Samuel Irenios Kattukallil

His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Samuel Mar Irenios (born 13 May 1952) is an Indian Syro-Malankara Catholic clergyman, educator, and prelate. He is currently bishop of the Eparchy of Pathanamthitta of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church. He succeeded Yoohanon Chrysostom Kalloor on 7 June 2019 and became the second bishop of the eparchy, which was erected in 2010.

Family and education Mar Irenios was born 13 May 1952 in Kadammanitta in Pathanamthitta District, Kerala of his parents K. C. Thomas and Annamma Kattukallil. He received secondary education at Government High School, Kadamanitta, did a pre-degree course at Mar Ivanios College, Trivandrum, minor seminary at St. Aloysius, Trivandrum, and philosophy and theology at St. Joseph's Pontifical Seminary, Aluva (Alwaye).

He also holds BA, MA, and PhD degrees in Malayalam language and literature from the University of Kerala. The doctorate was awarded in 1995 for a dissertation on Malayalam poetry.

Mar Irenios also studied at the Tantur Ecumenical Institute in Jerusalem.

Ministry and academic service Mar Irenios was ordained to the priesthood 22 December 1978 for the archeparchy of Trivandrum by its Archbishop Benedict Varghese Gregorios Thangalathil and served in a number of parishes.

He was editor-in-chief of Christhava Kahalam, the official journal of the Trivandrum archeparchy, and the archeparchy's syncellus (episcopal vicar) (2007–10). He was Vice Rector of St. Aloysius Minor Seminary (1978-1985); Lecturer, Bursar (1985 to 1995), eventually Principal of Mar Ivanios College; and Principal of St John's College, Anchal (2000-2006).

He has served on many academic boards including the Board of Studies of the University of Kerala, the Academic Council of Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady, and the National Literacy Mission.

Mar Irenios has published extensively. His works include Karutha Chiriyude Kavi, on the poetry of Ayyappa Paniker, and Prakashathinte Utsavam, reflections on life broadcast on All India Radio in Trivandrum. He edited Dhanya Jeevitham and Visvasavum Vikasanavum, two anthologies on the life and vision of the archbishop who ordained him, Benedict Mar Gregorios. He is a regular broadcaster and contributor to print media.