BIOGRAPHY

First Metropolitan of Thumpamon diocese (d. 21 March 1884)


 

Sacred Tomb of Mor Julius Gevarghese Konatt

at the Pampakuda Chapel

Mor Julius Geevarghese Konatt was the first Metropolitan of Thumpamon diocese.  He was born in 1829 to Konatt Mathan and Palapallil Valiyaveetil Kunjalachar of Pampakuda.  In 1875 he was ordained Ramban.  On 3 December 1876, His Holiness the Patriarch Mor Ignatius Pathros IV, ordained him Metropolitan at the St.Thomas church, North Paravur and was entrusted with the title "Mor Julius".  Mor Athanasius Paulose Kadavil I was also ordained Metropolitan along with him.  This was the first Metropolitan consecration done by the supreme pontiff of the Church in Malankara. 

Mor Julius Geevarghese Konatt, as he was known after consecration, was appointed Metropolitan of Thumpamon diocese and the concerned Sthathikon was issued by H.H. the Patriarch before he left Malankara in July 1877. 

Mor Julius was very interested in learning and teaching Syriac and also in enriching the Syrian Literature and printing Syriac books.  In 1879 a printing press for the Syriac language was started in Pampakuda.  Due to health problems, he was not able to conduct diocesan administration for long.  On 21st March 1884, Mor Julius passed away and his mortal remains were interred in the family Chapel at Pampakuda.

Very Rev. Mathen Malpan Corepiscopo, the former Priest trustee of the Jacobite Syrian Church (1901-'27) and the author many religious books, also belonged to the famous Konatt family.  He is buried in the same chapel where the tomb of Mor Julius is situated.

 

Left:-   The chapel where the last resting places of the late Metropolitan Mor Julius and four Priests of Konatt family are situated.

Right:-   St. John's Ephesus church at Pampakuda founded by Rev. Abraham Malpan Konatt on 12 Oct 1825.

(Both churches are located in the same compound)

 

 

References:  

1. The Indian Church of St. Thomas by E M Philip. (2nd edition published by Mor Adai Study centre)

2. The Malankara Syrian Church history by  Very Rev. Kurien Corepiscopa Kaniamparambil. (published in 1982)