Kottayam Orthodox Diocese


Kottayam Diocese is one of the 30 dioceses of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. The diocese was created in Mulanthuruthy Synod in 1876.

History

Kottayam is one of the seven dioceses created after the Mulanthuruthi Christian association conducted under the leadership of Ignatios Pathros III, Patriarch of Antioch in 1876. Others are Kollam, Kandanadu, Angamali, Niranam, Thumpamon, Kochi.
In initial time there were 20 churches in the diocese. Kadavil Paulose Mar Athanasios was the first Metropolitan. After this, Paulose Mar Evanios, later Baselios Paulose I become Metropolitan. Then, Geevarghese Mar Pilaxinos, later Baselios Geevarghese I, Vattaserill Mar Dionysius led the diocese. Kuriakos Mar Gregorios led the diocese in the period of 1929–1965. In this time Pampady Daira become head office. Paret Mathews Mar Ivanios was appointed as Assistant Metropolitan in 1954 and as Metropolitan from 1965 to 1980. Joseph Mar Pacomios, Yuhanon Mar Athanasios led the diocese as assistant Metropolitans.
In 1982 Kottayam diocese was divided into Kottayam, Kottayam Central and Idukki dioceses. In 1985 August, Geevarghese Mar Evanios become Metropolitan. In 1987, head office shifted to Kuriakos Mar Gregorios Centre. In 1992, there were 6 chapels, 70 parishes and one cathedral in the diocese.

Now

Now, this diocese is ruled directly by Catholicos of the East. The head office of Kottayam diocese is situated in Kuriakose Mar Gregorios Centre, MD Seminary, Kottayam. There are numerous institutes work under this diocese. Pampadi Kuriakose Dayara, MGM Abhaya Bhavan, MGM Bala Bhavan, Mar Ivanios ITC, BMM English Medium school etc. are some of them. Some colleges of Malankara Church is in the boundary of this diocese.