Metropolitan Thomas Mar Athanasius of Chengannur Enters Eternal Rest

Photo- ullannoorvaliyapalli.org

OCP News Service – 24/8/18

+Memory Eternal+

Malankara- Kerala-India: Metropolitan Thomas Mar Athanasius (80) of Chengannur of the Malankara Church has entered eternal rest. It was reported that the Prelate fell from the train (from Gujarat to Kerala) and his body was found on the railway tracks.

The Senior Prelate of the Indian Orthodox Malankara Church was a well-known educationalist, missionary and an efficient administrator. He was the first Metropolitan of the Chengannur Dioceses. Metropolitan Athanasius was a highly respected personality in Chengannur and beyond. The demise of Mar Athanasius is a big loss for the Malankara Church and for the society.  The late Metropolitan was the chief guest at OCP Society’s first book launch ceremony, which was held in 2008.

Biography
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 organizing congregations in western India like Andheri and Bandra in Maharastra; Udaipur in Rajasthan; Vapi, Balsar, Surat, Baruch, Anand, Bhavnagar, Mehsana, Rajkot, Porbandar 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.

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Source:
OCP News Service