LL HG Philipos Mar Eusebios | Jan 21

HG Eusebios Thirumeni was born on 16 June 1931. He was the fourth son of P G Thomas and Saramma Thomas, Puthenparampil, Naranganam, Kozhenchery.

‘Baby’ as he was called by his family and Philipose Thomas by his friends, became, ‘Philipose Mar Eusebius’ when he was consecrated as Bishop. He studied at St. Thomas High School, Kozhenchery and went to UC College Aluva, for intermediate and graduation. He worked in Indian Railways from 1954 to 1962. Then he gave up his job dedicating himself fully to God’s work. He did BD and M.T.H from Serampore University and his acquired his Post Graduate Diploma in Theology from Geneva University.

On December 21, 1972 he was ordained as sub-deacon, and on 7th June 1974, he was ordained as a priest by His Grace Philipose Mar Theophilos Thirumeni. On 14 May 1983, the then Catholicos Designate Mathews Mar Coorilos made him Ramban at Parumala. On 15 May 1985, he was elevated as Episcopa Philipose Mar Eusebios by His Holiness Baselios Mar Thoma Mathew I, Catholicos of the East at St. Mary’s Church, Puthiyacavu. From August 1985, he served as the Assistant Auxiliary Bishop of Thumpamon Diocese. After His Grace Daniel Mar Philoxenos passed away, Eusebios Thirumeni took full charge as Metropolitan of Thumpamon Diocese, from 13th December 1990. He is remembered for the great service he had rendered as an able leader, just as his Illustrious predecessors.

Thirumeni has served the Church and the world at large in various capacities. His Grace had a great urge to work for the youth in the Church. As MGOCSM General Secretary and as President of the MGOCSM, he had worked hard for the spiritual development of the students in our Church. Eusebios Thirumeni has served the Church in the field of theological education, by teaching in the Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam and as Lecturer in Bishops College, Calcutta. He has served as the Acharya and Superior and later as the Visitor Bishop to Chirstu Sishya Ashram, Thadakam, and as Secretary, Andhra Natural Calamities Relief and Rehabilitation Activities.

Traveling far and wide, HG made friends all over the world. Mar Eusebios has also contributed to the ecumenical world and has represented the Church at various ecumenical meetings, taking part in various conferences and theological consultations, all over the world. He has represented the Malankara Church and in several meetings of the World Council of Churches, the Christian Conference of Asia and in other international seminars. He participated in the WCC Assembly held at Delhi in the year 1961, as a Visitor; as a Delegate at the 1968 WCC Upsala Assembly and as Leader of the Malankara Orthodox Delegation at the 1998 WCC Harare Assembly. He also attended the 7th SYNDESMOS Assembly in 1968 and the Valamo Assembly in 1991. He also attended the C.C.A. Assemblies held at Malaysia in 1978, at Bangalore in 1981 and at Manila in 1991. As part of the C.C. A. Commission for Mission and Evangelism he had attended various sessions held at Singapore, Bangkok, Taiwan, and Hongkong. His Grace actively contributed to the Roman Catholic and Oriental Orthodox Churches Dialogues held in Rome in 2005, and in Etchmiadzin in 2006.

He also served as the Manager of the M.O.C Corporate Colleges, as President of M.G.O.C.S.M, the Vice- President of Malankara Church Mission Board, Chairman of the Ecumenical Christian Centre in Bangalore and President of the Inter – Church Relations Committee. He established many educational institutions and charitable organizations.

HG Philipose Mar Eusebios was a person with determination who recognized and obeyed the spiritual call to work for Christ. He was a renowned theologian, an eminent scholar, an able organizer, an excellent administrator, a good teacher, a writer and an orator and above all a man of the Word of God and had all the qualities of a spiritual leader and good shepherd. HG was a historian at heart; with an uncanny skill for remembering dates. His simplicity and lack of interest in any kind of luxury was very obvious and he never deviated from this principle all through his service. His progressive ideas and down to earth approach to any situation made him very popular with the young. His uncompromising attitude towards his strong faith and commitment was a golden feather in his attributes.

He was a great Christian Warrior who always stood frankly for the truth of Gospel and justice. His Grace was known for his honesty, simplicity, straight-forwardness, truthfulness, and zeal for the Mother Church. He considered everyone equal before God, and was unfazed by a person’s designation or position. He guided everybody as a good shepherd with his intelligence, wisdom, love and vision. His flair to live a model Christian is not a secret. He selflessly devoted his whole life for the Church and Gospel. Thirumeni was a man of prayer, but not in public. He used to pray in private and was very particular about the “rahasya prarthanakal”. He was against all public ‘show off’ in prayer and public worship. He never missed the canonical prayers and was very particular about observing Lent. He carried the famous slogan of the railways ‘Less luggage, more comfortable’ in his sermons and life. Lesser the burdens in life, the more comfortable we are in our journey to Him.

His Grace moved forward spreading the good message of salvation and also doing meaningful work. His Grace’s works will forever be a witness to his dedications and hard work for humanity. His aim in life was to serve God and the people around him in their hour of need, and never looked for recognition of any kind. His ideas were always progressive and his approach to any situation was crafted with purpose and this made him extremely popular with the young Mar Eusebius was an illustrious person with a high sense of commitment to his calling and his deeds were true to this noble ideal.

H. G. entered his Eternal Abode on January 21, 2009. His mortal remains lay interred at St Basel Aramana Chapel, Pathanamthitta. May Thirumeni’s life and times inspire the young men and women to take their rightful place in the Church!