Curien Kaniamparambil


Malankara Malpan Arch Corepiscopa Curien Kaniyamparambil was a priest in the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church and a scholar in Syriac language, who translated the Bible from ancient Peshitta text to Malayalam for the first time. This is the official bible used by Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church.

Biography

Kaniyamparambil Achan was born on 27 February 1913 to Paulose and Aayamma of a well-known Christian family Kaniyamparambil in Kanjiramattom. He did education in the schools at Kanjiramattom and Mulanthuruthy. Later he started learning the basics of Jacobite liturgy, Syriac and theology from Very Rev. Augen Ramban at Sion Kodanad. At the age of 15 he was able to master the sacred liturgical language Syriac. He modified Syriac prayer songs translated by Sabhakavi C P Chandy for usage in Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church. He completed his college education from C.M.S College, Kottayam.
He was ordained as a priest by Malankara Metropolitan Paulose Mar Athanasius. During the apostolic visit of Patriarch of Antioch Saint Ignatius Elias III to Malankara, he served as his secretary. Apostolic Delegate of the Patriarch Mor Julius Elias raised him to the rank of Corepiscopa at the age of 37, the highest order the Church bestows on a married Kassisso. He also received many titles and medals from Moran Mor Aphrem I, Moran Mor Yakoob III, and Moran Mor Zakka I Iywas, Holy Patriarchs of Antioch and all the East.

Funeral and memorials/ Death and entombment

Kaniyamparambil Achan passed away at age 102 on 19 October 2015. The remains of Rev. Kurien Arch Corepiscopa, Kaniyamparambil are interred in a tomb in St.Ignatius Jacobite Syrian Church in Kanjiramattom, Ernakulam District, Kerala.

Books