This Sunday we specially remember all the departed priests. Priests are those who are called upon by God to serve Him and His people. In an article by Rincy Raju, she wrote quoting St Cyril of Alexandria, “Let this be said, then, to everyone, who has been brought to the priestly ministry- “You are the light of the world, a city set on a hill cannot be hidden”. Priests are the one who show the Light (Lord Jesus Christ) to the world. All priests are representatives of Lord Jesus Christ on earth. There are many priests in the Malankara Church who did their service with diligence and departed from this world and earned “the crown of righteousness”. Most of the times when we talk about contributions from clergymen, we tend to talk only about Metropolitans. But there were some great priests who ably supported our great Metropolitans. With this article I would be talking in brief about ten departed priests of the Malankara Church who served the Lord and His Church with utmost sincerity and reverence, in last century. I am making the list out of names that runs in to my mind. I may miss some great names. Please understand that there are hundreds, if not thousands of priests who earnestly served the Church, but I am mentioning only a select few here.
Malankara Malpan Konaattu Mathen Cor Episcopa
Malankara Malpan Konaattu Mathen Cor Episcopa (1860-1927): He was born on 30th March 1860. He had Konaattu Mar Yulius and Parumala Mar Gregorios as his teachers. He was ordained into priesthood by Pulikottil Joseph Mar Dionysius V in 1883, who also gave him the title of Malankara Malpan in 1890. He served as Malpan in Kottayam Seminary. He was the Priest Trustee during the reigns of Malankara Metropolitans Pulikottil Mar Dionysius and Vattasseril Mar Dionysius. In 1911, unfortunately he and Mar Dionysius came in opposing side in the Church feud. In 1926 he was elevated as Cor Episcopa by Sleeba Mar Osthathios. The Patriarch bestowed upon on him many honours which included vestments similar to that of a Metropolitan and a staff, and he was also allowed to lead the feet washing ceremony. During his last days he made peace with Vattasseril Thirumeni and worked for unity. He passed away in 1927 and was buried in Pampakuda Valiypally.
Mattackal Alexandrayos Malpan
Mattackal Alexandrayos Malpan (1865-1938): He was from the famous Mattackal Family of Niranam. He was the son of Mattackal Behanam Kathanar. He was appointed as the Manager of Old Seminary by Vattasseril Thirumeni. When Church feud started the Patriarch faction stalwarts Konaattu Mathen Malpan and CJ Kurian tried to ouster him from Manger’s post to weaken Vattasseril Thirumeni. However this didn’t work and led to the Summary Case. He is the cousin of Alexios Mar Theodosius Metropolitan. He passed away in 1938 and was buried in Niranam Church.
Cheriamadathil Scaria Malpan
Cheriamadathil Scaria Malpan (1894-1952): He was born in 1894, as the son of Cheriamadathil Yakoob Kathanar. He received ordinations for deaconate and priesthood from Vattasseril Mar Dionysius in 1914 and 1919 respectively. He completed his theological education from Serampore University. He served as the Principal of Old Seminary for a long time. When Old Seminary was closed due to litigations, he founded the Ebenezer Dayara, Manganam and trained deacons there. He served as the secretary of Vattasseril Mar Dionysius. He accompanied Vattasseril Mar Dionysius to Mardene and Catholicose Geevarghese II to Homs. During the Homs visit he received praise from Patriarch Aphrem Barsaum for his excellent communication in Syriac. He passed away in 1952 and was laid to rest in St Peters Church, Vazhur. He was known as the “Gamaliel” of Malankara.
M C Kuriakose Remban
M C Kuriakose Remban (1901-1958): He was a native of Pathamuttam. He was ordained as priest by Pampady Thirumeni in 1930. He founded the Sleeba Church as a Dayara in 1935. He was professed Remban in 1936. He served as the Church secretary, the editor of Malankara Sabha Magazine and as Kottayam Diocesan Secretary. LL Stephanos Mar Theodosius of Bhilai was his disciple.
Manalil Yakoob Kathanar
Manalil Yakoob Kathanar (1901-1993): Born in 1901, he was a native of Mammalassery. He served in Mammalassery, Mulanthuruthy, North Paravoor and Manthuruthel parishes. He served as the secretary of Vattasseril Mar Dionysius. He worked along with advocates for the conduct of Church litigations in various courts. In the Malankara Association held at Puthenkavu in 1958, he was elected as Priest trustee, thus becoming the first trustee after Church unity. He was elected to the Episcopal office, but he rejected the same. He served in the Managing committee and working committee for a long time. He passed away in 1993 and was laid to rest in Manthuruthel Church.
Mylapra Mathews Remban
Mylapra Mathews Remban (1904-1991): He was the son of Fr Koshy Easo. He was ordained priest in 1930 and professed Remban in 1942. He led a pious and humble life. He was considered as saint by many during his lifetime. He was known for his prayer life, his strict ascetic, lengthy periods of fasting and silent meditation, deep penance. He was a dedicated missionary. He served in the parishes of Attachakal, Thannithode and Kumbazha were he inspired many by his prayer life. He established the St Kuriakose Ashram, Mylapra. People from far off places used to come to seek his prayers. He passed away in 1991. Many people still visit his tomb and seek his intercession.
Malankara Malpan Konaattu Abraham Kathanar
Malankara Malpan Konaattu Abraham Kathanar (1908-1987): He was the son of Malankara Malpan Konaattu Mathen Cor Episcopa. Even though he started learning Syriac from his father, it was short lived because of the latter’s death. His father entrusted his further education with Augen Mar Thimothios Metropolitan (Augen Bava). He continued his spiritual education under Augen Mar Thimothios who ordained him into priesthood. He served as the vicar of Pampakuda Valiyapally. Like his father, he was also honoured with the title of Malankara Malpan. He translated and published several liturgical books from Mar Julius press which was in his ownership. He translated the Hudaya Canon. He wrote several articles against, when Patriarch Yaqub III questioned the priesthood of St Thomas. He served long term as President of Pampakuda Panchayat. He was laid to rest in Pampakuda Valiyapally.
Fr (Dr) V C Samuel
Fr (Dr) V C Samuel (1912-1998): He was a native of Omalloor. He started his theological education in Manjanikkara Dayara, where he also taught for several years. He obtained his BA (Travancore University), MA (Madras University), BD (Serampore University), STM (Union Theological Seminary, New York) and Ph D (Yale University, USA).He served in faculties of Serampore University, United Theological College Bangalore, Theological College of the Holy Trinity in Addis Ababa, and in Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam. He was a theologian, historian and ecumenical leader of international repute. He served in WCC in their Faith and Order Commission for 23 years. He represented the Oriental Orthodox Churches in their dialogue with Eastern Orthodox Churches and also in the dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church. He is one of the most decorated and reputed theologians to come out from India. He has published several essays, dissertation and articles and authored many books. His most famous book was “The Council of Chalcedon Re examined”. He passed away in 1998 in Bangalore and was buried there.
Malankara Malpan N K Koruthu Kathanar
Malankara Malpan N K Koruthu Kathanar (1914-2001): He was born in the Njarthangal family, Vadavukode. He was a very good singer and learned Syriac and Syriac music from Augen Mar Thimothios Metropolitan (Augen Bava) and Abdul Ahad Remban (Patriarch Yaqub III). He served as Syriac Malpan at Malekurishu Dayara and Old Seminary. He served as the secretary for Kuttikattil Mar Athanasius (Aluva Valiya Thirumeni) for a long time. He was honored with the title of “Malankara Malpan”. He served as the secretary of Kochi diocese. He served as the vicar of Vadavukode Church till his death. He passed away in 2001 and was buried in Vadavukode Church.
Fr T G Zachariah
Fr T G Zachariah (1930-2001): Born in 1930, as the son of Kallisseril Thottathuveetil Varghese Kathanar. He was ordained as deacon in 1948 and priest in 1970. He had the privilege in serving four Catholicose of the Church in different capacities. He served as the secretary to Catholicose Geevarghese II and Augen I. During the tenure of HH Mathews I and HH Mathews II, he served as the Devalokam Aramana Manager. He was the first secretary of the MOC publications and also served as Manager of Malankara Sabha Magazine and as Managing Committee member. He passed away in 2001 and was buried in Umayattinkara Church.
Every great priest listed above deserves a full article or detailed book to completely list down their contributions. My aim through this article is just to generate interest among the readers to learn more about each of them. Today when we remember all departed priest, let us remember these great souls listed above and thousands of others who has served in His altar.
In Christ
Kiran
Hyderabad
Works Referred:
1) Fr Dr Joseph Cheeran: Malankara Sabha Vijnanakosham &
Other works