LL HG Thoma Mar Dionysius – Dec 3 I Holy Ecclesiastical and Versatile Social leader, Guardian of Orthodoxy, Philanthropist, Educationist and Founder of Mount Tabor Monastery

LL H. G. Thoma Mar Dionysius, former metropolitan of Niranam Diocese, and founder of Mount Tabor Dayara, Pathanapuram. Mar Thoma Dionysius was born on 8th June 1887 at Mavelikara as the son of Kallumpurathu Poovathur Mathew and Pallivathukal Aleyamma. C M Thomas’ mother Aleyamma lost her first child during pregnancy, due to her illness. The couple was distressed and disturbed, decided to meet Parumala Thirumeni, who was metropolitan then for blessings and prayers, having heard about Thirumeni’s divine powers. Thirumeni put his hands on her head, prayed and said she would give birth to a boy. He said that the child should be set apart for God’s work.

A few years after the birth of the child, the parents took him again to seek his blessings, to Parumala Thirumeni, who was on a visit to Puthiyakavu Palli. It is said that Thirumeni recognized the couple and he prophesied that the child is foreordained to adorn the priest’s cap, in future. St. Gregorios recognized the spiritual call of the boy and blessed him. Thomas had his early education at Mavelikara. After his education at Kottayam CMS College, in 1912 he was ordained as a Deacon at Chengannur Old Syrian Church by the St. Vattasseril Mar Dionysius. He was admired by all for his academic brilliance , intelligent foresight and his command over the English language.

Deacon Thomas became an ardent disciple of St. Dionysius of Vattasseril and His Holiness Baselios Geevarghese II. It so happened that Deacon had to visit Pathanapuram, as a part of a Church assignment Pathanapuram was then a dense hilly jungle housing wild animal. The divine vision of God, flashed in his heart, that this land is right to sow the seed to house monastic community and educational institutions. It is the fruition of his vision which actually transformed ‘Kattu Pathanapuram to Nattu Pathanapuram’. It was here in 1929, Dn. Thomas, the devout follower of Jesus Christ established the ‘Mount Tabor Monastery (Dayara)’ The society of the order of sacred Transfiguration of Christ, the second order in the history of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, coined with the four main tenets to ‘transfer, transform, transfigure and translate. This mount of transfiguration was the nucleus that transformed the Pathanapuram and vicinity.

After 22 years as a deacon, in 1934 Geevarghese II ordained him a priest. Rev. Fr Thomas became a Ramban in 1937. He left for England in 1937. He had higher studies in theology at the famous Christ Church College in Oxford University. Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, former President of India, was one of his best friends there. Inspired by the noble traditions of western culture and civilization, H.G. wanted Mount Tabor to be grown as useful centre for the people around. and Metropolitan on 6th May 1940. He took up the charge of the Niranam Diocese in 1944. As a superior of the Monastery, His Grace Thoma Mar Dionysius Metropolitan, guided and steered the inmates to lead a life of prayer, silence, fasting, monastic vows and spiritual labour coupled with manual labour. Thirumeni always preached and practiced that ‘Superiority lies not in seniority but in sanctity‘.  

The contribution that Mar Thoma Dionysius had made to the growth of the monastic system in the Orthodox Church was great. He represented the Malankara Orthodox church in many international conferences. He was a great visionary of our Church. Besides being an ecclesiastical episcopal leader, he was also a versatile social leader, philanthropist, humanist and educationalist. All who have had the good fortune to interact with Thirumeni say that he was a saint. A Guardian of Orthodoxy, who practiced and perfected ‘Liturgy after Liturgy’. He believed that True worship gets completed only when both are co joined – First Liturgy (Service) to God and the second Liturgy (Service) to man

H.G Thoma Mar Dionysius strengthened the educational field through the foundation of High school, Training and Arts Colleges etc. after the establishment and as extending arm of the Mount Tabor Ashram in 1929. The main objectives were promotion of monastic life, starting of educational institutions, opening of Bhavan for the old and children and hospitals, social service and teaching of Orthodox beliefs. HG was a soul full of compassion, willing to help the needy. The inmates of Mount Tabor Dayara were often amazed at his philanthropic nature. This compassionate nature inherited from his childhood, he sought to promote the welfare of others, generous and benevolent. The large number of educational institutions, hospitals, orphanages, etc. in Kerala and Tamil Nadu stands as monuments to service of our founder for the cause of education and social welfare in the backward, impoverished and underdeveloped places. Two Colleges, One Higher Secondary School, 6 High Schools, 6 lower- upper primary schools are run under the supervision of the Ashram. The establishment of St. Stephen’s College 1964 was the fulfilment of a long-cherished desire of its founder, Scholar and Powerful orator HG Thoma Mar Dionysius. The Mount Tabor College is a brainchild of our Founder His Grace Mar Thoma Dionysius, whose life is a source of inspiration for all of us in the family of Mount Tabor.

An ecclesiastical leader, for 32 years, a versatile social leader, philanthropist, humanist and educationist, passed away on 3 December 1972 and was laid to rest in Mount Tabor Dayara’s St. Stephen’s Chapel in Pathanapuram.

May the prayers of the holy fathers be our refuge always.