About Us

Mar Philoxenos Memorial Friends' Association (MARPFA) UAE is a charitable organization established in UAE in 1987, by few firm believers of Puthencavil Kochu Thirumeni who got together to form an organization to commemorate His Grace. In the formation stage, the main idea was to give a grand welcome to His Grace's nephew H. G. Thomas Mar Athanasios Metropolitan, Diocese of Chengannur, who visited the United Arab Emirates for the first time after being consecrated as a Metropolitan. The welcome reception was a grand success and this gave the organizers the encouragement to go ahead with the association. 
At first, the purpose of the organization was mainly confined to charities which were later on redeveloped and spread to various social activities. The members extended full support & co-operation to our guests who visited us during this period. The visits of Very Rev. Michael Gabriel Cor-Episcopa, Rev. Fr. Mathew Thomas, Mr. George John and Mr. K. K. Thomas (former Headmasters of Metropolitan Higher Secondary School, Puthencavu) were very successful. 
It was indeed a pleasure to have L.L. H. G. Job Mar Philoxenos Metropolitan (Diocese of Delhi), H. G. Kuriakose Mar Clemis Metropolitan (Diocese of Thumpamon), H. G. Geevarghese Mar Ivanios Metropolitan (Diocese of Kottayam), L.L H. G. Philippose Mar Eusebius Metropolitan (Diocese of Thumpamon), H. G. Gabriel Mar Gregorios Metropolitan (Diocese of Tiruvananthapuram), Rev. Fr. John Paul (Secretary, Diocese of Chengannur) and Late Very Rev. Theophorus Ramban, with us and they have blessed our organization on different occasions.
In the year 1997, MARPFA became more active with the birth centenary celebrations of Puthencavil Kochu Thirumeni. Our first aim was to constitute an endowment in Metropolitan Higher Secondary School, Puthencavu in blessed memory of its founder L.L. H. G. Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos Metropolitan. For this purpose a sum of Rs.1,00,000/- was deposited in 1998 as a fixed deposit with Indian Overseas Bank, Puthencavu and with the interest drawn the scholarship is being distributed to 14 students on a merit-cum-means basis every year. 
Our next aim was to extend financial support for medical treatments and this has been executed to many people from different parts of Kerala for the past years. Our main source of income is from the blood donation camp conducted every year and we receive cooperation from different communities/nationalities. We take this opportunity to extend our gratitude to all who participate in the blood donation campaign every year. 
In the year 2001, a book on the biography of Puthencavil Kochu Thirumeni, by Mr. Jose Kurian Puliyeril was published and this coincided with the 50th Dukhrono of Puthencavil Kochu Thirumeni. 
We stand extremely thankful to H. G. Thomas Mar. Athanasios Metropolitan for granting us a seat for the Plus Two admission at Metropolitan Higher Secondary School, Puthencavu, for the wards of our Members. 
A family get-together is arranged every year either in Dubai or Abu Dhabi and we stand extremely grateful to the Vicar, Managing Committee and Members of St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral, Dubai and St. George Orthodox Cathedral, Abu Dhabi for allowing us to conduct our meetings at the Church premises. 

We take this opportunity to thank our founder members of Mar Philoxenos Memorial Friends' Association, UAE Chapter.
(1) Mr. Peter Oommen, Piralassery
(2) Mr. Joseph Moncy, Arattupuzha
(3) Mr. Rajan K. Mathew, Koorthamala
(4) Mr. John Mathew K., Piralassery
(5) Late Mr. M. T. Thomas, Arattupuzha 
(6) Late Mr. Kurian Mannithottam, Kallooppara 

We are indeed happy to welcome all who love Puthencavil Kochu Thirumeni to our Association.