Joseph Koorilose IX

Joseph Mar Koorilose IX (born Joseph Panakkal; 26 November 1954 – 9 September 2014), also known as Valiya Thirumeni, was an Indian prelate who served as the 13th Metropolitan of the Malabar Independent Syrian Church (MISC) from 1986 to 2001. Following his retirement from active administration, he served as the first Valiya Metropolitan (Senior Metropolitan) of the church until his death in 2014.

Early life and education Joseph Panakkal was born in Kunnamkulam to P. I. Mathewkutty, a retired Havildar Major, and Kunjhani. His family, the Alathoor-Panakkal household, has a long-standing history within the MISC, having produced Metropolitan Joseph Mar Koorilose IV (r. 1856–1888) and the Suffragan Metropolitan Paulose Mar Athanasios (died 1927).

He received his primary education at David Memorial L.P. School and secondary education at M.J.D. High School. He attended Sri Krishna College, Guruvayur, for his pre-degree course and obtained a Bachelor of Arts in History and English from St. Thomas College, Thrissur. In 1979, he earned a Bachelor of Education from the Municipal College of Education in Chickballapur, Karnataka.

Ministry and election Joseph was ordained to the sub diaconate in 1972 and as a priest on 1 March 1978 by Mathews Mar Koorilose VIII. He served as the Vicar of Kallumpuram parish and as a teacher at St. George's High School, Thozhiyur. In 1984, he founded the Church's Youth League (MISC Youth League) and served as the founding editor of its publication, Sneha Sandesham. He was interred at St. George's Cathedral, Thozhiyur.