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{{Use Indian English|date=October 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox Christian leader
|name = Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos
|title = Metropolitan of Thumpamon Diocese
|church = [[Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church]]
|see =
|image = G Mar Philoxenos.jpeg
|appointed = 3 November 1930
|ended = 17 April 1951
|predecessor = Geevarghese Mar Gregorios
|successor = Augen Mar Themothios

|ordination = 1929
|ordained_by = St. Mar Dionysious
|consecration = 3 November 1930
|consecrated_by = [[Baselios Geevarghese II]]

|birth_name = Geevarghese Kizhakkethalakal
|birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1897|6|10}}
|birth_place = Puthencavu, [[Kerala]]
|death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1951|4|17|1897|6|10}}
|death_place = [[Marathamkode]] (Kunnamkulam), [[Kerala]]
|previous_post = Metropolitan of Thumpamon Diocese
}}

'''Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos''' aka '''Puthencavil Kochu Thirumeni''' (born K. T. Geevarghese) was an administrator, orator and an advocate of Orthodox and the Catholicate of the [[Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church]] of India. He served as Metropolitan of [[Thumpamon]] Diocese from 1930 to 1951.<ref name="Memmen" />

==Birth==
Geevarghese was born 10 June 1897 at [[Puthencavu]], a village on the banks of the River Pamba, as the second son of Thoma Kathanar of Kizhakethallekal family and Rahelamma of Chungathil family of Koipuram.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kuriakose|first=M C|title=Bethelile Thamara|year=1951|publisher=Malayala Manorama|page=5|url=http://marthoman.tv/Books/Bathelile%20Thamara.pdf|language=Malayalam|access-date=16 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810063241/http://marthoman.tv/Books/Bathelile%20Thamara.pdf|archive-date=10 August 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Early life and education==
He was known as Geevarghese as a child and was the second of 4 brothers and 1 sister. He completed his primary education in [[Puthencavu]], middle school education at [[Mavelikara]] and high school education at [[Chengannur]]. He obtained his Intermediate certificate from Calcutta, and went on to complete his BD at [[Serampore College]], where he had traveled to, along with Fr P T Geevarghese (who later became [[Geevarghese Mar Ivanios]]). After completing his Bachelor of Divinity degree, he joined the MD Seminary School as a teacher in 1921. He then went on to complete his MA in Literature from the [[Calcutta University]] in 1926.<ref>{{cite book|last=Koshy|first=Rev. Fr. Dr.Mathew|title=Puthencavu Mar Philoxenos- Malankarayude Mahatwamulla Saithu|year=1986|publisher=MOC Publications|language=Malayalam}}</ref>

==Priestly life and ordination==
[[File:Guard of Honor accorded to Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos and Mar Dionysious at Kunnamkulam..jpeg|thumb|Guard of Honor accorded to Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos and Mar Dionysius at Kunnamkulam]]
He was ordained as a Deacon and Priest in 1929 by St. Mar Dionysious, who was his mentor. He was ordained as Ramban on 6 November 1929 and consecrated as Bishop with the name Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos, Metropolitan of Thumpamon, at the Parumala Seminary on 3 November 1930 by HH Baselios Geevarghese II. As he was the youngest bishop at the time, he was referred to as 'Kochu Thirumeni'. Following his consecration he served as the Metropolitan of the Thumpamon diocese<ref>{{cite web|title=Bishops of Thumpamon Diocese|url=http://thumpamon.mosc.in/former-bishops.html|publisher=Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church|accessdate=21 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415005515/http://thumpamon.mosc.in/former-bishops.html|archive-date=15 April 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> (of which [[Parumala Thirumeni|Parumala Kochu Thirumeni]] was the Second Metropolitan) from 1931–1951.<ref name="Memmen">{{cite book|last=Mammen, Pulikottil|first=KV, Adv. PC Mathew|title=Puthencavu Kochu Thirumeni – Katholicattinte Karuthanaya Vakthavu|year=1982|publisher=Kottakal Publishers|location=Kottayam, India}}</ref>

==Achievements==
During his lifetime, Kochu Thirumeni headed many organizations and established many educational institutions:
* Catholicate High School, Pathanamthitta
* Metropolitan High School, Puthencavu,<ref>{{cite web|title=Website of Metropolitan Higher Secondary School, started by H G Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos|url=http://www.metropolitanhss.org|work=Metropolitan Higher Secondary School|publisher=Catholicate & MD Schools Corporate management|accessdate=21 July 2013}}</ref> which counts among its alumni eminent personalities such as Justice [[J B Koshy]], among others
* Teachers Training College, Pathanamthitta
* [[Catholicate College Pathanamthitta|Catholicate College]], Pathanamthitta (the college was originally planned by Kochu Thirumeni, but was started after his death)

He also served as the President of the Sunday School, and Gospel Team.
Other institutions that he set up include:
* Othera Dayara
* Bethel Aramana<ref>{{cite web|title=Bethel Araman – HQ of the Chengannur Diocese|url=http://chengannur.mosc.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1&Itemid=17|work=About the Chengannur Diocese|publisher=Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church – www.mosc.in|accessdate=21 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721163335/http://chengannur.mosc.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1&Itemid=17|archive-date=21 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Headquarters of the Chengannur Diocese.
* Pongalady Church (Paranthal)
* Thumpamon Martha Mariam Center
* Theological College, Makkamkunnu
* Eraviperoor Hospital

Kochu Thirumeni was a strong influence on many of the clergy and along with Vattasseril Geevarghese Mar Dionysius persuaded H.H Baselos Marthoma Mathews I to go for Theological studies at Calcutta.<ref>{{cite web|title=HH. Baselios Marthoma Mathews I|url=http://www.ds-wa.org/hh-baselios-marthoma-mathews-i.html|work=A brief history of HH. Baselios Marthoma Mathews I|publisher=Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church – Diocese of South West America|accessdate=21 July 2013|quote=Dn. K.T. Varghese (Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos of Puthencavu) and Vattasseril Geevarghese Mar Dionysius (St. Dionysius) persuaded him to go for Theological studies at Calcutta.}}</ref>
He also led the legal battles<ref>{{cite web|title=The Catholicate, our pride: A Betrayal!|url=http://mgocsmdiaspora.org/blog/the-catholicate-our-pride-part-6-a-betrayal|work=MGOCSM Diaspora|publisher=Mar Gregorios Orthodox Christian Students Movement|accessdate=21 July 2013|author=Kiran Raj|date=23 September 2012}}</ref> against Mar Ivanios to regain control over some of the schools which were handed over to the latter for management while Mar Dionysius, undertook a trip to [[Mardin]]<ref>{{cite book|last=Karingattil|first=Rev. Fr. John Thomas|title=Malankara Sabhayude Yugashilpi|year=2005|publisher=Bodhi Books|location=Pandalam, Kerala, India|language=Malayalam}}</ref>

==Death==
[[File:Kochu Thirumeni-Funeral photo.jpg|thumb|Funeral of Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos]]
Kochu Thirumeni died on 17 April 1951 at the young age of 54, at the Marathamcode Mar Gregorios Chapel, where the room and the bed he used are maintained as relics of his life. His remains were interred at [[St. Mary's Orthodox Cathedral, Puthencavu]] where the remains of [[Mar Thoma VI]] and [[Mar Thoma VIII]] are also entombed.<ref>{{cite book|last=Chandanapally|first=Samuel|title=Malankara Sabha Pithakkanmar|year=1990|publisher=Ceedees books|location=Patanamthitta, Kerala|language=Malayalam}}</ref>

The following lines are inscribed on his tomb:
<blockquote>''His Presence was Joyful,<br />His Voice Sweet,<br /> His Words Inspiring,<br />His Manners Endearing,<br />
His Smile Unforgettable.''</blockquote>

Kochu Thirumeni's tomb is a pilgrimage destination for Malankara Orthodox Christians.

==Feasts and honors==
The commemoration feast of Kochu Thirumeni is held on 16 and 17 April every year (usually coinciding with 18th & 19th of Kumbham, as per the Malayalam calendar).

On 17 April 2013, his 62nd Commemoration he was conferred the title of 'Ratna Deepam' of the Catholicate by HH Baselios Marthoma Paulose II, as per the decision of the Episcopal Synod<ref>{{cite web|title=Kalpana |url=http://malankaraorthodoxchurch.in/images/stories/File/kalpana2013/Puthenkavu%20Perunnal%206%20-%208%20Marthoma.pdf |work=Declaration issued by the Catholicos conferring the title of Ratna Deepam on HG Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos |publisher=Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church |accessdate=21 July 2013 |author=Baselios Marthoma Paulose II, Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan |authorlink=Baselios Mar Thoma Paulose II |language=Malayalam |format=PDF |date=23 March 2013 }}{{dead link|date=January 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Kalpana in English |url=http://malankaraorthodoxchurch.in/images/stories/File/kalpana2013/No.%20107%20Kalpana.pdf |work=Kalpana declaring the title of Catholicate Ratna Deepam to be conferred on H G Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos |publisher=Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church |accessdate=21 July 2013 |author=Baselios Marthoma Paulose II |date=22 April 2013 }}{{dead link|date=January 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and the declaration was read out by HG Thomas Mar Athanasius, Kochu Thirumeni's Nephew.

==Further reading==
*Rev. Fr. Dr.Mathew Koshy,''Puthencavu Mar Philoxenos- Malankarayude Mahatwamulla Saithu''
*Adv. P.C. Mathew Pulikottil and Mr. K.V. Mammen Kottackal,''Puthencavu Kochu Thirumeni – Katholicattinte Karuthanaya Vakthavu'', Kottakal Publishers<ref>{{cite web|title=Excerpts from Puthencavu Kochu Thirumeni – Katholicatinte Karuthanaya Vakthavu |url=http://marthoman.tv/?p=351 |language=Malayalam |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140216230635/http://marthoman.tv/?p=351 |archivedate=16 February 2014 |df=dmy }}</ref>
*[[Samuel Chandanappally|Samuel Chandanapally]],''Malankara Sabha Pithakkanmar'',1990, CeeDees Books
*Rev. Fr. John Thomas Karingattil, ''Malankara Sabhayude Yugashilpi''
*KV Mammen, ''Catholicateinte Ratnadeepam '', 2013

==See also==
* [[George Mathan]]
* [[Puthencavu Mathan Tharakan]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[http://www.prabhamayam-india.com/articles.htm Article on Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos] at Prabhamayam-india.com

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Philoxenos, Geevarghese Mar}}
[[Category:Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church bishops]]
[[Category:1897 births]]
[[Category:Indian Christian religious leaders]]
[[Category:Malayali people]]
[[Category:1951 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century Oriental Orthodox bishops]]

Geevarghese Philoxenos - Revision history

>RMCD bot at 02:06, 2 November 2020