His Grace The Most Reverend Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitian |
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Marthoma Metropolitan | |
Installed | 2 October 2007 |
Term ended | Incumbent |
Predecessor | Philipose Mar Chrysostom |
Successor | Rt. Rev. Geevarghese Mar Athanasius Suffragan Metropolitan |
Orders | |
Ordination | 18 October 1957 |
Consecration | 8 February 1975 |
Personal details | |
Birth name | P. T. Joseph |
Born |
Maramon, Kerala, India |
27 June 1931
H.G The Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma is the 21st Malankara Metropolitan and the current primate of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church, which is also called The Malankara Mar Thoma Suriyani Sahba, which has its headquarters in Kerala, a south-western state in India.
In the seventeenth century Kerala, a member of the Panamkuzhy house of Kuruvalingadu, Kuruvilla came and settled in Kozhencherry on the banks of river Pampa. Later he and his three sons moved to Maramon, and lived at Chackkalyil, on the other side of the river. The second son's second son in that family, Mathen moved to a nearby house at Palakunnathu. He had six sons and a daughter. The daughter was married to Mallapally Pavoothikunnel family and the first four sons moved to Themoottil, Neduvelil (Kozhenchery), Periyilel and Punamadom (Othera). The fifth son was a celibite priest (sanyasi achen). As was the custom, the youngest son Mathew lived at Palakunnathu family house and married Pandanattu Mullasseril Mariamma. (This house still exists). Abraham Malpan, a leader of reformation in Malankara church was the second son of Mathew and Mariamma. Mar Thoma XIII was his nephew, his older brother's son. Thomas Mar Athanasius Metropolitan (Mar Thoma XIV) and Titus I Mar Thoma Metropolitan (Mar Thoma XV) were the sons of Abraham Malpan.
A number of other Malankara Church and Marthoma Church leaders were also born in this family.Abraham Malpan, Mathews Mar Athanasius Metropolitan (Mar Thoma XIII), Thomas Mar Athanasius Metropolitan (Mar Thoma XIV) and Titus II Mar Thoma were from this family. Joseph Mar Thoma (Mar Thoma XXI), is also from this family.