Philipose Mar Chrysostom

Philipose Mar Chrysostom Biography

Philipose Mar Chrysostom is a religious priest from Kerala, who is the emeritus Metropolitan of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church. He has been honoured with Padma Bhushan in 2018 for his contributions towards the field of religion and social service. He is referred to as Chrysostom Thirumeni or Valiya Thirumeni in Malayalam. He has been a bishop for more than 66 years. He has turned 100 years old now and is the longest serving bishop in India.

His birth name is Philip Oommen. He was born in Travancore kingdom on 27 April 1918. Eraviperoor is his hometown. He belonged to a Christian family which has produced several Christian priests earlier. His early days were spent in his hometown where he completed his schooling. Later he took degree from Union Christian College, Aluva. He was ordained as a deacon of the Malankara Mar Thoma Church in 1944 and Kasseessa the same year. He was ordained as Ramban in 1952. In 1950 the Church Mandalam consecrated three bishops, including Philip Oommen, and he was consecrated as Philipose Mar Chrysostom Episcopa on 23 May 1953. Since then he served many administrative positions within the religious organization, giving more than 60 years to service.  

Malayalam film director Blessy has made a documentary film on his religious life till now. When he completed 90 years in 2008, Mar Thoma Church devised a project, Navathy Home Project. Its aim was to build homes for 1500 families in India, irrespective of caste, creed or religion. On his 100^th birthday, Church officially inaugurated the Project among the Transgender Community. In 2018 government of India announced Padma Bhushan to Tirumeni for services to society.

Published: July 29, 2018

Updated: July 29, 2018