In a moment of profound grace and solemnity, the Syro Malankara Catholic Church joyfully witnessed the installation of His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Mathews Mor Polycarpos as the Bishop of the Eparchy of Mavelikara on Sunday, 29 June 2025. The sacred ceremony was held at the venerable St. Mary’s Cathedral in Punnamoodu, Mavelikara, where the faithful gathered in reverence and celebration.
The Holy Qurbana that marked this historic occasion was presided over by His Eminent Beatitude Cardinal Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos, the Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro Malankara Catholic Church. His Eminence led the liturgical rites with majestic solemnity, inspiring the assembly with the richness of our West Syriac Rite tradition.
His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Mor Koorilos, Metropolitan Archbishop of Tiruvalla, delivered an uplifting message, exhorting the faithful to embrace the new shepherd with hearts open to faith and unity. The Episcopal Ordination decree appointing Mor Polycarpos was solemnly read by His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Antony Mor Silvanos, Auxiliary Bishop of the Major Archieparchy of Trivandrum.
Following the sacred Eucharist, His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Joshua Mor Ignathios, Former Bishop of Mavelikara and Apostolic Administrator, offered a warm and heartfelt welcome to Mor Polycarpos. The ceremony was enriched by the presence of distinguished clergy, including His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Mor Thomas, His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Vincent Mor Paulos, His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Mathews Mor Pachomios, and eminent political and social leaders.
The installation of Mor Polycarpos as Bishop is a touching new chapter for the Mavelikara Eparchy, which was erected in January 2007. Born on 10 November 1955 in Puthur, Kollam district, he is the son of Geevarghese and Kunjamma Edathil. After his early schooling, Mor Polycarpos pursued ecclesiastical studies at St. Aloysius Minor Seminary, Trivandrum, and the Apostolic Seminary in Vadavathoor, Kottayam. He was ordained a priest on 18 December 1983.
A scholar and educator, His Excellency holds degrees in history from Madras University and a postgraduate degree in French literature from Madurai Kamaraj University. He further attained a PhD in French literature from Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli, alongside diplomas from the Catholic University of Paris, qualifying him to teach the French language globally.
Mor Polycarpos began his ministry as a professor at Mar Ivanios College, Trivandrum, where he also served as bursar and principal. His leadership extended to academic boards including the Kerala University’s French and Latin Board of Studies and the Higher Education Executive Council.
In pastoral ministry, he served numerous parishes and mission centres within the Major Archieparchy of Trivandrum before his appointment as Vicar General in 2013 and later as Auxiliary Bishop in May 2022. His longstanding coordination of charitable services in Trivandrum is a testament to his compassionate heart, which now extends its reach to shepherd the faithful of Mavelikara.
In his inaugural address, Bishop Mathews Mor Polycarpos expressed his heartfelt commitment to the welfare of the eparchy’s people, with a special focus on the care of the elderly and those living in isolation. He emphasised the need for initiatives that bring the marginalised into the embrace of the community, ensuring that no one remains forgotten at the fringes of society.
The event concluded with an encomium by Central Minister Shri George Kurian, who praised the new Bishop’s scholarly and pastoral qualities. The gathering of bishops, civil dignitaries, clergy, and laity bore witness to a new dawn in the Mavelikara Eparchy, one that promises a future marked by faithfulness, learning, and compassionate service.
May the Lord bless His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Mathews Mor Polycarpos abundantly as he assumes this sacred responsibility, guiding the flock entrusted to his care with wisdom, humility, and love.
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