Niranam Diocese (Syriac Orthodox Church)
Niranam diocese, the smallest and one of the oldest dioceses of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church, is located in Niranam, India. Niranam is one of the places where St. Thomas the Apostle preached in the 1st century.[1]
Establishment
The diocese was founded by former Patriarch of Antioch Ignatius Peter IV during the Pope’s apostolic visit to India in 1875-1877. St. Gregorios of Parumala was appointed as the first Metropolitan of Niranam diocese by Patriarch Peter IV himself.
Former Metropolitans
Mor Gregorios Geevarghese, Mor Dionysius Michael, Mor Kuriakose Koorilos, and Mor Markose Coorilos, led the diocese in the past. Mor Gregorios Geevarghese or Parumala Thirumeni was the first metropolitan of the diocese.Mor Gregorios Vayaliparambil pynadath(1899–1966) of Angamaly was also in charge of this diocese along with Thumbamon.
Metropolitan Markose Coorilos Thirumeni was given independent charge of Niranam diocese. He died in 2005.
Present Metropolitan
The Diocese of Niranam has now been made an independent diocese with Dr. Geevarghese Mor Coorilose as its Metropolitan who was consecrated as bishop on 3 July 2006 at St. Thomas Church, Paravur.