CHICAGO/AHMEDABAD: The ever ‘smiling bishop’ of Indian Orthodox Church, HG Dr Geevarghese  Mar Yulios, Ahmedabad Diocese Metropolitan, turns 52 today, May 17, Friday.

This is an occasion to remember God’s kindness in providing a worthy and committed son to the Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church whose life and ideals have given an honourable place for the Church.

“Here’s wishing the Metropolitan a wonderful birthday. May God give you the power, courage, knowledge and wisdom to continue to propagate His words to mankind.”
The Metropolitan flew into US on May 15 on an annual summer visit and will be there till July 9.

As His Grace enters a new year, Dr Mar Yulios needs support, cooperation, and prayers to steer the Church and the Dioceses in the right direction.

Since 2010, His Grace has been steering the Ahmedabad Diocese to newer heights and also looks after Kunnamkulam Diocese as Assistant Metropolitan.

A ‘peripatetic’ Bishop (constant traveler), His Grace travels the length and breadth of his Diocese states comprising of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Kerala, and the Sultanate of Oman in the Arabian Gulf.

His Grace is always on the move at short notice, preaching, teaching and leading his flock. Much of his busy schedule is spent travelling and to be with the faithful responding to their beck and call.

Hailing from the popular Pulikkottil family of Kunnamkulam, Mar Yulios favourite issues are inter-religious dialogue, philosophy, and Oriental studies. His Grace is presently is the Vice Chairperson of Hyderabad-based Henry Martyn Institute (HMI), an international centre for research, interfaith relations and reconciliation.
The Bishop is also President of MOSC’s media department which publishes the online Malankara news bulletin.

We pray that God the Almighty grant His Grace long life of happiness, peace and good health coupled with heavenly blessings. May God strengthen the ‘smiling bishop’ to guide the Holy Church in the days ahead.

Let us pray that celestial blessings are showered upon our beloved Metropolitan and all endeavors taken up by him turn out success.

Pray that the Holy Shepherd accomplishes his mission and realizes his dream of the projects undertaken in his diocese and the ministry is strengthened abundantly. Here’s wishing our beloved Metropolitan a very happy birthday and the Almighty shower blessings upon him now and always.

PROFILE OF MAR YULIOS: His Grace was born to late Mr P V Pavu and Mrs K V Anna on May 17, 1967 and hails from the famed Pulikkottil family from Kunnamkulam. His Grace is the member of St Mathias South Cross Parish, Kunnamkulam (Thrissur district).

His Grace has a post-doctoral research from the Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen (Germany) adding to diplomas in Sanskrit, Hebrew, Greek, Latin and German languages and is author of over 10 publications.

After his consecration as Bishop on May 12, 2010, Fr Geevarghese Pulikkottil Ramban became Dr Geevarghese Mar Yulius Metropolitan. As a priest Rev Fr George Pulikkottil had served in different parishes under dioceses of Kunnamkulam (home parish), Kottayam, Madras, UK & Europe, Canada and the Diocese of America from 1992.

He was lecturer and professor of religion and philosophy at Orthodox Theological Seminary (OTS) Kottayam and Nagpur from 1994. He also served as the bursar of St Thomas Orthodox Theological Seminary, Nagpur. Other posts include serving as Registrar of Divyabodhanam, Programme Secretary of Sophia Centre, the Kochi-based Centre for Inter-Religious Dialogue and Cultural Studies, as resource person for Oriental studies, Associate Secretary of the Kerala Council of Churches, member of the Association of Professors and Research Scholars in Germany for Study of Religion since 2002.

His Grace Dr Mar Yulios took charge of Ahmedabad Diocese on August 15, 2010 as Diocesan Metropolitan from the in-charge Metropolitan His Grace Geevarghese Mar Coorilos.