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There are several anecdotes relating to his compassionate caring for the clergy. Once the Metropolitan visited a parish and asked the vicar there whether everything was ready for holy Communion and had an affirmative reply. But when the Trustee opened the Security box, it was found that communion bread had gone sale. In those days wafers were not in use. The vicar panicked. The Metropolitan understood the problem and asked the trustee if there was a bakery around, but there were none. The trustee rushed to the cafe nearby and fetched some buns to the parsonage. Thirumeni took them and sliced off the exterior of the buns and broke them into small pieces, which served the purpose. He improvised an apt solution and spared the vicar of sure embarrassment.

Here is yet another story that reflects the uniqueness of the Metropolitan's personality. The Metropolitan was a great social reformer like Abraham Marthoma. He was getting tired of the practices of bishop conducting marriage ceremonies to indulge some in their sense of social vanity. One day a senior clergyman arrived at the Bishop's house in Thiruvalla to inform the Metropolitan in advance of his daughter's wedding. This priest had no intention whatsoever of asking Thirumeni to conduct the wedding ceremony, because of the additional expenses this might have entailed. He only wanted to report the matter to the Metropolitan as a matter of courtesy. Thirumeni misunderstood the intention of the priest and got very angry and spoke to him at length about people wasting the time of bishops when an achen could as well do the ceremony concerned. Metropolitan thought quite rightly that as a senior clergy he should have known better and, lead the people in such matters by example. Achen departed with a very heavy heart. But immediately thereafter, Thirumeni felt very sorry for him and he sent his driver to bring him back. Thirumeni apologised to him and said that he would be delighted to conduct his daughter's wedding.

On another occasion, Thirumeni appointed young clergyman to a city parish beset with pastoral problems. The clergyman expressed reluctance to take on his assignment. So Thirumeni told him, "I am not sending you to that parish to move mountains. You do one simple thing. In that parish there are quite a few parishioners interested in praying. You go and pray with them and visit all the parishioners." The clergyman did that, and he had a fruitful ministry in that parish.

When he visited parishes he took time to see the parsonages to understand the problems of the clergy and to talk to the children of the clergy. Once he visited a village parish and called at the parsonage when the young daughter of the vicar rushed to "Methrachen Appachen" (That is, father bishop) and told him that they had a disaster, as all their poultry died of some poison. He shared her sorrow and asked whether all were dead. The little girl, with tears rolling down her cheeks, confirmed that not one of them had survived. A week later the vicar, her father, received a letter from Thirumeni to the effect that six hens have been arranged to b delivered to him. He shared the sorrow of the little one and responded in a practical way to a crisis.

Once Metropolitan had to write a letter to Rev. C.V. John asking him to vacate his residence at the M.T. Seminary immediately in favour of the new principal, Rev. Dr. V.P. Thomas. Achen had been living in this house for many years and his wife was bed-ridden with high fever. Achen was very upset at this, and wrote a letter very respectfully, though somewhat provoked. He sent this letter late evening through a courier to Tiruvalla. After receiving this letter, Metropolitan became very worried about having upset him at a time when his wife was indisposed. Achen had stood by the Metropolitan through thick and thin, and was a staunch supporter especially during the tempestuous times of litigation. Thirumeni got the letter late in the evening and immediately asked his driver to take him to Kottayam. It was about midnight when they reached achen's residence. The driver knocked at the door and achen came out, and was very surprised to see his Metropolitan at his doorstep. Thirumeni immediately apologised for writing to him in that manner and said and said that he just wanted to he just wanted to see Kochamma and pray for her recovery. Thirumeni made a frank admission of his regret at having written that letter at such a time and apologised for the same. After a time of prayer, he told achen that he could vacate the house at his convenience and that he would make interim arrangements for the accommodation of the new incumbent.

Rev. C.A. Kuruvilla has recorded the following incident that testifies to Thirumeni's caring and loving disposition. He was the vicar of Ayroor Salem Church. He was bitten by a rat and was poisoned. He was bed-ridden for some months. Thirumeni granted him leave with pay and advised him to seek proper treatment and the necessary rest. However Rev. Kuruvilla could not recover fully from the illness caused by the poison. One day his son told him, "Daddy, why don't you go to Valia Thirumeni and seek his prayers." He mentioned this to a visitor who arranged a car for Rev. Kuruvilla to go to Metropolitan's house at Tiruvalla. Thirumeni laid his hands on him and said a prayer: "Dear Lord, this servant who had dedicated himself for your sevice was unable to do your work for some months because of his illness. When treatment is unsuccessful and medicines are ineffective we get discouraged. But we believe that you are our help and refuge. Please lay your healing hands on him and give him relief. " Rev. Kuruvilla was miraculously healed after this touching prayer and he was able to celebrate Holy Communion the following Sunday as well as attend to his regular parish work thereafter.

Similarly, the Thirumeni showed loving consideration for evangelists (upadesis) and lay preachers in the Church who had no regular salary or were paid poorly. When they visited him, he invariably shared his meals. He also helped them financially on his visits to their parishes. Once an old Upadesi (evangelist) visited him at Tiruvalla and Thirumeni listened to him on his family matters like a close friend, shared the lunch with him. When this upadeshi was about to leave Thirumeni noticed that his sandals were totally worn out. Thirumeni asked him to wait, went inside and fetched the new pair of sandals, which he had bought for himself and gave it to the Upadesi. This act of affection moved the Upadesi to tears. Another visiting evangelist told Thirumeni that he had some abdominal problem. Thirumeni asked him to go to nearby Pushpagiri Hospital, giving him a letter addressed to the doctor to the effect that the Upadesi be given the required treatment, including surgery if required, and to send the bill to Thirumeni. Subsequently Thirumeni went to the hospital to pray for the patient whose surgery was successful.

Thirumeni treated the poor and the affluent equally. Some poor farmers, who were allotted forest land for clearance and cultivation, put up a rudimentary structure for a church and requested Thirumeni to consecrate the church. He gladly agreed to go and traveled by a jeep for some distance and the rest on foot and consecrated the church for the farmers who were delighted and praised God. However a concern was expressed in the Church Council that the Metropolitan was endangering his indifferent health by such arduous engagements. With a characteristic smile he told the Council, "You are happy for me to attend the parish day in Madras with the great Mayor of Madras, but you are trying to bar me from consecrating the church for the humble and hardworking farmers who are loyal to the Church."

Juhanon Mar Thoma was a great source of inspiration for many. At the Mar Thoma Students' conference in 1949 he gave a talk on "Christian Church and Social Justice". A number of the conference attendees were enthused and entered into various social service activities of the Church like homes for the homeless, elimination of the remaining illiteracy in Kerala, technical training for the literates, which programme continued after his reign and are in force even today. By these means he proved to the young that Christianity is stronger than Marxist ideology which was gaining ground in Kerala at that time. He placed on record in the Church Magazine of July 1957 the information of a Social Service Committee to rid society of social evils like landlessness, broken homes, alcoholism, dowry system and flimsy litigations and religious aberrations like communalism in society and disunity in the Church.

Juhanon Mar Thoma's theology was really broadminded although he had the reputation of being a traditionalist. He respected the views and reasoning of all people. Liturgically he could be at once evangelical and liberal. When he visited evangelically oriented parishes, he was quite happy to celebrate Holy Communion without candles, while he was happy to follow the age-old traditions in other parishes if the congregation so desired. It was not a matter of compromising one's convictions, but of the willingness to respect the religious sentiments and needs of the people. He had theological and intellectual grounds to justify both attitudes as he believed that Mar Thoma Church was a broad-minded Church.

At times, he initiated new procedures like starting a Holy Communion Service by singing the first hymn in Hindi, indicating that the Church should change to the language of the people. At the same time he was very appreciative of Malayalam poets and their lyrics. He introduced the prayer hymns of Chekot Asan and P.O. Samuel and encouraged promising poets like Puthenkavu Mathen Tharakan who was the author of "Vishwadeepam Mahakavyam". (Epic of the light of the world describing the life of Jesus). Thirumeni was enthusiastic in giving equal opportunity and responsibility to women in the Church and thus he was very much ahead of the times.

In 1974 Mar Thoma Theological Seminary was upgraded to a B.D. grade college of the Serampore University, inaugurated by Juhanon Mar Thoma. The other educational institutions of the Church expanded during his reign. In 1974 the Church had a very large number of primary schools, 14 High Schools and a Teacher's Training School. Besides these, there were three Arts and Science Colleges: Mar Thoma College Tiruvalla, Christian College in Chengannur and St.Thomas College in Kozhencherry and Titus II Teachers Training College in Tiruvalla, which were all high-ranking colleges of their kind. There was also the Marthoma Industrial Training Institute at Kozhencherry to provide technical and vocational training for those with High School education but stood no chance of finding employment otherwise. Rev. Dr. Ninan Kallumpram gave leadership in starting this institute. Thirumeni took active interest in establishing these institutions. That this was close to his heart is clearly visible from the large number of Mar Thoma youth both men and women who have found employment in India and abroad, thus forming a very large Mar Thoma Diaspora.

On 1st December 1974 Bishop Mathews Mar Athanasius who had been a tower of strength to the Metropolitan and the Church passed away. The idea of consecrating two more Bishops were already under consideration and in February 1975, Rev. P.T. Joseph and Rev. V.T. Koshy were consecrated Bishops by Juhanon Mar Thoma assisted by three Bishops and the Metropolitan of the Thozhiyur Church. Rev. P.T. Joseph became Joseph Mar Irenaeus, and Rev. V.T. Koshy, Easow Mar Timotheus.

The work of Evangelistic Association progressed steadily during the reign of Juhanon Mar Thoma. More Ashrams took shape and the missionary activities of the Church expanded in Madhya Pradesh, Tibet, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and Andamans. A large number of congregations were formed in Kerala as a result of the Mission work. The Evangelistic Association continued to organise the Maramon Convention annually. Medical mission hospitals were started in Palghat, Hoskote, Ankola, Vapi, Sihora and also in Marthoma heartlands of Maramon and Kattanam.

Juhanon Mar Thoma pioneered the ecumenical movement in the Church. His work with the World Council of Churches has been described earlier in this chapter. He took the practical step of moving away from the Julian calendar and accepting the Gregorian calendar so that the main festivals of Christmas and Easter are celebrated on the same days as in Western Churches. This was because of his keenness to be in line with the other Churches in India that were linked to the Western Churches.

The most important decision taken by Juhanon Mar Thoma was the discussion on full communion between the Mar Thoma Church and Church of South India (CSI) and Churches of North India (CNI) and the Church of England and the other provinces of the Anglican Communion. In 1952 the Episcopal Synod which consisted of him and Bishop Mathews Mar Athanasius issued a prophetic call to the Churches in India signed by both of them reading:

Vision of these two great leaders was realized to a great extent as the Mar Thoma Church have come into close association and full communion with CSI and CNI, the Church of England and the world-wide provinces of Anglican Communion. The Bishop of London, a leading Bishop of the Church of England celebrated in 2002 Holy Communion according to the Mar Thoma rite at St.James Parish of the Mar Thoma Church in London. This was the fruit of the ecumenical outlook of Juhanon Mar Thoma and his global vision for the Church, as well as his keenness to create a united national Church in India. We have moved a long way since then. Appreciating the presence of Bishop Zacharias Mar Theophilus at the consecration of the Anglican bishop of Reading, Bishop Dominic walker wrote, "When I was consecrated a bishop, the Mar Thoma Synod of Bishops arranged for Bishop Zacharias Mar Theophilus to be one of the consecrators. May be that makes me Mar Thoma - by adoption and grace!" How mysterious are the ways of Lord! Consider this amazing sequence: laying-on-of hands by the Patriarch of Antioch on Metropolitan Mathews Mar Athanasius in 1842, the Episcopal succession between the Throne of St.Peter and Throne of St. Thomas and in 1997 Zacharias Thirumeni becoming a consecrator with nine other Anglican bishops, Archbishop of York and Archbishop of Canterbury, at the consecration of a bishop under the spiritual umbrella of St. Peter and St. Augustine. This is something to rejoice about. The present writers feel grateful for the opportunity to work towards this ecumenical goal through the Society St. Thomas and of St.Augustine. a Society that they founded with the help of Bishop Dominic Walker, to develop a fraternal relationship between the Anglican Church and the Mar Thoma Church. Both Metropolitan Alexander Mar Thoma and Archbishop of Canterbury were patrons of this Society in the eighties when it was formed.

The Metropolitan's pursuit of ecumenism in Kerala made actuve in seeking reconciliation between the two Orthodox factions: the Syrian Orthodox Church in Kerala, originally called Catholicose party, owing allegiance to Catholicos of the East in Kottayam and the Syrian Jacobite Church - the Patriarchal party- that recognizes the Patriarch of Antioch as its supreme head. Even though Thirumeni's mediations were not fruitful, he earned the respect of the two opposing factions. He was friendly with Catholicos Geevarghese II Mar Basalius (Bava) who shared his problems with Juhanon Mar Thoma. A few days before Bava's death Thirumeni visited him and after a hearty talk shared the breakfast with the Bava.

His commitment to social justice arose from his deep Christian faith. He spoke about social and political injustices on appropriate occasions. He did not believe in ignoring issues for the sake of diplomacy or convenience. The boldest step he took in that direction was the letter dated 25th August 1974 he sent to Mrs. Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India, who imposed internal emergency on India, keeping democracy in a state of suspended animation. It was de facto dictatorship. A number of political Leaders from her own and opposition parties were imprisoned and censorship was imposed on the media. Thirumeni's letter stated that he deemed the Emergency rule as a setback to democracy and demanded its speedy withdrawal as well as the release of the politicians arrested in this regard. He wrote that he was writing as a Church leader and a citizen. Possibly it was one of the many things that persuaded Mrs. Gandhi to withdraw the Emergency Rule, release the incarcerated politicians and Trade Unionists and announce the general election in which she was defeated.

On his 84th birthday, on 7 Sept 1976, Thirumeni celebrated Holy Communion at Manganam St.Peters Church, Kottayam, in which area he had started his priestly Service. He didnot participate in the public celebration of his birthday, but rested at the Bishop's house in Zion Hill. He felt unwell on the 8th September and was admitted to the Medical College Hospital. He was suffering from diabetes and cardiac problems. He received continual attention from expert doctors, but they failed to stabilize his condition. He asked for the singing of his favourite hymns like "Jesus Lover of my soul". He passed away peacefully on 27th September 1976. Thus ended the eventful life of the St.Paul of Mar Thoma Church who guided the Church over an eventful period of expansion and consolidation in the history of the Church.

Juhanon Mar Thoma added intellectual dignity to the image of the Indian Christian community. He wanted the Mar Thoma Church to be a bridge Church between the Western and Eastern Churches by practicing Councilor unity. He overcame the narrow boundaries of denominational rivalries and extended his helping hand to the cause of humanity in Kerala and outside. Politicians of all hues sought and valued his sage counsel. When Mr. R. Shankar was Chief Minister of kerala, he visited the United States of America and was speaking at a meeting. A member of the audience asked the Chief Minister, "Do you belong to the Church of Juhanon Mar Thoma?" Mr. Shankar replied, "I am not a Christian, but I am proud to say that I know the saintly Metropolitan. Anyway why did you ask me this question?" The man answered, "I love that man of faith whose ideals and simple lifestyle are very appealing to me." Thus it was evident that Thirumeni's ideals and role-model were understood and respected by people from far and wide. "His very presence radiated an aura of love and peace," said another Chief Minister, Mr. Achutha Menon, who led a Communist government in Kerala.

He taught that prayer was the deepest longing of the human heart, and fervently believed in its effectiveness. He had the gift of spiritual healing and there were many instances in which people - both clergy and laity - were miraculously healed by Thirumeni's prayers.

He was a teacher all his life and he wrote innumerable books and leaflets, distinguished for their depth and simplicity, to teach people about the Bible and the Church's beliefs. His successor Alexander Mar Thoma called him 'a Messenger of the Kingdom of God,' a well-deserved acclamation for an outstanding chief prelate of the Mar Thoma Church.

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[Excerpt from the book 'Glimpses of Marthoma Church History' authored by Zac Vargese Kanisseril and Mathew Kallumpram.]