Mor Athanasius Paulose Kadavil II +1991

Mor Athanasius Paulose Kadavil II +1991

March 7th is the 27th anniversary of the demise of HG Mor Athanasius Paulose Kadavil II +1991. Paulose was born on 27 June 1915 as the son of Kunjannam & Kadavil Kurien Paulose (the son of Varkey, elder brother of Mor Athanasius Paulose Kadavil I; the first metropolitan of Angamali diocese). His early education was in North Paravur. In 1938, Paulose was ordained Quroyo by Mor Yulios Elias Qoro the delegate of the Apostolic See of Antioch to Malankara. In 1944, St. Athanasius Paulose (Valiyathirumeni) ordained him as Qashisho. Mor Yulios would elevate him to the rank of Raban on Chingam 24th 1947. He served as a teacher at Thrikunnath Seminary. When the Malankara Church was facing great troubles, at the request of the Evangelical Association of the East, Raban Paulose was consecrated by the thrice blessed late Patriarch HH Moran Mor Ignatius Yac'ub III of blessed memory on 2nd September 1973. He was given the title Athanasius like his ancestor before him. Mor Athanasius was the first bishop of the Church consecrated during the most problematic period. He commanded a bold leadership in the Church & the EAE from then onwards. Mor Athanasius Paulose was a distinguished scholar & highly educated individual. He went to UC College Aluva followed by postgraduate studies in Philosophy at Madras Christian College in 1941. He would attain a degree in Political Sciences from Columbia University USA in 1950, a doctorate from Kerala University in 1966. In Sweden he received D.D. & D.Litt degrees by 1974. His skills as a writer, orator & translator were beyond compare. In addition to being well versed in Syriac, he wrote many classical books in both English & Malayalam. He had also learnt other languages like Arabic, Bengali & French. Amongst the numerous books he wrote including, 'Bible & India', 'Ennathe Vidhyarthikal', ‘Randu Vrudhanmmar’, 'Acharya Sahai', 'Shushrushka Sahai', 'Four Jacobite Liturgies', 'Meaning and Interpretation of the Eucharist of the Syrian Church', 'The Orthodox Syrian Church: Its Religion and Philosophy (Ph.D. Thesis)', 'Five Years in the Central Jail' 'Sheema Yatra', 'Njan Kanda India, England and America'. He also translated the prayers & Qurbono Thakso from Syriac & rendered the Qurbono songs from Syriac tunes into English. Kadavil Thirumeni was a versatile personality, known for his pious nature & strictness in upholding the faith, traditions & doctrines of the Syriac Orthodox Church. His teachings on meditation & asceticism was held in high esteem by his students & disciples for whom he was a spiritual guru & mentor. In 1985, after his 70th birthday he relinquished himself from duties to lead a life of prayer & rest. He would depart to the heavenly abode on March 7th 1991 & would be entombed at St. Ignatius Jacobite Syrian Church, Cheriya Vappalasery. Biography courtesy of, 'Martyrs, Saints and Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church' Oh Mor Athanasius Paulose Kadavil! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen.