Metropolitan Philipose Mar Chrysostum sets a record
by James Varghese
August 15, 2007
PATHANAMTHITTA, INDIA (ANS) -- Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostum, Metropolitan of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar, is soon to find a niche for himself in the Guinness Book of World Records. According to the Hindu Newspaper in India, the 90-year-old Church head has already on August 7 passed the record of Bishop Jerome of the Latin Catholic Church as the longest serving bishop among all Churches with Episcopal tradition in India.
Bishop Jerome set the earlier record with his service as a bishop for 19,799 days, from December 12, 1937, to February 26, 1992.
"God almighty is yet to accept me as a member of his kingdom, engaging me in his service in the mundane world. And the so-called record-breaking service as a bishop is nothing but his divine wish and, of course, I am a contented soul for whatever duties and responsibilities bestowed upon me by him," said Mar Chrysostum in a chat with The Hindu on Friday, August 10.
Born and brought up in the long-standing priestly tradition of the Adangapurathu Kalamannil family of Eraviperoor near Thiruvalla, Mar Chrysostum began his service as a missionary at Agola in Karnataka.
He is the only surviving member of a team of missionaries who ventured to open the Church's first mission centre outside the state in 1940. He was ordained a priest in 1944 and became a bishop Mar Chrysostum on May 23, 1953.
The Hindu said that he was elevated Suffragan Metropolitan later and became the supreme head of the Mar Thoma Church on October 22, 1999, when the then Metropolitan, Alexander Mar Thoma, opted for voluntary retirement.
It was for the first time in the history of the Mar Thoma Church, that the installation of a Metropolitan was held in the presence of his predecessor.
The very meaning of "Chrysostum" suggests "one with a golden tongue" and Mar Chrysostum is known for the gift of his gab, especially his humor-coated philosophical speeches that reflect the raw facts of human life.
The Nair Service Society (NSS) general secretary, P.K. Narayana Panicker, called on the Metropolitan to personally "felicitate" him on Friday afternoon and then he presented him with a "ponnada" (shawl).
Presenting a small poem written by himself, the NSS general secretary said Mar Chrysostum had always been his "best friend".
© 2007 ASSIST News Service, used with permission.
