Falling Asleep of His Grace Geevarghese Mar Ivanios, Metropolitan

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His Grace Geevarghese Mar Ivanios, one of the senior Bishops of the Malankara orthodox Syrian Church entered for heavenly abode this morning at 7.30 am Friday. He was 72.He was under treatment for long. His Grace was the Metropolitan of Kottayam Diocese. His Grace was ordained as a Metropolitan in 1991.

Metropolitan Mar Ivanios was born on November 14, 1940 at the Keeyath family. After schooling, he did his BSc. His Grace did his Post-Graduation in Hebrew and Syriac languages from Mansfield College, Oxford, England. His Grace also took Masters in Theology from the Oxford University.

He got ordained as deacon in 1963 and as priest in 1973, by Metropolitan Mathews Mar Coorilos, (later HH Baselios Marthoma Mathews II).In 1979, HH Baselios Marthoma Mathews I  professed him to the rank of a Remban.Geevarghese Remban was elected to the bishopricate on December 28, 1982 convened at MGM Hish School Thiruvlla. He was subsequently consecrated as Episcopos Mar Ivanios on May 15, 1985 at St Mary’s Orthodox Church, Puthiakavu

His Grace started teaching at the Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam since 1971, Metropolitan Mar Ivanios had authored a book, ‘Hridaya Sudhikaranam’ (Purification of Heart). His Grace was loved by all his students Priest and the faithful. He has been always considered as the Guru of Spiritual being to many.

His Grace was an avid reader and had a large collection of books especially of the orthodox literature. A Man of prayers to the perfection, who brought in the right understanding of orthodox faith, tradition and spirituality among his Priests and students who owe to him. His Grace had a true understanding of the Orthodox Monastic Order and for propagating it in the Indian scenario Bishop founded the monastery Mar Baselios Dayara at Njaliyakuzhi, Kottayam.