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Thursday, February 16, 2012

RICH TRIBUTE PAID TO Dr.GEEVARGHESE MAR OSTHATHIOS


RICH TRIBUTE PAID TO
Dr.GEEVARGHESE MAR OSTHATHIOS

Dr. Geevarghese Mar Osthathios, senior bishop of malankara orthodox church passed away on today 16-02-2012. Thirumeni was admitted to parumala hospital last Friday as he developed chest pain an fever. After two days he was badly affected by the infection and he was also partly disoriented for some time.

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. 

                                          Interview with Dr.Geevargheese Mar Osthathios

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. 

                                                                      Prof John Kurakar

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