94TH BIRTHDAY OF HIS GRACE DR. GEEVARGHESE MAR OSTHATHOSE

94^TH BIRTHDAY OF HIS GRACE DR. GEEVARGHESE MAR OSTHATHOSE

HAPPY BIRTH DAY TO THIRUMANI

His Grace Dr. Geevarghese Mar Osthathios’ 94th birthday falls on December 9th. It is indeed an opportune time to praise and thank God for HG’s longevity and for what God has accomplished through him. His Grace continues to inspire us even at this age. Even though His Grace is still in Parumala Hospital after he developed a fever and chest infection, he is recuperating slowly and is pleasant. His Grace will celebrate his birthday in Kottayam where a new branch of Puthuppadi Ashram and Balabhavan will be inaugurated to mark the end of the Golden Jubilee celebration of St. Paul’s Ashram, Puthuppadi. It is great that the founder of Puthuppadi Ashram sees the Golden Jubilee and he celebrates his 94th birthday. Let us thank God for all these.

His Grace was born to Munduvelil family in Cherukole, Mavelikara in 1918 as the second son of late Kochitty and Mariamma. He studied up to the seventh standard at Salvation Army School, Cherukole and did his high school studies at St. John’s High School, Pathichira and B. H School, Mavelikara. He passed TTC from St. John’s Rural Basic Training School, Sasthamkotta and taught at Idayaranmula Free School and B. H. High School, and St. John’s School, Pathichira.

He had his BD from Leonard Theological Seminary, Jabalpur and earned MA in Philosophy from Drew University, New Jersey, and STM from Union Theological Seminary, New York. The Senate of Serampore (India) honored him with an honorary Doctorate in 1993. He was made a Sub-Deacon by Augen Mar Thimothios, in 1948 and H. H. Baselios Geevarghese II, the Catholicos ordained him as a Deacon in 1956. The Catholicos ordained him as a priest in 1956. In 1975 he was consecrated as a Bishop and in 1976 His Grace became the Metropolitan of Niranam Diocese. In 2005, His Grace took voluntary retirement from Diocesan responsibilities. His Grace leads a serene and fruitful life at MTC, Mavelikara, which he started in 1958 to train the missionaries of Malankara Church.

His Grace took many important positions in the Church. HG was the President of Servant of the Cross Society and Orthodox Youth Movement. He was the President of KCC and Bible Society Kerala Auxiliary. He was the Vice-Principal of Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam. He was a member of the Faith and Order Commission of WCC, and a member of the Pro-Oriente Foundation. He represented our Church in many national and international conferences. He was a recognized theologian who has many books to his credit Theology of a Classless Society, The Sin of Being Rich in a Poor World, Sharing God and a Sharing World, One Religion of Love are a few to mention by name.

His Grace is a man specially gifted and used by God in the building up of our Church. His grace was instrumental in the establishment of many philanthropic organizations and institutions that are spread across the country. He gave a humane face to theology. He inspired hundred of priests through his teaching at Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam. He taught there over fifty five years. The present Catholicos too is a student of His Grace. Let us wish thirumeni a HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Let us pray for His Grace health.

                                                           Prof. John Kurakar