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Mor Athanasius Paulose Metropolitan (Kadavil Thirumeni- II) was the first shepherd of the Evangelical Association of the East, an organisation formed in 1930's for spreading Holy Gospel under the patronship of the Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch & All the East. He was widely known in the Church as a writer, meditation master, and scholar.
He (Paulose) was born on June 27, 1915, as the youngest of four sons of Kadavil Kurian Paulose and Kunjanna, the eldest daughter of Ittychan from Kulangara Thatholil family. His home parish was the St Thomas Church in Vadakkan Paravur. He was the 2nd metropolitan from the Kadavil family and was also the nephew of the first Metropolitan of the Angamaly Diocese, Kadavil Paulose Mor Athanasius Thirumeni (d. 1907), entombed in Aluva Thrikkunnathu St. Mary’s Church.
Education
Paulose pursued his higher education at prestigious institutions. He completed his B.A. in 1941 from U.C. College, Aluva, followed by an M.A. in Philosophy from Madras Christian College. Later, he earned another M.A. in 1950 from Columbia University. He obtained his Ph.D. from Kerala University in 1966 and later received a D.D. from Sweden in 1974, along with a D.Litt.
Clerical Journey
Paulose began his clerical journey with several important ordinations. In 1938, he was ordained as Koruyo (Sub-Deacon) by Mor Yulius Bava. He received Kassisso ordination (Priesthood) in 1944 from Mor Athanasius Paulose (Sr) Valyathirumeni in Aluva. In 1947 (Chingam 24), he was made a Ramban by Mor Yulius Elias Bava at Aluva Thrikkunnath Church.
For several years, he served as a Malfono (Teacher) at Aluva Thrikkunnath Seminary. He was highly regarded as a writer, meditation master, and preacher. A scholar in Syriac, he authored numerous books in Malayalam and English. He also translated prayer orders, the Holy Qurbono Taksa, and Syriac hymns into English and Malayalam.
In addition to his proficiency in Syriac, he learned Arabic, Bengali, and French. Over the years, he wrote more than 30 books, including:
· Bible and India
· Acharya Sahayi
· Shushrushaka Sahayi
· Four Jacobite Liturgies
· Meaning and Interpretation of the Eucharist of the Syrian Church
· The Orthodox Syrian Church: Its Religion and Philosophy (Ph.D. Thesis)
· Central Jail – Five Years
· Sheema Yatra
· The India, England, and America I Saw
· Today's Students
· Two Old Men
· Syriac Poems
Apart from writing, he was also a talented artist, and painting was one of his favorite hobbies.
Metropolitan Consecration and Leadership
During the Malankara Church crisis of the 1970s, Paulose played a significant role as Mission Director of the Evangelical Society. On September 2, 1973, Moran Mor Ignatius Yakub III Patriarch consecrated him as Metropolitan under the name Mor Athanasius. The Patriarch granted him the same title as his predecessor, Kadavil Thirumeni Sr..
In 1955, during the late years of Mor Michael Deevanasios Thirumeni, Paulose was selected as Assistant Metropolitan for Niranam, Kollam, and Thumpamon Dioceses. However, he was later fully ordained as a Metropolitan in 1973, where he provided strong leadership in the Church and the Evangelical Society.
In 1985, after reaching the age of 70, he retired from administrative responsibilities and spent his final years at Cheriyavappalassery Church, Angamaly. He passed away on March 6, 1991, at 11 PM, and his funeral took place on March 7 at Cheriyavappalassery Mor Ignatius Church.
The Memorial Feast of Blessed Kadavil Thirumeni is observed annually on March 7.
Tomb of Mor Athanasius Paulose (Kadavil Thirumeni-II) at
Cheriyavappalassery Mor Ignatius Church.
