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19-Dec-2003
Fr Kuriakose Edavazhikkal elected Knanaya Metropolitan
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Fr. Kuriakose Abraham Edavazhickel has been elected the new Head of the Malankara Knanaya Jacobite Syrian Church at the special session of the Kananaya Association held in the headquarters of the Church at Chingavanom on 18th December. Fr. Edavazhickel got 176 votes against 90 polled by Kuriakose Chirayil Cor Episcopa in the 294-strong electoral college. Of the 294 members, only 269 attended today's session. Three votes were declared invalid. The association, which is scheduled to meet on December 30 again, would decide on the issue of electing assistant Bishops and other matters.
Fr. Kuriakose Edavazhikkal alias Roy Achan assumes the seat following the demise of the Great Metropolitan of the East, Mor Abraham Clemis, in September 2002 at the culmination of one of the longest reigns in Indian Christendom. Fr. Edavazhickel will be elevated to Bishopric by the Patriarch of Antioch, Mar Ignatius Zakka I Iwas at a later date which will announced soon. He will be the fourth Metropolitan of the congregation.
Born into a family of priests on May 21, 1959, Fr.
Edavazhickel bears the tradition of Bishop Ghevargheese Mor Sevarios, the first
Metropolitan of the Knanaya Jacobite Syrian church who was also a member of the
family. The famous Church historian E M Philip, the secretary to Malankara
Metropolitan Pulikottil Joseph Mor Dionysius II, also belongs to the famous
Edavazhikkal family.
The new Metropolitan-elect, is the first
among seven children of Edavazhikkal Kunjavarachan and Mariamma of Kottayam. A
post-graduate in History and English, he gained his degree in theology from
Menooth University, Ireland, and PG in the same subject from Pourasthya Vidya
Peeth, Vadavathoor.
Currently, he is doing research work at Vadavathoor. He is also serving as the
vicar of the St George Church, Neelamperoor.
[Source: Mangalam 19-Dec-2003]
