The Philosophy of His Grace is “Search for Excellence” in all spheres of life.

H.G. Thomas Mar Athanasios Metropolitan

 Entered To Eternal Life On 24th August 2018

        

                                              ON THE FEAST  DAY  OF ST MATHIAS THE APOSTLE.

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. Kizhakkethalackal family is a branch of Mavelikara Vadakkethalakal Mahakudumbam. 
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 is a celebrated educationist, an efficient  administrator and a pioneer priest in organising congregations in western India like Andheri and Bandra in Maharastra; Udaipur in Rajastan; 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 .

Being an educationist, his approach is completely ‘child oriented’ and nothing is more important to him than the welfare and all-round personality development of the students.  He has novel ideas for improving teaching techniques and he inspires even the mediocre students to excel.  Consequently, today there are hundreds of “his children” who are serving the society as successful doctors, engineers, teachers, researchers, executives  etc.

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.

The first Sunday in December observed in the Church as the birth of John the Baptist was first observed in his Diocese as “Shishu Dinam” and this day is now observed in the entire Church  as “Shishu Dinam”.  A Coaching class  for the children of classes  5th to 10th & 12th appearing for Sunday School Competitive Examinations was first introduced in this Diocese

Mar Philoxenos Research & Guidance Centre & Library, Vidyajyothi - a unique programme aiming at  excellence in secular education and Philox School of  Liturgical Music are three innovative ideas launched by His Grace  in the diocese of Chengannur. Every year His Grace gives training to the Parish office bearers like the Vicar, the Kaikaran (Treasurer), the Secretary and the Managing Committee Members. This year His Grace started a training Programme for Altar assistants to make them fully aware of the seriousness of their service.

The “Daivavili Sangam”, a nursery for budding priests and nuns, is a unique activity of this Diocese. A Pre-Marital Counseling Programme was started in this diocese which conducts its sessions   every 2nd Saturday of the month.

The Suvisesha Sangam - a fellowship of all the office bearers of the various spiritual organizations in the Diocese is the missionary wing of the Diocese.

The Parish Council is yet another innovative idea introduced by His Grace in this Diocese. The Vicar, the Kaikaran, the Secretary and the office bearers (Vice-President, Secretary & Trustee) of various spiritual organizations in a Parish constitute the Parish Council. They meet once in  three months and review the functioning of the spiritual organisations in the Parishes.

The  Philosophy  of His Grace is “Search for Excellence” in all spheres of life.

H.G.Thomas Mar Athanasios became the first Metropolitan of Diocese of Chengannur on  1st of August 1985. And passed to eternal life on 24^th August 2018.