Tributes paid to Bishop Athanasios

ALAPPUZHA: The funeral of Thomas Mar Athanasios (80), the Metropolitan of Chengannur diocese of Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church, was held at St George Dayara at Othera in Pathanamthitta on Sunday. He was laid to rest in a specially arranged tomb.

The bishop died after falling off a train at Pullepady in Ernakulam on Friday morning. The incident happened when the Metropolitan was on his way back from Baroda.

Prominent people, including chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, paid homage to the Metropolitan.

 He was a celebrated educationalist. He was born on April 3, 1938, at Puthenkavu in Alappuzha to K T Thomas and Aleyamma Thomas. He founded Basil School, Baroda, and six other schools in Gujarat.
 
Mar Philoxenos Research and Guidance Centre and Library, Vidyajyothi — a unique programme aimed at excellence in secular education — and Philox School of Liturgical Music are the three innovative ideas launched by him in the diocese of Chengannur. He played a key role in organizing congregations in western India.
 
Besides, holding the post as the Metropolitan of Chengannur diocese, he also served as the secretary of The Holy Episcopal Synod, the manager of the Catholicate & MD Schools, presidents of Akhila Malankara Balasamajam, Akhila Malankara Prathana Yogam, Church Accounts Committee and Church Finance Committee.
 
He had also served as the presidents of Malankara Orthodox Church publications and Akhila Malankara Orthodox Gayaka Sangham.