His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Mathews Mor Polycarpos Appointed as the New Metropolitan of the Mavelikara Eparchy

30 May 2025 – Vatican / Trivandrum / Mavelikara

In a solemn declaration that echoes across the Syro-Malankara Catholic faithful, His Eminent Beatitude Cardinal Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos, Major Archbishop-Catholicos and Father and Head of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, has appointed His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Mathews Mor Polycarpos as the new Metropolitan of the Mavelikara Eparchy.

The official announcement was made today, 30 May 2025, both at the Vatican and at 3:30 PM IST in the St. Mary’s Major Archieparchial Cathedral, Pattom, Trivandrum. Following prayers, His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Antony Mor Silvanos, Curia Bishop of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, read aloud the decree of appointment in the presence of the faithful. This follows the retirement of His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Joshua Mor Ignathios from his pastoral office as the Bishop of Mavelikara.

Formed by Faith, Guided by Wisdom

Born in 1955 in Puthoor, within the Eparchy of Mavelikara, to Geevarghese and Kunjamma, Mor Polycarpos’s journey into priestly and academic life has been marked by profound dedication. He joined St. Aloysius Minor Seminary, followed by philosophical and theological studies at St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor, Kottayam. He was ordained priest on 18 December 1983.

His academic pursuits span Loyola College, Chennai (Bachelor’s), Madurai Kamaraj University (Master’s), and further postgraduate studies including a Master’s in French Literature and a Doctorate from MS University, Tirunelveli.

Mor Polycarpos has served as Principal of Mar Ivanios College, Interview Board Member of the Kerala Public Service Commission, Member of the Board of Studies for French and Latin in Kerala University, and Member of its Academic Council. As a priest, he has guided around 35 parishes, and has served the Church in various roles such as Chancellor and Catechism Director of the Archieparchy of Tiruvalla, Director of the Commission for Catechetical Texts, and Professor at St. Mary’s Malankara Seminary.

He was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Major Archieparchy of Trivandrum on 5 May 2022, and was consecrated on 15 July 2022 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Pattom.

A Shepherd for the Flock of Mavelikara

his appointment reflects a deep pastoral trust and spiritual continuity. For the faithful of the Mavelikara Eparchy, who have been blessed by the decades-long ministry of Mor Ignathios, this is a moment of both gratitude and hope. The deep theological, academic, and pastoral grounding of His Excellency Mor Polycarpos assures a continuation of wisdom, humility, and guidance.

As we offer our prayers for the newly appointed Metropolitan, we thank the Lord for gifting the Church with a shepherd formed in scholarship and service. May the intercession of Saint Thomas the Apostle, Servant of God Archbishop Mar Ivanios, and all our heavenly patrons accompany His Excellency as he begins this sacred responsibility.

Let the faithful of Mavelikara and beyond rejoice in this appointment and remain united in prayer for their new bishop.