Archbishop Benedict Mar Gregorios

Archbishop Benedict Mar Gregorios

The Second Metropolitan Archbishop of Trivandrum

Varghese Thangalathil was born on 1 February 1916 as the second son of Idicula and Annamma, at Kall?pp?ra in Tiruvalla. They gave him the pet name Kunjukutty.  At the age of four, his uncle Pappy Sir began to teach him alphabets of the vernacular, Malayalam. At the age of five he was sent to the LP School, Puthussery.  After completing his middle school studies he joined the St. John’s School, Eraviper?r for his Secondary School education. It was at this time that the Metropolitan Mar Ivanios started many Bethany churches with the intention of reforming the Orthodox Church and one among them was close to the Thangalathil family.  As a result of that Varghese who had an inclination towards sanyasa, was able to maintain good relationship with the Bethany Sanyasis. Very soon, the reunion of a part of the Malankara Church with the Catholic Church became a reality under the leadership of Metropolitan Mar Ivanios. The relationship of Varghese, a member of the Orthodox Church with the members of the Bethany Ashram infuriated his family members. But he already joined the Bethany Ashram without their knowledge. On 21 November 1933, Brother Varghese entered the novitiate. His family later conceded to his desire. He adopted the name Benedict, which means blessed, and on 15 August 1935 he made his temporary religious profession before Archbishop Mar Ivanios. After his studies in St. Aloysius Minor Seminary, he was sent to the Papal Seminary at Candy (Sri Lanka), for his priestly studies. 

He made his perpetual vows on 24 August 1941.  Most Rev. Regno, the Bishop of Candy ordained him priest on 24 August 1944 and he celebrated his First Holy Qurbono in the Seminary Chapel.  After his return in December 1944, Archbishop Mar Ivanios appointed Fr. Benedict to teach Syriac in the St. Aloysius Minor Seminary. He joined St. Joseph’s College, Tiruchirapally in 1946 for graduation course in Economics and passed the Degree with first rank from the University of Madras in 1949.  Then he was appointed the first Principal of Mar Ivanios College. In 1952, he was elected Bishop. He was ordained Remban in the Aramana Chapel on 27 December 1952 and made Auxiliary Bishop of the Archieparchy of Trivandrum after the name Mar Gregorios.  He became the Archbishop in January 1955.  

He received Pallium, on 14 May 1959.  He dedicated his life for service of the human society in general through his ministry in the Malankara Catholic Church. He left his indelible marks in the social and religious fabric of India. During times of social calamities and religious unrest he was sought after to reinstate peace and concord in society. He was a champion of religious harmony. The various projects he initiated for the upliftment of the poor bore abundant fruits and they were well appreciated. The Malankara Catholic Church grew in strength and vitality during his reign. After serving the Archieparchy for 41 years he passed away for his eternal reward on 10 October 1994.  His mortal remains now rest adjacent to the tomb of his guru Archbishop Mar Ivanios.