Severios Kuriakose

His Grace Mor Kuriakose Mar Severios suspended bishop of the Knanaya Syrian Archdiocese
Church	Syrian Orthodox Church in India
Archdiocese	Knanaya Archdiocese
See	Holy Apostolic See of Antioch & All East
Orders
Ordination	4 February 1990 (Kasheesho/Priest) by  Mor Clemis Abraham
Consecration	15 January 2004 by Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I
Rank	Archbishop
Personal details
Born	(1959-05-21)May 21, 1959 Kottayam
Nationality	Indian
Parents	Mr. Kunjavarachan and Mrs. Mariamma Edavazhikkal
Education	P.G History from CMS College Kottayam, P.G English from St. Berchmans College Degree in theology from Maynooth University P.G Degree in theology from Pourasthya Vidya Peeth Vadavathoor
Alma mater	Maynooth University, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala

Mor Severios Kuriakose (Born Kuriakose Abraham Edavazhickel) (born 21 May 1959) is a Knanaya Syriac Orthodox Metropolitan Archbishop. He serves as the Archbishop of the Knanaya Jacobite Archdiocese by virtue of a court order from the Kerala High Court, ^[1] though he was suspended by the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch in May 2024 (see Dispute over current status). ^[2]

Education

Mor Severios Kuriakose has Post graduation in History from CMS College Kottayam ^[3] and Post graduation in English from St. Berchmans College. ^[4] He joined Maynooth University in Ireland ^[3] for degree in theological studies. Later he obtained Post graduation in theology from Pourasthya Vidya Peeth Vadavathoor.

Ordination

Following the demise of the former head of the Malankara Syriac Knanaya Archdiocese Clemis Abraham, Fr. Kuriakose Abraham (Roy Achan) was elected and approved by Ignatius Zakka I Iwas to be the next head of the Archdiocese.

Dispute over current status

In May 2024, Patriarch Ignatius Aprem II issued a suspension of Mor Severios Kuriakose, accusing him of disobedience, which has reportedly divided the Knanaya community of about 50,000 members in Kottayam district. ^[5]

In 2025, the Kerala High Court intervened and blocked the Patriarch’s removal action, allowing him to retain the legal status of Archbishop in civil terms. ^[6]

Critics argue that reliance on civil courts to resolve internal ecclesiastical disputes is exacerbating fissures within the church structure — some see this as a threat to the unity of the Syriac Orthodox Church in India. ^[7]

Because the situation is contested, it remains unclear whether the ecclesiastical authority or the civil authority will prevail in defining his status in the long term.

References

1. "Kerala court blocks Patriarch of Antioch's action against Knanaya archbishop". The New Indian Express. 18 March 2025.
2. "Metropolitan of Knanaya archdiocese of Syrian Orthodox Church suspended". Times of India. 18 May 2024.
3. "Maynooth University". Maynoothuniversity.ie.
4. "Home - SB College". SB College.
5. "Antioch Patriarch's Church in India faces threat of split". UCA News.
6. "Kerala court blocks Patriarch of Antioch's action against Knanaya archbishop". The New Indian Express. 18 March 2025.
7. "Antioch Patriarch's Church in India faces threat of split". UCA News.

'Malankara Syriac Orthodox Church Titles
Preceded by Clemis Abraham	Knanaya Metropolitan of Knanaya Jacobite Archdiocese 2004–Present	Succeeded by Incumbent