Former head of Mar Thoma Church Dr Philipose Mar Christostm dies at 103

A religious dignitary with a genuine humanitarian outlook and global vision, Mar Chrysostom was awarded Padma Bhushan by President Ram Nath Kovind in 2018.Former head of Mar Thoma Church Dr Philipose Mar Christostm dies at 103

One of the oldest religious leaders of the country, Dr Philipose Mar Chrysostom, often called the priest of wit and wisdom, died at a private hospital in Thiruvalla in Pathanamthitta district at around 1:30 am on Wednesday.

He was 103. Mar Chrysostom was discharged from a hospital in Thiruvalla on Tuesday. He breathed his last at a private hospital in Kumbanad near here around 1:15 am, the spokesman said.

Regarded as the world’s longest-serving bishop who served for about 68 years, he was called the man with the golden tounge and was well-known for his warm friendship with people cutting across religions, and his no-holds-barred humor sense. The senior metropolitan was awarded with the country’s highest civilian honour of Padma Bhushan in 2018.

Last week after he was not keeping well a Covid Antigen test done turned out positive, but a RT-PCR was negative.

The Metropolitan had handed over his administrative responsibilities to his successor, the late Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan, in October 2007 and had since been staying at the Maramon Aramana (Jubilee Home).

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the former head of the Malankara Marthoma Syrian Church had used the bishopric to better peoples' lives.

"He was with the people in their times of pain and distress. The spiritual leader was progressive in outlook and humanist in nature. The Bishop had used his long life for the betterment of society. His refined sense of humour brightened Kerala's cultural life," Vijayan said.