News Update - Syrian Christian

THE NAME OF ST. ATHANASIUS PAULOSE INCLUDED IN THE HOLY DIPTYCH

St. Ephrem Monastery, SYRIA:  Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka-I Iwas, the Patriarch of Antioch & All the East and the Supreme head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church, has signed the historic bull permitting to recite the name of ST. ATHANASIUS PAULOSE, the former Malankara Metropolitan & the head of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church in the 5th Tubden. The concerned bull No.152/2009 dt. 18th September 2009, will be read in all Malankara churches soon. The name of Mor Athanasius Paulose will be remembered in all the Jacobite Syrian churches worldwide after the names of St. Gregorios Abdul Jaleel  and St. Osthatheos Sleeba.

St. Athanasious Paulose, an ardent disciple of St. Gregorios Geevarghese of Parumala, is the second Indian after St. Gregorios whose name will be recited universally in the Holy Mass. (It was way back in 1987 the name of St. Gregorios of Parumala was included in the 5th Tubden to be remembered worldwide along with the names of Patriarch St. Ignatius Elias III and Maphryono St. Baselios Yeldho, which was incidentally the first addition after more than 12 centuries in the history of the Malankara Syrian Church.)

For the Malankara Syrian Church and its faithful this is a joyful and pride moment particularly in this centenary year of the Metropolitan-consecration of the holy father.

A brief biographical sketch of St. Athanasius Paulose

St. Athanasious Paulose, popularly known as 'Valiya Thirumeni', is one of the luminous stars of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, who as the head of the Church in India, successfully guided its destiny for nearly four decades. It was his firm faith, persistent efforts and ardent prayers that helped the Malankara Syrian community to maintain their ancient links with the Holy See of Antioch. Because of his strong determination to uphold the traditions and faith of the Holy Church, he is often described in the Church history as 'Sathya Viswasa Samrakshakan' (Defender of True Faith), a title conferred to him by the Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem I.

It was on 9th June 1910, St. Athanasious Paulose was elevated as the high-priest by the Supreme head of the Syrian Church, Patriarch H.H. Mor Ignatius Abded `Aloho (Abdulla II) in a divine ceremony held at the Mor Sabor Mor Aphroth Jacobite Syrian Church at Akaparambu. Initially he was given the responsibility of administering all the three northern dioceses including Angamali which was the largest of all the dioceses. The pious & saintly Mor Koorilose Paulose Kochuparambil was the Malankara Metropolitan at that time. Following the demise of Mor Koorilose in 1917, St. Athanasious Paulose was unanimously choosen to the high post of Malankara Metropolitan by the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Christian Association which was endorsed by the Patriarch. Thus St. Athanasious became the fourth Primate of the church who adorned the title of 'Malankara Metropolitan' since inception of this title in the Mulanthuruthy Synod held in 1876. The historical Malankara Association of 1935 held at Karingachira St. George church once again unanimously chose His Eminence as the Malankara Metropolitan.

It was Valiya Thirumeni who sowed the seed for the overall development of the Angamali diocese in its present form. Under his able and determined leadership, the seminary at Thrikkunnathu became a major study centre for the upcoming clergy. During his 34-year tenure as Malankara Metropolitan, the Thrikkunnathu Seminary also functioned as the Jacobite Syrian Church headquarters. In 1932 he rebuilt the nearby Thrikkunnathu St. Mary's Church in its present form. Around that time he brought many Syriac Christian families from various parts of Angamali diocese and gave them land, free of cost, near to the Thrikkunnathu Seminary and also helped them to construct houses by distributing his personal savings which he raised through the selling of his inherited family properties. St. Athanasius Valiya Thirumeni is the founder father of many of the spiritual organizations in the Church like the Sunday School Association and the Marth Mariam Samajam.

The 'Mor Gregorios Syrian Students Association', named after his mentor St. Gregorios Chathuruthil, happens to be the first students organization in Malankara that adopted the name of St. Gregorios of Parumala. The St. Antony's brotherhood and St. Mary's sisterhood, were started under his guidance and initiative. After serving the Church in Malankara for more than four decades, he passed away on 25th January 1953 at the age of 84 and was entombed on the very next day in the room on northern side of the madbho of the St. Mary's church at Thrikkunnathu, Alwaye, confirming to his last wishes. The sacred tombs of his predecessor as well his successor in the Angamali diocese, Their Graces Mor Athanasius Paulose Kadavil and Mor Gregorius Geevarghese Vayaliparambil are also situated by the side of Valiya Thirumeni's last resting place.