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H.H. Patriarch Ignatius Zakka Iwas Supreme Head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church

His Holliness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, Syrian Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, Supreme Head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church was born on April 21, 1933 in Mosul, Iraq. He became a monk on June 6, 1954 then later became a priest on November 11,1957. He was consecrated Metropolitan in Mosul, Iraq on November 17, 1963. His Holliness then was transfered to Archdiocese of Baghdad in 1969. He became the Patriarch of Antioch and all of the East on September 14, 1980.

 

CHIEF METROPOLITAN

 Archbishop H.E. Mor Severios Kuriakose Chief Metropolitan

His Eminence  Mor Severios Kuriakose, ordained Metropolitan for the Knanaya diocese by the Patriarch of Antioch Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas on 15th January 2004, is the fourth Metropolitan of the Knanaya diocese after its formation in 1910. The Consecration ceremony of the Metropolitan was at the St.Peter and St.Paul Cathedral in the Monastery of St.Aphrem at Ma'arrat Seydnaya, Damascus, Syria. His Grace assumed the seat following the demise of the Chief Metropolitan of the East, Mor Clemis Abraham, in September 2002 at the culmination of one of the longest reigns in Indian Christendom.

Born into a family of priests on May 21, 1959, Mor Sevarios Kuriakose (Kuriakose Abraham) is the first among seven children of Edavazhikkal Kunjavarachan and Mariamma of  Chingavanam. His Grace is the second Metropolitan from the famous Edavazhikkal family; his predecessor being H.G. Gevargheese Mor Sevarios who is also the first Metropolitan of the Knanaya Jacobite Syrian diocese.

A post-graduate in History and English, he gained his degree in theology from Menooth University, Ireland, and PG in the same subject from Pourasthya Vidya Peeth, Vadavathoor, Kottayam. It was on 4 February 1990, Kuriakose Abraham has been ordained Kassisso by the Chief Metropolitan of the East (late) Mor Clemis Abraham, assisted by Metropolitans late Mor Theophilos Thomas (Outside Kerala diocese) and Mor Osthatheos Benyamin Joseph (Simhasana Church).
About a year after the demise of Mor Clemis Abraham, on 18th December 2003, a special session of the Knanaya Association meeting was convened in the headquarters of the Church at Chingavanom to elect a new Metropolitan for the congregation. The convention choose Fr.Kurikose Abraham (Edavazhikkal Achen) to head the Knanaya community. On 12th January 2004 he was ordained Ramban (monk Priest) at the Patriarchal Cathedral church at Damascus by H.H the Patriarch Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas and three days after, on 15th January, he was ordained Metropolitan. In January 2007 His Grace was elevate to Chief  Metropolitan and Archbishop of Knanaya Arch Diocese. 

                                        AUXILIARY METROPOLITAN

morgregorio

                                                            H.G. Mor Gregorios Kuriakose    

Fr.  Kuriakose Chaluparampil was consecrated as the Auxiliary Metropolitan of the Knanaya Archdiocese in Malankara with the name Mor Gregorios Kuriakose on Friday, 2nd February 2007 at the St. Peter & St. Paul's Patriarchal Cathedral at Ma`rrat Sayyidnaya, Damascus, Syria, by His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East. His Grace is the  second Auxiliary Metroplitan of  Knanaya Diocese and the first Auxiliary Metropolitan was H. G. Thomas Mor Dioskoros.

H.G. Mor Silvanos Ayoub
Auxiliary Metropolitan of the Knanaya Archdiocese

Mor Silvanos Ayoub, the auxiliary Metropolitan of the Knanaya Archdiocese was elevated to high priest-hood along with Mor Ivanios Kuriakose on June 11, 2008 by His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and the supreme head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church. The consecration ceremony was held at the St. Peter & St. Paul's Patriarchal Cathedral at Ma`rrat Sayyidnaya, Damascus, Syria.  His Eminences Mor Sevarios Kuriakose (Archbishop of Knanaya Archdiocese), H. G. Mor Gregorios Kuriakose (Auxiliary Metropolitan of Knanaya Arch diocese), Mor  Timotheos Aphrem Aboodi (former Patriarchal Vicar for Canada), Mor Theophilos George Saliba ( Secretary to the Holy Synod) and Mor Clemis Daniel (Lebanon diocese) assisted His Holiness at this blessed consecration ceremony.

Mor Silvanos Ayoub (formerly known as Rev. Fr. Job Thottathil) was born on April 18, 1972 as the son of Thottathil K O Uthup and Kunjujamma, Thurithikad. After attaining Commerce degree from the Calicut University in Kerala, he joined the St. Ephraim Seminary in Damascus, Syria, after which he  joined the Serampor University, India. On successful completion of his theological studies from both the institutions he was ordained priest on August 9, 1999 and was since then serving the Knanaya churches at London, Manchester and Bristol in Great Britain. In March 2008, the Knanaya Syrian Christian Association held at Mor Aphrem Seminary in Chingavanam, Kottayam choose Rev. Fr. Job Thottathil and Fr. Kuriakose Kolath as the new auxiliary metropolitans for the archdiocese and accordingly both were raised to the order of Ramban in May 2008. The Ramban ordination of Rev. Fr. Job Thottathil was held at the St. Peter & St. Paul's Patriarchal Cathedral at Ma`rrat Sayyidnaya, Damascus, Syria.

H.G. Mor Ivanios Kuriakose
Auxiliary Metropolitan of the Knanaya Archdiocese

Mor Ivanios Kuriakose, the auxiliary bishop of the Knanaya archdiocese was elevated to high priest-hood along with Mor Silvanos Ayoub on June 11, 2008 by His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and the supreme head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church. The consecration ceremony was held at the St. Peter & St. Paul's Patriarchal Cathedral at Ma`rrat Sayyidnaya, Damascus, Syria.  His  Eminences Mor Sevarios Kuriakose (Archbishop of Knanaya Archdiocese), H. G. Mor Gregorios Kuriakose (Auxiliary Metropolitan of Knanaya Archdiocese), Mor  Timotheos Aphrem Aboodi (former Patriarchal Vicar for Canada), Mor Theophilos George Saliba ( Secretary to the Holy Synod) and Mor Clemis Daniel (Lebanon diocese) assisted His Holiness at this blessed consecration ceremony.

Mor Ivanios Kuriakose (formerly known as Rev. Fr. Kuriakose Kolath) was born  on June 9, 1964 to Kolath K G Abraham and Thankamma. He attained his degree and post graduation from the Kerala and M.G. Universities respectively. Later he joined the Vidiya Jyothi Catholic seminary, New Delhi. On August 15, 1993 the former Metropolitan of the Archdiocese, H.E. Mor Clemis Abraham ordained him Kassisso (full priest) at the St. George Church, Neelamperoor.  In March 2008, the Knanaya Syrian Christian Association held at Mor Aphrem Seminary in Chingavanam, Kottayam choose Rev. Fr. Kuriakose Kolath and Rev. Fr. Job Thottathil as the new auxiliary metropolitans for the archdiocese and accordingly both were raised to the order of Ramban in May 2008. At the time of his selection as Metropolitan Rev. Fr. Kuriakose Kolath was serving the St. Thomas Valiya Pally at Ranni. He was also the secretary of the priestly council of the Archdiocese. As per the decision of the Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Kuriakose Kolath was raised to the order of Ramban on 26 May 2008  by H.E. Kuriakose Mor Severios, H.G. Kuriakose Mor Gregorios and Mor Koorillos Geevarghese of Niranam. The ceremony was held at St. Thomas Church (Valiya Pally), Ranni.

 

The late Abraham Mor Clemis, Chief Metropolitan of the East

Mor Clemis was born into the Vayala family in Ranni, on April 22, 1918 as the sixth offspring of Mr. & Mrs. Idiculla Kochidiculla. His brother Vayala Idiculla was a well-known political leader and a freedom fighter. Young Abraham’s liking was to be a politician, but God had other plans for him. Like Moses, when the Knanaya people had no bishop for a long period of time, God called him to be their Shepherd.. Mor Clemis joined the church as a deacon at a young age. A graduate in Theology and Political Sciences, Mor Clemis studied at Seminaries in Manjinikkara, Alwaye, Mosul, Homs, and Union Theological Seminary in New York. Consecrated Knanaya Diocesan Bishop in 1951, Mor Clemis served that office for 52 years.

 

Mor Severios  Geevarghese (First Metropolitan of the Knanaya Diocese)

Mor Severios Geevarghese was the first Metropolitan of the Knanaya diocese. He was born in 1851 to Kasiso Philipose of the Edavazhickal family, the vicar of Kottayam Valiyapally, and Kunjachi. After his primary education Geevarghese prepared to become a priest. He was the 10th priest of the famous Edavazhickal family that has produced many gifted men, most well known among whom is the Church historian E.M. Philip. On 31st August 1910, Patriarch Mor Ignatius `Abded Aloho ordained Fr. Geevarghese Edavazhickal as the first Knanaya Bishop with the name Mor Severios. Around that period, the reformation movement that was very active in Malankara rocked the Knanya Community also. At Kottayam, Kallissery and Ranny many faithful of the Knanaya community along with some priests joined the new movement and created a rift in the churches.

 "The Knanaya Association" rules were compiled in 1918 which later became the guideline for the present constitution of the diocese. Mor Severios passed away on June 11, 1927 and was laid to rest at the ancient Kottayam Valiya Pall

 

H. G. Thomas Mor Dioskoros Metropolitan

Mor Dioskoros Thomas, the second bishop of the Knanaya Diocese, was ordained as Metropolitan at Jerusalem in 1926. Initially he assisted Mor Severious Geevarghese Metropolitan and took over the administration of the diocese at the demise of Mor Severious. He was from the famous Thervaladi descendants of the Knights of  Thekkumkoor royal family. His mother belonged to the famous Ottathycal family at Chingavanam, where his father was resided, as there were no male members there.  In his administrative period the 'Patriarchal Bull No. 42 was issued by "Patriarch Elias III". The Bull proclaimed that Knanaya diocese shall always be directly under the holy throne of Antioch. Construction of the Ephraim Seminary building was completed during his time. The Vanitha Mandiram (Kurichy) and Mor Severious High School (Ranny) were established during his time. Unfortunate Mor Diascoros joined Roman Catholic Church in November 1939. 

 

Administrators of the Knanaya Diocese
For the Knanaya Samudayam there was no Bishop after Mor Dioskoros for 12 yearsd(1939-1951). During this period Very Rev. Thamarappallil Abraham Cor-Episcopa and Very Rev. Purackal Thomas Cor-Episcopa served as administrators of the Diocese.
Very. Rev. Abraham Cor Episcopa Thamarapallil
Thamarapallil Abraham Corepiscopa is one of the foremost priests of the Knanaya community. He was born as the son of Kuruvilla Kochuthommen and Chachy. He was quiet and pious. His primary education was at Chengannur and high school education at Kottayam. In 1894 he became a priest after learning Syriac from Pazhaya Seminary Kottayam. He was made the vicar of Kallissery church. During the long period of his service he modified the church building. He was very interested in women's education. He arranged for the yearly memorial service of Anjilimootil Ittythommen Cathanar. In 1915 he was made the Vicar General of Knanaya Samudayam. Later he was made the Administrator of the Knanaya Church.

 
Contributions of Very. Rev. Abraham
He gave the leadership for the central fund amounting to one lakh rupees with the help of V. O. Markose, M.C. Korah Mundukottackal and K.T. Thomas Kelachandra. He organised missionary activities at Vakathanam, Kolladu, Nedumon and Kattodu. The constitution of the Samudayam was revised in his period as the administrator. He was the trustee of the Severiose Fund. He passed away on 25th October, 1947 at the age of 76.
Very Rev. P.J. Thomas Cor Episcopa, Purackal
Very. Rev. P.J. Thomas was a pioneer leader of the Knanaya community .He was born in Kollam Era 1077 as the only son of Purackal Rev. P. J. Joseph Corepiscopa and Paranickal Mariamma. His primary education was at Ranny and Kozhencerry. He became deacon in 1091 Kollam Era and married Annamma of Padinjarepurackal family at Kallissery. His High School education was at Kottayam M. D. Seminary and he took his B.A. from U.C. College Alwaye and his M.A. from Madras Christian College. Though he was offered lectureship at U.C. College Alwaye, he decided to serve at M.S. School which was only a middle school at
that time, respecting the wishes of his father Rev. P.J.Joseph Corepiscopa. It was a very unattractive offer for a postgraduate. Priesthood was conferred upon him by H. H. Mor Elias III, the Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, in 1013 Kollam Era. He was made the Vicar General by H. G Mor Dioskoros. Even from his student days he was actively involved in the Knanaya Students Association of which he was the secretary. He was the president of the Knanaya Yuvajana Samajam for twelve years. He has left his indelible imprint as the president of the Knanaya Association, President of Women's Association, President of the Nazreth Asramum at Othera and as the Vicar General and Administrator
Contributions of Very. Rev. P.J. Thomas Cor Episcopa , Purackal
He was mainly responsible for making M.S. Middle School into a High School. In his time this school came to the forefront in academic excellence, sports and discipline. The achievements of the school inspired the founding of St. Thomas High School and M.S. Training School. He was an illustrious leader who left a great mark in the public life of the region. He had a vast group of friends from different communities. V. Rev. P. I. Thomas organised a comprehensive programme of visiting not only the big churches but also the smaller ones and made them feel part and parcel of this diocese. He was assisted by Rev. K. C. Mathew Konnackal in these visits. They travelled mostly on foot to the rural areas. The ever-increasing dowry rate which created problems among the commons was controlled by Rev. P. J. Thomas. He organised a system whereby a part of the higher dowry amount was to be given to the fund for poor girl's marriage. He also strictly regulated the wasteful extravagance of church festivals. A centralized constitution for the community was also moulded in his time. As an administrator he rendered quiet and selfless service to the community.
Administrator Very.Rev. A.P.Joseph ,Anjilimoottil Cor Episcopa
He became the administrator of the Samudayam after the demise of Mor Clemis Thirumeni. Fr. Joseph was born on 23 April 1938 as the third son of Anjilimoottil Punnoose Chacko and Chachyamma. He has officiated as the Knanaya Diocesan Secretary, Secretary to late H.G. Abraham Mor Clemis and as Knanaya Priest Trustee. Fr. A.P. Joseph was the Principal of St. Thomas College, Ranni, Kerala from 1983 to 1992. During his time the new constitution of the Samudayam was executed.
Memorable Leaders of the Knanaya Community
E. M. Philip is one of the foremost leaders of the Knanaya Community. He deserves the credit of being the architect of the Knanaya Committee of which he was the first secretary. He was born in Edvazhikkal family Kottayam in 1857. He was the son of Edavazhikkal Kochumathew and Achampila. After his primary education he joined C.M.S. College in 1869 particularly to study English. He maintained a high academic standard and won the praise of his teachers. V. Rev. Philipose Corepiscopa desired to educate this young intelligent boy either in Bombay or Madras. He married Kunjachu at the age of 17, the daughter of Kundalimannil Kuruvilla in 1050 Edvam . His father died in 1052. After his matriculation he worked at C.M.S College for a month. Most of the staff in the college were Anglicans and his dedication to his church forced him to leave the job.
E. M. Philip and the Knanaya Community
He moulded the Knanaya Yuvajana Samajam (Youth Association) as early as 1909. For about a quarter of a century he was the secretary of the undivided Malahkara Suriyani Church and for 32 years he was the secretary of Knanaya Samudayam. During this period he contributed a great deal to the progress and development of the community. He became the editor of 'Pachima Tharaka Kerala Pathaka'. In 1054 began the case against Palakunnathu Mathews Mar Athanasiose at the Alleppy court for the properties and wealth of Kottayam Suriyani Seminary. Malithara Elias Kathanar and Karickal Kuruvilla Abraham were entrusted with the
conduct of the case. During this period the publications of the C.M.S Church were sarcastic of the Syrian Christians. In reply to that he started the paper 'Malankara Edavakapathrika'. Many articles on the Syrian Christians issues and their faith were published in the Pathrika. For 18 years he conducted the magazine with much financial difficulty, but finally gave it up. A great number of people came to accept the faith through the Pathrika. E.M. Philip established a printing press at Kottayam and edited the newspaper 'Malayala Vinodini'. For five years he was the editor of the newspaper. He rendered selfless service in maintaining strongly the link between Malankara Church and the Patriarch of Antioch. He wrote several books including his biography, "Malanakara Sabhaude Rehasiya Pedakam" and "The Indian Church of St. Thomas. The latter book has been appreciated and acclaimed by all church historians. Other important books are 'Suriyani Madopadesa Palanam' and Pappayude Survadipathya Kudaram.
Anjilimoottil Itty Thommen Kathanar
Anjilimoottil Itty Thommen Kathanar is one of the two most prominent leaders of the Malankara Syrian Church who resisted the great Portuguese persecutions of the 1 7th century. He was the main adviser to the then chief of the Syrian Christians, 'Thomas Arkadiyokan' (later MarThoma I) after the historic 'Koonan Cross Pledge'. Together they provided a great leadership for terminating the Portuguese aggression over Malankara Church and reaffirmed the bond of Syrian Christians with the Holy See of Antioch. Hearing that the Portuguese has imprisoned His Holiness Mor Ignatius Hidayattulla (Ahatul la Bava) who came to India on the request of Malankara Syrian Christians in 1652, it was Itty Thommen Kathanar who organised about 25000 faithful at Cochin to save Bava from the Portuguese military. Such a massive crowd was brought to Cochin only because of his heroic leadership. When the Syrian Christians in Cochin came to know that His Holiness was drowned in the sea in Cochin, instead of a directing a clash that would spill much blood, Itty Thommen Kathanar gave a different turn to the incident. Under instruction from Itty Thommen Kathanar the Syrian Christians assembled there, tied a huge rope around the ancient Stone Cross in the Churchyard at Mattancherry (Cochin) and everyone of the large gathering, numbering about 25000 held on to it and pledged that they and their future generations would never adopt the Roman Catholic faith that the Portuguese tried to forcibly introduce and to always remain loyal to the Holy Apostolic See of Antioch, maintaining their ancient rites and traditions. This great incident that happened in the month of January AD 1653 is recorded in the history as 'KOONAN KURUSHU SATHYAM' He brought the scattered Malankara Syrian Christians together. In spite of several sufferings, he worked hard to save the Church from the persecution of the Portuguese. He died on 10th May (Medam 27) 1659 and was laid to rest in his native parish at Kallisserry Knanaya Syrian Church.