Shemvun Mar Dionysius – October 2

Mar Dionysius Shemvun was born in the Karottuveettil family of Kandanad to Kochipeora Tharakan and Unnicharu on 4^th December 1823.  His baptismal name was Shemvun and belonged to the Marth Mariam Church at Kandanad. He had his preliminary education in the local town school. From his childhood he was very spiritual and got adequate training from the then priests and malpans of those days

On 27th August 1835, Metropolitan Cheppad Philipose Mar Dionysius IV ordained him Kooroyo at the Kandanad Church. After his religious studies he was ordained as Priest October 21, 1843, at the age 20 by Pallakunnath Mathews Mar Athanasius. In 1846 Yuyakim Mar Koorilos elevated him to the order of Cor-episcopa.  The young Cor-episcopa was greatly respected by all because of his strict ascetic life. When the dissident activities of Palakunnath methran was in its height in the mid-19th century, Shemvun Cor-episcopa gave effective leadership to the faithful in north, reaffirming them in the apostolic faith of the Holy Church.

Shemvun Corepsicopa was ordained Ramban, on September 5, 1876, On May 17, 1877, the Patriarch Ignatius Peter III ordained Karvattuveetil Ramban as Metropolitan by name ‘Shemvun Mar Dionysius’ at the Kunnamkulam Chiralayam, St Lazarus Church. The Patriarch appointed Shemvun Mar Dionysius as first Metropolitan for Kochi diocese and as the Patriarchal Vicar for Vettikal Dayra. He was scholar in Syriac and Syriac worship. He was very keen in promoting the same to the coming generation. He published a detailed historical book ‘Naalagamam’.   

Mar Dionysius Metropolitan took initiative to reconstruct the Kadugamangalam Church in the year 1878 and the renovated church was consecrated, on 22nd December 1878 by Mar Dionysius Shemvun and was renamed after St. Peter and St. Paul. His tenure in office as Metropolitan lasted only for 9 years from 1877.  On October 2, 1886 Metropolitan Mar Dionysius Shemvun passed away and his body was laid to rest at the Kesthrumo in front of the left Madbaha of the Kadugamangalam, St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church.