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Joseph Mar Dionysius V, Pulikottil

Diocese of Niranam

  

Mar Divanasios Joseph Pulikottil(1902-1909)  Born in the 'Pulikottil' family of Kunnamkulam, is one of those illustrious fathers of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church who is remembered with great reverence and affection.The Syrian Christian community of India owes a lot to this spiritual father for his able and dedicated leadership. H.E. Mor Divanasios (Dionysius) Pulikottil is widely acknowledged as the architect of the modern Malankara Church. Mor Divanasios rose to the order of Metropolitan, in AD 1865. The sufferings he had faced as Metropolitan to retain the Syrian Christian faith in Malankara was unprecedented.  In those period, the British were the dominant force in India and they supported the Anglican Church who tried to introduce their protestant faith among the Syrian Christians.  

In June AD 1876, Patriarch Mor Ignatius Peter IV convened a Synod at the Mulunthuruthy MarThoman Church, which gave birth to the popular and democratic 'Syrian Christian Association Committee'; a body comprising of representatives from the Parishes of Malankara. As per the decision of this historic Synod, Malankara Edavaka (Syrian Archdiocese in India) was divided into six new dioceses for administrative convenience, and  Metropolitans were ordained for each (St.Gregorios of Parumala was one of those new Metropolitans ordained by the Patriarch Mor Ignatius Peter IV and appointed as Metropolitan of Niranam Diocese).  Decision was also taken to elevate the senior most Metropolitan of Malankara Church 'H.E. Mor Divanasios Joseph Pulikottil', as the first Metropolitan President of the newly formed Association and as the chief of the local Synod, with the designation MALANKARA METROPOLITAN. Since then His Excellency came to be called 'Mor DIVANASIOS V', he being the fifth Metropolitan of the Indian Church known in the same name. His Grace Mor Divanasios V continued as the head of the Church in Malankara for 33 long years. When Parumala Kochuthirumeni Passed away His Grace Mor Divanasios took the charge of Niranam Diocese also.