St Thomas Knanaya Church

Mor Ivanios Kuriakose, the auxiliary bishop of the Knanaya archdiocese was elevated to high priest-hood along with Mor Silvanos Ayoub on June 11, 2008 by His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and the supreme head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church.

The consecration ceremony was held at the St. Peter & St. Paul's Patriarchal Cathedral at Ma`rrat Sayyidnaya, Damascus, Syria. Their Eminences Mor Sevarios Kuriakose (Archbishop of Knanaya archdiocese), Mor Gregorios Kuriakose (Metropolitan of Kallisseri region of the Knanaya diocese), Mor Timotheos Aphrem Aboodi (former Patriarchal Vicar for Canada), Mor Theophilos George Saliba ( Secretary to the Holy Synod) and Mor Clemis Daniel (Lebanon diocese) assisted His Holiness at this blessed consecration ceremony. The holy ceremony was attended by a large gathering of Rabans (Monks), Priests, Deacons, Nuns and around 75 Syrian Orthodox Faithful from India.

Mor Ivanios Kuriakose (formerly known as Rev. Fr. Kuriakose Kolath) was born on June 9, 1964 to Kolath K G Abraham and Thankamma. He attained his degree and post graduation from the Kerala and M.G. Universities respectively. Later he joined the Vidiya Jyothi Catholic seminary, New Delhi. On August 15, 1993 the former Metropolitan of the Archdiocese, H.E. Mor Clemis Abraham ordained him Kassisso (full priest) at the St. George Church, Neelamperoor. In March 2008, the Knanaya Syrian Christian Association held at Mor Aphrem Seminary in Chingavanam, Kottayam choose Rev. Fr. Kuriakose Kolath and Rev. Fr. Job Thottathil as the new auxiliary metropolitans for the archdiocese and accordingly both were raised to the order of Ramban in May 2008. At the time of his selection as Metropolitan Rev. Fr. Kuriakose Kolath was serving the St. Thomas Valiya Pally at Ranni. He was also the secretary of the priestly council of the Archdiocese.

As per the decision of the Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Kuriakose Kolath was raised to the order of Ramban on 26 May 2008 by H.G. Kuriakose Mor Severios, Mor Gregorios Kuriakose and Mor Koorillos Geevarghese of Niranam. The ceremony was held at St. Thomas Church (Valiya Pally), Ranni.

Source: www.knanaya.us