Former Metropolitans

A bishop is considered to be the successor to the Apostles in the service and hierarchy of the Church. Therefore the bishop is believed to serve in place and as a type of Christ for the Church but in Orthodoxy no bishop is considered to be without wrong. They are responsible for maintaining the unity of the Church throughout the world by insuring the truth and unity of the faith and practice of their diocese. The metropolitan is responsible for these factors as well but they are also head of the parishes which is part of their diocese or archdiocese. The metropolitan is the go to for all lower orders of clergy. In Orthodoxy, no divide service can be conducted without a ruling bishop’s authorization and all former Orthodox Metropolitans upheld these codes strictly.

Timeline

1979 – 1993		His Grace Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios
1993 – 2011		His Grace Mathews Mar Barnabas

It was during the time of the litigation of the Church that the Metropolitan as a young priest, showed his ingenuity as leader and scholar in Church History. He helped the lawyers of the Church understand the history, Traditions and Canons of the Church. This was instrumental in seeking an historic verdict by the Supreme Court of India in favor of the Church in 1958. He has also studied in various religious institutions in England, Germany, Switzerland and France. He has been in the U.S since 1963 and earned a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Nashota House in Wisconsin, a Master’s of Sacred Theology from Virginia Theological Seminary, and a Doctorate in Theology from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond.

He returned back to India and worked as a professor of Church History at Orthodox Theological Seminary in Kottayam. In 1975, Fr. Thomas was consecrated as Metropolitan Thomas Mar Makarios by His Holiness Catholicos Augen I. In that same year the Catholicos appointed Metropolitan Mar Makarios as the first Metropolitan of the Bombay Diocese.

Later in 1979, His Grace Mar Makarios was enthroned as the first Metropolitan of the American Diocese of the Indian Orthodox Church. Since 1985, Metropolitan has been teaching religion classes at Alma College in Michigan. In 1990, Alma College conferred Metropolitan with the degree of Doctor of Divinity Honorees Causa.

In 1994, His Grace Mar Makarios was appointed as the first Metropolitan of the newly created Canada & Europe Diocese. His Grace Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios passed away on February 23, 2008 as a result of a tragic car accident in e arly January 2008 during his archpastoral visit to his diocese in the United Kingdom.

May the memory of Metropolitan His Grace Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios be eternal!

Early Life
Mathukutty (childhood name) was born in Kallarackaparampil house at Vengola, to Kuruvilla & Mariamma of the Kidangethu Thombra Family, on August 9, 1924. He is the youngest one among four brothers and two sisters. His sister, Sister Mary, was one of the founding nuns of the Bethlehem Convent in Kizhakkambalam, near Alwaye.
His Grace’s grandfather and uncle were Orthodox priests who were of good learning and leadership. Their earnestness to the service of the Church. and dedication to the Orthodox Christian way of life inspired the young Mathukutty. Aside from them, His Grace’s mother also inspired and profoundly impacted him. She was very pious and devoted woman, who would do anything for the Church and Faith. Her uncompromising habit of fasting and love for the poor, made a deep impression in the mind of her son.
At the age of 7, Mathukutty decided to be a monk and give up eating meat and fish. He planned to join the Gethsemane Monastery in Piramadam, near Moovattupuzha, of which his uncle, Rev. Fr. K. P. Paulose, was one of the founding members. During the summer vacation while his peers would seek the pleasure of games and other recreation, both Mathukutty and his twin brother would stay in the Monastery following the monastic life

Education
He was ordained as a Deacon in 1943, and as a Priest in 1951. He studied Biology at Madras Christian College and while he served the parish in Secunderabad he did his Masters in Botany in Osmania University. He began Theological studies under the guidance of his uncle Rev. Fr. K. P. Paulose. In 1949 he joined the Orthodox Theological Seminary as a special student and studied Syriac for two years. While he was the Vicar of the Calcutta parish, he studied in the Bishop’s College, Calcutta and earned his B. D. degree from the Serampore University, as an external student.

Ordination
His Holiness Catholicos Baselios Gheevarghese II ordained him as a Deacon in 1943, at his home parish, St. Thomas Cheriapally, Thuruthipaly, Vengola. In 1951 Metropolitan Augen Mar Thimotheos (Later Catholicos), ordained him to the Holy Priesthood. It was in 1977, that the Malankara Association elected Rev. Fr. K. K. Mathews as a Metropolitan of the Church. On May 15, 1978 His Holiness Catholicos Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews I, Catholicos of the East, consecrated him as Metropolitan Mathews Mar Barnabas of the Malankara (Indian) Orthodox Church.

Career
As a Deacon, he was a teacher at Kurppumpady M.G. M. High School in 1947. He taught there for two years and continued to teach for another two years at the MD Seminary High School, Kottayam, until he was ordained to priesthood. He also was a lecturer in the Orthodox Theological Seminary at Kottayam for five years. During this period (1967-1972) he was the Resident Faculty Member at the Seminary and full-time Warden. He also cherished the years when he served as Chaplain in the Kolenchery Medical Mission Hospital from 1972-1978.
Episcopal Life
In the past, Metropolitan Mar Barnabas has been the Shepherd to Kottayam, Angamaly and Idukki Dioceses. Under His Grace’s leadership in the newly formed Idukki Diocese, a Diocesan Center and Metropolitan’s Residence were built. He led that Diocese efficiently and organized new parishes and visited the flock regularly. The Idukki Medical Mission at Nettithozhu is another significant achievement for the Church which was under His Grace’s leadership.

Retirement
On January 18, 2011, His Holiness the Catholicos of the East And Malankara Metropolitan, Baselius Mar Thoma Paulose II, formally accepted His Grace Mathews Mar Barnabas’ request to be relieved from administrative responsibilities as Diocesan Metropolitan of the Northeast American Diocese.
His Grace enjoyed his retirement at the Monastery of St. Kuriakose the Martyr, lovingly known as ‘Pampady Dayro’.
On December 9, 2012, our beloved Vailya Thirumeni, who faithfully shepherded the flock of the Northeast American Diocese, for more than 19 years, fell asleep in Christ. His Grace was entombed at his home parish, Sts. Peter & Paul Orthodox Church, Valayanchirangara, Kerala, India.
His Grace’s example of love, prayer, and charity continues to reign in the hearts of his spiritual children. May his holy intercession before Christ our God, be a fortress for our Church, the Diocese, and our families.
May the precious memory of our most beloved Father in Christ, His Grace Mathews Mar Barnabas, Metropolitan be eternal!

Reference : http://www.neamericandiocese.org