Prem Nazir and His Grace Stephanos Mar Theodosius (of blessed memory)- Chosen by teacher to become an actor but God set him apart to become a caring Shepherd.

His Grace Stephanos Mar Theodosius Metropolitan
(of blessed memory)

The young Punnose/Punnai’s spiritual temperament was noticed by the venerable MC Kuriakose Rambachan (who also was the young man’s spiritual guru) an wanted him to become a celibate priest. Young Punnai was very much willing and was encouraged by Rambachan to study further in English medium school after completing Malayalam Teachers Training Certificate.

While study at the English medium school, Punnai was elected the Secretary of the Literary Association. That year on the anniversary day, a drama "Snapaka Yohannan," (John the Baptist) was to be staged. The senior Malayalam teacher S. K. Nair was both the director and one of the actors. He was a good orator and artist. He was to take the role of Herodias and he compelled Punnai to act as Salome. Though Punnai tried to avoid acting, S.K. Nair prevailed upon him to do so. Moreover, it was compulsory for Punnai to act since he was the secretary of the Literary Association.

Punnai was scared to act in the drama since he knew Rambachan’s vehement opposition to drama/cinema as he considered participating in drama was against the Christian principles. Young Punnai couldn’t tell SK Nair sir about his decision to become a priest and request him to excuse him from acting as he had not even told his parents about his priestly calling. The young lad reasoned to himself that Rambachan may not likely know about the programme and since Rambachan himself had been a teacher it was unlikely that he will get angry for a school programme.

Satisfied with such reasonings, he acted in the drama. Among the main invitees was the Very Rev. Alexandrios Cor-episcopa who was the father-in-law of the Rambachan’s brother. Punnai assured himself that Cor-episcopa was quite advanced in his years and may not recognize him.

The drama was a great success. Rambachan was accompanied by the Cor-episcopa when Punnai went to see him one day. On seeing Punnai, the Cor Episcopa told the Ramban about the drama and that he (Punnai) acted the role of Salome very well. Punnai sweat profusely-he was very much worried about the response of the Rambachan. Much to his relief Rambachan only smiled and said no word of reprimand.

After a few days S. K. Nair told Punnai that their drama was in great demand and that the Headmaster of a High School in Kumarakam wanted it to be staged there on the annual day. This time, Punnai told his teacher that he would participate in the drama only if he got permission from the Rambachan.

Punnai went to Rambachan to get permission who refused it outrightly saying, "don't participate in any drama. It is not good for Christians."

Obeying his spiritual guru, Punnai backed out and S. K. Nair found out a replacement for him. The drama was staged, and it was as in the first time, a great success.

The teacher and student met after almost thirty years after the above incident. The teacher then was the head of the Malayalam department in the Madras University, a known figure in Malayalam literary circle and a member of the Film Censor Board.

Meanwhile the student climbed the spiritual ladder - becoming a deacon, then a priest and finally a Metropolitan.

Vidwan S. K. Nair become Dr. S. K. Nair and the young Punnai became His Grace Stephanos Mar Theodosius.

When His Grace visited Madras, he desired to meet his former teacher and an appointment was arranged. As soon as Dr Nair saw Thirumeni, he bent down and touched the feet of his former student. Thirumeni trying to stop him said- "Is it not the student who should touch the feet of the teacher to get his blessings? What will happen if it is in the other way?"

Dr. Nair replied, "Then I was your teacher. Now you are Bishop, and people like you are gurus to all."

While they were talking Dr. S. K. Nair referred to the drama that they staged years ago at the school in Kakuzhi. And guess who was the replacement when the young Punnai backed out? It was none other than Prem Nazir who later became one of the great actors in the world of cinema.!

Actor Prem Nazir

Dr. S. K. Nair continued, " I was confident that Your Grace would shine as an actor. When I found a great actor in You, God found in You a great Priest. Everything is the wish of God."

May the prayers and intercessions of the saintly father- Mar Theodosius be our refuge always.

In Christ,

Rincy John

Ref: The Crown and the Gift- Stephanos Mar Theodosius Saptati Publications, Publications Dept, Diocese of Calcutta, The Orthodox Church of India, Bhilai, MP, India,  1994, editor-Abraham Oommen, An Actor Incognito, Pgs 9-12