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H. G. Kuriakose Mor Severios
Chief Metropolitan of Knanaya Arch Diocese
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His Grace Mor Sevarios Kuriakose, ordained Metropolitan for the Knanaya diocese
by the Patriarch of Antioch Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas on 15th January 2004,
is the fourth Metropolitan of the Knanaya diocese after its formation in 1910. The
Consecration ceremony of the Metropolitan was at the St.Peter and St.Paul Cathedral
in the Monastery of St.Aphrem at Ma'arrat Seydnaya, Damascus, Syria. His Grace assumed
the seat following the demise of the Chief Metropolitan of the East, Mor Clemis
Abraham, in September 2002 at the culmination of one of the longest reigns in Indian
Christanity.
Born into a family of priests on May 21, 1959, Mor Sevarios Kuriakose (Kuriakose
Abraham) is the first among seven children of Edavazhikkal Kunjavarachan and Mariamma
of Kottayam. His Grace is the second Metropolitan from the famous Edavazhikkal family;
his predecessor being H.G. Gevargheese Mor Sevarios who is also the first Metropolitan
of the Knanaya Jacobite Syrian diocese. The well known Church historian E M Philip
who was the secretary to Malankara Metropolitan Pulikottil Joseph Mor Dionysius
II, also belongs to the Edavazhikkal family.
A post-graduate in History and English, he gained his degree in theology from Menooth
University, Ireland, and PG in the same subject from Pourasthya Vidya Peeth, Vadavathoor,
Kottayam. It was on 4 February 1990, Kuriakose Abraham has been ordained Kassisso
by the Chief Metropolitan of the East (late) Mor Clemis Abraham, assisted by Metropolitans
late Mor Theophilos Thomas (Outside Kerala diocese) and Mor Osthatheos Benyamin
Joseph (Simhasana Church).
About a year after the demise of Mor Clemis Abraham, on 18th December 2003, a special
session of the Knanaya Association meeting was convened in the headquarters of the
Church at Chingavanom to elect a new Metropolitan for the congregation. The convention
choose Fr.Kurikose Abraham (Edavazhikkal Achen) to head the Knanaya community. On
12th January 2004 he was ordained Ramban (monk Priest) at the Patriarchal Cathedral
church at Damascus by H.H the Patriarch Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas and three days
after, on 15th January, he was ordained Metropolitan.
In January 2007 His Grace was elevated to Arch Bishop of the Knanaya diocese.
Source: www.knanaya.us
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