Cochin Diocese

Kyomtha Seminary

Kyomtha Seminary is the headquarters of the Kochi diocese of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church and the residence of its Metropolitan. The founder of this diocesan headquarters is late lamented Dr. Thomas Mor Osthatheos Metropolitan. The land for the headquarters was donated by the parishioners of the Thripunithara Nadamel Church. This property originally belonged to Very Rev. Mookencheril Geevarghese Ramban, a close associate of Chathuruthil Kochu Thirumeni (Parumala). The Ramban's greatness and love for the Church inspired him to hand over the property to his Parish when he became old. The foundation for the diocesan headquarters was laid on February 28, 1983; about one year after the appointment of H.G. Dr. Thomas Mor Osthatheos as Metropolitan of Kochi diocese by His Holiness the Patriarch.The Headquarters started functioning on 17th December 1983 from a very simple and humble beginning.

Though Mor Osthatheos Thomas was 70 years old when he took charge as Metropolitan, his commitment and hard working helped for the overall development of the diocese.The present modern Cathedral in the diocesan headquarters was built by Metropolitan Mor Osthatheos, replacing the old and small Chapel consecrated by late lamented Paulose Mor Severios (former Metropolitan of Kochi diocese) in 1950's. The foundation of the new Cathedral was laid on 21st April, 1986 and completed on 31st December, 1987. The first Holy Qurbono was celebrated in the new Cathedral on 1st January 1988 and the formalconsecration of the Cathedral was conducted on 15th September 1988 by late lamented Catholicos Aboon Mor Baselios Paulose II. In the same period of establishment of the diocesan headquarters, Metropolitan Mor Osthatheos has started an English Medium School by name 'Georgian Academy English Medium School'. Today that small School which he started has grown into a big and reputed High School with about 1500 students. The whole diocese is indebted to that great visionary for his valuable services which he showered at the age of 80s. On 28th July 2000, the Metropolitan passed away and his mortal remains were interred in the cathedral.

Kochi Diocese

The formation of Kochi Diocese was in the Syrian Christian Association held at Mulanthuruthy in 1876 and it was declared by H.H.Moran Mor Ignatius Peter IV. H.G. Semavoon Mor Dionysius was the first Metropolitan. But he could not administer the Diocese due to the litigations. He died in 1886 and was entombed at St.Peter & St.Paul's Church Kadungamangalam. Later this Diocese was under the Malankara Metropolitan for quite a long period. H.G.Paulose Mor Koorilose, H.G.Paulose Mor Athanasius had administered this diocese when they were Malankara Metropolitans. In 1946 H.G. Paulose Mor Severios Metropolitan was consecrated for Kochi Diocese by the initiative of then Malankara Metropolitan H.G. Paulose Mor Athanasius. The consecretion was held at Homs in Syria by H.H. Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem I. Mor Severios constructed the Koratty Sion Seminary which was his Aramana.

He died in 1962 and was entombed at Shimhasana Church, Kunnamkulam. H.G. Daniel Mor Philaxinos administered the diocese after that H.G.Paulose Mor Severios also administered the diocese. In 1966 Yuhanon Mor Severios was consecrated. In 1974 H.G. Geevarghese Mor Gregorios (Perumpally Thirumeni) took charge as the Metropolitan. When Perumpilly thirumeni took the charge of Kottayam Diocese in 1982 H.G.THomas mor Osthatheos became the Diocese Metropolitan. H.G. founded the present headquarters at Kyomtha Seminary. The present Metropolitan H.G. Joseph Mor Greegorios was consecrated at Damascus on 16 January 1994 as Metropolitan of Cochin Diocese and took the charge on 23 January 1994.

Dr. Thomas Mor Osthatheos Metropolitan

H.G. Thomas Mor Osthatheos, the former Metropolitan of the Syrian Orthodox Archdiocese of Cochin, was born in the year 1904 as the son of Seetharkuzhi Puthenpurayil Mathai and Annamma of the Panthalumakkil family of Koothattukulam. He was baptized by name Thomas. The ancient Church at Vadakara was the home parish. His earlier studies was at the Kottayam M.D Seminary and Thiruvalla MGM High schools and completed the college education from the Kottayam CMS College, Changanacherry SB College, and Trivandrum Maharajas Training College. Ordained Korooyo at the age of 9 by late Malankara Metropolitan Mor Kurillos Paulose, Thomas underwent theological training at Pampakuda seminary. Late Patriarchal Delegate Mor Yulius Elias ordained him priest and appointed him to serve the St. Mathias Church at Madras. Later, Fr.Thomas served as headmaster of schools at Keerampara and Vadakara and helped in establishing the Marian school at Madras. In 1952 when a new Metropolitan was to be selected as a successor to ValiyaThirumeni (late Malankara Metropolitan Mor Athanasius Paulose) for the Kandanad diocese, it was Fr.Thomas who was one among those considered, but he then declined the offer in favour of Mor Philexinos. Twenty two years later Fr. Thomas was once again chosen for the bishopric, but this time, following the special request made by the prelates and faithful, he agreed. On 12th June 1975, Fr.C.M.Thomas was consecrated bishop by late Patriarch Mor Ya`qub III at the St.George Cathedral Church in Damascus. As Metropolitan, he served the Kandanad and Kottayam dioceses assisting late Catholicos Mor Baselios Paulose II. In 1982, the Holy Synod held at Cochin presided by Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I on his first apostolic visit to Malankara appointed Mor Osthatheos the Bishop of Cochin. The Metropolitan was instrumental in the rejuvenation of the Cochin diocese and in the construction of the diocesan headquarters at Thiruvankulam. He was an avid reader and dedicated to learning, all through his life. In 1994, Mor Osthatheos announced his retirement from the active administration of the diocese following consecration of his assistant, H.G. Mor Gregorios Joseph. Later he was more involved in the training of young Deacons, staying at the Kyomtho Seminary, till his last.

V. Rev. Mookencheril Geevarghese Rambachann

V. Rev. Mookencheril Geevarghese Rambachan The present kyomtha seminary – the headquarters of kochi diocese – was formerly known as Ramban Kunnu. Even now some people use the same name. This land was belonging to V.Rev Mookencheril Geevarghese Rambachan. He stayed here in prayers and meditations till his old age. He led a very pious life and the people stayed around came to him for blessings and prayers irrespective of caste and creed. He was a contemporary of St Gregorious Gheevarghese (Parumala Thirumeni). Even today many people are coming in the evening to the seminary to pray in front of the shrine of Rambachan.