LL Mathews Mar Ivanios Metropolitan – August 31

H.G Paret Mar Ivanios was a Metropolitan Of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church and was born on 19th January 1888. His parents were Mathew Valiyaparet and Achamma Kizhakkel, Puthuppally. He specialized in Theology at the Old Seminary as well as at Bishop’s College, Calcutta. He was ordained as the Deacon on 1899 and as the priest on 7th June 1920 by Vattasseril Mar Dionysius at Parumala Seminary He was the Vicar of St George Orthodox Valiyapally, Puthuppally for quite a long time, almost 33 years as a priest.

On 11 May 1953 at the Old Seminary, His Holiness Geevarghese II ordained him as Ramban. On 15 May 1953 at Elia Chapel, Kottayam he was consecrated as a Metropolitan with the title ‘Mathews Mar Ivanios’. and served the Orthodox Church as a Metropolitan. He was appointed as the Assistant Metropolitan of Kottayam Diocese in 1954, that was led by Pampady Thirumeni. From 1965 onwards he was the head of the Kottayam diocese.

He was the senior most Metropolitan who presided over the Synod which enthroned the fifth Catholicos of Malankara in 1975. He was a strict disciplinarian all spheres of life, including prayer and worship. He was known for prayer life, spiritual leadership, and efficient administration. He was a staunch advocate of Catholicate, which is the mark and symbol of independence and autonomy of Malankara Church. He successfully defended all attacks against its independence and autonomy.

H.G Paret Mar Ivanios, who was the successor of Pampady Thirumeni. He left for his eternal abode 31 August 1980 and was laid to rest in Pampady Dayara. The mortal remains of Mar Ivanios of Paret are entombed in beautiful tomb to the right of Pampady Thirumeni’s Kabar, to the left side of Altar of Mar Kuriakose Dayara chapel.