Thomas Mar Athanasius-Chengannur
Encyclopedia
H.G. Thomas Mar Athanasius was consecrated as a bishop of Malanakara Orthodox Syrian Church on 15 May 1985 by His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews I. Four other Bishops, Mathews Mar Epiphanios, Philppose Mar Eusabius, Geevarghese Mar Ivanios and Paulose Mar Milithios, (His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Paulose II) were also ordained along with Mar Athanasius.
On 1 August 1985 His Grace became the first Metropolitan of the then newly formed Chengannur Diocese.
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. 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 devoted his life to the Church and to the welfare of the needy brethren of the society. There are many educational institutions that seek his advice and apart from the busy schedule of a Bishop, he finds time to devote to the all round development of students. His approach in education is completely child oriented and nothing is more important to him than the welfare of the students. He always has novel ideas improving teaching techniques among teachers. Mar Athanasius took within even mediocre children and made them brilliant. Today there are hundreds of “his children” who are successful doctors, engineers, teachers, architects, researchers and varied professionals.
His Grace is an efficient administrator and a pioneer priest in organising congregations in western India like Andheri and Bandra in Maharashtra; Udaipur in Rajasthan; Vapi, Balsar, Surat, Baruch, Anand, Bhavnagar, Mehsana, Rajkot, Porbandar and Veravel 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.
Besides being the Metropolitan of the Diocese of Chengannur, His Grace served The Malankara Sabha in various capacities; such as the Secretary of The Holy Episcopal Synod, the Manager of the Catholicate & M.D. Schools, the President of Akhila Malankara Balasamajam, the President of Akhila Malankara Prarthana Yogam and the President of the Church Accounts Committee and the President of the Church Finance Committee. Currently, he is the president of “Divyasandesam” - Visual Media Communications, the President of Malankara Orthodox Church Publications and the President of Akhila Malankara Orthodox Gayaka Sangham.
On 1 August 1985 His Grace became the first Metropolitan of the then newly formed Chengannur Diocese.
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. 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 devoted his life to the Church and to the welfare of the needy brethren of the society. There are many educational institutions that seek his advice and apart from the busy schedule of a Bishop, he finds time to devote to the all round development of students. His approach in education is completely child oriented and nothing is more important to him than the welfare of the students. He always has novel ideas improving teaching techniques among teachers. Mar Athanasius took within even mediocre children and made them brilliant. Today there are hundreds of “his children” who are successful doctors, engineers, teachers, architects, researchers and varied professionals.
His Grace is an efficient administrator and a pioneer priest in organising congregations in western India like Andheri and Bandra in Maharashtra; Udaipur in Rajasthan; Vapi, Balsar, Surat, Baruch, Anand, Bhavnagar, Mehsana, Rajkot, Porbandar and Veravel 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.
Besides being the Metropolitan of the Diocese of Chengannur, His Grace served The Malankara Sabha in various capacities; such as the Secretary of The Holy Episcopal Synod, the Manager of the Catholicate & M.D. Schools, the President of Akhila Malankara Balasamajam, the President of Akhila Malankara Prarthana Yogam and the President of the Church Accounts Committee and the President of the Church Finance Committee. Currently, he is the president of “Divyasandesam” - Visual Media Communications, the President of Malankara Orthodox Church Publications and the President of Akhila Malankara Orthodox Gayaka Sangham.