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Mar Paulose Milithios is the third distinguished son of
Kunnamkulam gifted for the Malankara Orthodox Church.
Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dianasius I who established the Old
Seminary, Kottayam in 1815 as a permanent head quarters for
the Malankara Metropolitan and an organized theological
training centre for future clergies of the Church, was the
first gift of Kunnamakulam for the Malankara Orthodox Church.
Pulikkottil Dianasius II, who was the master-mind for the
Parumala Seminary, Parumala Church, Kottayam M.D. Seminary and
orginator of many of the spiritual organizations of the
church, like Youth movement, Clergy Association, Malankara
Sunday School Association etc. was the second gift of
Kunnamkulam. Now here the third, Paulose Mar Milithiose as the
designated prelate of the Malankara Orthodox Church.
H. B. Paulose Mar Milithios Metropolitan was born on August
30, 1946 as the second son of K.I. Iype-Kunjeetty couple of
Kollannoor house, Mangad near Pazhanji of Thalappally Taluk
and Trissur district. His mother Kunjeetty belongs to
Pulikkottil family. The child was named as Paul after his
grand father. Infant Paul was baptized in his mother Church at
Pazhanji. Paul grew up as a well matured, pious and dedicated
boy and become the apple of the eye of the villagers. He was a
reserved boy who was not much interested in play or enjoyments
of other boys of his age. He had a graceful appearance, which
attracted by all to whom he came into contact.
His Preliminary education was conducted at the Magad Church
School till his 7th standard. His high school education was
done at the Pazhanji Governmet High School, which was
established by the Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dianasisus II. He
attended Church services regularly and became an altar boy at
an young age. In 1963, he passed S.S.L.C with high grade. Due
to the local necessity of priests Paulose Mar Severios
Metropolitan of Kollam Kochi diocese could foresee the Call of
God for His service in the young boy, Paul. His uncle
Iyyukkutty also had inspired him for the priestly services.
The affection bestowed by this Holy father encouraged Paul and
inspired him for the dedication of himself for Clergical
services. Paul studied for Pre-University and B.Sc. in Physics
at Trichur St. Thomas College. While studying for degree, his
call was strengthened. Paul was an active member of MGOCSM
Unit in his church. In 1969, Paul joined the Theological
Seminary at Kottayam for his theological studies under the
discipleship of Dr. Paulose Mar Gregorios, Fr. Abraham,
and Fr. Koruthu Malapan etc. He completed theological studies
in GST from Orthodox Theological Seminary and BD from
Seramboor University.
In 1972, Paul was
ordained for the first stage of deaconate in Parumala
Seminary. He was ordained as a full deacon at Koratty Seheyon
Seminary. On June 2, 1973, Dn. Paul was ordained as a priest.
Fr. Paul celebrated the first Holy Qurbana at Mangad St.
Gregorious Church, served the Mooleppat
Mar Basalios Mar Gregorios Church for a
short while. Later Fr. Paul took M.A. in Sociolgy from C.M.S
College Kottayam and conducted Holy services at Aduppootty St.
Mary
Magdalene Convent Chapel and Kottayam Medical College Chapel.
From 1975 onwards Fr. Paul served as the vicar of Ernakulam
St. Mary's Church for 9 long years. Rev. Fr. K.I.Paul was
always very closely associated with MGOCSM activities of
Malankara Church.
It was the fifth Catholicose Mar Basalios Marthoma Mathews I
who could foresee the call of Fr. Paul to His episcopate and
choose him as a candidate for the same. The Malankara
Association held at Thiruvalla on Dec. 28, 1982 elected Fr.
Paul to be elevated to the episcopate. On May 3, 1983 Fr. Paul
was ordained as Ramban along with other elected Bishop
candidates by then Catholicate designate H.G. Mathews Mar
Coorilose Metropolitan and started living in Parumala seminary
along with the co-Rambans for two years under the guidance of
late H. G. Yuhanon Mar Severios for learning the holy
literatures, administration, traditions etc. of the church. By
this time Ramban Paul became a famous retreat father.
On May
15, 1985 Ramban Paul was ordained as a Bishop with title
Paulose Mar Milithios at the age of 38 at Puthiyacavu St.
Mary's Church by Basalios Mar Thoma Mathews I. He is the first
Metropolitan after parumala Thirumeni who was ordained Bishop
below age of 40. Four other Bishops, Mathews Mar Epiphanios,
Philppose Mar Eusabius, Geevarghese Mar Ivanios and Thomas Mar
Athanisios were also ordained along with Mar Milithios. A new
diocese for the Church, Kunnamkulam was formed on April 14,
1985 with some of the churches of Talappally Taluk of Kochi
diocese and some neighboring churches. The newly ordained
Bishop Mar Milithios was appointed as the diocesan
Metropolitan of the newly formed diocese of Kunnamkulam. When
he took over the charge on Aug 1, 1985, there was no diocesan
head quarters or any Aramana. Initially the new Metropolitan
lived in an annexed room of Arthat Church. With a determined
hard efforts and cooperation of his fellow believers of his
diocese he could construct a beautiful diocesan centre with a
chapel in the vicinity of Arthat church for Kunnamkulam
diocese within five years span.
Further
he was appointed as the vice president of MGOCSM, North Zone
President Clergy Association which was originated by himself,
Pazhanji Dionasius College Manager, Kunnamkulam Malankara
Medical Mission Hospital Vice President, Manjapra Balabhavan
President Malankara Sabha, Orthodox Youth Magazine Vice
President, Assistant to Catholicose. After Barnabas Thirumeni
left for American diocese, Mar Milithios served as the
president of the Madyavarjana samithy and contributed
exemplarary services in all dioceses of Malankara, organizing
the students for the cause of liquor abdication.
Mar Milthios
is a good writer and orator. Whichever field Mar Milithios
worked, he is trustworthy, enthusiastic, sincere and
hardworking. Paulose Mar Milithiose Thirumeni is comparitively
young of the age of sixty with a clear vision, strength and
dynamism left in him for guiding and shepherding the Church.
May God Shower His Choicest Blessings on him in abundance and
keep him in good health. We wish
all the best for Thirumeni and pray to God Almighty for all
the blessings to Thirumeni from heaven.
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