Konatt Korah Mathen Malpan – Nov 8

Konatt Korah Mathen Malpan, a great and renowned Syriac Scholar, was one of the prominent Priests of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church in the 20th century and author of many religious books. He was born in a well-known priestly family of Pampakuda village near Kochi on 30 March 1860. After his early education under his father, Fr. Yohannan Malpan, he continued the theological studies under St. Gregorios of Parumala, from whom he acquired great proficiency in Syriac and wide instructions in religious science.

At the age of 11 he was ordained deacon by Mar Dionysius V and on 13th November 1883 deacon Mathen was ordained as priest by Mar Dionysius V at the Fort Kochi Church. He then began teaching at the Syrian Seminary in Kottayam. After a short period, he established a small seminary in his own village as per the advice of the Malankara Metropolitan to train the young clergy from that area. One of the greatest works of Konatt Mathen Malpan was the translation and editing of the Prayer book from Syriac to Malayalam used by the Malankara Syrian church to the present day. In 1910, he gave shape to a book of prayer named “Prarthana Kramam” – including daily prayers, prayers for lent, secret prayers, special prayers for all occasions etc This book, popularly became known as ‘Pampakuda Namaskaram’, which is being widely used even today for daily prayers and meditation, was first published in 1910 with the permission of the Patriarch Moran Mar Ignatius Abded’ Aloho (Abdulla II). It is widely accepted that Very Rev. Konattu Mathen Malpan was the pioneer in translating prayers from Syriac into Malayalam. Very Rev. Mathen Malpan had also translated several books from Syriac into Malayalam. Furthermore, he had translated & published a newer version of the entire New Testament and also many other Church books, the Ishhim (Regular Weekday Service Book of Prayers) some anaphoras, the service of deacons, the orders of baptism, marriage, and funerals as well as the service book for principal feast and the service book for the Week of the Passion.    

At a very young age itself, Konatt Mathen Malpan Achen’s scholarship gained him great reputation in the Church. Impressed by his Godly gifts, Mar Gregorios (Parumala Thirumeni) recommended him as the Priest-Trustee of the Church.  He was named Malankara Malpan on 17th April 1890 on the 40th day after the demise of his predecessor Youhanon Malpan. He was trained in Syriac language and liturgy by his uncle Mar Julios. Mathen Malpan was unanimously elected as Priest Trustee by the Syrian Christian Association held at Kottayam Seminary on 22nd November 1895. Later, during the dispute over the authority of the Patriarch of Antioch over Malankara, Konat Kora Mathen Malpan was a staunch supporter of the Patriarch, opposing the Malankara Metropolitan Dionyius VI. This led to the deposition of Konat Kora Mathen Malpan from trusteeship in 1911.

On 16 August 1926, Metropolitan Sleeba Mar Osthathios consecrated him as Corepiscopa by the order of the Patriarch of Antioch. He was given a special cap which resembles that of bishops and was authorized to perform the rituals which a bishop does while present at a Eucharist celebrated by another priest. In 1926, the Church honoured Konatt Malpan by elevating him as ‘Corepiscopus’.  He was also authorized to conduct feet washing ceremony on the Holy Thursday which he performed at Pampakuda in 1927.

On 8th November 1927, at the age of 68, Very Rev. Mathen Corepiscopa Konatt passed away and was buried in the chapel located in his family property at Pampakuda. His funeral services were led by Mar Athanasius Paulose, the Malankara Metropolitan, Mar Osthathios and other Metropolitans of the church in India.