21-August-2004
MOR ATHANASIUS CANONIZED AS SAINT
The late Paulose Mar Athanasius of the Malankara Mertropolitan of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church, known as the `defender of faith' and the `Valiya Thirumeni of Aluva,' was canonized as saint by the Patriarch, Moran Mar Ignatius Zakka I, head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church. He is the second Indian to be raised to the status of sainthood after Chathuruthil Geevarghese Mar Gregorios (Parumala Thirumeni).
The announcement was made at the Patriarchal Cathedral at Damascus. The Patrirachal declaration was also read in India at the Akaparambu Mor Sabor Apfroth Church. The Catholicos Mor Baselios Thomas I and the members of Holy Synod were present during the ceremony at Akaparambu Church.
The Mar Athanasius was born at Nayathodu, Akapparambu, in 1869, and died on January 26, 1953. He had been selected Metropolitan of Malankara in 1935.
The canonization had been made prior to the apostolic visit of the Patriarch to India from September 20. The Patriarch will lay the stone for the first church in the name of the Canonized Metropolitan.
Malayala Manorama, dt. 21-Aug-04
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Mangalam, Features section
(Article by Ramachandran)
Paulose Mor Athanasius (Valiya Tirumeni), the late Malankara Metropolitan Canonized
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Biography of the late Paulose Mor Athanasius Valiya Thirumeni, the Malankara Metropolitan of the Jacobite Syrian Church (1918-53) |