Kadavil Paulose Mar Athanasius – Nov 2

On Nov 2nd we celebrate the memory of Kadavil Paulose Mar Athanasius. Born as the son of Kadavil Kuran Avira Varkey and Annam Varkey on 1833, December 7 in North Paravavur.

He was pious, young lad of good character and was loved by all. When he was thirteen, on February 15, 1846, Metropolitan Cheppad Mar Dionysius ordained Paulose as ‘Korooyo’, at the St Mary’s Church, Kottayam Cheriapally. He was tutored by Fr. Abraham Eralil, N. Paravur, initially and later by Fr. Mathai Parackal, Angamali, and Fr. David Areekkal, Akaparambu (Chakkara Akathuttu). He received the order of ‘Mshamshono’  from Mar Coorilos Yuyakkim of Antioch, at Chalissery Church in A.D. 1847.

He offered the first Holy Qurbana in his own parish Church, North Paravur. Instead of taking up the administration of the Church, he engaged himself in teaching the deacons. He also served as teacher as a Malpan in Kottayam Old Seminary, teaching Syriac. The efficiency and scholarship of Paulose was well known in Malankara.

The young Deacon was continued his religious studies and was equally fascinated in learning different languages such as Tamil and Malayalam apart from Syriac and also science which was his favourite subject. He became the student of Eralil Itty (Abraham) Kathanar under whom he studied Syriac. Impressed by the young deacon’s profound knowledge in various topics, Metropolitan Palakunnath Mathews Mar Athanasius invited him to join the Orthodox Seminary at Kottayam for studying English. He was the translator to Mar Yuyakkim, which enabled him to acquire a deep knowledge in Syriac. Later he could translate many Old Testament books from Syriac (the Book of Thubeed, Psalms, the Wisdom of Solomon and Maccabees).

In January, 1854, deacon Paulose was ordered as ‘Kashisho’, by Coorilos Mar Yuyakkim. He offered the first Holy Qurbana in his own parish Church, North Paravur. Instead of taking up the administration of the Church, he engaged himself in teaching the deacons. He served as teacher as a Malpan in Kottayam Old Seminary, teaching Syriac. Kadavil Paulose Mar Athanasius profound Syriac scholar, his ardent efforts to uphold the faith and traditions of the Church was praise worthy and his efficiency and scholarly nature was well known in Malankara.

In July, Patriarch Peter III ordained him ‘Ramban’ (‘Rabban’-Monk Priest) at the Mulanthuruthy Marthoman Church. On 1876 Dec 3rd, was consecrated as Metropolitan, by the name Mar Athanasius, by in St Thomas Church North Paravur, along with Mar Yulios Konat. He was given the charge of Kottayam Diocese. After the demise of Ambattu Mar Coorilos in 1981, Mar Athanasius was given the additional charge of Angamaly Diocese. His Grace continued the construction work of Aluva Trikunnathu Seminary, which was started during the tenure of Ambattu Mar Coorilos, and completed it in 1907. Kadavil Mar Athanasius was a source of inspiration to HH  Baselius Geevarghese I, HH Baselius Geevarghese II, HH Baselius Augen I, HG Pampady Mar Gregorios and HG Paret Mar Ivanios for the service of the Lord.

He successfully guided the destiny of these two large dioceses of Malankara for almost 3 decades. Thirumeni had knowledge in English, Malayalam, Suriyani, Tamil and Konkani languages. H G translated the books of Machabiyar, Ruth, Tobith, Masumur from Syriac.

Paulose Mar Athanasius led a ceremony, in which Vakathanam Karuchira Geevarghese Korooyo was made Yaupadiyakino and Kurichi Kallasery Punnose was made Korooyo. Both these youngsters became the second and third Catholicos of Malankara.

Kadavil Thirumeni was very close to Parumala Thirumeni. Both of them went to Ceylon along with Alvarez Mar Julius, for the ordination of Fr Rene Villatte as bishop, Mar Timotheos, in 1892. On Saturday, 2 November 1907, Kadavil Paulose Mar Athanasius died at the age of 74. His mortal remains were interred in the northern side of the Madbhaha of Thrikkunnathu Seminary Chapel, Aluva