Thomas Mar Athanasius

He was born in 1914 at Kottayam. He was a deep Scholar and continued his reading and studies to the end of his days. He was known for his deep devotion and great ability to build up the Church. He had his earlier education in the C. M. S. College, Kottayam, and later in Trivandrum where he took post graduate degree from the Arts College, in History.

He had his Theological training in the Bishop's College, Calcutta and in Oxford, England. He taught in the Vaidika Seminary and the M. T. High School, Kottayam. He was ordained as a Deacon of the Church in 1944 and as Kasseessa in 1946 and continued his teaching in the Theological Seminary.

After his consecration as Bishop in 1953, he was first in charge of the Southern Diocese in Kerala, South of Adoor. After six years in this capacity, he functioned as Missionary Bishop from 1959 to 1963. Since then he has been in charge of the Northern Diocese with head quarters first at Kottayam, and later at Manganam.

He attended the first Assembly of the World Council of Churches at Amsterdam in 1948, and also the Assembly in New Delhi in 1961. He was a member of the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches since 1961.Thus he made significant contributions to the cause of ecumenism. He has attended many other international conferences of the Churches. He was a delegate to the Melbourne Conference, where he made a distinct contribution as one of the leaders of Bible study. He also attended, the sessions of the second Vatican Council on special invitation.

He was designated as Suffragan Metropolitan in May 1978.

He has been President of various organizations of the Church, such as the Evangelistic Association, Sunday School Samajam, Sevika Sangham and Yuvajana Sakhyam on different occasions. He guided the evangelistic activities of the whole Church for many years.

He was also a great builder. He opened up many centers for the development of the Church, raising funds by personal appeals. Thus were established the Diocesan Headquarters at Adoor, Manganam and Kunnamkulam. The Church center at Chungathara, the Convention Speakers suites in the Retreat Center at Maramon, and the St. Augustine Study Center at Manganam were all constructed with funds raised by his personal efforts. He raised funds for the St. Augustine Study Center with the view that the Clergy and Laity should take time off to stay at the center and read the latest books on theology and allied subjects. By his personal efforts he collected a library of over 6000 valuable books.

The Mar Thoma College for Women at Perumbavoor was established under his inspiring leadership and patronage.

He was Chairman of different Colleges of the Church and of the Vaidika Seminary for many years and gave valuable contributions to their development. He was awarded a Doctorate by the Serampore University, considering his meritorious services to the Church in India, and in the ecumenical cause.

The last months of his life were spent in organizing and developing the parishes in North America. His sudden death on 27th November 1984 dealt a severe shock to the whole Church and to the ecumenical world.

(Source: Marthoma Heritage & Mission by His Grace Alexander Mar Thoma Metropolitan)