Mor Polycarpus Geevarghese +2011

Mor Polycarpus Geevarghese +2011

March 6th is the anniversary of the demise of H.G. Mor Polycarpus Geevarghese +2011, who was the Metropolitan of the Evangelical Association of the East (EAE) & the erstwhile architect of the Syriac Orthodox dioceses in South Karnataka, India. Geevarghese, the 5th son of Mathew Philipose, Pallivadekethil & Elyamma from Chennithala Kerala was born on 5 April 1933. He joined Evangelical Association of the East (Paurasthya Suvishesha Samajam) in 1955. Mor Yulios Elias Qoro the delegate of the Apostolic See of Antioch to Malankara, ordained him a Qoroyo in 1956. Following that, he joined Dayro d-Mor Ignatius Manjinikkara & studied theology & Syriac under the tutelage of Raban Very Rev. Yac'ub Madappatt (later HG Mor Julius Yac'ub +1992) & Raban Rev. Mousa Salama (Late HE Mor Chrysostomos Mousa Salama of Brazil). In 1957, Mor Yulios Elias ordained him a Qashisho. He started his pastoral service in Kozhichal & Kottamala parishes in Kasargod district of Kerala & established the churches at Pakanjikaad & Meenthulli. In 1959, he was transferred to South Canara district of Karnataka which became his area of work for the next 50 years. Though the area was very backward & there was enough temptations from the schismatics, his determination, strong will & unwavering faith & loyalty to the Holy Throne of Antioch kept him afloat during times of tribulation. He started new congregations & established new churches throughout South Canara district. In 1962, he was invited to work for the St. Antony's Mission Society ( Honnavar Mission) by the then Director of Honnavar Mission, Very Rev Fr. Kurikkal George Cor-Episcopo. He shifted his residence to Honnavar in North Canara district of Karnataka & was appointed as the Manager of the various educational institutions & Orphanages functioning under Honnavar Mission. Fr. Geevarghese established St. Antony’s High School in Honnavar & Shirady High School of Karnataka. Late Catholicos HB Baselios Paulose II of blessed memory elevated him to the rank of Cor-Episcopo in 1978. He established St. George High School in Nelliyadi in 1978, which was upgraded to a Junior College in 1985. He took up the responsibility as administrator of the EAE in 1985. Upon the resignation of late Mor Athanasius Paulose Kadavil II in 1986, Fr. Geevarghese was elected unanimously as the Metropolitan-designate by the EAE Managing committee. On May 26th 1990, he was tonsured as Ramban. On May 27th 1990, the thrice blessed late Patriarch HH Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas of blessed memory consecrated Raban Geevarghese under the name Mor Polycarpus & installed him as the Metropolitan of EAE. Mor Polycarpus brought children of the migrant Syrian Christian families from different parts of Karnataka & provided them education. HG was known for his love to educate even the poorest among the poor in his diocese & members of other religious communities who lived amongst them. HG who had been leading a life of rest, died due to cardiac problems on March 6th 2011. He was entombed on 9 March at St. Anthony’s Jacobite Syrian Cathedral, Jeppu Mangalore, Karnataka. Biography Courtesy: "Martyrs, Saints, and Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church" and Syriac Christianity Oh Mor Polycarpus Geevarghese! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen. http://www.syriacchristianity.info/bio/MalankaraPrelates/bio_PolGeevarghese.htm