Knanaya Metropolitan H.G. Kuriakose Mor Severios

His Grace Mor Sevarios 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 Kottayam. 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

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.

 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 Severius passed away on June 11, 1927 and was laid to rest at the ancient Kottayam Valiya Pally.

Thomas Mor Dioskoros

Thomas Mor Dioskoros Metropolitan was a pious and dedicated Bishop of Knanaya diocese. Initially he assisted Mor Severiose Geevarghese Metropolitan and took over the administration of the diocese at the demise of Mor Severious. His father belonged to the family of "Thervalady" the family of the knights of thekkumkur royal family. His mother belonged to the famous Ottathycal family where his father resided, as there were no male members there.
Mor Dioskoros led a life of simplicity and piety. He was humorous and witty. 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. It is a significant document. The completion of Ephrem Seminary took place in his period. He provided leadership for the founding ofVanitha Mandirum at Kurichy and M.S. High School at Ranny. It is quite unfortunate that he later converted himself to the Roman Catholic fold . (source: “Cultural Heritage of Knanaya Syrian Christians” by Rev. Fr. Joseph Kulathramannil-p 75.

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.