Legends of CHERIAPALLY

Geevargis Mar Dionysius III, also known as Punnathra Mar Dionysius was born as Kurien in 1785 in the well known Punnathra family, Kottayam. Soon after his ordination as a priest, Kurien Kathanar was appointed at Kallumkathra Church. It was his suggestion during the time of Mar Thoma IX to establish the Syrian seminary at Kottayam, Kerala's first educational institution. In 1816, following the demise of Mar Dionysius II (Pulikottil Joseph Mar Dionysius), Punnathra Kurien Ramban was elected to succeed him as the Malankara Metropolitan by the general assembly of the Church (Malankara palli-yogam) and was ordained as Bishop on October 19, 1817. Punnathra Mar Dionysious was the 11th Malankara Metropolitan of the church.
During the time of Punnathara Mar Dionysious, the relation with Travancore and Cochin was very cordial. The Ruler of Travancore Rani Gouri Parvathi Bhai, gave a number of privileges to the Seminary. For the first time in Travancore in 1818, Maha Rani appointed a number of Christians as Judges. He encouraged Anglican Missionary Benjamin Bailey to translate the Bible and helped Norton to spread the Word. He also welcomed some of the first missionary teachers who arrived from England to teach in the seminary at Kottayam. Punnathra Mar Dionysius passed away on May 19, 1825 and was interred at Kottayam Cheriapally.

Dr. Philipose Mar Theophilose was born on May 9, 1911 in Kallupurakkal family, Puthanangadi, Kottayam. He completed B.A degree from Maharaja’s College, Cochin. He studied M.A in St.Augustine of Canterbury, England, T.H.M in Cardiff University, UK, and D.D from Harward University in Chicago, USA. He became a deacon in 1929 and anointed as a priest in 1944. He was long time vicar of Kottayam Cheriappally. He started two schools: St. Thomas school in Puthenagadi and St. John’s High school Ellikkal under the auspices of Kottayam Chriapally and also acquired other properties for the church.
Being consecrated as Metropolitan on August 24, 1966, Mar Theophilos served Angamaly and Bombay dioceses. His Grace was the Principal of the Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam (Old Seminary) and was the architect of the revamped Seminary. Mar Theophilos' 30 years term as the President of the Mar Gregorios Orthodox Christian Students Movement (MGOCSM) is known as the Golden Period of the organisation.
Mar Theophilos was known as the Ambassador of the Malankara Orthodox Church during his life time. His Grace was the founder member of the World Christian Council (WCC). He worked as Secretary of Faith and Order division and central committee member of the WCC. Mar Theophilos was highly honoured by Eastern Orthodox churches. He was the only one special invitee to attend the selection of His Holiness Peeman Patriarch of Russian Orthodox Church. He was given a grand honor when he was invited to attend the Republic day parade of Romania as chief guest along with Romanian President and Romanian Patriarch. Mar Theophilos passed away on September 28, 1997 and was entombed in Thrikunnath Seminary, Aluva in Kerala.

Yuhanon Mar Athanasios also known as Abo Yuhanon was born on March 21, 1928 in Chakkalaparampil family, Puthenangadi, Kottayam and was called as Mani (C.V. Mani). He completed his studies at CMS school Chalukunnu, Kottayam and CMS college, Kottayam. After his academic education, he worked as a tutor in St: Thomas College, Pala. Later he resigned the job and there after joined Bethany Asram at Perunad, Ranni on May 21, 1953. He was ordained as Deacon on June 15, 1956 by H.H. Baselius Geevarghese II and on the very next day His Holiness himself ordained Dn. Yuhanon as Fr. Yuhanon at Orthodox Theological Seminary Kottayam. He later served as superior of Bethany Asram. He was known as a great retreat father of his times. His Grace Baselios Marthoma Mathews 1 Catholicos consecrated him as Youhanon Mar Athanasios at Pazhanji Church on May 15, 1978, along with four others. Mar Athanasios was the youngest of all the bishops at that time. He became the assistant Metropolitan of Kottayam diocese. Mar Athanasios entered his eternal abode on October 12, 1980 and was laid to rest at Bethany Asram.