Fr. Alex Daniel
He is a member of St. George Orthodox Church, Puthoor of Kollam Diocese. He hails from Vattakkattu family, Puthoor. Late Fr. V.J. Jacob, Vattakkattu is his paternal uncle. He is the fourth son of Late. Y. Daniel and Smt.Chinnamma Daniel. He had his B.Sc (Kerala University), LL.B (Bangalore University), GST (Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam), BD (Serampore University), M.Th (St. Peter’s Pontifical Institute of Theology, Bangalore), Diploma in Biblical Geography (Tantur Ecumenical Institute, Jerusalem) and Research Study in Old Testament (Federich Alexander University Germany). He is pursuing Doctoral Research in O. T. (St. Peter’s Pontifical Institute of Theology, Bangalore).
In 1995, H. H Baselious Mathews II ordained him to the priesthood. He was appointed as the faculty of Old Testament in St. Thomas Orthodox Theological Seminary, Nagpur. He has served as: Warden, Director of Fieldwork, Bursar, Director of OVBS, Treasurer of School for Mentally Challenged Children, Nagpur, Treasurer, the Orthodox Sunday School Association of the East (Out Side Kerala Region) and Director of Akhila Malankara Orthodox Shushrushaka Sangam (Out Side Kerala Region). He has worked in various parishes in Bangalore, Germany, and Calcutta Diocese.
Fr. Alex Daniel enrolled as an advocate in the High Court of Kerala in the year 1994 and practiced as a Civil Lawyer in the District Court, Kollam.
He handled the regular columns in the Malankara Sabha, Sahayatra, Parish Mission Literatures of the Nagpur Seminary and in the Souvenirs and Magazines of various Churches. He has published a book in Malayalam named “Vachanathejas”, a compilation of Sunday Sermons for a complete year.
He has participated in many conferences of SATHRI and ECC, Bangalore, VIth annual conference of CMAI, Schillong (2006), the Curriculum Revision Committee of Serampore University (2006), five-day conference for the youths of Orthodox – Lutheran Churches held at Greiswald, Germany (2005), works of NCCI and India Peace Center, Nagpur.
Very. Rev. Christophorous RambanVery. Rev. Christophorous Ramban hails from Thekkemala, Kozhenchery. Born in 1960, as the son of Mr. V.A. Oommen and Mrs. Gracy Oommen. Ramban (then Abraham Oommen) was educated at Catholicate College, Pathanamthitta, Old Seminary Kottayam and Gurukul Lutheran Theological College, Madras. ( B.A, B.D, M.Th)
Ordained as deacon in 1986, as priest on 21 May 1987, he accepted the vows of monasticism and was professed Remban on 31 Mar 2002. He led a monastic life in Parumala Seminary during 1986-1990 and Madras during 1990-1996. Remban served as the Vicar of St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral, Singapore between 1996 and 2002. In 2003, he served as the Manager of Madras Aramana and during 2004-2006 he did commendable job as the Manager of the Parumala Seminary.
Since 2007 Very.Rev. Christophorous Ramban is serving as the Manager of Catholicate Aramana, Devalokam.
His brother Philip Oommen is working at Malaysia and the only sister Jaya Shaji is working at Doha.
Very Rev EldoRambanVery. Rev. Eldo Ramban, (formerly Fr. P. S. Yohannan) was born on November 30th, 1954, to Mr. Zachariah and Mrs. Annamma, Parakunnil House, Panniamkkara P.O, Vadakkancherry, Palakkad.
He did his school education is Chamya Ayyer High school at Ayakkad near Vadakkencherry, Palakkad. After college education from S. N. College, Alathoor and post-graduation in Sociology from Kerala University, Rambachen learned Syriac under V. Rev. Fr. Marat Thomas Ramban in 1973-74 at Othera Dayara. He has his G.S.T. (1978) and B. D. (1979), certificate course from Bossey Institute of WCCA, Geneva (1999-2000) and a Certificate on counseling course from the Indian Christian Medical Association of India, Shillong.
He was ordained sub-deacon by H. G. Yuhanon Mar Severios in 1977, Deacon by H. G. Joseph Mar Pachomios in 1979. He was ordained priest by H. G. Yuhannon Mar Severios (in 1980) and was professed Remban by His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Didymus I (in 2006).
He has rendered his services to the following churches: St. George Orthodox Church, Vaniampara, St. Ignatius Orthodox Church, Thrissur, St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, Faridabad, St. Thomas Orthodox Church, Ghaziabad, Mar Gregorios Orthodox Church, Barelly, St. George Orthodox Church, Haridwar, St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, and its various chapels, Ernakulam, Sion Seminary Chapel, Koratty, Medical College Chapel, Kolenchery, Parumala Seminary Church, Parumala, St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church, Padamugal (Founding Vicar), and St. Thomas Dayara Chapel, Vettickal.
He has also held the following offices: Kerala Regional Chaplain of Christian Medical Association of India (CMAI), Council member, Delhi Diocese, Director, OSSAE, Cochin Diocese, Founder of Baselios Vidyanikethan (CBSE) Vettickal and Principal till 2006
He is presently the Manager & Vicar of St. Thomas Dayara, Vettickal, President of Local Committee of BaseliosVidyanikethan and President of Health Centre of the Dayara. He is also a member of Director Board of St. Mary’s Boys Home, Thalacode.
Rev Fr Dr John PanickerRev. Fr. Dr. John Panicker was born in Kallarackal Kaleelil family on 28 May 1964 as the son of Mr. P. T. Mathunny Panicker & Late Mrs. Kunjamma Panicker. He is a member of St. Thomas Orthodox Valiyapally, Kundara. He obtained his B. Sc degree from Kerala University (1984), theological diploma (G.S.T.) from Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam, Bachelor of Divinity (B.D.) from Serampore University (1988), Master of Theology (1991) and Doctor of Theology (1995) from the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome. He also holds a certificate in Pastoral Counseling from Glasgow University, Scotland (1997).
He was ordained as Sub-deacon on 13 June 1987 and Deacon on 15 May 1989 and on 3 June 1989 he was ordained to the Holy priesthood by the late H.G. Geevarghese Mar Dioscorus, Metropolitan of Trivandrum Diocese. He was the director of Holy Trinity Centre for Disabled Children, Trivandrum (1990-91), Professor and Registrar of the Holy Trinity Theological College, Addis Ababa of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (1994-1997), and the Programme Secretary, Sophia Centre, Kottayam (1997-2006).
He served as the vicar of Sreekaryam Mar Baselios Gregorios, TVM (1989-90), Makkulam St. George, TVM (1997-2000), Narickal St. Mary’s, TVM (2000-03), Valakam Mar Gregorios, TVM (2003-06), Koorthamala St. Mary’s, Chengannoor (Asst. Vicar, 1998-02), Kurichimuttom St. Stephen’s, Chengannoor (Vicar, 2002-04) Pullad St. George, Chengannoor (2004-06) and now serving a the Chaplain of Old Seminary, Kottayam and the Vicar of Kundara Kadeestha, TVM, from 2006 onwards.
He is currently the Professor and Dean of Studies of Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam, Registrar of Divyabodhanam-the laity theological training programme of the Church, Joint Secretary of St. Thomas Orthodox Vaidika Sanghom, Chief Editor of Malankara Sabha Monthly, Publisher of Purohithan Quarterly, Editorial Board Member of Bethel Pathrika, Editorial Board Member of St. Ephrem Theological Journal, (Satna), Executive Committee Member of TLC, Thiruvalla, Member of the Joint International Dialogue between Roman Catholic Church and Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
He has authored five books and numerous articles and a good preacher, teacher and a retreat father.
Rev Fr Dr Markose JosephRev. Fr. Dr. Markose Joseph was born at Valanjavattom, Thiruvalla on 11 Nov 1955 as the youngest son of late T.V.Mathai and Annamma Mathai, Thekkil Kandathil. His home parish is St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, Valanjavattom. He was barely 16 years of age when he accepted membership to the Society of Sacred Transfiguration, Mount Tabor Dayara, Pathanapuram from the late lamented Thoma Mar Dionysius Metropolitan.
A brilliant student, Fr. Markose Joseph graduated from Madras University in 1979 and took his post-graduation (1981) in Science faculty with first class and first rank. In recognition of his outstanding performance he was honoured with the Chithness Gold Medal and Certificate of Merit in 1981. He took his M. Phil in 1988 and Ph. D in 1995 from the Kerala University. He also has a B. D. from the Serampore University. He also obtained a Certificate Advanced Christian leadership from the Haggai International Institute, Singapore. Last of all, in September 2008, he was honoured with the prestigious Berchmans’ Award for the best energy teacher of Kerala.
He was ordained deacon in 1980 and priest in 1995 by His Grace Thomas Mar Thimitheos Metropolitan (the present Catholicos). Till date, he has served as Vicar, Asst. Vicar in 9 parishes under the Thumpamon Diocese. Currently he is the Secretary of St. Thomas Orthodox Clergy Association, Diocese of Thumpamon.
In 1981, he joined St. Stephens College, Pathanapuram as Lecturer in Zoology. He became Reader in 1995 and the Director of the Zoology Research Centre in 2000. He is a member of more than a dozen academic bodies and organizations. He has published more than 25 papers in National/International academic journals. His most well-read book is ‘Paristhithy Adyatemeekata’ (Environmental Spirituality) which elucidates Christian humanism and the orthodox theological vision of the environment.
Fr. Dr. Markose Joseph is an outstanding orator, retreat father, eco-theologian and multi-disciplinary resource person. In 2003, he was honoured by the Board of International Research, American Biographical Institute with the ‘man of the year’ awards.
Rev Fr Dr Mathew BabyRev. Fr. Dr. Mathew Baby was born at Painuvilla Puthenveedu House, Mavelikara as the son of Mr. P. J. Baby and Mrs. Thankamma Baby on May 3, 1963. His home parish is the famous St. Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral, Puthiyacavu, Mavelikara.
He took his B. Sc degree from Bishop Moor College, Mavelikara, G.S.T. from Orthodox Seminary, Kottayam and B.D and M. Th from Serampore College, Calcutta. He took his Licentiate in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute, Rome and his doctoral degree from the Pontificia Studiorum Universitas, Rome. He also took a diploma in Biblical Archeology from the Pontifical Institute, Jerusalem.
Rev. Fr. Dr. Mathew Baby is a multilingual scholar. Aside from English and Malayalam, he is well versed in Italian, French, German, Aramaic, Greek and Hebrew. He has served in many key positions such as the Joint Secretary of St. Thomas Orthodox Vaidika Sanghum, Publisher of the Purohithan quarterly, Secretary of the Vattasseril Mar Dionysius Charitable Fund, Dean of Post Graduate Studies-FFRRC, Member of the Board of Studies for Old Testament, Serampore University, Member of the Bible Translation Committee-Bible Society, Kerala, Registrar of Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam.
His priestly ministry is spread over 18 years and has served as Asst. Vicar and Vicar in 8 parishes under the jurisdiction of three dioceses, namely Kollam, Kottayam and Mavelikara. He has published several books including OVBS text books, Teacher’s Guide etc and an exegetical study of Psalm 24 which was published in Rome.
Rev. Fr. Stephen OICRev. Fr. Stephen OIC (Mathew Varghese) was born on September 15, 1955 as the eldest son of Mr. P. M. George and Mrs. Aleyamma George, Punchayil Veedu at Pandankary, Edathua, Alleppey (Niranam Diocese). After his primary education at Thalavady and secondary education at St. Thomas, Kadapra he had his college education at Baselios College, Kottayam from where he passed the Pre-degree examination in 1974 and received B.A. (English) in 1977. During 1977-1981 he studied at the Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam taking his GST and B.D. degrees. He was ordained priest on 27 April 1982 by the late H.G. Joseph Mar Pachomios Metropolitan, the then Visitor Bishop of Bethany Ashram.
After receiving Holy Orders, he continued his higher studies, with an M.A (History) in 1986 from the Kerala University and B. Ed in 1987 from Sardar Patel University. Afterwards, he served as Principal of Bethany St. Johns Higher Secondary School, Kunnamkulam from 1987-1996.
Having joined the Bethany Ashram at the young age of sixteen, he was professed to the life of monasticism on August 7, 1985. In 1996, he became the Superior of the Ashram and he continues to till this day.
He has two brothers Jacob George (working at Goa) and Abraham George (working at Kuwait) and two sisters Sheela Alex and Annie Rajan.
