മാർത്തോമ സഭയുടെ ചെങ്ങന്നൂർ- മാവേലിക്കര ഭദ്രാസനാധിപൻ ഡോ. സഖറിയാസ് മാർ തെയോഫിലോസ് സഫ്രഗൻ മെത്രാപ്പൊലീത്ത കാലം ചെയ്തു
മാർത്തോമ സഭയുടെ ചെങ്ങന്നൂർ- മാവേലിക്കര ഭദ്രാസനാധിപൻ ഡോ. സഖറിയാസ് മാർ തെയോഫിലോസ് സഫ്രഗൻ മെത്രാപ്പൊലീത്ത കാലം ചെയ്തു.
ആദരാജ്ഞലികൾ…
Rt. Rev. Dr. Zacharias Mar Theophilus Suffragan Metropolitan. 77 years old.
Parents Niranam Mattackal Venparambil V K Oommen and Mariamma Oommen
Born on 1938, August 29
Ordained as Deacon 1966, May 7
Ordained as Kassissa 1966, July 9
Ordained as Ramban 1980, April 26
Consecrated as Episcopa 1980, May 1
Installed as Suffragan Metropolitan 2004, July 3
After his schooling at Niranam, he graduated from the Union Christian College, Alwaye and completed his B. Ed training from Titus II College, Tiruvalla. He started his career as a teacher at the Ashram High School, Perumbavoor. Following this he went for Theological training at the Leonard Theological College, Jabalpur in 1966. He again returned to Perumbavoor, Ashram English High School and also pasturing the parishes in Perumbavoor, Vengoor, Krariali, Kothamanglam, Koratti, Mamala, Methala etc. He then completed his Masters at the Princeton Theological Seminary in 1974 and his Doctoral studies at the Boston University, USA in 1976. During his education at Princeton and Boston he was also the Vicar of the Congregations in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C
His contribution in the educational field is noteworthy while he ministered at Ashram English High School, Alwaye Settlement High School, St. Thomas High School – Mysore and St. Thomas Residential School – Trivandrum. He was also Vicar of the parishes in Mysore, Kozencherry, Bombay – Santa Cruz etc.
He was consecrated as a Bishop on the 1st of May, 1980 and served in the following Dioceses: Adoor – Mavelikara Diocese, Kottayam – Ranni Diocese, Madras – Kunnamkulam Diocese, South Zone of Bombay – Delhi Diocese, Malaysia – Singapore – Australia Diocese, Kottayam – Kochi Diocese, North America – Europe Diocese, Madras – Calcutta, Chennai – Bangalore Diocese and currently at the Chengannur – Mavelikara Diocese since 2005. His contribution to the strengthening of the Mission work in all the dioceses and also responding to the spiritual and social needs of each region is explicit in the various Projects and Missions started in different Dioceses. Some of the important projects such as Asha Bhavan – Pathanapuram, Mochana De-addiction Centre – Kottayam, Thrikkunapuzha Mission, Haripad Centre, Pathanamthitta – Working Women’s Hostel, Santhigiri Ashram – Alwaye, Sinai Centre – New York, Karuthal – Cancer Care and Counselling Centre, Higher Education Loan Project, Navadharshan De-addiction Centre – Kidangannur, Mar Thoma Mission School and Mission Hostel Narasapuram, Ministry for Widow, Widowers and Aged, Sadhu Sadanam – Venmony, Bodhana Project, Bodhadhara Project, VISA-Vivaha Sahayam Project, Dalit Development Project. His leadership in the success of the Metropolitan’s Navathy Project by collecting more than Rs. 16 Crores and providing more than 2050 houses for the homeless in India has been one of the most unique contributions in the history of the Christian Community in India.
His Grace has served as the President of the Mar Thoma Yuvajana Sakhyam, Mar Thoma Sunday School Samajam, Mar Thoma Voluntary Evangelistic Association, Mar Thoma Suvishesha Sevika Sanghom, Mar Thoma Dayara and Sanyasini Samooham, Vaideeka Selection Committee, Backward People’s Development Committee. At present, He is the President of the Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association, Theological Commission of the Mar Thoma Church, Planning Commission etc
The Ecumenical Contribution of His Grace in the National and International Christian circles is noteworthy. His Grace has served as the President of the National Missionary Society of India, Bible Society of India, Kerala, Auxiliary, World Mission of India, Ecumenical Christian Center (ECC), Bangalore and Theological Literature Society, Kerala. He has also served as the Secretary of the Nilackal Ecumenical Trust of all Episcopal churches in Kerala, Executive Committee Member of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) and Executive and Central Committee Member of the World Council of Churches (WCC). He is also the member of the Ecumenical Meeting of Bishops, Friends of the Focolare Movement and member of the Ecumenical Solidarity Visit to Sudan.
