LL HG Daniel Mar Philoxenos – Dec 13

Daniel Mar Philixenos Metropolitan was born as the second son of Annamma and P.E. Easow Kathanar of Vaduthala family in Omalloor on 10 May 1910. He took his B.A, Bed degrees. After his primary education in Government Primary School, Kaipattoor, he continued his schooling in M. D. Seminary School, followed by Graduation in Physics from Maharajas College Trivandrum. He secured his B. D. from Serampore. At the age of twelve he received his ‘Korooyo’ title from Vattasseril Geevarghese Mar Dionysius and on 11 December 1938 he was ordained as a deacon by HH Catholicos Geevarghese II. He was ordained as a priest on 9 June 1944. Fr P E Daniel started residing in Basil Aramana since 1937 and served as Secretary to “Puthencavu Kochu Thirumeni”.

In 1951 he was selected for higher ecclesiastical position. On 21 September 1951 HH Baselios Geevarghese II Catholicos of the East, to whom he had served a secretary, elevated him as Ramban. On 15 May 1953 at Mar Elia Cathedral, Kottayam, he was consecrated as Metropolitan Daniel Mar Philoxenos. Thereafter he became head of the Thumpamon diocese. He protected the faith of the Church and promoted the theological pursuits. He formed spiritual organizations, and developed his diocese ensuring its spiritual growth. He was the Secretary of the Holy Episcopal Synod.

In 1953 H. G. Daniel Mar Philoxenos participated in the WCC General Assembly in Evanston, Illinois, in 1961 in PAN Orthodox Conference in Greece, in 1963 attended the consecration of the Russian Patriarch in Moscow, 1965 WCC Conference in Ethiopia, along with other representatives of our Church He also had the fortune to visit, England, USA, France and Holy Land. Fr P E Daniel (Daniel Mar Philoxenos) was appointed the first General Secretary of OCYM of our Church. He was the first Principal of the Catholicate College Pathanamthitta, who visualized its growth through years into a centre of excellence in higher education, enlightening thousands in the surrounding hamlets. This educational institution lies on the serene hilltop at Makkamkunnu, west of Pathanamthitta town, Kerala.

He passed away on 13 December 1990 and his mortal remains were interred in Basil Aramana, Pathanamthitta.