HG Geevarghese Mar Severios – June 11 (1851-1927) – First Metropolitan of the Knanaya Diocese

Geevarghese Mar Severios was the first Metropolitan of the Knanaya diocese. He was born on 12 November 1851 to Fr. Cherian Philipose of the Edavazhickal family, the vicar of Kottayam Valiyapally, and Kunjachi. After his primary education Geevarghese prepared to become a priest. He was ordained deacon on 10 August 1862 by Mar Coorilos Yuyakkim, at Kottayam Cheriyapally. His father Rev. Fr. Philipose passed away in 1867, leaving the young deacon under the care and protection of his elder brothers Mathu and Very Rev. Philipose Cor-episcopa.

He was ordained priest on 25 April 1875 at Kottayam Puthenpally by Mar Joseph Dionysius Pulikkottil. He was the 10th priest of the famous Edavazhickal family that has produced many gifted men, most well-known among whom, is the Church historian E. M. Philip. The foundation stone for Kottayam Valiyapally in the name of Mar Barsauma was laid by the Cor-episcopa Philipose Edavazhikkal upon the orders of the Mar Coorilos Yuakkim, on 15 February 1868.

Around that period, the reformation movement that was highly active in Malankara rocked the Knanaya Community also. At Kottayam, Kallissery and Ranny many faithful of the Knanaya community along with some priests joined the new movement and created a rift in the Churches. At Kottayam Valiyapally this movement was strongly opposed by Rev. Fr. Philipose and his son. Rev. Fr. Geevarghese was elevated to the rank of a Ramban on 21 August 1910, at Pambakkada Valiyapally by the Patriarch Mar Ignatius Abded Aloho. He was consecrated under the name Mar Severios by Patriarch Abdulla II on 28 August 1910 at Vadakara church as the first Metropolitan of the Knanaya Community. The consecration ceremony was attended by HG Sleeba Mar Osthathios and HG Paulose Mar Athanasios of Alwaye.

Mar Severios administered the Knanaya diocese residing at Kottayam Valiyapalli. He believed in the value of education and introduced several programs for the education of the Knanaya students. He founded mission centers at Chingavanam, Kallissery and Kattodu. The construction of Chingavanam seminary began in his period. Thus, he established Mar Aphrem Seminary at Chingavanam and performed the blessing ceremony. This was later to become the ‘Mar Ephrem Seminary’ and the Knanaya Bishop’s House.

Mar Severios was a source of love and selfless service to the community. An educational fund he created and named after him is his great contribution to posterity. He served the community for seventeen years during which many Churches were formed in the diocese. He democratized the administration of the Church. An ordination committee was formed to decide candidates for ordination. He called a meeting of the parish representatives and formed the Knanaya Association which is the parliament of Knanaya diocese. ‘The Knanaya Association’ rules were compiled in 1918 which later became the guideline for the present constitution of the diocese. A mission Church was also founded there to teach religious faith and pastors were appointed for that.

After serving the Church as a bishop for sixteen years he passed away in his 75^th year on 11 June 1927. He was laid to rest in ancient Kottayam Valiyapalli. The burial service was conducted by the delegate of Antioch, Mar Yulios Elias, Mar Athanasios Paulose of Alwaye and Mar Dioscorus Thomas. 11 June is celebrated as his memorial day.