LL HG Paulose Mar Athanasius | Jan 26 (1869 – 1953)

Paulose (Kunji paulos) was born on 23 January 1869, Angamaly. His parents were Mathai of Thekkekkara family, Ayyampally and Annamma of Pynadath family, Akapparambu. He had three sisters and two brothers. He was baptised as Paulose at the Mar Sabor Mar Afroth Church, Akaparambu and spent his early childhood at his mother’s place.

Paulose had shown deep affection in spiritual matters and in religious practices, especially in reading and study of scriptures. His extraordinary brilliance caught the eye of everybody, at the age of seven, as an altar boy, Paulose read the fifth diptychs in Syriac, during the holy mass celebrated by Patriarch Peter III at the Angamaly Church. This musical recitation was much appreciated by the Patriarch, who blessed him. Paulose had his theological studies under Ambatt Mar Coorilos Geevarghese. He was ordained Subdeacon (Korooyo) on 21 April 1879 by Ambatt Mar Coorilos. He had his secular education at the Government High School, Aluva and the C. M. S. High School, Kottayam. He had his theological education at the Orthodox Syrian seminary at Kottayam where he was directly taken care of Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysius V. Later he became a teacher (malpan) at the Seminary in Kottayam, until 1895.

He had a severe illness of typhoid which forced him to return home.  His health deteriorated and he became critically ill and all his family members ardently prayed for his speedy recovery. His health started to improve dramatically, giving a great time happiness for everyone, as their tearful payers were answered. This miraculous recovery strengthened his belief in Almighty, he decided to completely dedicate the rest of his life in service of God. He was invited by the then diocesan Metropolitan Kadavil Paulose Mar Athanasius Thirumeni to Thrikunnath, and entrusted him with the responsibility of supervising the construction works of the Church there, dedicated to Virgin St. Mary. 

During this period, Mar Gregorios Thirumeni of Parumala, was in the midst of constructing a seminary building in the Parumala chapel premises. On Thirumeni’s request, Kochu Paulose Ramban stayed back at Parumala supervising the construction of the seminary building there and was actively involved in giving shape to Parumala Seminary, staying there for almost three years. Those where the times when Mar Gregorios Thirumeni came to know more about the spiritual aspirations and lifestyle of Paulose Ramban. 

On (12 Vrichikam) 25th November 1898, Dn. Paulose was ordained a Priest by St Gregorios Mar Geevarghese of Parumala (assisted by Malankara Metropolitan Joseph Mar Dionysius Pulikkottil) and after three days, on 28th, he was ordained ‘Ramban’ (Monk-Priest, Rabban), again at the blessed hands of Mar Gregorios assisted by Pulikottil Mar Divanasios and Kadavil Mar 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. St Gregorius presented Ramban Paulose a Masanaftso (a head cover worn by Bishops) and Bhatrasheel (Uraroh Raboh),  as Parumala Thirumeni, had great admiration of the spiritual gifts latent in the Ramban. He also gifted a copy of the book detailing the service of ordination – the prophetic gifts which are not required by a Ramban but revealed the path the Ramban would tread later in life.  

The Patriarch Abded Aloho II (Abd Allah) visited India in 1909. The Patriarch ordained Ramban Paulose Bishop on 27 Edavom 1910 by name Athanasius at the Akapparambu church.  Paulose Mar Athanasius participated in the consecration of the holy Chrism on 19 August 1911 held at Marthoman church, Mulanthuruthy. The supporters of the Patriarch started parallel administration in Malankara Subsequently.

In 1920, Mar Athanasius, as the leader of the newly formed Jacobite faction, was in charge of their Kandanad, Kottayam, Niranam, Kollam and Thumpamon dioceses. The Kandanad diocese was later handed over to Augen Mar Themotheos (later His Holiness Baselios Augen Catholicos). Mar Athanasius maintained cordial relations with Malankara Orthodox Church and he even opposed violence promoted by the Jacobite faction leaders.

All acclaims his prayerful life and the courage he showed to protect the apostolic faith. Mar Athanasius departed for the heavenly abode on 25 January 1953. His mortal remains are interred at the Aluva Thrikkunnath Seminary of Malankara Orthodox Church.