Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos aka Puthencavil Kochu Thirumeni 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.
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.
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. 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.
Priestly life and ordination
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 from 1931–1951.
Achievements
During his lifetime, Kochu Thirumeni headed many organizations and established many educational institutions:
Catholicate High School, Pathanamthitta
Metropolitan High School, Puthencavu, which counts among its alumni eminent personalities such as Justice J B Koshy, among others
Kochu Thirumeni was a strong influence on many of the clergy and along with Vattasseril Geevarghese Mar Dionysius persuaded H.H Baselos Marthoma Mathews Ito go for Theological studies at Calcutta. He also led the legal battles 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
Death
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. The following lines are inscribed on his tomb:
His Presence was Joyful, His Voice Sweet, His Words Inspiring, His Manners Endearing,
His Smile Unforgettable.
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. 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 and the declaration was read out by HG Thomas Mar Athanasius, Kochu Thirumeni's Nephew.
