St. Athanasius Paulose +1953

St. Athanasius Paulose +1953

January 25th is the commemoration of the dukhrono of St. Athanasius Paulose +1953 according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church. He is affectionately known as Valiyathirumeni. Paulose was born to Mathai Thekkekkara & Annamma. At the age of 7, as an Altar boy he read the 5th Thubden in the presence of late Patriarch Mor Ignatius Peter IV at Ankamaly Church. He studied theology under Mor Coorilos Geevarghese Ambatt who would ordain him as Quroyo on 21st April 1879. He would complete higher studies & become a school teacher.St. Gregorios Geevarghese Chathuruthil of Parumala (assisted by Mor Dionysius V & Mor Athanasius Paulose Kadavil I) ordained deacon Paulose as Qashisho on 25th November 1898. He would be elevated to the rank of Raban 3 days later. Kochupaulose Raban would be consecrated bishop with the title Athanasius by late Patriarch Mor Ignatius Abde d-Aloho II Sattuf on 9th June 1910 at Mor Sabor-Mor Aphroth Church Akaparambu. A year later, Mor Athanasius Paulose participated in the consecration of the Holy Chrism at Mulunthuruthy Church. Following the autocratic style of functioning & his disobedience of Church laws, Mor Dionysius Geevarghese Vattasseril the Malankara Metropolitan was excommunicated by Patriarch Abdullah. (the excommunication would be later lifted by St. Ignatius Elias III Patriarch). St. Coorilos Paulose Kochuparambil who was Malankara Metropolitan for 6 years passed away in 1917. The Malankara Association held at Thrikunnath Seminary elected Mor Athanasius Paulose as the next Malankara Metropolitan. In 1919 he formed the Malankara Sunday School Association & in 1922 he formed the Mar Gregorios Syrian Vidhyarthi Sangam' (Mar Gregorios Syrian Students Association - M.G.S.S.A). This was the first ever students organization that adopted the name of St. Gregorios of Parumala. The other major spiritual organizations founded by Valiyathirumeni were the ‘Brotherhood of St. Antonios’ & the ‘St. Mary’s Sisterhood’. He nurtured both the organizations with the aim of building a solid foundation for the monastic movement in Malankara. He also encouraged much on the development of a centre for theological studies at Thrikunnath Seminary.Mor Athanasius led the last rites of St. Osthatheos Sleebo Abakar the delegate of the Apostolic See of Antioch following his demise in 1930. When Patriarch St. Ignatius Elias III came to Malankara, Mor Athanasius accompanied the Patriarch throughout his stay. The Patriarch visited India to strive for peace in the Malankara Syrian Church. Several meetings were held within this period with the aim of achieving long standing peace & the Patriarch had even withdrawn the excommunication of Mor Dionysius. However the rebellious attitude & unilateral decisions of the schismatics only further divided the Church in Malankara. Sadly, St. Ignatius Elias III passed away before he could complete his mission of bringing about peace to the Church. Mor Athanasius along with the Patriarchal Delegate Mor Yulios Elias Qoro & the bishops of Malankara conducted the last rites at Dayro d-Mor Ignatius Manjinikkara. The Malankara Suriyani Kristhiani Association meeting held at Karingachira Church in 1935 once again reaffirmed Mor Athanasius Paulose as the Malankara Metropolitan. He would diligently serve the Church, protecting it during one of the most difficult periods in history. After serving the Holy Church faithfully for decades, Mor Athanasius Paulose reposed in the Lord on January 25th 1953 at the age of 84. Thousands of faithful thronged to participate in his last rites. He was entombed according to his will at Thrikunnath Seminary Aluva. The Malankara Church was fortunate & blessed to have Mor Athanasius Paulose as its Metropolitan for 42 years. Under his able guidance, the Church overcame many adverse situations. Unflinching faith & relentless prayers were his greatest strengths. Known for his piety, integrity, sincerity & unceasing devotion to God, the spiritual father is remembered by the Malankara Church with great veneration. Valiyathirumeni loved his people & defended the faith until his last breath, leaving behind a magnificent saintly legacy. Like his predecessors, Mor Athanasious too was steadfast in upholding the pledge he gave to the Patriarch of Antioch and all the East at the time of his consecration. In recognition of his great efforts in upholding the true Apostolic faith & traditions of the Holy Church, Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem I Barsoum conferred upon Mor Athanasius Paulose the title ‘Defender of the True Faith' (Sathya Viswasa Samrakshakan). Half a century after his repose, in 2004 vis Patriarchal Apostolic Bull No. E 218/04; the late Patriarch of Antioch and all the East HH Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas of blessed memory declared Mor Athanasius Paulose as a saint of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Subsequently, in 2009 the Patriarch permitted the recitation of the name of St. Athanasius Paulose in the 5th Thubden (Thubden d-Qadishe) at all Malankara parishes across the world vis Patriarchal Apostolic Bull No. 152/09.Biography courtesy of, 'Martyrs, Saints and Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church' and Syriac Christianity websiteOh Mor Athanasius Paulose! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen.Dedicated Page to the St. Athanasius: http://www.syriacchristianity.info/StAthanasious.htmFor full biography: http://www.syriacchristianity.info/bio/ValiyaThirumeni.htmIntercession prayers and hymns during pilgrimage: https://tinyurl.com/bdcwc28f