PROFILE

The Diocese of Chengannur of The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church came into being on the 10th of March, 1985 and H.G.Thomas Mar Athanasios became its first Metropolitan on the 1st of August 1985.  
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.  Being the grandson of Kizhakkethalackal Thoma Kathanar and the nephew of the late Geevarghese Mar Philoxinos (Puthencavil Kochuthirumeni), His Grace thus inherited the rich priestly heritage of Kizhakkethalackal family. Kizhakkethalackal family is a branch of Mavelikara Vadakkethalakal Mahakudumbam. His Grace is 42nd in the priestly generation and the 5th bishop in the Vadakkethalackal family. The other bishops in the family are Simon Mar Dionysios, Yuakim Mar Ivanios, Abraham Marthoma and Geevarghese Mar Philoxinos. 

   
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.

  His Grace is 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 is more important to him than the welfare and all-round personality development of the students.  He has novel ideas for improving teaching techniques and he inspires even the mediocre students to excel.  Consequently, today there are hundreds of “his children” who are serving the society as successful doctors, engineers, teachers, researchers, executives  etc. 

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. Currently, he is the president of “Divyasandesam” - Visual Media Communications & the Vice President of Malankara Orthodox Church Publications.

The first Sunday in December observed in the Church as the birth of John the Baptist was first observed in his Diocese as “Shishu Dinam” and this day is now observed in the entire Church  as “Shishu Dinam”.  A Coaching class  for the children of classes  5th to 10th & 12th appearing for Sunday School Competitive Examinations was first introduced in this Diocese

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. Every year His Grace gives training to the Parish office bearers like the Vicar, the Kaikaran (Treasurer), the Secretary and the Managing Committee Members. This year His Grace started a training Programme for Altar assistants to make them fully aware of the seriousness of their service.

The “Daivavili Sangam”, a nursery for budding priests and nuns, is a unique activity of this Diocese. A Pre-Marital Counselling Programme was started in this diocese which conducts its sessions   every 2nd Saturday of the month.

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 introduced by His Grace in this Diocese. The Vicar, the Kaikaran, the Secretary and the office bearers (Vice-President, Secretary & Trustee) of various spiritual organisations in a Parish constitute the Parish Council. They meet once in  three months and review the functioning of the spiritual organisations in the Parishes.

The  Philosophy  of His Grace is “Search for Excellence” in all spheres of life.

1. Ala St.George                                      Rev.Fr.Sunil Joseph

2. Arathil St.George                                  Rev.Fr.Mathai Kunnil

3. Arattupuzha St.Mary's                          Rev.Fr.Thomas Joseph

4. Attuva St.Bursouma                             Rev.Fr.K.S.Samuel

5. Budhannoor St.Elias                             Rev.Fr.Biju T. Mathew

6. Chengannur Bethel Aramana             Rev.Fr.Vimal Mammen Cherian

7. Chengannur St.Ignatious                       Rev.Fr.Rajan Varghese

8. Cherianad St.George                            Rev.Fr.Jacob Cherian

9. Edanad St.Mary's                                 Rev.Fr.Joseph Kuriakose

10. Edavankad St.Mary's                           Rev.Fr.Thomas Amayil

11. Kadamankulam St.Marys                     Rev.Fr.S.Jacob

12. Kallunkal East St.Ignatious                    Rev.Fr.Mathew Abraham

13. Kallunkal West St.George                    Rev.Fr.K.O.Thomas

14. Karakkad Seenaikkunnu St.Marys        Rev.Fr.Kurien Joseph

15. Kodukulanji Prakashagiri St.Marys       Rev.Fr.Abraham Koshy

16. Koorthamala St.Marys                         Rev.Fr.Jose Thomas

17. Kozhuvalloor St.George                       Rev.Fr.Sam George

18. Kudassanad St.Stephens                      Rev.Fr.John Paul

19. Kurampala St.Thomas                          Rev.Fr.P.K.Koshy

20. Kurichimuttom St.Stephens                   Rev.Fr.Geevarghese Koshy

21. Kuttamperoor St.Marys                        Rev.Fr.Wilson Sankarathil

22. Kuttoor Bethaniya Mar Gregorios         Rev.Fr.P.Geevarghese

23. Mangalam St.George                            Rev.Fr.Y.Thomas

24. Manthalir St.Thomas                             Rev.Fr.Ninan V.George

25. Maramon St.Marys                              Rev.Fr.Gibu Philip

26. Mezhuveli Holy Innocent                       Rev.Fr.Geevarghese John

27. Mezhuveli Shalem                                 Rev.Fr.Gibu Philip

28. Mulakuzha St.Marys                             Rev.Fr.John P.Oommen

29. Nellickal St.Marys                                Very Rev.John Daniel Cor-Episcopa

30. Nellimala Mar Gregorios                       Rev.Fr.P.V.John

31. Nooranad St.Thomas                           Rev.Fr.Y.Thomas Muttuvely

32. Olickal Mar Gregorios                          Rev.Fr.Abraham Simon

33. Othera St.Marys                                   Rev.Fr.Philip Jacob

34. Pandanad North St.Thomas                  Rev.Fr.Ipe P.Sam

35. Pandanad St.Marys                              Rev.Fr.Thomas Thekkil

36. Pazhakulam Mar Gregorios                   Rev.Fr.Geevarghese Samuel

37. Perissery East Mar Gregorios               Rev.Fr.C.K.Geevarghese

38. Perissery St.Marys                               Rev.Fr.Mammen Thomas

39. Piralassery St.George                           Rev.Fr.Mathew Thomas

40. Poozhikkad St.George                          Very Rev.K.O.Philip Cor-Episcopa

41. Puliyoor St.Marys & St.George            Rev.Fr.Koruth Cherian

42. Pullad St.George                                  Rev.Fr.A.D.Kuriakose

43. Puthencavu St.Marys                            Rev.Fr.Zacharia Panackamattom

44. Thiruvanvandoor St.George                  Rev.Fr.K.C.Jacob

45. Thottappuzha Mar Gregorios                Rev.Fr.K.G.Cherian

46. Ullannur St.George                               Rev.Fr.Filix Yohannan

47. Ullannur St.Marys                                 Rev.Fr.M.K.Immanuel

48. Umayattukara St.Thomas                      Rev.Fr.Ipe P.Sam

49. Vallamkulam St.Marys                          Rev.Fr.C.P.Chacko

50. Venmony St.Marys                               Rev.Fr.Thomas P.Ninan

51. Yordanpuram Mar Gregorios                Rev.Fr.Stephen Varghese

                                                       May Almighty God Bless You all

Fr. Johnson Punchakonam