Marthoma Church Prelate Most. Rev. Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostem Marthoma Metropolitan relinquished his position of supreme head of the Marthoma Church of Malabar due to his physical ailments. Mar Chrysostem published his wish to get relieved from the duties at the concluding session of the Legislative Assembly of the Marthoma Church [Mandalam] held at Tiruvalla on August 28, 2007. Metropolitan had commited the Church to the Suffragan Metropolitan Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Irenaeus. Suffragan Metropolitan had taken over the daily administration of the Church.

Most Rev. Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostem have the distinguished honour as the longest served Bishop in India. His total span as Bishop is more than 54 years.

Mar Chrysostem was born on 27 April 1918 as son of Rev. K.E. Mamman and Mrs. Sosamma Mamman of Adangappurathu Kalamannil family at Puramattom in Pathanamthitta District of Kerala. He was baptismally named as Philiph. Philiph was ordained as a Deacon on 1st of January, 1944 and as a priest on 3rd of June, 1944. He was consecrated as bishop on 23 May, 1953 with ecclesiatical name Philipose Mar Chrysostem. Mar Chrysostem was consecrated as the Marthoma Metropolitan on 23 October, 1999. He succeeded Most Rev. Dr. Alexander Valia Metropolitan as the Supreme head of Marthoma Church. Though the Metropolitan relinquished his administrative position, he will remain as still as the spiritual leader of the Church. May the Lord continue to bestow the graces to Thirumeni to inspire the Church and we wish a healthy and blessed long life for Tirumeni.

Most Rev. Dr Joseph Mar Irenaeus Suffragan Metropolitan was born on 27 June, 1931 as the son of Lukose of Maramon Palakkunnathu Kadone family and Mariamma of Puthoor family. He was ordained as a deacon on 29th of June and as a priest on 18th of October, 1957. He was consecrated as bishop on 8 February, 1975 and designated as Suffragan Metropolitan on March 15, 1999. We congratulate Thirumeni for the selection to lead the Church and wish and pray for all the blessings from heaven to shepherd the Church.