diocese was created after the Mulanthuruthy Synod in 1876. H.G. Abraham Mar Seraphim is the Metropolitan of the diocese. The head office is located in St. Basil Aramana, Pathanamthitta. The diocese was named Thumpamon Diocese, opted from "Thumpamon pally" where St.Gregorious of Parumala had lived his ministerial life and had been in the administration of Thumpamon diocese.

Geevarghese alongside Varughese, Varghese, Verghese, Varkey, Varughis, and Vergis are Syriac–Malayalam variants of George in India. Geevarghese may refer to:

References

  1. 1 2 Mammen, Pulikottil, KV, Adv. PC Mathew (1982). Puthencavu Kochu Thirumeni – Katholicattinte Karuthanaya Vakthavu. Kottayam, India: Kottakal Publishers.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ↑ Kuriakose, M C (1951). Bethelile Thamara (PDF) (in Malayalam). Malayala Manorama. p. 5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 August 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  3. ↑ Koshy, Rev. Fr. Dr.Mathew (1986). Puthencavu Mar Philoxenos- Malankarayude Mahatwamulla Saithu (in Malayalam). MOC Publications.
  4. ↑ "Bishops of Thumpamon Diocese". Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Archived from the original on 15 April 2012. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  5. ↑ "Website of Metropolitan Higher Secondary School, started by H G Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos". Metropolitan Higher Secondary School. Catholicate & MD Schools Corporate management. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  6. ↑ "Bethel Araman – HQ of the Chengannur Diocese". About the Chengannur Diocese. Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church – www.mosc.in. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  7. ↑ "HH. Baselios Marthoma Mathews I". A brief history of HH. Baselios Marthoma Mathews I. Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church – Diocese of South West America. Retrieved 21 July 2013. Dn. K.T. Varghese (Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos of Puthencavu) and Vattasseril Geevarghese Mar Dionysius (St. Dionysius) persuaded him to go for Theological studies at Calcutta.
  8. ↑ Kiran Raj (23 September 2012). "The Catholicate, our pride: A Betrayal!". MGOCSM Diaspora. Mar Gregorios Orthodox Christian Students Movement. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  9. ↑ Karingattil, Rev. Fr. John Thomas (2005). Malankara Sabhayude Yugashilpi (in Malayalam). Pandalam, Kerala, India: Bodhi Books.
  10. ↑ Chandanapally, Samuel (1990). Malankara Sabha Pithakkanmar (in Malayalam). Patanamthitta, Kerala: Ceedees books.
  11. ↑ Baselios Marthoma Paulose II, Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan (23 March 2013). "Kalpana" (PDF). Declaration issued by the Catholicos conferring the title of Ratna Deepam on HG Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos (in Malayalam). Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Retrieved 21 July 2013.[ permanent dead link ]
  12. ↑ Baselios Marthoma Paulose II (22 April 2013). "Kalpana in English" (PDF). Kalpana declaring the title of Catholicate Ratna Deepam to be conferred on H G Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos. Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Retrieved 21 July 2013.[ permanent dead link ]
  13. ↑ "Excerpts from Puthencavu Kochu Thirumeni – Katholicatinte Karuthanaya Vakthavu" (in Malayalam). Archived from the original on 16 February 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.