Wednesday, August 5, 2020

06th August- Commemorating His Grace Alexios Mar Theodosius Metropolitan (of blessed memory).

His Grace Alexios Mar Theodosius Metropolitan

As we celebrate the Feast of Transfiguration of our Lord, the Malankara Orthodox Church also commemorates the holy father- His Grace Alexios Mar Theodosius Metropolitan, the champion of Orthodoxy, who like the apostle(s)- St John, epitomized purity of heart; like St Peter, was zealous in his convictions; and like St James exemplified moral courage.


One of the common sayings of Mar Theodosius Thirumeni was-
“Only a converted man can convert another man; Only a converted church can convert the world”. *

The great Feast of Transfiguration commemorates the event of Christ’s appearance becoming glorious and radiant as He prayed at Mount Tabor with His disciples Peter, James, and John. There appeared Elijah and Moses, speaking with Jesus and the disciples heard a voice from the cloud- “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” After this awe-inspiring event, Jesus Christ and His disciples come down from the mountain and continued with healing ministry. In this context, the saying of Mar Theodosius Thirumeni is of great importance and learning. To be converted simply doesn’t mean updating the ‘religion’ section in the govt forms/IDs. The calling to the summit of the mountain is not merely to acknowledge Christ’s presence. The conversion, more than a literal physical meaning, implies the transformation of our hearts to be receptive to Christ’s Love and to share that love with others at the foothill.

BIRTH/EARLY LIFE

Mar Theodosius was born on August 28, 1888 as Chandy/M.M. Alexander in the traditionally priestly family of Mattackal at Niranam to parents Mathai and Kunjadamma. He had his school education at Mar Gregorios Memorial High School, Tiruvalla and Mar Dionysius High School, Kottayam and College education (1912-15) in the Church Missionary Society College at Kottayam.
At the age of 19, the young Alexander was called to serve in the Lord’s vineyard and received diaconate ordination from His Beatitude Joseph Mar Dionysius V (Pulikkotil II) Thirumeni. Dn Alexander joined Barisol Divinity College in East Bengal in 1915 and later in 1918 Serampore, for theological studies. In 1918, Dn. Alexander was ordained a priest by His Grace Yuyakim Mar Ivanios Metropolitan at Parumala Seminary and was called Fr. Alexios.

MEETING FR. P. T. GEEVARGHESE

It was in Serampore, that Fr. Alexios came in contact with Fr. P. T. Geevarghese (later Mar Ivanios of Syro-Malankara faction). Their focus was on starting a monastic movement which was well received among the Church dignitaries. On their return from Serampore in 1918. they established a unique monastery named Bethany and a monastic order at Mundanmala, a hilly forest area at Perunadu near Ranny on a hundred-acre plot donated by E.J. John.

Over the years, Bethany Monastery grew in stature but received a catastrophic blow when Fr. P. T. Geevarghese, its Superior, defected to the Roman faith taking with him a number of inmates on September 20,1930. It seemed that everything which Bethany stood for was lost. Fr Alexios rising up to the occasion like a flaming tower, gave Bethany a new life and led it from success to success. Today, Bethany has a complex of institutions- monastery, convent, schools and hospitals.

METROPOLITAN

Fr. Alexios was raised to the office of Episcopate on April 7, 1938 by His Holiness Baselios Geevarghese II Bava Thirumeni at Carmel Dayara, Mulanthuruthy, and took the name Mar Theodosius. Diocese of Kollam and the Outside Kerala Diocese were assigned to the Metropolitan’s charge. Mar Theodosius had the foresight and vision of the future development possibilities of the Church beyond the frontiers of Kerala. In fact, Mar Theodosios Thirumeni was the architect of the Outside Kerala Diocese. In 1947, a nucleus of the Diocese was laid when the Metropolitan formed the Indian Orthodox Mission at Madras. This was followed by organising a group of four dedicated priests viz Fr. K. A. George, Fr. C.V. John, Fr. Simon Mathews and Fr. K.C. Thomas (later His Grace Thomas Mar Makarios Metropolitan of blessed memory), who were sent to Pune, Calcutta, Coonnor and Delhi respectively. 

INTERNATIONAL FORUMS

Mar Theodosius Thirumeni took keen interest in representing the Malankara Orthodox Church in international inter-church forums and focus the attention of Western Churches to the ancient apostolic origin of Malankara Church. He travelled to London in 1933 to attend the Centenary Celebrations of Oxford Movement, to Oxford in 1937 to represent the Malankara Orthodox Church in the first Faith and Order Conference and to Edinburgh the same year to attend the Life and Work Conference, and in 1948 to Amsterdam to participate in the World Council of Churches (WCC) Conference along with His Holiness Baselios Geevarghese II Bava Thirumeni. Till 1953, Mar Theodosius Thirumeni was a member of the Central Committee of WCC.

The ardent stress on conviction of faith and on the autocephalous nature of Malankara Orthodox Church was a distinguishing trait in Mar Theodosius Thirumeni. He stood firm in his mother church even when his overwhelming mentor- Fr. P. T. Geevarghese (Mar Ivanios) left the mother church. He is quoted to have said “Even if it happens that I become the old lay man Chandy, I do not like to be a Metropolitan of a Church which has lost its freedom.”

HEAVENLY ABODE

On August 6, 1965, after battling prolonged illness, coinciding the day when the Church celebrates the Feast of Transfiguration, this great luminary of the Malankara Orthodox Church left for heavenly abode.

Mar Theodosius Thirumeni was an austere ascetic and a good shepherd who led a simple life devoted to prayer and worship. His simplicity, asceticism, conviction of faith, love, care and concern have inspired many.

May the prayers and intercessions of the holy father be our refuge always.

In Christ,
Rincy John

Ref: David Daniel, The Orthodox Church of India (History), © 1986, Published by Rachel David, New Delhi, Pgs 530-534.
*Quote of Theodosius Thirumeni referred from Bethany Asramam website-http://bethanyasramam.com/inspirers.php (accessed 05 August 2020)

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