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Mor Theophilos Thomas
of Blessed memory was the metropolitan of the Outside Kerala diocese of
the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox church from 1979 to 1992. In
the 1970's, when the Syriac Church in India experienced a vertical split
following the parting away of a sect raising anti-Church slogans, most of the
parishes which were built by the
combined efforts of faithful from both the factions in outside Kerala diocese were occupied by the
rival Malankara Orthodox faction.
It
was Fr. Thomas Moothedam who gave strong leadership to the Jacobite faithful in
the Outside Kerala diocese during that critical period in the history of our
church. He gave able leadership to the faithful and took lead in establishing
new churches and through his vision and efforts, defeated the ugly designs of
rebel group
through which they tried to swallow the faithful Syriacs.
When the necessity arose to ordain a full time Bishop for
the Outside
Kerala diocese taking into consideration its growth, the church had no doubts
about who that should be. Rev. Thomas Moothedam Ramban, who had taken
leadership in establishing most of the churches there, was elected to lead the
Outside Kerala Diocese which was in it infancy at that time. He was ordained by
name
'Theophilos' by
Late Lamented Mor Baselios Paulose-II Catholicos of blessed
memory on 19th April, 1979 at St. Simon's Jacobite Syrian Orthodox church,
Velloor. Mor Themotheos Yakoub and Mor Ivanios Philipose were also ordained along
with him.
After leading the Outside Kerala Diocese for 13 years with dedication,
His
Grace entered his Heavenly abode on January 12th, 1992. It was through
Thirumeni's efforts, St. Peter's Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Cathedral, New Delhi -
the Eastern Cathedral of His Holiness, which is the pride of Syrian Jacobites in
Delhi, was established. Mor Theophilos is entombed in M.S.O.T. seminary Chapel,
Mulanthuruthy. May his prayers be our fort.
Source: http://www.malankarasyriacvoice.com
Mor Theophilos Thomas with late lamented Catholicos of the East Mor Baselios Paulose II
and other bishops at the time of his Metropolitan consecration
in 1979 at St. Simon's Church, Vellor, Kottayam
@ MSCR - Malankara Syriac Christian Resources
contact email: mscrp@live.com