LL Yuhanon Mar Athanasius OIC – Oct 12 I (1928-80)

LL H.G. Yuhanon Mar Athanasious was born on 21 March 1928 as the elder son of Vaddkkal Varkey and Annamma Chakkalaparampil Puthenangadi, Kottayam and called as Mani, (C.V. Mani). He had his primary studies at CMS School Chalukunnu Kottayam and CMS College Kottayam. After his academic education, he worked as a tutor in St: Thomas College, Pala. There after he joined Bethany on 21st May 1953.  

He was ordained as Deacon on 14th June 1956 by H.H. Baselius Geevarghese II and on the very next day His Holiness himself ordained Dn. Yuhanon as Fr. Yuhanon at Orthodox Theological Seminary Kottayam. He went for higher studies in Theology at Merfield in England. After the demise of the Aboon Alexios, he was elected as the Superior of the Bethany Ashram in 1965 and called as Abo Yuhanon. He was elected as the new assistant Bishop of Kottayam and ordained as H.G Yuhanon Mar Athanasious OIC on 15 May 1978 by Baselios Mar Thoma I Mathews Catholicos of the East consecrated him as Yuhanon Mar Athanasios at Pazhanji Church.

The piety of his Aboon Alexious influenced him all through his life. Abo Yuhanon was a well-known retreat father. He gave paramount importance to truth. He had a magnanimous personality and never entertained grudge or enmity to others. He had a very deep and wide foresight about the religious and the Church. 

There was no feeling of insecurity and loneliness and during painful days always seen the spiritual cheerfulness in his attitude & words. His ecclesiastical aid humanitarian activities make him a leader of the common people and good friend to the youth and students. 

He was so sincere and simple like a child. He taught the true faith. He dedicated himself to the will of God. He passed away with glory and triumph. He stands with the saints and glorifies and worships the Holy Trinity. He intercedes for the Church and the whole world especially for the cancer patients.  

The heavenly father called him to enter eternal rest on 12th Oct 1980. He was laid to rest near his Aboon, near his Aboon at Bethany Ashram, St. John’s Chapel, Ranni-Perunnad.