Stephen of Malankara, Mannaraprayil Achen, is among the senior priests of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, is a well know social worker in Kerala. He is an eminent preacher and had served as secretary to Metropolitans Dr. Philipos Mar Theophilos, Mathews Mar Barnabas and Paulos Mar Pachomious.
Early Life edit
Mannaraprayil Cor Episcopa is born on May 28, 1945 as the second son of M.P Paulose, Mannaraprayil and Alleyamma of Cheerothottam family in Pothanicad, Kerala. The baptismal name of Cor Episcopa is Yacob (M. P. Yacob). He felt strongly the call of God while studying in Mar Athanasious College, Kothamangalam. To spread the love of Christ he chose to become a priest. Even though Mannaraprayil family is an ancient and famous Christian family there were no priests or bishops ordained. His maternal grand father Paulose Kattanar, Great grand father Yacob Kattanar, uncle P.A Paulose Cor Episcopa, Fr. C. A Abraham are well known figures in the Malankara community.[citation needed]
Studies edit
Yacob started his theological studies in Malecruz Dayro under the guidance of Paulos Mar Philoxenos (later known as Catholicos Baselios Paulos II - Patriarch Group). He gained good knowledge in Syriac language from here. He was ordained as Korooyo on Nov 21, 1962 by Late H.G. Gheevarghee Mar Gregorious (Former Metropolitan of Ankamaly Diocese [1953 - 1966]) at Pothanicad Umminikunnu St. Mary’s church. He joined Orthodox Theological Seminary Kottayam for his further studies. In 1964 he was ordained as Shamshono by H.H Catholicos Baselios Augen 1st. After the studies in Kottayam he joined the Ecumenical Christian Centre, Whitefield, Bangalore for his Post Graduate Diploma in Theology.
After completing his studies, in 1969, he was appointed as the secretary to Metropolitan of Ankamaly. H.G Dr. Philipos Mar Theophilos was the Metropolitan of Ankamaly at that time (1967 - 1997). In the same year he became the Manager of Thrikkunathu Seminary(Head Quarters of Ankamaly Diocese). He introduced the priest welfare fund and central salary pooling system in Ankamaly Diocese.
On June 9, 1970 he was ordained as full deacon and on the very next day, he was ordained as Kassisso by Late Metropolitan Mar Theophilos. From then, he is known as Fr. Jacob Mannaraprayil.(Mannaraprayil Achen)
For the initial few months he was appointed as the assistant vicar of St. George Orthodox Church, Kalamassery and St. Thomas Orthodox Church College Hill, Aluva. On seeing the loyalty and prudence of Achen, Mar Theophilos appointed him as the Vicar of Thrikkunathu Seminary Cathedral.
On Dec 31, 1970 (when the Church was under one umbrella) Mannaraprayil Achen was elected as the Managing Committee member of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. He was the youngest Managing Committee member at that time. Till today he continues as the Managing Committee member and is the senior most priest member in the Committee (37 years).
Unfortunately, the dispute between the Patriarch and Catholicos faction took a different dimension in 70's and Thrikkunathu Seminary was one among the most affected places. Majority of the members in the Northern side (Ankamaly, Kochi, Kandanad Dioceses) were followers of the Patriarch group. In 1971, Bishop's car was burnt into ashes by some miscreants whose real identity is unknown till today. The concerned Crime branch report pointed towards some unexpected sources, but has been kept under carpet.
Such incidents never de-motivated Achen. Day by day he gained more courage and fought against the other group. Vattakkunel Bava (Baselious Mathews 1st) appointed him as the defense committee convener of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. A team including Fr Joseph Vendrapillil, Fr Mathai Edayanal, M.T Paul organized conventions and other public meetings in the northern dioceses to reinforce the Catholicos group.
In 1979, Ankamaly Badrasana Edavaka Pothuyookam elected Mannaraprayil Achen as the Diocesan Secretary. He continued to hold this position till August 2005. He was holding several positions in the church. For 27 years he was the member of the Working Committee of Malankara Church. Eighteen years he was in the governing council of corporate colleges of the church. He was the member of College staff selection committee also. For one term he was a member of governing council of the corporate schools of Orthodox church. He was in the executive council of the Malankara Medical Mission Hospital, Kolencheery (Now Medical College)
Apart from the church activities he was involved in YMCA. He revamped Aluva YMCA in 1975. He was the president of Aluva YMCA. He hold the office of the Chairman of Ernakulam Sub Region, South West Indian Region YMCA Treasurer, Vice Chairman, National board member etc. He was the Working President of Kerala Blind School Society for several years. He left an indelible mark in every assignment.[citation needed]
In 1981, H.H Baselious Mathews 1st gave him a title “Stephen of Malankara”. This title was used in his book which was published in 1995 in connection with the silver jubilee celebrations of Achen’s priesthood. (Author Thomas Neelarmadom). H.H Baselious Mathews 1st ordained Mannaraprayil Achen as Cor Episcopa on August 26, 1988 at Thrikkunathu Seminary. Along with him two other priests (Fr. O. C Varghese and Fr. K. C Zacharia) were also ordained as Cor Episcopa.
Mannaraprayil Achen was given a challenging responsibility of handling the main church case which was pending in the Division Bench of Hon. Kerala High Court. In 1990, Catholicos group won the case and Catholicos decided to honor Achen by presenting “Mutra Moothiram” He is the first and only priest who has received such an honor. Baselius Mar Thoma Mathews II presented the Gold Ring to Achen. However the year 2006 was a bad year of the respected Achen. The same Church for which Mannaraprayil Achen has always fought for has ditched him under certain circumstances. The letter achen wrote to the Church leaders at this point exposed certain facts which noone has dared to say till then. Crisis never de-motivate Achen.
Fr. Jacob Mannaraprayil is an eminent social worker, leader of the Kerala Prohibition Society and a good community organizer. He was selected for the Grand Chevalier Vithayathil Award in 2000. Community Leadership Foundation has honored V. Rev. Jacob Mannaraprayil Cor-Episcopa with 'Sevana Ratna' award for the year 2001. These award were given to his exemplary Social Work to the community.
Rev Mannaraprayil is currently holding the Vice President post of Kerala Prohibition Society, Convener of Peoples' Union for Prohibition, Tribunal member of Malankara Association, Manakara Church rule committee member, Peerimed Engineering college Governing council member and member of many other Social and Church Organizations.
Family edit
On April 13, 1970, deacon married Leelamma (daughter of T. V. Varghese, Thekkeveetil family Perumbavoor and Annamma). The couple has two children.
External References edit
- www.hindu.com
- www.hindu.com
- Indian Christianity News Indian Christianity News
- Managing Comittee Members of Malankara Orthodox Church