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DIOCESAN METROPOLITAN
 H.G. THOMAS MAR
ATHANASIOS
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H.G. Thomas
Mar Athanasios, became the first Metropolitan of the Diocese of
Chengannur on 1st August 1985. He is the son of Kizhakkethalakkal Late
K.T. Thomas who was the brother of the great treasure and beauty of
Malankara Orthodox Church Geevarugese Mar Philoxinos and Aleyamma on 3rd
April 1938. He had his primary education in Puthencavu and Alapuzha,
High School in M.D.Seminary Kottayam, Intermediate from C.M.S College
Kottayam, B.Sc from S.B.College, Chaganacherry, B.Ed from N.S.S College,
Chaganacherry B.D from Serampore College, Calcutta and M.Ed from M.S
University, Baroda.
His Grace is
celebrated as an educationalist, eminent administrator and a pioneer
priest in organising congregations in the villages of western India like
Andheri and Bandhra in Maharastra,Udhaipur in Rajastan, Vapi, Balsar,
Surat, Beruch, Anand, Bhavanagar, Mohsana, Rajgaht, Porbandar, Veravel
in Gujarat. His grace founded 6 schools in Gujarat. These schools
including The Gujarat Refinery English Medium School are functioning
under Trust of the Society of St. Basil. |
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. His Grace 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
was Secretary of Holy Episcopal Synod, the Catholicate & M.D.Schools
Manager, Akhila Malankara Balasamagam President Akhila Malankara
Prarthana Yogam President and Church Accounts Committee President of our
Church. Now His Grace is the President of Divyasandesam, Visual Media
Communications & Malankara Orthodox Church Publications of our Church.
Even though he is very busy with various activities he goes through
effectively and punctually every minute details of the activities of the
Diocese.
His Grace
gives maximum importance to spiritual organisations. Mar Philoxenos
Research & Guidance Centre & Library , Vidyajyothi a unique programme
for excellence in secular education and Philox School of Liturgical
Music are three innovative ideas introduced in this diocese. Every year
His Grace gives training for the Parish office bearers like the Vicar,
the Kaikaran, the Secretary and the Managing Committee Members. This
year His Grace started a training Programme for Alter assistants who
serves in the Madhbaha of different parishes.
Moreover the
“Daiva vili Sangam”, a nursery for budding priests and nuns, is a unique
activity of the Diocese. A Pre-Marital Counseling Programme is started
which conduct its sessions on every 2nd Saturdays.
The
Suvisesha Sangam - a fellowship of all the office bearers of the various
spiritual organisations in the Diocese is the missionary wing of the
Diocese.
The Parish
Council is yet another innovative idea of the Diocese. The Vicar, the
Kaikaran, the Secretary and the office bearers (Vice-President,
Secretary & Trustee) of various spiritual organisations in a Parish
constitute the Parish Council. They meet every three months and review
the functioning of the spiritual organisations in the Parishes.
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