I can go on and on. But we will keep it for next year for Thirumeni's 15th anniversary of consecration special. Rumor is that something big is being planned by the Archdiocesan Council and other spiritual organizations to make this event memorable.

Bio Summary

Born:

- July 22, 1970

Family:

- Parents: P. M. Kuriakose and Sosamma, Pathickal Family, Perumbavoor, Kerala, India
- Home Parish: Bethel Suloko Cathedral, Perumbavoor, Ankamaly Diocese, Kerala

Education:

- Bachelors and Masters in Mathematics from the U.C. College, Alwaye, Kerala, India;
- Bachelors in Education (B.Ed) from Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India

Theological Studies:

- Theological Seminary at Damascus, Syria;
- Malankara Syrian Orthodox Theological Seminary, Udaygiri, Kerala, India;
- Master’s of Divinity from the St. Vladmir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, New York, USA

Ordinations/Consecrations:

Deacon:

- Ordained as Reader (Qoruyo) on October 28, 1982 by the late His Grace Mor Athanasius Paulose (Kadavil)
- Ordained as Sub-Deacon (Apodyaqno) on March 20, 1998 by His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas
- Ordained as Full Deacon (M’smshono) on December 6, 1998 by His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas

Ramban (Monk):

- Ordained on September 26, 1998 by His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas

Kassiso (Priest):

- Ordained on September 5, 1999 by His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas

Metropolitan (Bishop):

- Consecrated on January 4, 2004 by His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas as the Archbishop and Patriarchal Vicar of the Malankara Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church in North America

Theethose Thirumeni is the only bishop from India in our church who received FIVE of his ordinations/consecrations from the Late Lamented Patriarch His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas!!! No one else from Malankara can claim that honor.

Pope John Paul II, in his book, 'Rise, Let us Be On Our Way' described the important role played by a diocesan bishop in the Universal Church:

The bishop is the sign of Christ's presence in the world, going out to meet men and women where they are: calling them by name, helping them to rise, consoling them with the Good News and gathering them into one around the Lord's Table. For this reason, the bishop, while belonging to the whole world and to the universal Church, lives out his vocation physically removed from the other members of the Episcopal College, so as to be close to the people, whom, in Christ's name, he calls together in his particular Church. At the same time, he becomes for those very people a sign that their isolation is ended, because he brings them into fellowship with Christ, and, in Him, with all those whom God chose beforehand since the world began, with those whom He calls together today throughout the world, and with those whom He will call into His Church in the future, until the very last of the elect. All are present in the local church through the ministry and the sign of the bishop.
- [Bl. Pope John Paul II, 'Rise, Let us Be On Our Way', Warner Books, 2004]

It is a Big Task. No wonder why a bishop wears 12 crosses on His head, symbolizing the sufferings and sacrifices that come in the way as a bishop. It is not a crown, but a cross.

Shepherding and Leading
[Pictures Taken During The Recent Visit of Thirumeni to
St. Basil's Syriac Orthodox Church, Cleveland, Ohio.]

Shepherding is a big task undertaken by Theethose Thirumeni. In order to meet the demand from churches under His Eminence's care, Thirumeni often splits his schedule and visit one church on Saturday and then travel to another church late Saturday and conduct services on Sunday. It is a very tiring task with long hours spent on airplanes and airports and for local transportation. Thirumeni considers these visits very important. They allow him to get close to the pulse of the Archdiocese and learn, first hand, what is happening. Here are some pictures from Thirumeni's recent visit to our church.

Children from the church presenting to Thirumeni, their "special gift". Vishin Robin Roy organized the event with children preparing for this, months in advance.

Inauguration of St. Mary's League - Thirumeni with the Leaders of the Chapter.

Thirumeni recognizing and thanking Fr. Haren, Parish Priest of St. Monica Church that provides their facilities to St. Basil's Church. (Thirumeni has captured the heart of Fr. Haren. He asks me all the time, "When is your archbishop coming next?" We thought we will surprise Fr. Haren when the archbishop came, with a rare keepsake and a ponnada.)

A Special Presentation to Thirumeni: Malankara World Founder and Chief Editor Dr. Jacob Mathew presenting a 'priceless collection' of "Ancient Mosaics From Holy Land" to Thirumeni, the Patron of Malankara World. Fr. Binu Joseph, Vicar of St. Basil's Church and Dr. Shila Mathew, Food Editor of Malankara World, joined the ceremony.

Theethose Thirumeni with the members of St. Basil's Church.

Theethose Thirumeni had a busy calendar when he visited Ohio. He had also gone to Columbus, Ohio - home of Ohio State University- and had a tour of OSU, including its research facilities. Prof. Jacob Naduparambil provided a personal tour of the Cancer research facilities including the OSU Medical Center. At one point, Prof Jacob was showing Thirumeni a special research mouse; the mouse took a look at Thirumeni and peed on Prof. Jacob! (I wonder if the mouse was scared or was showing his joy in seeing a man of God. One of the ways the animals show affection is by peeing, for example, dogs.) Unfortunately, I could not take a photo of that scene as it is prohibited to take pictures in that area. I can still see the mouse with its shiny eyes looking at Thirumeni and peeing!!

Prof. Nilendu Gupta, Chief Physicist and Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology at Ohio State University, taking Thirumeni on a tour, showing a radiation treatment room at the James Cancer Hospital. Rev. Fr. Binu Joseph, Vicar of St. Basil's Church, Cleveland and Prof. Jacob Naduparambil, host, look on.

Thirumeni examining a tissue culture flask to distinguish between a patient derived brain cancer clone and a normal sample.

After a daylong tour of Ohio State University hosted by Prof. Jacob Naduparambil, we rushed to the evening prayer service. A good crowd, that included people from neighboring cities, was eagerly waiting to meet and greet the Archbishop. Especially noteworthy was Soumya and family, a neighbor of Thirumeni's ancestral home in Perumbavoor. Thirumeni was her "good achachan" and Tuition Master. She wondered if Thirumeni will recognize her. But Thirumeni immediately did. (Thirumeni never forgets his roots even after rising to new highs.) and they had a great "reunion."  Soumya later told me that Thirumeni was the favorite of her mother. During his childhood days in Perumbavoor, he was the "ideal boy." They are all so proud of their "local son" reaching such heights in the church. Here is, directly quoting Soumya Elizabeth:

"Thirumeni was our ideal Achachen...whenever I see him reaching new heights, I always remember his mother- a strong and confident lady yet one of the sweetest and kindest person I met... and an amazing cook too."

[Photos by Dr. Jacob Mathew and friends, Malankara World.]