PULIKKOTTIL DR GEEVARGHESE MAR YOULIOS

 PULIKKOTTIL DR GEEVARGHESE MAR YOULIOS

Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church’s second youngest bishop and presently the head for Ahmedabad diocese, Metropolitan Pulikkottil Dr Geevarghese Mar Yulios. Born to late Mr P V Pavu and Mrs K V Anna on May 17, 1967, His Grace hails from a letter loving family, the famed Pulikkottil family from Kunnamkulam. He is the member of St Mathias South Cross Parish, Kunnamkulam and author of over 10 publications.His Grace has a post doctoral research from the Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen (Germany) adding to diplomas in Sanskrit, Hebrew, Greek, Latin and German languages.

His predecessor bishops, especially Pulikkottil Dionysius II toiled hard to publish the Holy Bible in Malayalam and were instrumental in the establishment of various print media. He was a courageous, popular, spiritual leader who guided his followers through one of the most difficult times in the history of Malankara Church. At a simple ceremony last month, Dr Yulios recently donated a portrait of Pulikkottil II to the Orthodox Seminary chapel. Similarly, the new bishop will strive in the same footsteps guiding the shepherd in trying times as he takes on the mantle in a true spirit.After his consecration as Bishop on May 12, 2010, Fr Geevarghese Pulikkottil Ramban became Pulikkottil Dr. Geevarghese Mar Yulius Metropolitan. As a priest Rev Fr George Pulikkottil (Pulikkottil Achen) from 1992 served in different parishes under dioceses of Kunnamkulam (home parish), Kottayam, Madras, UK & Europe, Canada and the Diocese of America.

He was lecturer and professor of religion and philosophy at Orthodox Theological Seminary Kottayam and Nagpur from 1994. He also served as the bursar of St Thomas Orthodox Theological Seminary, Nagpur. Other posts relate to serving as Registrar of Divyabodhanam, Programme Secretary of Sophia Centre, the Kochi-based centre for inter-religious dialogue and cultural studies, as resource person for oriental studies, Associate Secretary of the Kerala Council of Churches, member of the Association of Professors and Research Scholars in Germany for Study of Religion since 2002.

Dr Yulios assumed the position as Patron of Indian Orthodox Herald after he became the Metropolitan. He was earlier one of the Trustee Board Members of Indian Orthodox Herald having published many articles on theological and current issues in Orthodox Herald.

After consecration as Bishop, new Metropolitans, Dr Yulios and Dr Abraham Mar Seraphim embarked on their first tour abroad. Both of them visited Chicago, USA where they had served as Assistant Vicars at St Gregorios Orthodox Church, under the South-West American Diocese. The Oak Park church gave them a rousing reception and later they attended a three-day Family Conference at Milwaukee organized by the parish.

Before formally taking charge as Metropolitan of Ahmedabad Diocese on September 3, 2010, Dr Mar Yulios flew to New Delhi and offered floral tributes at Raj Ghat, the eternal samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi. A learned scholar, Dr Yulios, draws inspiration from the ideals and values which held dear to the Mahatma, the ultimate advocate of non-violence and peace, as he shepherds the Church and parishioners under the new diocese.

His Grace Dr Geevarghese Mar Yulios Metropolitan took charge of the Diocese of Ahmedabad on 15th August, 2010 as the Diocesan Metropolitan from the In-charge Metropolitan His Grace Geevarghese Mar Coorilos. His Grace was given a warm welcome by the priests and faithful on 2nd September, 2010 at the Diocesan Office.

Sam Kurakar