User:Varghese-2k

Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church
The following article is adapted from http://smp-malabar.webs.com  maintained by Dr. Varghese George, Nephew of the Late Metropolitan

Chronology of Events
1930 May 4th: (Malayalam Era 1105 Medom 21) Late Lamented Samuel Mar Philexinose, known previously as Rev. Fr. CG Samuel, was born as the eldest son of Late Kodathu Charuvilayil Ghevarghese and Annammah, of Konni, who were members of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, Konni-Vakayar (Thumpamon Diocese). The family traces its origin to the Keekulathu Kizhakkekkara (Vadakkecharuvil Sakha) branch of the ancient family of Mundakkal Illom Tharavad located at Nariyapuram, Omallur, Pathanamthitta District.

1935-1942: He completed his studies at the Primary and Middle School levels (1st to 7th standard) at Kallara Krishnan Nair (KKN) Memorial English Medium School, Konni.

In 1941, CG Samuel, and his younger brother, KG George became disciples of the Late Lamented Michael Mar Dionysius at a very young age. They together learnt the liturgy of the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church by heart, served as alter-boys since they were of 11 years old, and used to conduct prayers at home with spirit and fervor.

CG Samuel, later became Rev. Fr. CG Samuel in 1959, and was ordained as Samuel Mar Philexinose, Metropolitan of Malabar Diocese in the year 1975. The Metropolitan, after his demise in 1985, came to be venerated as the ‘Divine Sun-light of Malankara’ (Malankarayude Soorya Thejas).

1942-45: CG Samuel completed his High School Education (Form 1 to Form 3) at Republican School, Konni.

1945-47: He attained High School Education (Form 4 & Form 5) at KKN Memorial English Medium School, Konni.

1950-52: He completed Intermediate College Education at NSS College, Pandalam. Also, it was in 1950, that the Malabar Diocese was founded. The St. Peter’s and St; Pauls Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, Meenangadi, came to be established in 1949.

1953-56: He enrolled for the BA (Malayalam) Degree Course at Union Christian College, Aluva.

1955: On 5th Feb 1955, CG Samuel was ordained as a Deacon (Koruyo) at Chingavanam Mar Aprem Seminary by Late HG Abraham Mar Clemis of Knananya Arch Diocese with recommendations from Late Lamented Michael Mor Dionysius (later titled, “The Roaring Lion of Malankara”).

1956-59: Dn. CG Samuel, had undergone his studies in theology and religious practices at St. Ignatius Dayoro at Manjinikkara, and at Trikkunnath Seminary.

1959 Feb 14th: Dn. CG Samuel was ordained as a Priest (Kassisso) at Trikkunnath Seminary by Late Lamented Ghevarghese Mar Gregorios (Valiaparambil Thirumeni) of Ankamali, on instructions from Late Lamented Michael Mar Dionysius. HG Ghevarghese Mar Gregorios later came to be known as the “Iron Man of Malankara”).

1959-61: Rev. Fr. CG Samuel was enrolled for the MA (Malayalam) Degree Course at St. Berchmann’s College, Changanassery.

On 25th Dec 1975, he was ordained as Ramban (Rabban or Very Right Reverend) at the Mar Elia Jacobite Syrian Chapel at Puthencruz.

On 26th Dec 1975, Rev. Fr. CG Samuel was ordained as Metropolitan at the St. Mary’s Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Simhasana Church or the Mar Sabore Afroth Simhasana Church, Thuruthissery, by the Catholicose of the East, HB Baselius Paulose II. Samuel Mar Philexinose was the first metropolitan to be ordained by the Catholicose. It was also one of the first such ceremonies held in Kerala by the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church. The name Philexinose is translated to mean a friend to strangers.

1976 Jan 6th: The Order of Proclamation as the Metropolitan (Sunthronisso) of Malabar, and Bahya Kerala Diocese, was handed over to him on the day of the remembrance of the baptism of Jesus Christ (Danaha), ay St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s Jacobite Syrian Church, Meenangadi. There were 43 churches in the region of Malabar. The Meenangadi Church was established in 1949. It may be noted that during 1974-75, HG Thomas Mar Dionysius, (the present HB Baelius Thomas I, Catholiose of the East) was in-charge of the Malabar Diocese, while Late HG Ghevarghese Mar Gregorois (Perumpally Thirumeni) took active part in the administration of the diocese from April to December 1975.

1977-80: The economic situation in Malabar in those days was deplorable. But HG Samuel Mar Philexinose, a bishop totally devoted to his mission, never complained while he had to sleep on a wooden-bench placed at a corner of the old St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s JSO Church, that existed in Meenangadi. There was no special quarter (Aramana/ Bishop House) for him.

1980, September 14th: Late Samuel Mar Philoxinose, and Rev. Fr. Michael Pulliattil visited the Holy Land, and presented a “Patrasein” to HH Ignatius Iwas I, the Patriarch of Antioch at his ordination. The name of the new Patriarch was announced by the Catholicose of the East, HB Baselius Paulose II, and the Catholicose was asked to lead the ordination ceremony held on September 14, 1980. This was a rare honor ever, given to the Catholicose of the East.

Late Lamented Samuel Mar Philexinose, was successful in organizing a visit by HH Iganatius Zakka Iwas I (Patriarch of Antioch), to St. Peter’s and St Paul’s Jacobite Syrian Church, Meenangadi, with the help of HG Thomas Mar Dionysius (presently, HB Baselius Thomas I, the Catholicose) in 1982. HG Ghevarghese Mar Gregorios, HG Thomas Mar Dionysius, HG Benyamin Mar Osthatheos, and HG Abraham Mar Clemis graced the occasion along with many other dignitaries.

He was also successful in the formulation of the Constitution for Malabar Diocese from scratch, and obtained the approval of the laity in a democratic manner. The constitution was later endorsed by HH Ignatius Zakka Iwas I, the Patriarch of Antioch. In the period 1984-85, the Late Thirumeni founded the Jacobite Syrian Vacation Bible Class (JSVBS) when he was the President of Malankara Jacobite Sunday School Association (MJSSA).

1985, Jan 12th: Thirumeni was admitted to Lissy Hospital, Ernakulam in order to perform a minor surgery of his swollen wounded heel of his left leg that refused to heal due to diabetes. 1985, Jan 17th: On the 17th of January 1985, at 11.20 am, His Grace Samuel Mar Philexinose (SMP), Metropolitan of Malabar and Bahya Kerala Diocese breathed his last at the Coronary Care Center, Lissy Hospital, Ernakulam. He succumbed to a hemorrhage that led to cardiac arrest.

1985 Jan 18th: The last rites of the Late Metropolitan of Malabar Diocese was held at 10 am, and his mortal remains were entombed at St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s Jacobite Syrian Cathedral, Diocese Headquarters, Meenangadi, Wayanad District, Kerala.