Founder-President of St. Thomas Institutions in Mysuru, he was regarded as the world’s longest-serving Bishop

Mysuru: Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostom, Metropolitan Emeritus of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church and Founder-President of St. Thomas Institutions, Mysuru, passed away at a private hospital in Kumbanad, Kerala, at around 1.15 am today.  He was 104.

Official sources said the Metropolitan Emeritus was ailing for a while and was hospitalised. The funeral will be held on Thursday.

Regarded as the world’s longest serving Bishop, who served for about 68 years, he was called the ‘Man with the Golden Tongue’ and was well-known for his warm friendship with people cutting across religions and his no-holds-barred humour sense. The Senior Metropolitan was awarded with the country’s highest civilian honour Padma Bhushan in 2018.

Born as the son of Vicar General K.E. Oommen Kaseessa and Sosamma on April 27, 1918 in Kumbanad, Mar Chrysostom had his early education from Kozhencherry High School and St. John’s High School,  Eraviperoor.

He then pursued his higher studies at Union Christian College, Aluva and became a member of the Ankola Ashram in 1940. He joined United Theological College, Bengaluru in 1943 for his priesthood studies and was ordained as Deacon in 1944 and later as an Episcopa. He was awarded the title Philipose Mar Chrysostom in 1953.

Going steadily up the hierarchy of the Mar Thoma Church in the subsequent years, Mar Chrysostom was designated as Suffragan Metropolitan in 1978. 

He was designated as the Officiating Metropolitan of the Church in March 1999 and was installed as the 20th Metropolitan of Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church on October 23, 1999.

The Metropolitan had handed over his administrative responsibilities to his successor, the late Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan, in October 2007 and had since been staying at the Maramon Aramana (Jubilee Home).

Condoled

St. Thomas School, Mysuru, Manager Fr. Prakash Abraham, in his condolence message said, “The Founder-President of St. Thomas Institutions had used the Bishopric to better peoples’ lives. He was with the  people in their times of pain and distress. The spiritual leader was progressive in outlook  and humanist in nature. The Bishop had used his long life for the betterment of society. His refined sense of humour brightened India’s cultural life.” 

Mar Chrysostom had visited Mysuru and graced Mar Thoma Syrian Church worship and functions on several occasions.

PM condoles

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his condolence message tweeted, “Saddened by the demise of His Grace The Most Rev. Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostom Mar Thoma Valiya Metropolitan. He will be remembered for his rich theological knowledge and many efforts to remove human suffering. Condolences to the members of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church.”