| The Most Reverend Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan Mar Thoma XXI |
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|---|---|
| Enthroned | October 2, 2007 |
| Reign ended | Incumbent |
| Predecessor | (Mar Thoma XX) |
| Successor | Incumbent |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | October 18, 1957 |
| Consecration | February 8, 1975 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 27, 1931 Maramon |
Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan is the present head of the Mar Thoma Church with its center in Kerala state in south-western India. He is the 21st Mar Thoma.
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In the seventeenth century Kerala, a member of the Panamkuzhy house of Kuruvalingadu came and settled in Kozhencherry on the banks of river Pampa. Later they moved to Maramon, and lived at Chackkalyil, on the other side of the river. The 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 hermit priest (sanyasi achen). As was the custom, the youngest son Mathew lived at Palakunnathu family house. (This house still exists). Abraham Malpan, leader of reformation in Malankara church was the second son of Mathew. 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 Marthoma Church leaders were also born in this family. Mathews Mar Athanasius Metropolitan (Mar Thoma XIII) and Titus I Mar Thoma Metropolitan (Mar Thoma XV) were from this family. Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan (Mar Thoma XXI), is also from this family.[1][2]
P.T. Joseph was born on 27 June 1931 as the son of Palakunnathu T. Lukose of Maramon Palakunnathu Kadon House and Mariamma of Maramon, Puthoor House.
After his education at Maramon and Kozhencherry, he joined Union Christian College Aluva.
Joseph always wanted an academic career, but when he was called to take up theological studies he readily accepted it. So in 1954, he joined the United Theological College, Bangalore, Karnataka, India and obtained a B.D. degree.
He was ordained as Deacon of the Mar Thoma Church on June 29, 1957 and Kasseessa (priest) on October 18, 1957.
Then he continued his studies at the Protestant Episcopal Seminary in Virginia, USA. From there he went to Canterbury and Oxford in England. He was able to obtain MDiv (Master of Divinity) and STM (Master of Sacred Theology) degrees. He was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity by Virginia Seminary where he studied.
Realizing the need for more bishops for the Mar Thoma Church, the Church Mandalam (representative assembly) in 1974, decided to consecrate two more bishops. Rev. P.T.Joseph was one of those who were selected. He was ordained as Ramban on January 11, 1975.
On February 8, 1975, Juhanon Mar Thoma Metropolitan assisted by the other bishops of the church ordained Rev. P.T.Joseph and was given the episcopal title, Joseph Mar Irenaeus. Rev. V.T. Koshy, Easow Mar Timotheos was also ordained on the same day.
He was designated as Suffragan Metropolitan on March 15, 1999 when Philipose Mar Chrysostom Suffragan Metropolitan was designated as Officiating Metropolitan .
After the great swearing in 1653 it became necessary to appoint a bishop. For this purpose a special chair was made and Mar Thoma I the first bishop of Malankara Church was enthroned. This throne, used for the consecration of Mar Thoma I, is in the possession of the Mar Thoma Church and is kept at Tiruvalla, It has been used in the installation of every Mar Thoma Metropolitan, to this day, so that the continuity of the throne of Mar Thoma is ensured. This was the throne used for the consecration of Mar Thoma XXI, Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan. It is said that after Thomas Mar Athanasius lost the case against the Jacobites he had come back to the old seminary in Kottayam to collect his things kept there ;some people and had thrown out all his things and along with it the Malankara Throne too saying take this also the throne of Mar Thoma, Thomas Mar Athanasius had to then take that chair also which had by then broken a leg back to Maramon.
Joseph Mar Irenaeus Suffragan Metropolitan was installed as Mar Thoma XXI Metropolitan on October 2, 2007 when Philipose Mar Chrysostom was made Valia Metrapolitan. (Senior Metropolitan)
He was the President of the National Council of Churches in India and was one of the senior Presidents of CCA and the chairman of CASA.
| Ordained as Deacon = June 29, 1957 |
| Ordained as Kasseessa = October 18, 1957 |
| Ordained as Ramban = January 11, 1975 |
| Consecrated as Episcopa = February 8, 1975 |
| Designated as Suffragan Metropolitan = March 15, 1999 |
| Installed as Metropolitan = October 2, 2007 |
| Preceded by Philipose Mar Chrysostom (Mar Thoma XX) |
Metropolitans of the
Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church |
Succeeded by Incumbent |