By Matters India Reporter
Pathanamthitta: Philipose Mar Chrysostom, the world’s oldest bishop who attended the Second Vatican Council as a Protestant observer and was honored with India’s third highest civilian award, died May 5 in Kerala, southern India. He was 104.
The death of the Mar Thomas Valiya (senior) Metropolitan occurred at 1:15 am at Kumbanad Fellowship Hospital in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala. His mortal remains were shifted to Alexander Marthomas Memorial Hall in Thiruvalla. The funeral will be held on May 6.
The bishop was admitted to Thiruvalla Believers Church Medical College on April 30 after he felt unwell. He was discharged on May 3, reports manoramaonline.com.
Mar Chrysostom was born Philip Oommen on April 27, 1917. He was a bishop for 67 years, 11 months and 11 days. He was addressed and referred to as Chrysostom Thirumeni or Valiya Thirumeni.
He was awarded Padma Bhushan, India’s third highest civilian award. Indian President Ram Nath Kovind presented the award at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi, on March 20, 2018 in recognition of his service to society.
Philip Oommen was born to vicar general K. E. Oommen, Kalamannil, Adangapurathu, Kumbanad. His mother was Sosamma of Nadukke Veettil, Karthikappally.
He attended Maramon, Kozhencherry and Eraviperoor schools, and went on to graduate from Union Christian College, Aluva. He was ordained a deacon of the Malankara Mar Thoma Church in 1944.
In 1950, the Church Mandalam, the representative assembly of the Mar Thoma Church, consecrated three bishops, including Philip Oommen. On May 23, 1953, Philip Oommen Ramban was consecrated as Philipose Mar Chrysostom Episcopa.
He had served as the president of the National Council of Churches in India, the national body of the Protestant and Orthodox Churches and their institutions. He was among the observers at the Catholic Church’s Second Vatican Council (1962-1965).
He also attended the World Council of Churches at Evanston in 1954 and Uppsala in 1968.
In 1954, he joined St. Augustine’s College, Canterbury, UK, for higher studies in theology.
Mar Chrysostom was installed as Metropolitan on October 23, 1999, when Alexander Mar Thoma Metropolitan was made Valiya Metropolitan.
On August 28, 2007, he announced his resignation as the supreme head of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church on grounds of old age and ill-health.
Indian film director Blessy made a comprehensive biopic, about 48 hours 10 minute long, on Philipose Mar Chrysostom.
On his 90th birthday, the Mar Thoma Church devised a project, Navathy Home Project, to build homes for 1,500 families in India, irrespective of caste, creed or religion. Each house cost 150,000 rupees and comprised a sit-out, a drawing room, a bedroom, a kitchen, a dining room and a toilet.
On his hundredth birthday, the Church officially inaugurated the project among the Transgender community.
Respectful farewell to Padma Bhushan Philipose Mar Chrysostom. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let your perpetual light shine upon the departed soul.