Fr. Varkey Paruvanany SVD

 

Fr. Varkey Paruvanany (Born in 28th May 1950 – Died on 20th May 1995) was a Catholic Priest, Missionary and Social worker from Chempanoly, Vechuchira, Pathanamthitta District of Kerala. He was a well-known church missionary in the state of Odisha's Syro Malabar Missions, where he made a significant contribution to community improvement and the Charismatic Renewal movement.

Education:

• Master of Social Work (MSW), Xavier Institute of Social Sciences, Ranchi
• Bachelor of Philosophy (B.Ph.), Jnana Deepa Vidyapeetha, Pune

 

Life & Career:

Varkeyachan (as he was affectionately known) was accepted into St John's Mission Seminary, Parel, Changanacherry in 1966 for his Pre-Degree studies through St. Berrchman's College. After two years of juniorate at Palda, Indore, he entered the Society's Noviciate at Khurda, Indore in June 1970 and made his First Religious Profession in 1971. After receiving a Bachelor of Philosophy (B.Ph.) degree from Jnana Deepa Vidyapeetha in Pune, he went on to Xavier Institute of Social Sciences in Ranchi, where he earned a Master's degree in Social Work (MSW), and after a year of practical service (Regency) at Seva Sadan in Rourkela, he returned to Jnana Vidyapeetha for his Theological studies. He was ordained after finishing the same, he was ordained priest on May Day 1979.

Varkeyachan's missionary service was centred on the Sambalpur mission in the Eastern Indian Province for the first ten years. His ordination began as an assistant pastor at the Adibasi (scheduled tribe) parish of Majahapara and then at the Dalit (scheduled caste) parish of Madhpur, Orissa. He was so well prepared that he was appointed in 1982 to establish a new parish in Beherapalli. Soon after, he was transferred to Bargarh as Pastor, and then to Talcher for the construction and administration of St. Lawrence School.

Varkeyachan's life was turned upside down when he was involved in two near-fatal motorbike accidents in December 1988. Though he suffered serious head injuries and was unconscious for three days, he gradually recovered, but he was still severely handicapped and could not return to active ministry. He was sent to try out various physician of systems of medicines until he found the test of them, Jesus, who required long rest and protracted medical treatment. Doctors of medicine, pray for the best medicines. This marked the beginning of the second phase of Varkeyachan's ministry, which was brief but rich and rewarding, fruitful and fulfilling.

Caught up in the Charismatic Renewal Movement, he never lost his simple, quiet ways - one of Varkeyachan's distinctive characteristics, noted for his stark simplicity and frugal ways. For it was his education in suffering and conviction for their service far and wide that endeared him to so many. And Mgr George Alencherry, Vicar General of the Arch-Diocese of Changanacherry, did not exaggerate during his funeral eulogy when he repeatedly paid glowing tributes to Varkeychan's unsparing pastoral availability, salvific value, and his ability to reach out to those in pain with the touch of the Divine Healer.

Fr. Thomas Paruvanany (SJ)

 

Fr. Thomas Paruvanany (October 1, 1939 – September 7, 1988) was a Catholic Priest, Missionary, Educator, Retreat Preacher, and Formator. He was an important church missionary in the Syro Malabar Missions in Bihar, Delhi, and Rajasthan. Aside from being an exceptional social worker, he has been recognized for his contributions to community development and as an Academician who taught English as a topic. He was known as 'Thomachan' among relatives and friends.

Education:

• Master of Theology (M.Th) in Theology & Philosophy, Vidyajyoti College of Theology, New Delhi
• Master of Arts (MA) in English/Political Science, Ranchi University
• Bachelor of Education(B.Ed), Patna University

Life & Career:

Fr. Thomas Paruvanany began his career as an academician at St. Xavier's High School in Patna after being ordained as a religious priest. After a few years, he transferred to St. Xavier's Senior Secondary School in Jaipur, where he worked as a senior academician and is still involved with Syro Malabar Missions. He finally became Vice Principal at St. Xavier's School in New Delhi and then Assistant Rector and Professor at St. Xavier's College of Education in Patna.

Thomachan was well-known for his Reformist and Revolutionary ideas. He authored numerous publications on Community Development and mission experiences. He died in 1988 after a heart attack.

Achievements:

Trained more than 500 young priests.

Rev. Fr. Philip Paruvanany

 

Fr. Philip Paruvanany (Born in 19th September 1935 – Died on 04th July 2012) is a Catholic Parish Priest and Reformer. He is renowned for his leadership qualities, ability to be a strong congressman, and contributions to community development. In the neighborhood and among his family, he was referred to as "Kochachan."

Life & Career:

Fr. Philip Paruvanany was ordained as a Catholic priest on March 12, 1964, in the VC (Vincentian Congregation) Family during the golden jubilee of the memorable International Eucharistic Congress in Mumbai. At the time, Pope Paul VI was in India.

He began her career at St. Mary's Church Thuruthy - Kottayam as an Assistant Vicar & Community Leader. He served in several parish churches in the Syro Malabar Church, including St. Thomas Church in Amalagiri, St. Joseph's Church in Koovappally, St. Mary's Forane Church in Pulincunnoo (Pulinkunnu), and others.

He had the honour of performing Holy Qurbana in Syriac (Chaldean Syrian - Eastern Catholic Tradition) in the parishes and dioceses of Mar Mathew Kavukattu (Metropolitan, Arch-diocese of Changanassery) and Mar Antony Padiyara (Cardinal, Kanjirapally).

Kochachan was a calm and peaceful man who was elected by the people as a strong congress statesman. Among diocesan priests at the time, he was recognised as a nationalist because he was involved in political meetings and rallies that bolstered the voting base of the Indian National Congress (INC) and Kerala Congress, led by Mr. K.M George.

Rev. Dr. Thomas Philip Paruvanany | Family Icons

 

Thomas Philip Paruvanany (Born in 20th February 1912 – Died on 31st July 1988) was a catholic priest and academician. He is one of the founding professors at St Thomas College, Palai, taught English as subject. Besides being an outstanding teacher, he has been known for his contribution in community development and being people’s man.

Education:

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in English Literature, Fordham University, USA
• Master of Arts (MA) in English Literature, University of Madras
• Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English Literature, University of Kerala

Life & Career:

He began his pastoral career in 1935, after his priestly Ordination and started as an Academician. He served as Vicar at St. Antony the Abbot Church, Elanthottam and Later on served as Chaplain at Adoration Convent, Nelliyani.

St. Thomas College, Palai is a government aided college of higher education located in Pala town, Kerala, India. It was founded on 7 August 1950 by the Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Palai, commenced by the great visionary H.E. Late Mar Sebastian Vayalil, the First Bishop of Palai, and nurtured by Former Patron H.E. Mar Joseph Pallikaparampil, Present Patron H.E. Mar Joseph Kallarangatt, Manager H.E. Mar Jacob Muricken. Fr. Thomas Paruvanany was among the founding faculty member and Lecturer.

In the year 1950, Rev. Fr. Thomas Paruvanany was appointed the Vice Principal of St. Thomas College, Palai. During his tenure the college expanded rapidly and reached its high watermark of growth with an array of undergraduate and postgraduate courses with arts and science subjects as majors, and an expansive campus conveniently and aesthetically studded with impressive college buildings, grassy playgrounds, hostels and ancillary facilities.  The main block called A-block stoutly built with an enormous roof span and massive columns was ready to house the administration, classrooms, laboratories and libraries.

Mor Clemis Abraham Vayala | Family Icons

 

Mor Clemis Abraham Vayala, the Great Metropolitan of the East (born as Abraham, 1918–2002) was the senior metropolitan (1957–58) of Syriac Orthodox Church. He was in charge of Knanaya Syrian Archdiocese.

Education:

• Master of Divinity (M.D) from Union Theological Seminary in New York City, USA in 1960.
• Bachelor of Divinity (B.D) in Syriac and theology studies at the Theological Seminary in Mosul.
• Master of Arts (M.A Hons.) in Political Science from Annamalai University
• Bachelor of Arts (B.A) St. Xavier's College, Palayamkottai

Life & Career:

Mor Clemis Abraham was born in the Vayala family at Vaikom, a suburb of Ranni, on April 22, 1918 to Idiculla Kochidiculla of Vayala family and Pennamma of Aythala Kalarickal family as the fifth of their nine children. He was affectionately called Unnikunju by his parents.

In 1931, he was ordained mzamrono by H.G. Dioscoros Thomas of the Knanaya diocese. In 1932 (1107 Vrischikam 6), he was ordained a korooyo at Ranni Valyapally by HH Patriarch Ignatius Elias III along with Dn. P.J. Thomas Purackal who was ordained a priest. He learned basics of Syriac from Thazhathu Valyachen and then at Thrikunnathu Seminary and Manjanikkara. He had the good fortune of being taught by the late Patriarchal Delegate Mor Yulius Elias Qoro and Rabban Abdul Ahad (who later became the Patriarch Ya`qub III).

On January 15, 1947, he was ordained a priest at Ranni Valiyapally by Mor Yulius Elias and was known as Fr. V.I. Abraham. He offered the first Qurbono on July 28th, 1947 at Ranni Valyapally and served as the Associate Vicar there for two years. He taught at the M.S. High School for a brief period.

On May 1, 1949 he left Bombay by ship to Iraq to join the Theological Seminary in Mosul. It took him thirteen days to reach Iraq. At the Mosul Theological College, he studied Syriac and Theology for two years while preparing to be a priest. During his time there he visited different places such as Basra, Nineveh, the Church of Mort Shmooni, the village of Bartalli (the birthplace of Mor Ignatius Elias III) among other places.

In 1951, he was elected as the Metropolitan of the Knanaya Diocese. HH Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem I ordained him a monk on April 8, 1951 and as the third Metropolitan of the Knanaya Diocese on April 15, 1951 at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Homs in Syria with the name Mor Clemis Abraham.

In the fifties, the Knanaya diocese was administratively in a disarray, having had no bishop for a few years. Mor Clemis Abraham lead the Knanaya diocese and his community ably from his bishopric at St. John's Dayro, Chingavanam. In 1952, he revised the constitution for the church. On July 11, 1957, Mor Clemis was elected Malankara Metropolitan at the Malankara Association held at St. Mary's Church, Manarcaud.

After the departure of HH Patriarch Mor Aphrem I, Mor Clemis represented the Malankara Church in the Holy Synod held at Homs on October 3, 1957 to elect a new Patriarch. In 1960, he studied at the Union Theological Seminary in the US. Enroute he had an audience with the Pope of Rome at Vatican on July 29, 1960. On July 31, 1960, Mor Clemis offered Holy Qurbono at the Syriac Orthodox altar in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. On May 23, 1964, Mor Clemis hosted Patriarch Ya`qub III at the Mor Aphrem Seminary in Chingavanam. On May 2, 1976, Mor Clemis celebrated the golden jubilee of his consecration at Chingavanam.

Mor Clemis was unswerving in his loyalty to the Holy See of Antioch. During the seventies when schism reared its ugly head in the Malankara Church, Mor Clemis provided leadership not only for the Knanaya Church but for all faithful who wished to remain in obedience to the Holy See. On January 12, 1978, he was arrested during the Alwaye Great March.

On May 14, 1980, Mor Clemis visited the Pope again at Vatican with Patriarch Mor Ya`qub III. In June 1980, Mor Clemis represented the Malankara Church at the funeral services of Patriarch Mor Ya`qub III in Damascus and participated in the Holy Synod to elect a new Patriarch on July 11. He participated in the consecration of HH Patriarch Mor Ignatius Zakka I on September 14, 1980.

Mor Clemis was a stalwart of the ecumenical movement in Kerala and was widely respected by all Christian denominations. In 1983 when communal harmony in Kerala was vitiated by the Nilackal episode, Mor Clemis along with Benedict Mar Gregorius of the Malankara Catholic Church worked out a compromise among the different communities which restored amity amongst them.

In 1982, HH Patriarch Mor Ignatius Zakka I conferred the title Qooberneeyto Hakeemo (wise captain) on Mor Clemis in recognition of his staunch leadership of the Knanaya diocese and in 1989 the title Great Metropolitan of the East. In 1997, Mor Clemis celebrated the golden jubilee of his ordination in a gathering presided by then Vice President of India K.R. Narayanan. The golden jubilee of his consecration was celebrated on April 9, 2002 in the presence of HH Patriarch Zakka I.

Mor Clemis passed away at the Lissie Hospital in Ernakulam on September 29, 2002 at 11:30 pm. At the time of his departure, Mor Clemis was the senior most Metropolitan of the Syriac Orthodox Church all over the world and the longest serving bishop in the history of the Malankara Church.

Ecumenical relations

He had an audience with the pope of Rome at Vatican on July 29, 1960, and on May 14, 1980, Mor Clemis visited the pope again at Vatican with Patriarch Mor Ya`qub III.

Honors

• 1982, Patriarch Mor Ignatius Zakka I conferred the title Qooberneeyto Hakeemo (wise captain).
• 1989, the title Great Metropolitan of the East by Patriarch Mor Ignatius Zakka I.
• 1992, Established a school named after himself: Clemis School and Junior College, Chingavanam, Kottayam, Kerala.

WHY WE NEED KUDUMBAYOGAM?

The basic unit of society is family. In many well established and ancient societies, family kinship up to seven generations was considered sacred. Some of the tribes were always prepared to keep up their tradition, social values, cultural heritage and economic status even at the cost of bloodshed. The inherent herd-instinct in man to find out the roots of his family is telling in the reports of certain such occurrences now and then appearing in the newspapers.

The origin of many Kudumbayogams now prevalent among Syrian Christians especially in Central Travancore wants research. Inspired by community feelings of oneness, they were to initiate the formation of such Kudumbayogams with a view to sharing and perpetuating their family culture, common interests, values and identity as an essential need of the age.

The advertisements of family gatherings off and on coming in the newspapers under the column “Kudumbayogam”, sheds light upon the liveliness and activities of many such ones among the Syrian Christians of all denominations. Of course, many such Kudumbayogams are an asset to the community as they prosper mutual love and cordiality among the members and an atmosphere for helping one another, especially the needy.

The very recollection of the brilliant traditions acquired through various spells of time, the occasional service and contributions sponsored to the surrounding society by Kudumbayogams inculcate the growth of inspiration and liveliness in the growing generation, Kudumbayogams can be considered as an asset to the well-being of society.

 

What’s the relevance of Family Re-union in 21^st Century?

• To know the clan origins, family history and Genealogy for Young Generation
• To know Family Branches, Own Relatives for Young Generation
• To facilitate platform for networking with Family Members
• To celebrate our shared heritage and culture
• To honor the memories of any relatives who have passed away
• To reunite broken relationships between family members
• Help needy family members together as a community
• To honor the achievers and promote enthusiasm to family members

Bishop Sebastian Emmanuel Vayalil | Family Icons

 

Bishop Sebastian Emmanuel Vayalil (28 January 1906 – 21 November 1986) was the first bishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Palai, in Kerala, India. He was born at Palai, and took his B. A. Degree from the Maharaja's College, Trivandrum in 1928. He had his ecclesiastical studies at the St. Joseph's Ap. Seminary Mangalapuzha, Alwaye and was ordained priest on 21 December 1935. He took his L.T. Degree from the Training College Trivandrum in 1942. He was the Headmaster of St. Thomas Training School Palai, till he was appointed the Bishop of Palai, on 25 July 1950.

He was consecrated Bishop by Eugene Cardinal Tisserent, Secretary of the Sacred Congregation for the Oriental Churches, on 9 November 1950 at St. Theresia's Church Rome and was installed in Palai Cathedral by the Most Rev. Leo. P. Kierkels, the Apostolic Internuncio, on 4 January 1951. Bishop Vayalil was a member of the Preliminary Commission instituted for the Second Vatican Council to prepare the scheme for the section on 'Universities and Seminaries'.

His Excellency's Sacerdotal Silver Jubilee was celebrated on 21 December 1960. The Holy Year 1975 was of special significance to the Eparchy and to His Excellency as it coincided with its own Silver Jubilee and the Silver Jubilee of the Episcopal Consecration of the Bishop.

Bishop Sebastian Vayalil supported the Missions and promoted vocations. He founded the Missionary Society of St Thomas the Apostle in 1968 for organized missionary work in and outside India.

He attended all the four sessions of the council. Chicago's De Paul university conferred upon him in 1966 the honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws (L.L.D.) in recognition of his outstanding achievements as an educator. In 1969 he participated in the extra ordinary Synod of Bishops held in Rome.

After thirty years in charge of the diocese in 1980, he requested the Holy See to relieve him from the pastoral Government of the diocese. On the acceptance of his resignation he handed over the charge of the diocese to his successor Mar Joseph Pallikaparampil on 25 March 1981.

In addition to the various pastoral and missionary achievements, during his tenure the Eparchy stood first in the world with families having the highest rate of priestly, religious and missionary vocation. True to his motto "The Lord is my light”, he placed unbounded trust in divine providence and worked untiringly for the people of God committed to him.