His Grace Paulose Mar Milithios Metropolitan, was unanimously elected successor to the Catholicose of the East and Malankara Metropolitan Baseliose Mar Thoma Didymos I on Thursday 12th of October 2006 at St. Gregorios Nagar, Parumala Seminary by the Malankara Syrian Christian Association, the 4,051-member church parliament of the Malankara Orthodox Church. The Episcopal Synod meeting held earlier at Theological Seminary, Kottayam had unanimously selected Paulose Mar Milithios, Bishop of Kunnamkulam diocese as candidate for the election of Catholicose designate with full support of the Synod and the Managing Committee.

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When we hear of H.B. Paulose Mar Milithios, the first word, which comes to our mind, is 'Kunnamkulam'. A beautiful agricultural town is situated 22 Kilometers North to Thrissur. The Arabians, Greek, and Persians left their footprints on this land many years ago. The archeologists unearthed a collection of Old Roman Coins near this place, which was buried around BC 123 and AD 117. Kunnamkulam is a well developed rich and clean Christian town crescent with churches and situated on a hill top. A large number of refugees migrated to Kunnamkulam under the leadership of Rev. Father Pulikkottil Joseph Kathanar, Vicar of Arthatt Church. This group of people contributed a lot Kunnamkulam's development. The old famous business center, Pazhanji, lies north to Kunnamkulam ad now, Pazhanji is a center of Syrian Christians.

Mar Paulose Milithios is the third distinguished son Kunnamkulam has gifted for the Malankara Orthodox Church. Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dianasius I, who established the Old Seminary, Kottayam in 1815 as a permanent head quarters for the Malankara Metropolitan and an organized theological training center for future clergies of the Church, was the first gift of Kunnamakulam for the Malankara Orthodox Church. Pulikkottil Dianasius II, who was a close associate of St. Gregorios of Parumala and the master-mind for the Parumala Seminary, Parumala Church, Kottayam M.D. Seminary and originator of many of the spiritual organizations of the church, like Youth movement, Clergy Association, Malankara Sunday School Association etc. was the second gift of Kunnamkulam. Now here the third, Paulose Mar Milithiose as the designated prelate of the Malankara Orthodox Church.

Metropolitan was born on August 30, 1946 as the second son of K.I. Iype-Kunjeetta of Kollannoor house, Pazhanjy. His mother Kunjeetta belongs to Pulikkottil family. The child was named as Paul after his grand father. Infant Paul was baptized in his mother Church at Pazhanji. Paul grew up as a well matured, pious and dedicated boy and become the apple of the eye of the villagers. He was a reserved boy who was not much interested in play or enjoyments of other boys of his age. He had a graceful appearance, which attracted by all who he came into contact. He attended Church services regularly and became an altar boy at an young age. In 1963, he passed High School with high grade. Due to the local necessity of priests Paulose Mar Savarios Metropolitan of Kollam Kochi diocese could foresee the Call of God for His service in the young boy, Paul. His uncle Iyyukkutty also had inspired him for the priestly services. The affection bestowed by this Holy father encouraged Paul and inspired him for the dedication of himself for Clerical services. Paul studied for BS (Physics) at Trichur St. Thomas College. While studying, his call was strengthened. Paul was an active member of MGOCSM Unit in his church. In 1969, Paul joined the Theological Seminary at Kottayam for his theological studies under the discipleship of Dr. Paulose Mar Gregorios, Fr. T.G. Abraham, and Fr. Koruthu Malapan etc. He completed theological studies in GST from Orthodox Theological Seminary and BD from Seramboor University.

In 1972, Paul was ordained for the first stage of deaconate in Parumala Seminary. He was ordained as a full deacon at Karatty Seheyon Seminary. On June 2, 1973, Dn. Paul was ordained as a priest. Fr. Paul celebrated the first Holy Qurbana at the Mooleppat Mar Basalios Mar Gregorios Church and served that church for a short while. Later Fr. Paul took M.A. in Sociolgy from C.M.S College Kottayam and conducted Holy services at Aduppootty St. Magdalene Convent Chapel and Kottayam Medical College Chapel. From 1975 onwards Fr. Paul served as the vicar of Ernakulam St. Mary's Church for 9 long years. Rev. Fr. K.V.Paul was always very closely associated with MGOCSM activities of Malankara Church.

It was the fifth Catholicose Mar Basalios Marthoma Mathews I who could foresee the call of Fr. Paul to His episcopate and choose him as a candidate for the same. The Malankara Association held at Thiruvalla on Dec. 28, 1982 elected Fr. Paul to be elevated to the episcopate. On May 3, 1983 Fr. Paul was ordained as Ramban along with other elected Bishop candidates by then Catholicate designate H.B. Mathews Mar Coorilose Metropolitan and Ramban Paulose started living in Parumala seminary along with the co-Rambans for two years under the guidance of late H. G. Yuhanon Mar Savarios for learning the holy literatures, administration, traditions etc. of the church. By this time Ramban Paul became a famous retreat master. On May 15, 1985 Ramban Paul was ordained as a Bishop with title Paulose Mar Milithios at the age of 36 at Puthiyacavu St. Mary's Church by Basalios Mar Thoma Mathews I. He is the first Metropolitan after Parumala Thirumeni who was ordained Bishop below age of 40. Four other Bishops, Mathews Mar Epiphanios, Philpose Mar Eusabius, Geevarghese Mar Ivanios and Thomas Mar Athanisios were also ordained along with Mar Milithios.

A new diocese for the Church, Kunnamkulam was formed on April 14, 1985. The newly ordained Bishop Mar Milithios was appointed as the diocesan Metropolitan of the newly formed diocese of Kunnamkulam. When he took over the charge on Aug 1, 1985, there was no diocesan head quarters or any Aramana. Initially the new Metropolitan lived in an annexed room of Arthaatt Church. With a determined hard efforts and cooperation of his fellow believers of his diocese he could construct a beautiful diocesan centre with a chapel in the vicinity of Arthat church for Kunnamkulam diocese within five years span. After Barnabas Thirumeni left for American diocese, Mar Milithios served as the president of the Madyavarjana Samithy and contributed exemplary services in all dioceses of Malankara, organizing the students for the cause of liquor abdication.

Whichever field Mar Milithios worked, he is trustworthy, enthusiastic, sincere and hardworking. Paulose Mar Milithiose Thirumeni is comparitively young of the age of sixty with a clear vision, strength and dynamism left in him for guiding and shepherding the Church. May God Shower His Choicest Blessings on him in abundance and keep him in good health. LOL as a whole and personally me wish all the best for Thirumeni and pray to God Almighty for all the blessings to Thirumeni from heaven.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

H. B. PAULOSE MAR MILITHIOS

MY FRIEND, MY TEACHER AND THE NEWLY ELECTED

SUPREME HEAD OF MY CHURCH

BY FR. JOHN THOMAS ALUMMOTTIL IN www.orthodoxherald.com

 

 

 

 

 

It is heart warming that a new glorious light is overtaking and exterminating the dark clouds that were enveloping our beloved Church recently. The Supreme Court Verdict of 1995 made it clear that even if the Antiochean Patriarchs had made some claims of supremacy over the church, it had vanished with the establishment of the Catholicate. But the authority of the Catholicose Mar Thoma Mathews II was questioned in the court. It was uphold by another Association of the Malankara Orthodox Church that he was the unquestionable Catholicose of the Malankara Orthodox Church. Still the dark clouds were over the Church. The authority of his successor H.H. Baselius Mar Thoma Didymus I was also questioned in the court. The court judgment reconfirming the authority of the Catholicose, Didymus I has once and for all put an end to the darkness.The unanimous decision of the Malankara Association to elect H.B.Paulose Mar Milithios as Catholicose Elect brings new rays of hope to our church.

I met the then Mr.Paul (the present Milithios Thirumeni) first time in 1972 at the M G O C S M Conference in Kolenchery. He was a seminary student and we shared the same room. In the first evening of the conference we were taking rest in the room. Mr. Paul sang a song, which is sung in remembrance of our Holy Fathers in Kunnamkulam churches after the H.Qurbana. He gave me a printed copy and I could learn it from him. After a few years I knew that he was ordained and Dn.Paul had the charge of newly started M G O C S M Trivandrum Center. Then I met him as the asst. vicar of St.Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral, Ernakulam.

Wherever he worked, he was trustworthy, enthusiastic, sincere and hardworking. In 1982, he was elected as one of the Metropolitans of the church, with 4 others. All the five of them stayed at Parumala Seminary as Rambans for two years under the guidance of the late blessed H.B. Yuhanon Mar Savarius. It was to learn the writings of our H.Fathers, administration, and tradition, learn the hymns in ‘ekkaras’ etc. Since I was also staying in the Parumala seminary for about a year, I noticed how he was related to the ‘Guru’ (Mar Savarius). Whenever I wanted to study Thaksa and festival books, Thirumeni used to call Ramban Paul and ask him to give me the guidance. Thus my friend became my teacher.

Ramban Paul was consecrated Metropolitan with the other four on 15th May 1985. He took charge of the newly formed Kunnamkulam Diocese on 1st of August 1985. The new office and the Aramana of the new diocese started in a small house given from the ancient Arthat Church. Naturally the young bishop wanted to make a diocesan center. A unanimous person, knowing his desire and trustworthiness, volunteered to give him lakhs of rupees without interest for a long term with a condition that his name should not be disclosed. So, Thirumeni could purchase a property and erect a beautiful diocesan center with chapel at the vicinity of Arthat church within two years. In due course, Thirumeni could pay off his debts with the ‘kaimuthu’ he received from in and out of the country and he proved his trustworthiness. The late Dr. Philipose Mar Theophilus Thirumeni used to tell me of his trustworthy character. Thirumeni had a great appreciation for this kochu thirumeni. All the members of the Episcopal Synod loved him and gave their support to the youngest of them. He was favorite to the then Catholicose H.H.Baselius Mar Thoma I, who consecrated him. He had to face problems, when he introduced the salary scheme and transfers for the achens in his diocese. But he faced it and managed it very well. There was shortage of priests in his diocese in the beginning. Many a times I could help him, since I had not been assigned to a parish as the General Secretary of the MGOCSM. I enjoyed staying with Militheos Thirumeni and conducted services in his parishes – which helped me to renew contacts with the students of that area. In India, the sextons make the Holy Bread in parishes. Once Thirumeni suggested to me that it is better that achens take this responsibility. He used to do that and I had seen him visiting the sextons making the bread at the Parumala Seminary and asking them to recite the prayers. Now I enjoy making the Holy Bread myself for Qurbanas in the States.

H.B.Dr. Philipose Mar Theophilus was the President of the M G O C S M for a long term, until his demise in the year 1997. Thirumeni wished to retire from his diocesan duties as well as M G O C S M at the age of 80. I was the General Secretary and I informed to the Executive Committee. The committee convinced Thirumeni that it was not wise to retire from the Ankamali Diocese as the court case was going on. Also they requested him to continue in M G O C S M as long as Thirumeni was in Ankamaly Diocese. Thirumeni then requested for a Metropolitan as his assistant or the Vice President of the Movement. The committee suggested H.B. Paulose Mar Militheos for vice president’s post as he was humble and young among the bishops to deal with the students. The General Assembly of the Movement unanimously approved this decision. He was the bishop vice president for 3 years.

H.B.Mathews Mar Barnabas Metropolitan of Idukki Diocese was the president of the Madyavarjana samithy until he took charge of the American Diocese. Barnabas Thirumeni was very particular to visit at least 4 schools a day with samithy’s secretaries, MGOCSM secretary and people who have been liberated from liquors – people like Joyan Kumarakam or P.C.Gorge Sir Puthuppally. When Thirumeni went to the States taking charge of the American Diocese, Milithios Thirumeni took this responsibility of taking us to schools in his car. He came all the way from Kunnamkulam as Barnabas Thirumeni used to come from Idukki. For the Movement activities Trivandrum or Quilon or Kottayam was not at all a distance for Thirumeni. I can not forget his determination and enthusiasm.

Paulose Mar Milithios Thirumeni has visited Malankara Orthodox Church members all over the world. But he has never prolonged his stay for collection or for his personal benefits. There is credibility and accountability. I do not think any one dislike Thirumeni. He has a good number of personal friends through his parish ministry and MGOCSM contacts. I hope these contacts and the grace of God will enable him to shoulder his new responsibilities with courage of conviction and moral strength and thus bring new rays of hope to our Church.

All the best wishes and prayers to my best friend, my teacher and the elected supreme head of my Church.

 

 

 

CONVERSATION WITH

H.B. PAULOSE MAR MILITHIOS

AFTER BEING ELECTED AS CATHOLICATE DESIGNATE

TRANSLATED BY JOSE KURIAN PULIYERIL IN www.orthodoxherald.com

 

 

 

H.B. Mar Milithios, Catholicose Elect and Metropolitan of Kunnamkulam Diocese said, until today HB had audience with God Almighty only. HB was not willing for an audience so far, as most of the audiences are not sincere. They are aimed for certain interests that might lead to controversies and unnecessary arguments. Metropolitan expressed that HB will take up and meet what all are the responsibilities and assignments, and they will be treated as the personal vision in the new position.

HB explained about his hope about the Holy Church in the following way.
The Holy Church in the 21st century must be a witnessing Church. “I will pray and work hard for the steady and blessed march of the united Church ahead to prosperity and peace. I do respect H.H The Catholicos as my father. My aim and attention will be to remain close to His Holiness supporting all the programs and ideas of His Holiness. I had never dreamed of a place in the leadership line of the H. Church. My mind is still perplexed. I must have the prayer support of one and all. Church is not a movement to be guided by a single person. One driver could drive a car, when and where passengers must be there in the front and rear seats. The passengers have no part in driving the car. When an organization, or a nation or a church is to be guided, a single person cannot do it. We all will have to join hands together to lead the Church in the coming years. The head of the Church is only a position. All members will have to exercise their own talents and services along with the head of the Church. In a football team it is the joint action that leads the team to success. Like wise all have their own responsibilities and assignments. In my view a small kid also has his own assignments.”

When asked about H. B’s assessment about the position of the Catholicos Elect, it was remarked,

“I can see me as a cheap clay vessel. Though you all might see me in the new position with so many attractions, I am quite sure about my own merits and demerits. So I could submit myself before God Almighty as a cheap clay vessel. I am not simply telling so. It is the fact. I am not sure why God has selected this clay vessel to this position. This is my humble request to one and all that you all must pray for me and to safeguard this clay vessel from damage.” By remembering the past experience of being the Assistant to His Holiness, H.B said “Everything went on smoothly so far by the Grace of God. I am confident that the entire Church including the clergy and the laymen would join together and speed up its progress to high levels. I am sure that the creative co-operation of one and all will be beneficial for our missions and visions to come true.” Thirumeni spoke about the place ‘Kunnamkulam’ where H.B was born and bought up. “The Malankara Nazranis of Kunnamkulam had been so sincere, honest and trustworthy in the past. The local Kings of Kochi have appreciated this several times.” H.B is hopeful of the future of the Holy Church. May God Almighty bless H.B. with long life with peace, happiness, good health, and all similar blessings.

Let us pray and wish “Long live Holy Father”.