The Diocese and it's History

OUR DIOCESE & METROPOLITAN

Diocese: Chengannur

Present Diocesan Bishop: H.G Dr. Mathews Mar Thimotheos (2018-present)
Former Diocesan Bishop: His Grace Thomas Mar Athanasios (1985-2018)

Present Address: Bethel Aramana, Chengannur, Kerala - 689 121

Tel.: 0479-2451331/2453310

H.G. Thomas Mar Athanasios, the first Metropolitan of Chengannur Diocese was born on 3rd April 1938 to late Aleyama Thomas and late K.T. Thomas, the brother of H.G. Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos (Puthencavil Kochu Thirumeni). He was ordained as a Deacon in 1970, as a Priest in 1970 and later as a Bishop in 1985.
He had his primary education from 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.
A celebrated educationalist, eminent administrator and a pioneer priest in organising congregations in the villages of western India like Andheri and Bandhra in Maharashtra, Udhaipur in Rajasthan, Vapi, Balsar, Surat, Beruch, Anand, Bhavnagar, Mohsana, Rajghat, 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 even took within mediocre children and made them brilliant and today there are hundreds of his children who are successful Doctors, Engineers, Teachers, Architects, Researchers and varied Professionals.
His Grace held several positions with the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, such as the Secretary of Holy Episcopal Synod, the Catholicate & M.D. Schools Manager, President of Akhila Malankara Balasamagam, Akhila Malankara Prarthana Yogam and Church Accounts Committee. At present His Grace is the President of Divya Sandesam, Visual Media Communications & Publications of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. In spite of his long schedule, he is well-versed with the day to day activities of the Diocese.
His Grace took initiative in instituting various spiritual organizations like Vidya Jyothi (a unique programme for excellence in secular education), Philox School of Liturgical Music and Mar Philoxenos Research & Guidance Center.
His Grace emphasizes on training for the Office Bearers of all parishes under his Diocese. In the year 2011, His Grace started a new training programme for the Altar Assistants. Pre-marital counseling programme session are conducted regularly on second Saturdays of every month.

HISTORY OF CHENGANNUR DIOCESE

The Diocese of Chengannur came into existence on 10th March 1985 vide Kalpana No. 52/85 dtd. 08.03.1985 of H.H. Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews I Catholicose of the East and Malankara Metropolitan. This Diocese was established with 50 Churches from Thumpamon, Niranam and Kollam Dioceses. This newly constituted Diocese lies in an area comprising of Pazhakulam in the South, Kallunkal in the North, Kuttemperoor St. Mary's - Budhannoor in the West and Mezhuveli and Maramon in the East.
H.G. Thomas Mar Athanasios, the celebrated educationalist and a pioneer priest in organising congregations in Western India (Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan), became the first Metropolitan of the Diocese on 1st August 1985. His Grace is at present the president of Divyasandesam Visual Media Department of our Church, Malankara Orthodox Church Publications and Akhila Malankara Gayaka Sangam of our church. Even though busy with various activities, he operates affairs effectively and punctually through even the every minute details of the activities of the Diocese.
The Diocesan Head Quarters is Bethel of which the founder is the late Puthencavu Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos of blessed memory. A multi-storied Administrative Block and a beautiful Church have come up in Bethel.
Now there are 51 Churches, 10 Chapels and 55 Priests. There are 8851 families in the diocese. The Diocese gives maximum importance to spiritual organisations. Moreover the Daivavili Sangam, a nursery for budding priests and nuns, is a unique activity of the Diocese. 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.
Asraya Social and Charitable Society, Mar Philoxenos Research & Guidance Centre, Vidya Jyothi, Philox School of Liturgical Music, Baselios Counselling Centre are the four innovative ideas introduced recently.
The official organ of the Diocese is Bethel Pathrika a monthly, with an online edition www.bethelpatrika.org