The Eparchy of Pathanamthitta is the 7th out of 8 Eparchies, which constitute the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church at present. It is the Holy Episcopal Synod of the Church, held under the president ship of His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis, Catholicos-Major Archbishop in December 2009 that decided to establish the new Diocese of Pathanamthitta, bifurcating the Major Archdiocese of Trivandrum, with His Excellency Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom, the then bishop of Marthandom, as its first bishop. Accordingly negotiations with the Holy See were made and with the approval of the Holy Father Benedict XVI, the announcement of the erection of the Diocese of Pathanamthitta was made at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Pattom on 25th January 2010. The formal inauguration of the Diocese was celebrated at Pathanamthitta and the solemn enthronement of His Excellency was held at the seared Heart Church, Mylapra on 20th March 2010. This Diocese has 96 priests, out of whom 88 are Diocesan and 8 religious. It has on it rolls 100 parishes, all within the territories of the civil district, Pathanamthitta. They belonged to the 4 ecclesiastical districts, viz. Ranni-Perunad, Konni, Pathanamthitta and Pandalam and 5 parishes from the district of Adoor. Through the district of Pathanamthitta in Kerala and the Diocese of Pathanamthitta are insignificant in the vast continent of India, they deserve a privileged position in the history of India’s evangelization. For it is traditionally believed that St. Thomas, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ, preached the good news of the Savior for the first time in India, and that he established 7 churches in Kerala and a mission station in Tamil Nadu. Once of these churches is at Nilackal (Chayal) in the district of Pathanamthitta within the boundaries of the Diocese of Pathanamthitta. Hence, the Christians over here have an ancient history and patrimony. Besides, the various Christian denominations, the Jacobites, Orthodox, Marthomites, etc. have strong communities within the boundaries of this Diocese. The region of Pathanamthitta enjoys a privileged position in the history of the reunion Movement, headed by Mar Ivanios of happy memoty. It was Mar Ivanios was leading his monastic life at Mundanmala (Ranni-Perunad) in the district of Pathanamthitta that he decided to take the courageous step of entering in to full and visible communion with the Catholic Church when the other Prelates of his own Orthodox Church retracted from their common decision for Reunion with the Mother Church. Since his decision was in fulfillment of the ardent desire of our Lord “that all may be one,” God blessed this endeavour of Mar Ivanios. Thus Pathanamthitta became the very cradle of the Reunion Movement. Several priests from within the town and its neighbourhood became zealous protagonists of the Movement, as a result of which, thousands of faithful from all Christian denomination embraced the Catholic Church. If we examine the history of the Major archdiocese of Trivandrum of the Malankara Catholic Church, we can find that the region of Pathanamthitta is rich in divine vacations, both for the priesthood as well as for religious life. Reunion Movement is intrinsically related with Ecumenism. Christians of all denominations today, show special interest in concerted efforts in which of ever level possible. At this juncture, it is especially noteworthy that the one ’Ecumenical Centre’ we have in Kerala, is located at Nilackal, within the district of Pathanamthitta.

Bishop Bio-data

HIS GRACE MOST REV. YOOHANON MAR CHRYSISTON Born : May 19, 1944 Priestly Ordination : May 5, 1973 Corepiscopa : March 10, 1997 Episcopal Ordination : June 29, 1998 Installation as the Bishop of Marthandom : July 1, 1998 Announcement as the Bishop of Pathanamthitta : January 25, 2010 Installation as the Bishop of Pathanamthitta : March 20, 2010