Samuel Mor Philaxinos
| Mor Philaxinos Samuel | |
|---|---|
| Former Metropolitan of Malabar Diocese | |
 | |
| Church | Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Christian Church |
| Diocese | Malabar Diocese |
| See | Universal Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch |
| In office | 1976 — 1985 |
| Predecessor | Thomas Mar Dionysius and Ghevarghese Mar Gregorios |
| Successor | Yuhanon Mor Philaxinos |
| Orders | |
| Ordination |
26 Dec, 1975 by Catholicose Baselius Paulose II |
| Consecration |
6 Jan, 1976 by Catholicose Baselius Paulose II |
| Rank | Metropolitan of Malabar Diocese |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
May 4, 1930 Konni, Pathanamthitta, Kerala |
| Died |
January 17, 1985 Meenangadi, Wayanad |
Samuel Mar Philexinose (May 4, 1930 - January 17, 1985) was the first bishop of the Malabar Diocese of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church.
1930 May 4: (Malayalam Era 1105 Medom 21) CG Samuel, who was to become Samuel Mar Philexinose, was born as the eldest son of Late Kodathu Charuvilayil Ghevarghese and Annammah, of Konni, who were members of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, Konni-Vakayar (Thumpamon Diocese). The family traces its origin to the Keekulathu Kizhakkekkara (Vadakkecharuvil Sakha) branch of the ancient family of Mundakkal Illom Tharavad located at Nariyapuram, Omallur, Pathanamthitta District.
1935-1942: He completed his studies at the Primary and Middle School levels (1st to 7th standard) at Kallara Krishnan Nair (KKN) Memorial English Medium School, Konni.
In 1941 CG Samuel, and his younger brother, KG George became disciples of Michael Mar Dionysius at a very young age. They together learnt the liturgy of the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church by heart, and served as alter-boys since they were of 11 years old.
CG Samuel was ordained as a priest in 1959, and as Samuel Mar Philexinose, Metropolitan of Malabar Diocese in 1975.
1942-45: CG Samuel completed his High School Education (Form 1 to Form 3) at Republican School, Konni.
1945-47: He attained High School Education (Form 4 & Form 5) at KKN Memorial English Medium School, Konni.
1950-52: He completed Intermediate College Education at NSS College, Pandalam. In 1950 the Malabar Diocese was founded. The St. Peter’s and St; Pauls Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, Meenangadi, were established in 1949.
1953-56: He enrolled for the BA (Malayalam) Degree Course at Union Christian College, Aluva.
1955: On 5th Feb 1955, CG Samuel was ordained as a Deacon (Koruyo) at Chingavanam Mar Aprem Seminary by Abraham Mar Clemis of Knananya Arch Diocese, with recommendations from Michael Mor Dionysius.
1956-59: Dn. CG Samuel, underwent studies in theology and religious practices at St. Ignatius Dayoro at Manjinikkara, and at Trikkunnath Seminary.
1959 Feb 14th: Dn. CG Samuel was ordained as a Priest (Kassisso) at Trikkunnath Seminary by Ghevarghese Mar Gregorios (Vayaliparambil Thirumeni) of Ankamali, on instructions from Michael Mar Dionysius.
1959-61: Fr. CG Samuel was enrolled for the MA (Malayalam) Degree Course at St. Berchmann’s College, Changanassery.
On 25 Dec 1975, he was ordained as Ramban (Rabban or Very Right Reverend) at the Mar Elia Jacobite Syrian Chapel at Puthencruz.
On 26 Dec 1975 he was ordained as Metropolitan at the St. Mary’s Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Simhasana Church or the Mar Sabore Afroth Simhasana Church, Thuruthissery, by the Catholicose of the East, Baselius Paulose II. Samuel Mar Philexinose was the first metropolitan to be ordained by the Catholicose. The name Philexinose is translated to mean a friend to strangers.
1976 Jan 6: The Order of Proclamation as the Metropolitan (Sunthronisso) of Malabar, and Bahya Kerala Diocese, was handed over to him on the day of the remembrance of the baptism of Jesus Christ (Danaha), at St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s Jacobite Syrian Church, Meenangadi. There were 43 churches in the region of Malabar. The Meenangadi Church was established in 1949. From 1974 to 1975 Thomas Mar Dionysius (later Baelius Thomas I, Catholiose of the East) was in charge of the Malabar Diocese.
Samuel Mar Philexinose organized a visit by Iganatius Zakka Iwas I (Patriarch of Antioch), to St. Peter’s and St Paul’s Jacobite Syrian Church, Meenangadi.
He formulated the Constitution for Malabar Diocese. The constitution was approved by the laity and endorsed by Ignatius Zakka Iwas I. From 1984 to 1985 the Thirumeni founded the Jacobite Syrian Vacation Bible Class (JSVBS) when he was the President of Malankara Jacobite Sunday School Association (MJSSA).
1985, Jan 12: Thirumeni was admitted to Lissy Hospital, Ernakulam for minor surgery on a diabetic foot lesion, but died of a hemorrhage that led to cardiac arrest on Jan 17. He was buried at St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s Jacobite Syrian Cathedral, Diocese Headquarters, Meenangadi, Wayanad District, Kerala.
References
- Viswasasamrakshakan Fortnightly
- Biography written by Fr.Dr.K.Mani Rajan PhD
- SyrianChurch.org
- Souvenir of St.Peter's & St.Paul's JSO Cathedral, Meenangadi
- Web-Biography at smp-malabar.webs.com by Dr. Varghese George, Prof., NITK, Surathkal (nephew of Late Lamented Samuel Mor Philexinose)
- George, Varghese (2000) Samuel Mar Philexinose-Ormakalil: Oru Smaranika-Oru Thiranoottam (Samuel Mar Philexinose – In Our Memories), Dautyam, Mission of Jesus’ Love Publication, Menangadi, India, Pub. on 23-08-2000.
- George, Varghese (2009) Thirumeni Appachan - Ormakalil (Memories of Our Elder-Uncle: The Bishop), Dautyam, Mission of Jesus’ Love Publications, Menangadi, India. Also republished in the website of Malankara Syriac Voice on 16th Jan 2010, under the link, http://www.malankarasyriacvoice.com/2010/Jan Archives2010.htm, Accessed and downloaded on 25th Jan 2010.