Living happy and healthy for 100 years is a matter for celebration. To radiate positive energy even at such an advanced age and spread goodness through every spoken word calls for even greater celebration. Philipose Mar Chrysostum, Metropolitan Emeritus of the Mar Thoma Church, who turned 100 on Thursday, belongs to that rarefied realm, bringing cheer to his listeners with his earthy witticism, often poking fun at himself and even God.
Mar Chrysostum, ‘man with a golden tongue’ as the meaning of the Greek name suggests, in his satire-filled philosophical dialogues often reflects the raw facts of life. Considered a symbol of love, compassion, charity, and selfless service, the Metropolitan is known for building bridges between human hearts and among communities.
Talking to The Hindu , Mar Chrysostum said, “Peace is a dynamic concept and denial of basic needs to the common man will lead to disturbance of the peace,” adding that he was not for any development that disturbs the nature, environment, life, and livelihood of the common man.
“Healthy community life is impossible unless we realise that our neighbour’s well-being is equally important for our well-being and prosperity. It is like our effort to control the mosquito menace in our house by diverting our drainages to the neighbour’s plot, making it a safe breeding place for mosquitoes and extending the menace to the entire area,” said Mar Chrysostum at a function in Thiruvalla on Thursday to celebrate his 100th birthday. Former Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani inaugurated the centenary celebrations.
Born at Eraviperoor, near Thiruvalla, on April 27, 1918, Philip Oommen became a priest attached to the Mar Thoma Church in 1944. He was consecrated Bishop Philipose Mar Chrysostum in 1953 and elevated as Church head (Metropolitan) in 1999. Mar Chrysostum relinquished his administrative duties in 2007. Completing 64 years as a bishop in May, Mar Chrysostum is the longest serving bishop in India at the age of 100.
He used to bemoan the erosion of values in society. “Nowadays, conventions or congregations organised by various religious groups appear to have degenerated into desperate exercises to keep the faithful in their respective fold, especially against the backdrop of various ‘luring tactics’ employed by ‘opposing’ groups.’’
“Religious congregations and spiritual retreats are meant for refining people. Such meetings are of little use unless they produce the desired results,” Mar Chrysostum said.
