Dr.Philipose Mar Christostm, Metropolitan Emeritus of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian church , passed away on Wednesday. He was 104.
Official sources said the Metropolitan Emeritus was ailing for a while and passed away at a private hospital in Kumaband around 1.15 a.m. The funeral will be held on Thursday.
Regarded as the world’s longest serving bishop who served for about 68 years, he was called the man with the golden tounge and was well-known for his warm friendship with people cutting across religions, and his no-holds-barred humor sense. The senior metropolitan was awarded with the country’s highest civilian honour of Padma Bhushan in 2018.
Born as the son of a vicar general K.E. Oommen Kaseessa and Sosamma on on April 27, 1918 in Kumbanad, Mar Chrysotom had his early education from Kozhencherry High School and St. John’s High School, Eraviperoor.
He then pursued his higher studies at Union Christian College, Aluva and became a member of the Ankola Ashram in 1940. He joined United Theological College, Bengaluru in 1943 for his priesthood studies and was ordained as deacon in 1944 and later as an episcopa. He was awarded the title Philipose Mar Chrysostom in 1953.
Going steadily up the hierarchy of the Mar Thoma Church in the subsequent years, Mar Chrysostom was designated as Suffragan Metropolitan in 1978. He was designated as the Officiating Metropolitan of the Church in March 1999 and was installed as the 20th Metropolitan of Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church on October 23, 1999.
The Metropolitan had handed over his administrative responsibilities to his successor, the late Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan, in October 2007 and had since been staying at the Maramon Aramana (Jubilee Home).
CM, opposition leader condole Bishop's passing
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the former head of the Malankara Marthoma Syrian Church had used the bishopric to better peoples' lives.
"He was with the people in their times of pain and distress. The spiritual leader was progressive in outlook and humanist in nature. The Bishop had used his long life for the betterment of society. His refined sense of humour brightened Kerala's cultural life," Mr. Vijayan said.
Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala, former Chief Minister Oomen Chandy, Congress Working Committee member A.K. Antony, KPCC president Mullapally Ramachandran, CPI State secretary Kanam Rajendran and NSS general secretary G. Sukumaran Nair grieved the Bishop's passing. More messages of commiseration are coming in from across the State and country.
We share the sorrow: Mar Antony Kariyil
Philipose Mar Chrysastom, Valiya Metropolitan was a father for all and not only of the Marthoma church, said Metropolitan Vicar Mar Antony Kariyil of the Syro-Malabar Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly.
Mar Kariyil also said that the Valiya Metropolitan was the guru to the world on the ideal of humanity. His life was an example for all and he had fought to unite the church. His life and example won him respect and love from all people in the society without the barriers of religion and caste and "we share the sorrow experienced by the Marthoma Church on the passing away" of the Valiya Metropolitan, he added.
'He worked for the unity of the church'
Valiya Metropolitan Mar Chrysostom was a head of the church in whom there was a full measure of divinity and humanity. Through his scripural appeals, he led thousands to God and to the service of humanity, said Cardinal George Alencherry, president of Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council and major archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church in a condolence message in Kochi.
“His kindness and generosity provided solace to thousands and through the Maramon Convention, he strengthened the working of the church in the State. His sense of humour and humility endeared him to people from all walks of life. He worked for the unity of the church and provided a sense of direction to the church,” the cardinal said adding that personally the Valiya Metropolitan loved him and was an inspiration for him.
