Silver Jubilee of Episcopal Consecration of HG Dr Thomas Mar Athanasius, Metropolitan of Kandanadu East Diocese falls on 28th June 2015.Incidentally it is also the Birthday of HG.A family meet is being held in the Diocesan Centre at Muvattupuzha on Sunday,28th June,2015, that is being blessed by and presided over by HH Baselius Mar Thoma Paulose II Catholicos.
Suffragan Metropolitan Dr.Zacharias Mar Theophilos of Mar Thoma Church will be the Guest of honour,
HG Dr.Mathews Mar Severios of Kandanad West Diocese will release the logo of ‘Samagrodaya Social Service Society’.’Silver Jubilee Educational Scholarship’ Distribution will be inaugurated by Advocate Mr.S.Sreekumar.
HG Yuhanon Mar Milithios,HG Dr Yacoub Mar Iraenios,HG Yuhanon Mar plicarpos and Professor Dr.M P Mathai will offer felicitations.
Dr.Athanasius is an unassuming Bishop who has been at the receiving end most of his ministerial life.Though an ever silent fighter and soothing shepherd of Peace and Unity, most of the churches that fall under his jurisdiction are severely disputed churches.Even with HG’s soft and reconciliatory nature, dealing with the hard core factionalists in Ernakulam District has always been though divinely sweet by his nature and approach, a very tough task and painstaking challenge for him.Many of his detractors in public do respect and honour him in their hearts including the clergy and the laity from both factions.
HG Dr Athanasius is a true team leader and visionary.Though HG is the Patron of a number of projects,he does not involve in their day to day affairs leaving them under the able hands of Professionals and Leaders in the respective fields.HG always says his role is mainly directive and advisory.Unfortunately,HG’s practical and wise, vision and plans for the Holy Church, its balanced progress,Unity and Peace have not been endorsed or utilised.
The Projects under the directive of HG are:- 1.Swasraya Training and Rehabilitation Centre,Vettickal,Mulanthuruthy.
2.Hagia Sophia Public School,Mattakuzhy,Puthencruz.3.Sukhada Retreat Centre,Kolencherry,4.Trinity Retirement Home,Kolencherry5.Santhula Trust Hospital,Koothattukulam6.Samanvaya Ecumenical Study and Dialogue Centre,Pampakuda7.Gilead Marian Retreat Centre.
Dr Athanasius was born on 28 June 1952 at Arikuzha, Thodupuzha, to Rev. Fr Yohannan Puttanil and Mrs Mariam. He did his schooling at Government UPS School Arikuzha and NSS High School, Manakad. Thereupon he joined New Man College, Thodupuzha and passed out his Pre-degree and Degree from there. He did his MA from St John’s College, Agra.
In the theological front, he took his BD degree from Serampore College and United Theological College, Bangalore. And went for his DTh from Protestant Faculty, University of Munich.
He was ordained a priest in 1990 and the very same year was consecrated as Bishop and was given the charge of Kandanad Diocese.
He was a teacher at Syrian Orthodox Theological Seminary at Vettickal during 1990-95. From 1992, His Grace was the President of Kerala Council of Churches till 1998.HG is the Metropolitan of Kandanad East Diocese.
Kandanad Diocese is one of the oldest dioceses of the Orthodox Syrian Church. It was constituted with Kandanad St. Mary’s Church at its centre along with two scores and odd parishes around it in the erstwhile Travancore State. The historical Synod of 1599 was held at Udayamperoor, a place close to Kandanad. The ancient Churches of Piravom, Kadamattam, Vadakara, Kolenchery, Mamalaserry, Nechoor, Mulakulam, as well as Kandanad came under this Diocese. It extends from Vaikom in the west to Idukki in the east spreading over the parts of Ernakulam, Kottayam and Idukki districts. The boundaries of the dioceses of Kochi and Angamaly intercept thoses of Kandanad at certain points
According to the recommendation of the Managing Committee elected by the Malankara Association held on 20th March 2002 at Parumala as per the direction of the Apex Court, the Kandanad Diocese was divided into two – Kandanad East and Kandanad Wes Diocese. Dr Thomas Mar Athanasius and Dr Mathews Mar Severius were assigned Episcopal ministry of Kandanad East and Kandand West respectively.
May Almighty Lord use HG as a worthy instrument for His Glory and establishment and extension of His Kingdom with good health and spiritual wisdom.May the Holy Church utilize HG’s God bestowed wisdom and vision.
Dr.Vinu Thomas,Dubai.
മെത്രാഭിഷേക രജത ജൂബിലി നിറവില്‍ ഡോ.തോമസ്‌ മാര്‍ അത്താനാസിയോസ്
മലങ്കര ഓര്‍ത്തഡോക് സ് സഭയുടെ കണ്ടനാട് ഈസ്റ്റ്‌ ഭദ്രാസനാധിപന്‍ ഡോ.തോമസ്‌ മാര്‍ അത്താനാസിയോസ് മെത്രാപ്പോലീത്തയുടെ മെത്രാഭിഷേക രജത ജൂബിലി ആഘോഷിക്കും .ഇതോടനുബന്ധിച്ച് ഭദ്രാസന കുടുംബ സംഗമം ജൂണ്‍ 28 ന് വൈകീട്ട് 3 മണിക്ക് ഭദ്രാസന ആസ്ഥാനമായ മൂവാറ്റുപ്പുഴ അരമയില്‍ പരിശുദ്ധ ബസേലിയോസ് മാര്‍ത്തോമ്മാ പൗലോസ്‌ ദ്വിതീയന്‍ കാതോലിക്കാ ബാവാ തിരുമനസ്സുകൊണ്ട് അധ്യക്ഷതയില്‍ നടക്കും.
ഡോ.സഖറിയാസ് മാര്‍ തെയോഫിലോസ് സഫ്രഗന്‍ മെത്രാപ്പോലീത്ത മുഖ്യാതിഥിയാകും.ഡോ.മാത്യൂസ്‌ മാര്‍ സെവേറിയോസ് സമഗ്രോദയ സോഷ്യല്‍ സര്‍വീസ് സൊസൈറ്റിയുടെ ലൊഗോ പ്രകാശനം ചെയ്യും.ജൂബിലി വിദ്യാഭ്യാസ സ്കോളര്‍ഷിപ്പ് പദ്ധതി അഡ്വ.എസ് .ശ്രീകുമാര്‍ ഉദ്ഘാടനം ചെയ്യും.യുഹാനോന്‍ മാര്‍ മിലിത്തിയോസ്,ഡോ.യാക്കോബ് മാര്‍ ഐറെനിയോസ് ,യുഹാനോന്‍ മാര്‍ പോളിക്കാര്‍പ്പസ്,ഡോ.എം പി മത്തായി എന്നിവര്‍ പങ്കെടുക്കും
