Thomas Mar Athanasius-Chengannur

Who is Thomas Mar Athanasius-Chengannur?

Thomas Mar Athanasius was consecrated as a bishop of Malanakara Orthodox Syrian Church on 15 May 1985 by Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews I. Four other Bishops,Mathews Mar Epiphanios, Philppose Mar Eusabius,Geevarghese Mar Ivanios and Baselios Mar Thoma Paulose II were also ordained.

On 1 August 1985 Athanasius became the first Metropolitan of the then newly formed Chengannur Orthodox Diocese.

Athanasius was born to Mr. K.T.Thomas and Mrs. Aleyamma Thomas on the 3rd of April, 1938 in Kizhakkethalackal family at Puthencavu, Chengannur, Alappuzha Dist. He was the grandson of Kizhakkethalackal Thoma Kathanar and the nephew of Geevarghese Mar Philoxinos. Athanasius is 42nd in the priestly generation and the 5th bishop in the Vadakkethalackal family. The other bishops in the family are Simon Mar Dionysios, Yuakim Mar Ivanios, Abraham Marthoma and Geevarghese Mar Philoxinos.

HAthanasius had his elementary education at Puthencavu and Alappuzha and High School education at Metropolitan High School, Puthencavu and M.T.Seminary High School, Kottayam. After completing Intermediate Course from CMS College, Kottayam, he graduated with Physics as major from S.B.College, Changanacherry and did B.Ed. from N.S.S. College, Changanacherry. He completed B.D. from the prestigious Serampore College, Calcutta and later took Master in Education from M.S. University of Baroda.