.::Late Lemented Samuel Mor Philaxinos of Malabar::.

http://SamuelThirumeni.org

Samuel Mor Philaxinos Thirumeni

Malankarayude Soorya Thejas

BIOGRAPHY

Samuel was born to Charivuvilayil Geevarghese and Annamma on AD 1930 May 4, at Vakayar, near Konni. He was very much interested in prayers and taking Lent fron his childhood days. Samuel was very close to the church and involved in its activities. Samuel did his schooling in KKN Memorial School, Konni and Republican English Medium School, Konni. He passed Intermediate from NSS College Panthalam. Later he joined the famous Union Christian College and passed BA in Malayalam. Soon after that, he joined St. Berckmann's College, Changanacherry and did Masters in the same subject.

On AD 1956 February, he was ordained as 'Korooyo' by 'Koobarneethi Hakkimo' Late Lamented Mor Clemis Abraham of Knananya Arch Diocese and the Chief Metropolitan of the East as per the advice of Late Lamented Mor Dionasius Michael, 'The roaring Lion of Malankara' . Dn. Samuel MA did his theological education from Malecruz Dayaro and St. Ignatius Dayaro, Manjanikkara. On AD 1959 February 14, Dn. Samuel MA was ordained as 'Kassisso' by Late Lamented Mor Gregorios Geevarghese of Ankamali, who was known as 'the Iron Man of Malankara'. Fr. C. G. Samuel was a well known scholar in Syriac and Malayalam and appointed as a 'Malpan' in Pazhaya Seminary at Kottayam since both factions of Malankara Church was united and became one. Same time he served as a lecturer in Malayalam Department in Baselios College, Kottayam. Fr. C. G. Samuel was appointed as the Assistant Vicar of Morth Mariyam JSO Simhasana Church, Pampadi, where his successor 'Thanono' Dr. Mor Philaxinos Yuhanon DD, ThD was the vicar.

During 1970's the Bishop's Party (also known as Catholicate Faction) started claiming about the newly invented Throne of St. Thomas in Malankara and thus created a tension in the church which led to the split of the church. Majority of the faithful stood firmly under the true Apostolic faith. The church was safe under the hands of Mor Clemis Abraham Vayala of Knanaya Diocese, Mor Philaxinos Paulose of Kandanad (the then Catholicose of the East Aboon Mor Baselios Paulose II), Dr. Mor Athanasius Paulose Kadavil PhD of Evangelistic Association of the East, Dr. Mor Dionasius Thomas DD of Ankamali (present Catholicose Dr. Aboon Mor Baselios Thomas I) and Dr. Mor Gregorios Geevarghese DD of Kottayam. Dr. Mor Dionasius and Dr. Mor Gregorios served as the in charge metropolitans of Malabar in different times. There was a need for a full time metropolitan in Malabar. Due to the problems created by Bishops Party, 'lati' charge occurred at Cheengeri, Sulthan's Battery, Velamcode and many other parishes in Malabar.

Thus the church decided to ordain Fr. C. G. Samuel as the first metropolitan for Malabar. In AD 1975 December 25, Fr. Samuel MA was ordained as a monk, 'Rabban' by Aboon Mor Baselios Paulose II at Mor Aliya Chapel, Puthencruz. Malankara Jacobite Syrian Christian Association was convened at Morth Mariyam JSO Simhasana Church, Thuruthisserry on AD 1975 Dec 26 and Catholicose along with other metropolitans, ordained Very Rev. Samuel Rabban MA as a Metropolitan in the name 'Mor Philaxinos'. 'Soonthroniso' of newly ordained metropolitan was held at St. Peter's & St. Paul's JSO Cathedral, Meenangadi on AD 1976 January 6 and His Grace Mor Philaxinos Samuel MA took the charge of the diocese and stayed at the Cathedral as a temporary arrangement.

HG was a true shepherd for the faithful in Malabar. HG visited each and every churches in the diocese and used the amount given by them to build new churches in Malabar. Bishop's Party created tension in St. Mary's JSO Church, Sulthan's Battery. Hearing the news, thirumeni rushed to the spot and faced a severe lati charge along with the people and hospitalized. This was the first incident in Independent India that a Bishop was hospitlized facing the police lati charge. Thirumeni was there in the front row to safe guard the true faith, everywhere. Along with Dr. Mor Dionasius Thomas DD, Dr. Mor Clemis Abraham and Dr. Mor Gregorios Geevarghese DD, thirumeni led Great March at Aluva in AD 1978. A 22cent land along with a building was purchased at Meenangadi during H.G's term and shifted the administrative office and Aramana to that building. HG served as the President of MJSSA and JSVBS was started at HG's term. HG visited Holy land in AD 1978-'79 and HH Patriarch at Damascus.

Thirumeni was suffering from chronic diabetes. But HG did not consider his ill-health and was busy in building HIS church in Malabar. Thirumeni was admitted to Lissie Hospital on AD 1985 January 16, while travelling to Kottayam. Due to diabetes and hyper tension, heart filure occured and thirumeni left this world on January 17th. HG's mortal remains were brought back to Malabar and buried in a tomb on the left side of the 'Madhbaho' of St. Peter's & St. Paul's JSO Cathedral, Meenangadi.

Tomb of Samuel Thirumeni at Meenangadi Cathedral

Main Source:
Jubilee Souvenir of Meenangadi Cathedral, 1998

Other Sources: Viswasasamrakshakan Fortnightly, 2009
Book written by Cor Episcopus Dr. K. Mani Rajan PhD, 2004
Church History by Cor Episcopus Dr. Curien Kaniyamparambil, 1982