# Kottayam Orthodox Diocese

Kottayam Diocese is one of the 32 dioceses of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. The diocese was created in Mulanthuruthy Synod in 1876.

## History

Kottayam is one of the seven dioceses created after the Mulanthuruthi Christian association (synod) conducted under the leadership of Ignatius Peter IV, Patriarch of Antioch in 1876. Others are Kollam, Kandanadu, Angamali, Niranam, Thumpamon, Kochi. In initial time there were 20 churches in the diocese. Kadavil Paulose Mar Athanasios was the first Metropolitan. After this, Paulose Mar Evanios, later Baselios Paulose I become Metropolitan. Then, Geevarghese Mar Pilaxinos, later Baselios Geevarghese I, Vattaserill Mar Dionysius led the diocese. Kuriakos Mar Gregorios (Pampadi Thirumeni) led the diocese in the period of 1929–1965. In this time Pampady Daira become head office. Paret Mathews Mar Ivanios was appointed as Assistant Metropolitan in 1954 and as Metropolitan from 1965 to 1980. Joseph Mar Pacomios, Yuhanon Mar Athanasios led the diocese as assistant Metropolitans. In 1982 Kottayam diocese was divided into Kottayam, Kottayam Central and Idukki dioceses. In 1985 August, Geevarghese Mar Evanios become Metropolitan. In 1987, head office shifted to Kuriakos Mar Gregorios Centre. In 1992, there were 6 chapels, 70 parishes and one cathedral in the diocese.

## Now

Now, H.H Yuhanon Mar Dioscoros serving as the metropolitan bishop of Kottayam diocese. The head office of Kottayam diocese is situated in Kuriakose Mar Gregorios Centre, MD Seminary, Kottayam. There are numerous institutes work under this diocese. Pampadi Kuriakose Dayara, MGM Abhaya Bhavan, MGM Bala Bhavan, Mar Ivanios ITC, BMM English Medium school etc. are some of them. Some colleges of Malankara Church is in the boundary of this diocese.

## Diocesan Metropolitans

Kottayam Orthodox Diocesan Metropolitan :
| From | Until | Metropolitan | Notes |
| 03-Dec-1876 | 02-Nov-1907 | Kadavil Paulose Mar Athanasios | 1st Metropolitan of the diocese |
| Unknown | 02-May-1913 | Paulose Mar Ivanios (Later Baselios Paulose I) | 2nd Metropolitan of the diocese |
| 1913 | 17-Dec-1928 | Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos (Later Baselios Geevarghese I) | 3rd Metropolitan of the diocese |
| 17-Dec-1928 | 1929 | Geevarghese Mar Dionysius of Vattasseril (Dionysius VI) | 4th Metropolitan of the diocese, Ruled as Malankara Metropolitan |
| 16-Feb-1929 | 05-Apr-1965 | Kuriakose Mar Gregorios | 5th Metropolitan of the diocese |
| 1965 | 31-Aug-1980 | Paret Mathews Mar Ivanios | 6th Metropolitan of the diocese |
| 31-Aug-1980 | Aug-1985 | Baselios Marthoma Mathews I Catholicos | 7th Metropolitan of the diocese, Ruled as Malankara Metropolitan |
| Aug-1985 | 12-Apr-2013 | Geevarghese Mar Ivanios | 8th Metropolitan of the diocese |
| 12-Apr-2013 | 12-Jul-2021 | Baselios Marthoma Paulose II Catholicos | 9th Metropolitan of the diocese, Ruled as Malankara Metropolitan |
| 15-Oct-2021 | 03-Nov-2022 | Baselios Marthoma Mathews III Catholicos | 10th Metropolitan of the diocese, Ruled as Malankara Metropolitan |
| 03-Nov-2022 | Incumbent | Yuhanon Mar Diascoros | 11th Metropolitan of the diocese |
Assistant Metropolitan :
| From | Until | Metropolitan | Notes |
| 1954 | 1965 | Paret Mathews Mar Ivanios | Assistant metropolitan |
| 1975 | Unknown | Joseph Mar Pacomios | Assistant metropolitan |
| 1978 | 12-Oct-1980 | Yuhanon Mar Athanasios OIC | Assistant metropolitan |
| 2013 | 03-Nov-2022 | Yuhanon Mar Diascoros | Assistant metropolitan |

## Parishes

1) Amayannoor Kazhunnuvalam Methranchery St.Thomas Orthodox Church
2) Amayannoor Karattukunnel St.Marys Orthodox Church
3) Areeparambu St.George Orthodox Church
4) Anicadu Mar Gregorios Orthodox Church
5) Changnasherry St.Thomas Orthodox Church
6) Chingavanam St.Johns mission Orthodox Church
7) Chenamkary St.Thomas Orthodox Church
8) Cheeranchira St.Marys Orthodox Church
9) Ettumanoor St.George Orthodox Church
10) Kangazha St.Thomas Orthodox Church
11) Kangazha Chettedom St.Marys Orthodox Church
12) Kannukuzhy St.Marys Orthodox Church
13) Kallunkathra Manalel St.George Orthodox Church
14) Kanam St.Marys Orthodox Church
15) Kanam St.George Orthodox Church
16) Kurichy St.Marys and St.Johns Orthodox Church
17) Kurichy St.peters and St.pauls Orthodox Church
18) Kanam Vetuvelil St.Thomas Orthodox Church
19) Kumarakom St.Johns Orthodox Church
20) Kuppapuram St.Thomas Orthodox Church
21) Kooroppada St.Johns Orthodox Church
22) Koottickal St.Marys Orthodox Church
23) Kumaramkode Mar Gregorios
24) Kolladu St.Pauls Orthodox Church
25) Kothala Sehion Orthodox Church
26) Meenadom North St.Marys Orthodox Church
27) Meenadom Vadakke St.Johns Orthodox Church
28) Meenadom Kizhakke St.George Orthodox Church
29) Meenadom St.George Orthodox Church
30) Meenadom St.Thomas Orthodox Church
31) Mundathanam St.Johns Orthodox Church
32) Mundakayam St.Thomas Orthodox Church
33) Moolavattom St.Marys Orthodox Church
34) Njaliyakuzhy Mar Gregorios Orthodox Church
35) Nalumnakkal Mar Gregorios Orthodox Church
36) Neelimangalam Mar Gregorios Catholicate center (Neelimangalam St.Marys Orthodox Church)
37) Nedumavu St.pauls Orthodox Church
38) Olassa St.Johns Orthodox Church
39) Pariyaram Mar Aprem Orthodox Church
40) Pariyaram St.Thomas Orthodox Church
41) Pariyaram St.Peters Orthodox Church
42) Pallom karamoodu St.Marys Sehion Orthodox Church
43) Pallom St.pauls Orthodox Church
44) Pampady St.Johns Orthodox Cheriyapali
45) Pampady St.Johns Orthodox Cathedral
46) Pathamuttom Sleeba Orthodox Church
47) Pangada St.Marys Orthodox Church
48) Parathode St George Catholicate center (St.George Gracy Memorial Orthodox Church)
49) Parampuzha St.George Orthodox Church
50) Pachira Thabore St.Marys Orthodox Church
51) Pala St.Marys Orthodox Church
52) Puthupally St.George Orthodox Valiyapali
53) Puthupally Nilackal Orthodox Church
54) Pongamthanam St.Thomas Orthodox Church
55) Ponkunnam St.Marys Orthodox Church
56) South Pampady St.Thomas Orthodox Valiyapali
57) Thiruvarppu Marthasmuni Orthodox Church
58) Thrikkothamangalam St.James Orthodox Church
59) Thengana St.Thomas Orthodox Church
60) Thottakadu St.Marys Orthodox Church
61) Vadekanmanoor St.Thomas Orthodox Church
62) Vakathanam St.Johns Orthodox Valiyapali
63) Vakathanam Jerusalem St.Marys Orthodox Church
64) Vakathanam St.peters and St.pauls Mission Orthodox Church
65) Vakathanam Puthenchantha St.Marys Orthodox Church
66) Vakathanam Vettikunel St.George Orthodox Church
67) Vakathanam Puthenchantha St.George Orthodox Church
68) Vazhoor St.peters Orthodox Church
69) Vellukutta St.Thomas Orthodox Church
70) Velloor St.Thomas Orthodox Church