The Diocese of Chengannur came into existence of 10th March 1985 vide Kalpana No. 52/85 dtd. 8.3.85 of H.H. Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews I Catholicose of the    East and Malankara    Metropolitan. This Diocese was established with 50 Churches from Thumpamon, Niranam and Kollam Dioceses. This newly constituted Diocese lies in an area comprising of Pazhakulam in the South, Kallunkal in the North, Kuttemperoor St. Mary’s - Budhannoor in the West and Mezhuveli and Maramon in the East.H.G. Thomas Mar Athanasios, the celebrated educationalist and a pioneer priest in organizing congregations in western India (Maharastra, Gujarat and Rajastan), became the first Metropolitan of the Diocese on 1st August 1985. His Grace is at present the president of Divyasandesam (Visual Media Department of our Church), Malankara Orthodox Church Publications and Akhila Malankara Gayaka Sangam of our church.  Even though he is very busy with various activities, he goes through effectively and punctually every minute details of the activities of the Diocese.The Diocesan Head Quarters is Bethel of which the founder is the late Puthencavu Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos of blessed memory. A multistoried Administrative Block and a beautiful Church has come up in Bethel. Now there are 51 Churches, 10 Chapels and 55 Priests. There are 8851 families in the diocese. The Diocese gives maximum importance to spiritual organizations. Moreover the “Daivavili Sangam”, a nursery for budding priests and nuns, is a unique activity of the Diocese. The Suvisesha Sangam - a fellowship of all the office bearers of the various spiritual organizations in the Diocese is the missionary wing of the Diocese. The Parish Council is yet another innovative idea of the Diocese. The Vicar, the Kaikaran, the Secretary and the office bearers (Vice-President, Secretary  & Trustee) of various spiritual organizations in a Parish constitute the Parish Council. They meet every three months and review the functioning of the spiritual organizations in the Parishes. Assraya Social and Charitable Society,  “Mar Philoxenos Research & Guidance Centre, Vidya Jyothi, Philox School of  Liturgical Music, Baselios Counseling Centre” are four innovative ideas introduced recently.

The official organ of the Diocese is “Bethel Pathrika” a monthly, with an online edition www.bethelpatrika.org

Tel.0479-2453310

H.G. Thomas Mar Athanasios, became the first Metropolitan of the Diocese of Chengannur on 1st August 1985. He is the son of Kizhakkethalakkal Late K.T. Thomas who was the brother of the great treasure and beauty of Malankara Orthodox Church Geevarugese Mar Philoxinos and Aleyamma on 3rd April 1938. He had his primary education in Puthencavu and Alapuzha, High School in M.D.Seminary Kottayam, Intermediate from C.M.S College Kottayam, B.Sc from S.B.College, Chaganacherry, B.Ed from N.S.S College, Chaganacherry B.D from Serampore College, Calcutta and M.Ed from M.S University, Baroda.

His Grace is celebrated as an educationalist, eminent administrator and a pioneer priest in organising congregations in the villages of western India like Andheri and Bandhra in Maharastra,Udhaipur in Rajastan, Vapi, Balsar, Surat, Beruch, Anand, Bhavanagar, Mohsana, Rajgaht, Porbandar, Veravel in Gujarat. His grace founded 7 schools in Gujarat. These schools including The Gujarat Refinery English Medium School are functioning under Trust of the Society of St. Basil.

His Grace devoted his life to the Church and to the welfare of the needy brethren of the society. There are many Educational Institutions that seek his advice and apart from the busy schedule of a Bishop, he finds time to devote to the all round development of students. His approach in Education is completely child oriented and nothing is more important to him than the welfare of the students. He always has novel ideas improving teaching techniques among teachers. His Grace took within even mediocre children and made them brilliant. Today there are hundreds of “his children” who are successful Doctors, Engineers, Teachers, Architects, Researchers and varied Professionals.

His Grace was Secretary of Holy Episcopal Synod, the Catholicate & M.D.Schools Manager, Akhila Malankara Balasamagam President Akhila Malankara Prarthana Yogam President and Church Accounts Committee President of our Church. Now His Grace is the President of Divyasandesam, Visual Media Communications, Malankara Orthodox Church Publications & Working Committee Member of our Church. Even though he is very busy with various activities he goes through effectively and punctually every minute details of the activities of the Diocese.

His Grace gives maximum importance to spiritual organisations. Mar Philoxenos Research & Guidance Centre & Library , Vidyajyothi a unique programme for excellence in secular education and Philox School of Liturgical Music are three innovative ideas introduced in this diocese. Every year His Grace gives training for the Parish office bearers like the Vicar, the Kaikaran, the Secretary and the Managing Committee Members. His Grace started a training Programme for Alter assistants who serves in the Madhbaha of different parishes.

Moreover the “Daiva vili Sangam”, a nursery for budding priests and nuns, is a unique activity of the Diocese. A Pre-Marital Counseling Programme is started which conduct its sessions on every 2nd Saturdays.

The Suvisesha Sangam - a fellowship of all the office bearers of the various spiritual organisations in the Diocese is the missionary wing of the Diocese.

The Parish Council is yet another innovative idea of the Diocese. The Vicar, the Kaikaran, the Secretary and the office bearers (Vice-President, Secretary & Trustee) of various spiritual organizations in a Parish constitute the Parish Council. They meet every three months and review the functioning of the spiritual organizations in the Parishes.

BETHEL PATRIKA 

(OFFICIAL VOICE OF CHENGANNUR DIOCESE)

Bethel Patrika, Official Magazine of Chengannur Diocese was launched in 1987 by H.G.Thomas Mar Athanasios Metropolitan, the Diocesan Bishop of Chengannur Diocese, to propagate the News and Views of the Diocese through print media. Each edition contains articles regarding Faith, Church History, Relevant Social Issues, News about different activities of Spiritual Organizations etc. Rev. Fr. John Thomas Karingattil served as the Chief Editor and Rev Fr. P.G. George was the first editor. Currently, Rev. Fr. Thomas Varghese Amayil (Fr.Saji Amayil) is serving as the Chief Editor and Fr. Abraham Koshy Kunnumpurathu is the Executive Editor and Online in charge. Bethel Patrika started an Online edition in 2005 (http://www.bethelpatrika.org/). It also has a Publication wing which published the Biography of H.G.Thomas Mar Athanasios Metropolitan named ‘Therum Theralium’. 

Editorial Board

H.G.Thomas Mar Athanasios Metropolitan (Managing Editor)

Rev. Fr. Thomas Varghese Amayil (Chief Editor)

Rev. Fr. Abraham Koshy Kunnumpurathu (Executive Editor and Online in charge)

Mr. P.M. Jacob (Editor)

Rev. Fr. John P. Oommen (Associate Editor)

Rev. Fr. Sunil Joseph (Circulation Manager)

Mr. Thomas Kurian (Office Manager)

Mr. Binu Chacko (Web Administrator)

Rev. Fr Mathew Varghese (Editorial Member)

Rev. Fr P.V. John (Editorial Member)

Rev. Fr Ipe P Sam (Editorial Member)

Rev. Fr.Wilson Sankarathil, (Editorial Member)

Rev. Fr. Stephen Varghese (Editorial Member)

Mr. Binu Mulakuzha (Editorial Member)

Mr. Saji Pattarumadom (Editorial Member)

Mr. P.M Samuel (Editorial Member)

Mrs. Annie K Tottupram (Editorial Member)

ORTHODOX CHURCH CENTRES IN GUJARAT

 The first four parishes in Gujarat viz. Ahmedabad, Baroda, Gandhidham and Jamnagar were established by Fr.K.K.Punnoose (Now H.G.Stephanos Mar Theodosios) during the first half of 1960’s when he was assistant priest in Dadar St.Mary’s Orthodox Church Bombay.  Almost all the remaining parishes in Gujarat were organized by Fr.K.T.Thomas (Now H.G.Thomas Mar Athanasios) after his ordination in 1970 and his appointment as assistant Vicar of Mar Gregorios Orthodox Church, Baroda.  Bandra congregation and Andheri Parish in Maharashtra and Udaipur parish in Rajastan were also organized by Fr.K.T.Thomas from Baroda.

 Mr.K.T.Thomas reached Baroda in 1966 with a UGC scholarship to do his Post graduation.

 Upto 1967 there was only one service a month in Baroda and a priest was coming from Ahmedabad.  Baroda Parish, in its annual general body meeting in 1967 decided to request the Metropolitan of the Outside Kerala Diocese to bless them with two services a month. Mr.K.T.Thomas and Dr.N.V.Mani were authorized to contact the Diocesan Metropolitan H.G.Mathews Mar Athanasios to get the services of a full time priest in Baroda.  It was through the efforts of Mr.K.T.Thomas, Fr.C.K.Thomas was located and got him appointed for Baroda for two services a month.  At that  point of time it was a necessity to organize atleast two more parishes to accommodate Fr.C.K.Thomas with all four services a month.  Mr.K.T.Thomas had a number of friends in Sardar Patel University, V.V.Nagar, Anand, doing post graduate and doctoral studies.  There were a few veterinary doctors also in Amul Dairy, most of them being Orthodox members.  Mr.K.T.Thomas met all of them and arranged a Holy Qurbana in I.P.Mission Church, Anand.  The first Holy Qurbana was celebrated in July 1967 by Fr.C.K.Thomas from Baroda.  The Parish was named after St.Thomas.  After one year of stay in Baroda, Fr.C.K.Thomas moved to Anand and conducted two services in Baroda and one at Anand.  Simultaneously he took up a job in The English teaching School, Anand.  It was through his efforts the Nadiad congregation came into existence.

 In 1969, Basil School, Baroda was started in a rented building in 2-Ashapuri Society, Akota.  The school was inaugurated by H.G.Mathews Mar Athanasios, the then outside Kerala Diocesan Metropolitan.  Mr.K.T.Thomas who had completed his Post graduate studies from M.S. University of Baroda was appointed as the Principal of Basil School.  In 1970 Mr.K.T.Thomas got himself ordained as a priest and returned to Baroda as assistant Vicar of Baroda Parish.  It was after the arrival of Fr.K.T.Thomas in 1970 in Baroda  new parishes were organized in Gujarat.  They are from the South – Vapi, Valsad, Surat, Baruch, Bhavnagar, Mehsana, Rajkot, Porbunder and Veraval in Gujarat.  Fr.K.T.Thomas was the founder of Bandra congregation and Andheri parish in Maharashtra and Mar Gregorios Orthodox Church, Udaipur in Rajastan.  Halol congregation was organized by Fr.(Dr.) M.S.John when he was the Principal of M.G.M. School, Halol.  A few  more centres are also there in Gujarat now and they are all organized because of the initiative of the people and the blessings of the Bombay Diocesan Metropolitan.

 Ahmedabad and Baroda parishes have a couple of chapels under them.

 The Bombay Diocese with all the parishes in the Gulf, United States, Canada, Europe and Western India were in existence from 1976.  The Metropolitan was H.G.Dr.Thomas Mar Makarios.

 The present Bombay diocese with 3 Emirates in the Gulf and 3 states in Western India (Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat) came into existence in 1979.  The first Metropolitan was H.G.Dr.Philipose Mar Theophilos now succeeded by H.G.Geevarghese Mar Coorilos.  Now there are 69 centres including Churches and Congregation in Bombay Diocese, out of which 20 centres are in the state of Gujarat.