His Grace Paulose Mar Pachomios Entered Eternal Rest
His Grace Paulose Mar Pachomios, Diocesan Metropolitan of Mavelikkara entered Eternal Rest on August 1,2012. He was 67 years old. Funeral will be held at Bethany Ashram on 2nd Aug at 3 pm. The funeral procession was held on Aug 1st, 2 pm at Kurichi St. Paul’s & St. Peter’s Orthodox Church, Parumala Church at 6 pm, Puthiyakavu St marys Orthodox Church at 8 pm and at Theo Bhavan Diocese Center at 11 pm. Divine Liturgy for the funeral was held at the Theo Bhavan Diocesan Center at 6.30 am on 2/8/2012.
Biography of the Metropolitan
H.G.Paulose Mar Pachomios was born as the second child of Mr.K.K .John and Mariamma John on the 26th of January 1946 in Kolathukalathil Neysseril family, Kurichy. H.G’s family has the great tradition of holy fathers like saint Geevarghese Mar Dionysius of Vattasseril and His Holiness Moron Mar Baselius Geevarghese 2nd Catholicose.
H.G. along with his four brothers and a sister developed a spiritual and disciplined life from his childhood. H.G’s father was an educationist and academician and served as the District Educational Officer and office manager of Catholicate Schools. As a member of Kurichy St.Peter’s and St.Paul’s Valiyapally he inherited the rich spiritual experience and tradition of the church in his early childhood. H.G completed his High school education from St.Thomas high school, Chingavanam. Thereupon he joined S.B.College ,Changanassery and came out with his Bachelors degree in Physics.
H.G joined the Bethany Ashram in 1968. His B.D from the prestigious Bishops College, Calcutta laid the strong foundation for his theological studies. H.G went to England in 1978 and came back with his M.Th(Theology ) from Leeds University in 1980. H.G was called in to the first order of Stewardship in 1973 when he was ordained as Deacon by H.G. Mathews Mar Ivanios , Parete of Kottayam Diocese and visitor Bishop of Bethany Ashram Perunadu. He was ordained to the holy Priesthood on 8th of January 1974 by HG Mathews Mar Athanasius, Catholicose Designate, as Fr.Paulose OIC. HG was elected as the superior of Bethany Ashram in 1986, and served until he was elected as bishop. The Parumala Association held in 1992 elected him as Bishop. Fr.Paulose was ordained as Paulose Ramban on the 18th of December 1992 by H.G.Thomas Mar Themothios Catholicose Designate. H.G was ordained as Bishop on the 16th of August by H.H.Mathews 2nd. As a good shepherd he served in Medical college Chapel Kottayam, St. Thomas church Changanassery, St.Thomas church Perunadu,St. Gregorios Church London and St.Marys church Vadasserikkara for nearly two decades. H.G had extended his stewardship as assistant Metroplitan of Angamally and Idukki Dioceses. H.G became the first Bishop of Mavelikara Diocese when it was formed in 2002.
H.G had a vivacious and dynamic personality and through his leadership the Mavelikara Diocese had grown from strength to strength. ‘THEO Bhavan’ Aramana the head Quarters of Mavelikara Diocese which was constructed in a very short period is an excellent example of his excellence as an administrator. Now the Diocese has 40 churches and 12 chapels. The services of Mar Pachomios was not limited to the diocese of Mavelikara he always made the very best use of his talents for the overall development of the church. He was the first secretary of Religious Committee of Orthodox Churches. He also served as Sunday School Text Book Committee member. Balikamatom School Governing Board member and later one of the Trustees of the same. As a Metropolitan he served as the President of Marthamariam Samajam. His most notable service was his tenure as the Manager of Catholicate and MD Schools. H.G. was serving as the Bishop vice-president of MGOCSM since 1993. He was the president of YMCA Ranni -Perunadu region and one of its prominent resource persons. Presently HG was a member of Parumala Seminary Council and Orthodox Theological Seminary Governing Board.
HG had represented Orthodox Church in various inter church councils especially in inter church council for education. He was also the representative of Orthodox Church in the Nilakkal Ecumenical Trust. Mar Pachomios was one of the leading retreat fathers of the church. He showed the path and light to many monastic communities. Kizhakkambalam Bethlahem St Marys convent, Ranni Holy Trinity Ashram continues in His path of pursuit of holiness. His services as a humanist and missionary are inestimable. He served as the President of St. Thomas Balabhavan Haripad, Mar Dionysius old age Home Chepadu. It was his effort and leadership that made Theo Nivas Pazhamthotam a reality.
Mar Pachomios was a Bishop who strongly kept the Orthodox traditions and values and advocates for a new vigor and splendor for the church. He was always ready to extend his hands to the poor and browbeaten. He worked tirelessly to make his numerous dreams about the church into realities.
Source: theorthodoxchurch.info