H.G MATHEWS MAR EPIPHANIOS

H.G MATHEWS MAR EPIPHANIOS

Mathew Mar Epiphanios was born at Chenkulam near Kollam on November 25, 1928 as the eldest son of M. Kurikeshu and Sosamma. After schooling at Chathannur he did his Intermediate at Tirunelveli and graduated in physics from Maharaja’s College, Thiruvananthapuram. He was ordained sub-deacon in March 1957 by the then metropolitan of the Kollam diocese Mathew Mar Coorilos. In April he was ordained deacon by Mathews Mar Athanasius. In 1958 he was ordained priest. The same year he was appointed assistant vicar of Mar Elia Chapel, Kottayam. In 1959 he became vicar and served at Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram, Punalur, Vazhuvady, Kottapuram and Arunoottimangalam. He also served as teacher in various schools and was chosen secretary of the Kollam diocese three times. In 1982 he was elevated as episcopa and made ramban in 1983. In 1985 he was consecrated as episcopa with the name Mar Epiphanios by the then Catholicos Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews I. In 1985 he was made assistant metropolitan of the Kollam diocese and in October 1991 enthroned as metropolitan of the Kollam diocese. He had served as metropolitan of the Thiruvananthapuram diocese from 1999 to 2004 and president of the Orthodox Sunday School Association.

He was the member of the managing committee twice and was the diocesan secretary of the Kollam diocese three times. He was also the vice-president of St.Thomas Orthodox Vaidikam Sanghom and the Superior of the Bethlehem Ashramam Chengamanadu.
The Malankara Association met at MGM High School Thiruvalla on 28th December 1982 elected him as Episcopa. He was professed as a Ramban on 14th May 1983 at Parumala Seminary by the then Catholicos designate His Grace Mathews Mar Coorilos Metropolitan. On 15th May 1985, His Holiness Baselius Marthoma Mathews Ist Catholicos consecrated him as Episcopa with the name Mar Epiphanios. From 1985 His Grace Mathews Mar Epiphanios was serving as the assistant Metropolitan of the Kollam diocese. On 25th October 1991 His Grace was elevated as the Metropolitan of the Kollam diocese. From 10th January 1992 His Grace was serving as the diocesan Metropolitan of the Kollam diocese. His Grace also served as the Metropolitan of the Trivandrum diocese from 1999 to 2004.His Grace also served as the President of the Orthodox Syrian Sunday School Association, Member of the working committee of the church etc.
The salient feature of the character of His Grace was simplicity. He has been seen always with a smile. In spite of the heavy hectic work schedule His Grace found time to visit the houses of relatives in times of death and marriage. He has become a role model because of his humility, grace in leadership and dedicated service to the church. As a Bishop he has been a good shepherd to the people. Feb 9, 2009: Mathews Mar Epiphanios, metropolitan of the Kollam diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Church, passed away at a private hospital here at 11.15 a.m Mar Epiphanios had been admitted to the cardiac care unit of the hospital for two weeks. The funeral rites will be held at the Metropolitan chapel on Tuesday. The ‘nagari kanikkal’ in connection with the funeral rites will begin at 10 a.m. and the funeral service at the chapel, at 12 noon. People from all walks of life arrived at the chapel to pay their last respects to the metropolitan.
                                                       Prof. John Kurakar