Xmas Message – The Most Rev. Philipose Mar Chrysostom

 
A Great Man of Our Times
Great men’s lives are great messages to the world, worth knowing and following. The life of His Grace the Most Rev. Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostom Mar Thoma Valia Metropolitan of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church is one such that is a solace to millions of followers and an inspiration to the world. A voracious reader, brilliant thinker, pungent writer and excellent orator; the dynamic personality of Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostom is a strong presence in the spiritual and socio-cultural life of Kerala.

Early Life
Affectionately called Valiya Thirumeni, Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostom inherited the missionary zeal from his father, Vicar General Very Rev. K. E. Oommen. After graduation he served in the Ashram at Ankola. He gained theological education from UTC Bangalore and St. Augustine’s College, Canterbury.

In 1944 he became an ordained minister of the church and nine years later he was consecrated as a Bishop. Apart from holding the charge of different dioceses in Kerala, he has also served as a Missionary Bishop for many years.

He was President of the National Christian Council of India and has attended the Assembly of World Council of Churches at Evanston in 1954, and at Upsala in 1968. He attended the second Vatican Council and made valuable contributions to the ecumenical cause.

His deep social concern led to the formation of STARD (South Travancore Agency for Rural Development), an organisation that has effectively contributed to the improvement of backward communities in South Travancore.