By George Cheriyan
Tiruvalla: The Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church will install its new supreme head November 14 in a ceremony at the Church headquarters at Tiruvalla, Kerala.
Bishop Geevarghese Mar Theodosius, who is currently the Church’s Suffrafan Metropolitan (second in command), will become the 22nd Mar Thoma Metropolitan to succeed Metropolitan Joseph Mar Thoma, who died October 18.
Bishop Theodosius was born on February 19, 1949, in Ashtamudi, Kollam district in Kerala to K J Chacko and Mariamma Chacko. After completing his bachelor’s degree in science in 1969 from Mar Thoma College, Tiruvalla, he obtained Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1972 from Leonard Theological College, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.
He studied Comparative Religions in Viswa Bharathi University, Shanthinikethan in West Bengal during 1979-1980. He did his MA and doctorate from Mc Master University, Hamilton, Canada during 1980-1986. His was ordained a priest in 1973 and consecrated as bishop in 1989.
He was in charge of several parishes across the country and as bishop was in charge of various Mar Thoma dioceses in India and abroad.
On July 12 this year, he was given the title, The Suffragan Metropolitan, in a service held in Tiruvalla officiated by then Metropolitan Joseph Mar Thoma.
His doctoral study is based on the life of Sree Narayana Guru, who led a reform movement against the injustice in the caste-ridden society of Kerala. Narayana Guru, who was born in an Ezhava (Other Backward Caste) family, promoted spiritual enlightenment and social equality.
Mar Theodosius’s dissertation titled “Change and continuity in the religious life of Ezhavas in the South Travancore” is an expression of his academic discipline.
Bishop Theodosius’ books on reform movements in Kerala and their Impact on socioeconomic and religious life of people have made a mark in academic circles. His latest book, “Church and the new normal – Ecclesial imaginations for a new humanity,”was released in August. The book explains how the Church should behave in times of the pandemic that has affected the whole humanity. The book was written when Bishop was in quarantine for 28 days.
The new Mar Thoma Metropolitan is known for his firm stand on issues faced by the Church and society. He believes the religious minorities are not safe in India presently, but they have to have the safety feeling. He thinks the Church has to see the wall writings of the time and respond to socioeconomic and cultural issues instead of being silent.
He has strong positions on the role of Christian educational institutions in teaching the children of economically poorer sections; gender equality; present status of transgenders, who are sidelined to the fringes of society; and the ordination of women.
Being the president of the Church’s Mumbai-based ‘Navodaya Movement for Transgenders,’ he has led it to breach socially dictated boundaries and reach out to the transgender community and mainstreaming them. He initiated several mission fields in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. ‘Land for the landless’ project for the poor in South Travancore, ‘Snehatheeram’ project for the HIV/AID patents in Tamil Nadu are some other projects the new metropolitan has initiated.
The new metropolitan is interested in digital technology and understands the importance of technology for the Church in the modern world. He is active on social media and interacts with people. He also talks about using ‘artificial intelligence’ and reminds the Church to respond to the new norms.
He is presently the chairman of Ecumenical Christian Centre (ECC) in Bengaluru. He is also known for his mission among the youth and students.
Mar Thoma Church is having a track record of taking strong positions during national crisis such as the Emergency in India. The Church and society are eagerly waiting to listen to the prophetic voice of the new Metropolitan in the coming days, on issues of concern affecting the church and the country.