LL HG Thomas Mar Athanasius | Aug 24
His Grace was born to Mr. K. T. Thomas and Mrs. Aleyamma Thomas on the 3rd of April, 1938 in Kizhakkethalackal family at Puthencavu, Chengannur, Alappuzha Dist. He was the grandson of Kizhakkethalackal Thoma Kathanar and the nephew of the late Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos (Puthencavil Kochuthirumeni), His Grace thus inherited the rich priestly heritage of Kizhakkethalackal family. His Grace is 42nd in the priestly generation and the 5th bishop in the Vadakkethalackal family, of which Kizhakkethalackal family is a branch. The other bishops in the family are Simon Mar Dionysios, Yuakim Mar Ivanios, Abraham Marthoma and Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos.
His Grace had his elementary education at Puthencavu and Alappuzha and High School education at Metropolitan High School, Puthencavu & M. T. Seminary High School, Kottayam. After completing Intermediate Course from CMS College, Kottayam, he graduated with Physics as major from S.B.College, Changanacherry and did B.Ed. from N.S.S. College, Changanacherry. He completed B.D. from the prestigious Serampore College, Calcutta and later took Master in Education from M.S. University of Baroda. Thomas Mar Athanasius was consecrated as a bishop of Malanakara Orthodox Syrian Church on 15 May 1985 by Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews I H.G. became the first Metropolitan of Diocese of Chengannur on 1st of August 1985.
His Grace was a celebrated educationist, an efficient administrator and a pioneer priest in organising congregations in western India like Andheri and Bandra in Maharastra; Udaipur in Rajastan; Vapi, Balsar, Surat, Baruch, Anand, Bhavnagar, Mehsana, Rajkot, Porbandar and Veravel in Gujarat.
His Grace is the founder Principal of Basil School, Baroda, and founded 6 other schools in Gujarat. These six schools including The Gujarat Refinery English Medium School are under The Trust of the Society of St. Basil; the founder of the Society of St. Basil was the late Geevarghese Mar Philoxinos of Puthencavu. Being an educationist his approach, is completely ‘child oriented’ and nothing was more important to him than the welfare and all-round personality development of the students. He had novel ideas for improving teaching techniques and he inspired even the mediocre students to excel.
Besides being the Metropolitan of the Diocese of Chengannur, His Grace served The Malankara Sabha in various capacities; such as the Secretary of The Holy Episcopal Synod, the Manager of the Catholicate & M.D. Schools, the President of Akhila Malankara Balasamajam, the President of Akhila Malankara Prarthana Yogam and the President of the Church Accounts Committee and the President of the Church Finance Committee. He was the president of “Divyasandesam” – Visual Media Communications, the President of Malankara Orthodox Church Publications and the President of Akhila Malankara Orthodox Gayaka Sangham.
Mar Philoxenos Research & Guidance Centre & Library, Vidyajyothi – a unique programme aiming at excellence in secular education and Philox School of Liturgical Music are three innovative ideas launched by His Grace in the diocese of Chengannur. The “Daivavili Sangam”, a nursery for budding priests and nuns, is a unique activity of this Diocese. The Philosophy of His Grace is “Search for Excellence” in all spheres of life.
He entered his heavenly abode on 24th August 2018 and is interred at St. George Orthodox Dayara, Othera
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