https://indianpedia.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Joseph_BarnabasJoseph Barnabas - Revision history2026-07-31T03:01:52ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.45.4https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=Joseph_Barnabas&diff=506573&oldid=prevTeresaGuercio23 at 06:50, 8 May 20262026-05-08T06:50:57Z<p></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Infobox Christian leader<br />
| type = Bishop<br />
| honorific_prefix = The Right Reverend Dr.<br />
| name = Joseph Mar Barnabas<br />
| title = Suffragan Metropolitan of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church<br />
| image = <br />
| caption = <br />
| church = [[Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church]]<br />
| diocese = Ranni-Nilackal diocese <br />
| ordination = 12 June 1976<br />
| consecration = 2 October 1993<br />
| birth_name = Joseph Jacob<br />
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1949|9|8|df=y}}<br />
| birth_place = [[Kottayam]], [[Travancore]] (now [[Kerala]]), India<br />
| parents = E. V. Jacob and Saramma Jacob<br />
| education = [[CMS College]], Kottayam; [[Bishop's College, Calcutta]]<br />
}}<br />
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'''Joseph Mar Barnabas''' (born 8 September 1949) is an Indian prelate and the current Suffragan Metropolitan of the [[Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church]]. He was consecrated as an Episcopa (bishop) in 1993 and elevated to the rank of Suffragan Metropolitan in 2021.<br />
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== Early life and education ==<br />
Born as Joseph Jacob in the Ancherry Christos Parish near [[Kottayam]], he was the son of E. V. Jacob and Saramma. He completed his primary and high school education in Erikad and Puthuppally. He earned his bachelor's degree from [[CMS College Kottayam]] and later pursued theological studies, obtaining a Bachelor of Divinity (BD) degree from Bishop's College, Calcutta.<ref name="MTC_Profile">{{cite web |title=Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Barnabas Suffragan Metropolitan |url=https://marthoma.in/bishop/rt-rev-joseph-mar-barnabas-episcopa/ |publisher=Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church |access-date=2026-05-06}}</ref><br />
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== Ecclesiastical career ==<br />
Joseph Jacob was ordained as a deacon (Semmas) on 29 May 1976 and as a priest (Kassissa) on 12 June 1976. He served as a vicar in various parishes, including those in [[Mumbai]], [[Chennai]], and [[Calgary|Edmonton]], Canada.<ref name="Mumbai_Diocese">{{cite web |title=Rt. Rev. Joseph Mar Barnabas Episcopa |url=http://mumbaidiocese.marthoma.in/rt-rev-joseph-mar-barnabas-episcopa.html |publisher=Mar Thoma Mumbai Diocese |access-date=2026-05-06}}</ref><br />
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On 31 August 1993, he was ordained as a Ramban. He was consecrated as a bishop (Episcopa) on 2 October 1993 at the SCS Compound in [[Thiruvalla]], taking the titular name Joseph Mar Barnabas. During his tenure as Episcopa, he led several dioceses, including Chengannur-Kozhenchery, Delhi-Mumbai, and Adoor-Malaysia.<ref name="MTC_Profile" /><br />
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On 18 July 2021, he was installed as a Suffragan Metropolitan, a senior rank within the Mar Thoma Church hierarchy.<ref name="Hindu_Installation">{{cite news |title=Two Mar Thoma metropolitans to be installed today |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/two-mar-thoma-metropolitans-to-be-installed-today/article35380710.ece |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=18 July 2021 |access-date=6 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="Express_Installation">{{cite news |title=Mar Coorilos and Mar Barnabas installed suffragan metropolitans |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2021/Jul/19/mar-coorilos-and-mar-barnabas-installed-suffragan-metropolitans-2332095.html |work=[[The New Indian Express]] |date=19 July 2021 |access-date=6 May 2026}}</ref><br />
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== Contributions ==<br />
Mar Barnabas has served as the Chairman of the Lectionary Committee and the Liturgical Commission of the Mar Thoma Church. He is noted for his work in sacred music, having published several liturgical song collections including ''Thybooso'' and ''Hasa Kramam''.<ref name="Trinity_MTC">{{cite web |title=Our Bishops |url=https://www.trinitymtcmctvm.org/WebPages/OurBishops.aspx |publisher=Trinity Mar Thoma Church |access-date=2026-05-06}}</ref> In 2022, he visited the [[Vatican City|Vatican]], an event that contributed to the initiation of formal dialogue between the Mar Thoma Church and the [[Holy See]].<ref>{{cite news |title=A shepherd to all humanity: Suffragan Metropolitan remembers Pope |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2025/Apr/22/a-shepherd-to-all-humanity-suffragan-metropolitan-remembers-pope-3 |work=The New Indian Express |date=2025-04-22 |access-date=2026-05-06}}</ref><ref name="Hindu_Vatican">{{cite news |title=Mar Thoma Church delegation meets Pope Francis |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/mar-thoma-church-delegation-meets-pope-francis/article66115982.ece |work=The Hindu |date=2022-11-09 |access-date=2026-05-06}}</ref><br />
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== References ==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Barnabas, Joseph}}<br />
[[Category:1949 births]]<br />
[[Category:Living people]]<br />
[[Category:Indian bishops]]</div>TeresaGuercio23