Thomas Mor Themotheos

Mor Timotheos Thomas is the Metropolitan of Kottayam Diocese and Secretary to the Holy Episcopal Synod of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church. Mor Themotheos Thomas was ordained as the Metropolitan of the Outside Kerala Diocese on 3 January 1991 by Mor Baselios Paulose II Catholicos of the East.

Early life

Thomas was born on 11 July 1949 in the Muriyankal family of the Lakkattoor village (Kottayam District, Kerala, India) to Kurian Kuruvilla and Annamma Kuruvilla, the sixth of their eight children.

Education Thomas had his initial primary education in the village CMS (the Anglican Church Missionary Society) School. Middle School and High School education were completed at the Amayannoor High School. In 1964, while in the ninth grade, Thomas was ordained Korooyo by Mor Philoxenos Paulose (later Catholicose Baselios Paulose II) who was then Metropolitan of the Kottayam diocese. His parish priest, Corepiscopus Thomas Mattathil, imparted early instruction in Syriac and liturgical rites. Having completed the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) examination in 1965, Thomas joined the Baselius College, Kottayam, for the Pre-Degree course. Subsequently, he joined the CMS college, Kottayam, where he continued till 1972, graduating with bachelor's and master's degrees in English literature.

Ecumenical activities Mor Timotheos Thomas participated in the Vienna Consultations—the dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches. He represented the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church in the eighth assembly of the World Council of Churches, held at Zimbabwe in 1998. Thomas Mor Timotheos is a regular participant in forums hosted by the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) and served for fours years as the President of NCCI Unit I. He was also a key participant in the dialogue between the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church which produced breakthroughs in controversial issues such as inter-confessional marriages. Thomas Mor Timotheos was the president of the Bible Society of India, Kerala Auxiliary.

Patriarchal honor The Most Reverend Metropolitan H.E Thomas Mor Thimothios during the Sacrament of Baptism with the Holy Myron. Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka Ist Iwas, the Patriarch of Antioch and Supreme Head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church honored Mor Thimotheos with the title "NAHEERO" which means "Brilliant" as a token of appreciation to his valuable services to the Syriac Orthodox Church In India.

Episcopal contributions

Mor Themotheos Thomas has significant role in the development of the present Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church in India, especially in the outside dioceses. The "Greater India Outside Arch diocese" under his jurisdiction is divided into 4 separate dioceses called Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi and Mylapore (Chennai) which are administered by different metropolitans now. The efforts and labor of Mor Themotheos significantly helped the present growth of outside Kerala Jacobite dioceses into a worth position. Mor Themotheos ordained 6 present metropolitans of the church into the priesthood " Kassiso". No other bishop in the Jacobite church has that record as of now. Priests ordained by Mor Themotheos serving as Bishops are Mor Osthatheos Pathrose (Bangalore), Mor Eusebious Kuriakose (Delhi), Mor Coorilose Geevargese (Niranam), Mor Phelexinos Zacharias (Idukki), Mor Alexandrios Thomas (Mumbai), and Mor Thimotheos Matthew (Former Patriarchal Secretary).

Mor Themotheos is the founder of pre-marital counseling programs in Jacobite Syrian church. It was started it on his diocese, before being implemented to the whole church. Mor Themotheos served as the President and Resident Metropolitan of M.S.O.T seminary for 9 years ( 1991–2000).Later Dr. Mor Theophilose Kuriakose succeeded him. Mor Themotheos served as a Professor of MSOT Seminary as well. "Anagalapura Mission Centre, Hosur Mission Centre and Mysore Road Mision Centre" are under his leadership.

Mor Themotheos is elected as the "Secretary" to the Holy Episcopal Synod of the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church in India by the regional synod of Church held on 2018 December.