From the desk of Dr. JIJIMON K THOMAS

Towering over the Mar Ivanios Vidya Nagar in the northern outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of ‘God’s Own Country’ Kerala, Mar Ivanios College, is the true embodiment of a visionary’s sacred dream. Founded in the model of Santiniketan on 1st August 1949 by Servant of God His Grace Archbishop Mar Ivanios of revered memory, the college has maintained its distinct reputation as a centre of excellence in the academic, cultural and social life of our land through these decades. As we know, the major objective of higher education is to develop virtuous human beings proficient in rational and creative thinking, scientific temper, moral values, etc. leading to the building of an equitable and inclusive society as envisaged by our constitution.

Mar Ivanios College (Autonomous), an institution of higher learning, always cares for a safe and stimulating learning environment and also provides excellent learning experiences with good physical infrastructure and adequate resources. The New Education Policy is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the workplace. The policy also focuses on career-oriented education, providing students with the opportunity to gain real-world experience through internships and other work-based learning opportunities. The leap of modernization and globalization and most importantly the liberalization in higher education have significantly augmented the academic environment of India. To move with this without compromising the quality of learning is a great challenge.

Mar Ivanios College (Autonomous), Thiruvananthapuram is one of the best-run institutions in the country for imparting quality-based education in arts, humanities, science, commerce, and cross-disciplinary areas as well, taking into account the global strategies in higher education. The students are adequately trained intellectually, enriching their moral values and making them conscious of our environment, thus fulfilling the vision of its founder Servant of God, Archbishop Mar Ivanios.

I greet all of you on behalf of the college and wish and pray for you all the best.

Prof. (Dr). Jijimon K. Thomas

Principal

Patron and Manager of Mar Ivanios College

His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis, Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Malankara Catholic Church and Major Archbishop of Trivandrum, serves as the patron and manager of Mar Ivanios College.

A leader deeply devoted to faith, service, and humanity, His Beatitude is one of the most respected and beloved figures in Kerala. He takes personal interest in the functioning of Mar Ivanios College, ensuring its continued growth, excellence, and adherence to Christian values. His belief in love, unity, and community service has earned him great respect across religious and social groups, with Christian, Hindu, and Muslim communities holding him in high esteem.

Early Life and Education

Born on June 15, 1959, in Mukkoor, Mallappally, Pathanamthitta, to Mathew and Annamma Thottumkal, he was given the name Isaac. He hails from the Pakalomattom-Powathikunnel family, known for its deep-rooted Christian heritage.

• Primary Education: St. Mary’s UP School, Kunnanthanam
• Secondary Education: St. Mary’s High School, Annikad
• Pre-Degree Studies: St. Berchman’s College, Changanacherry
• Philosophical Studies: St. Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary, Aluva

In 1976, he responded to his calling and joined the Infant Jesus Minor Seminary of the Eparchy of Tiruvalla. When the Eparchy of Sultan Bathery was established in 1978, he embraced the challenges of missionary service and opted to serve in the newly formed diocese.

Theological Formation and Priesthood

• Theological Studies: Papal Seminary, Pune
• Ordained as Deacon: March 22, 1986, by Bishop Valerian D’Souza
• Graduated in Theology: Pontifical Atheneum, Pune (March 1986)
• Ordained as Priest: June 11, 1986, by Dr. Cyril Mar Baselios

Following his ordination, Fr. Isaac Thottunkal pursued a Master’s in Theology at Dharmaram College, Bangalore, where he also served as Vicar for the Malankara Catholic Faithful in Bangalore. His efforts were instrumental in establishing and expanding the Malankara Catholic Missions in the region.

With his wisdom, compassion, and leadership, His Beatitude continues to inspire and guide the Mar Ivanios College community, upholding its values of faith, excellence, and service to humanity.

Academic Achievements and Early Clerical Service

After successfully completing his Master’s in Theology in 1988, Fr. Isaac Thottunkal returned to Sultan Bathery, where he served as:

• Rector of St. Thomas Minor Seminary
• Parish Priest of St. Thomas Cathedral, Sultan Bathery

He then pursued a Doctorate in Ecumenical Theology at the University of St. Thomas Aquinas, Rome, which he completed in 1997.

Upon returning to his home diocese, he took on several key roles:

• Spiritual Father of the Minor Seminary
• Chancellor of the Eparchy of Sultan Bathery
• Proto-Syncellus (Vicar General) of the Eparchy

He is also an accomplished author, having written three books:

• Emerging Trends in Malankara Catholic Theology: Vision and Contributions of Cyril Mar Baselios
• Sabhaykum Samoohathinumayi (Malayalam)
• Subisheshadeepthi (Malayalam)

Elevation to Bishop and Apostolic Visitator

On June 18, 2001, Pope John Paul II appointed Msgr. Isaac Thottunkal as the Auxiliary Bishop of Trivandrum and Apostolic Visitator to North America and Europe.

• Ordained as Remban on August 2, 2001, by Metropolitan Archbishop Cyril Mar Baselios
• Consecrated as Bishop on August 15, 2001, assuming the name Isaac Mar Cleemis

During his tenure as Apostolic Visitator, he played a vital role in:

• Strengthening Malankara Catholic Missions in North America
• Establishing a new mission in Rockland
• Founding the Mar Ivanios Malankara Catholic Centre at New Hyde Park, New York, which is now the headquarters of the Malankara Catholic Church in North America
• Serving as the Patron of the Indian Christian Forum of North America and the St. Thomas Ecumenical Federation of India in North America

Episcopal and Metropolitan Leadership

• September 11, 2003: Appointed Bishop of the Eparchy of Tiruvalla
• October 2, 2003: Installed as Bishop of Tiruvalla at St. John’s Cathedral, Tiruvalla
• February 2006: Elected Vice President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India

On May 15, 2006, the Eparchy of Tiruvalla was elevated to a Metropolitan Province, and Bishop Isaac Mar Cleemis was appointed Metropolitan Archbishop by Moran Mor Cyril Baselios Catholicos. He was officially installed as Metropolitan Archbishop of Tiruvalla on June 10, 2006, at St. John’s Cathedral, Tiruvalla.

Election as Major Archbishop-Catholicos

Following the passing of His Beatitude Moran Mor Cyril Baselios Catholicos on January 18, 2007, the Holy Episcopal Synod of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church convened on February 8, 2007, and elected Most Rev. Isaac Mar Cleemis as the new Major Archbishop-Catholicos.

• February 10, 2007: His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI confirmed the election
• March 5, 2007: Officially enthroned as Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Malankara Catholic Church and Major Archbishop of Trivandrum at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Trivandrum

His Beatitude Baselios Cleemis continues to be a guiding force in spiritual leadership, theological scholarship, and community service, upholding the values of faith, unity, and compassion.

He celebrates his Heavenly Patron’s Day on January 2.

Servant of God Mar Ivanios is held in deep reverence for his devotion to God and man. He is a blessed soul who has inspired thousands through his prayer life, charismatic personality, broad vision, ascetic ministry, and untiring efforts for peace and human well-being.

Mar Ivanios was born in Mavelikara in Kerala on 21 September 1882. He was ordained Deacon on 9 January 1900. He took his MA Degree from Madras Christian College in 1907. This won him the familiar appellation ‘M.A. Achen’ as he was the first to acquire this academic distinction among the clergy from the Syrian Orthodox fold.  Soon he was appointed Principal of M. D. Seminary High School, Kottayam where he had been a student. On 15 September 1908, he was ordained, Priest.

During the period 1913-1919, he occupied, on invitation, the coveted Chairs of Professor of Economics and Syriac in Serampore University College, Calcutta. In recognition of his scholarship, he was appointed the Chairman of the Board of Studies for Eastern Languages of the University for a long spell. His commitment to the cause of women’s education is evidenced by the provision he gained at Diocesan College, Calcutta to admit female students from Kerala. On 15 August 1919, he founded the Bethany Ashram imbibing the Indian spiritual traditions and the monastic spirituality of St. Basil. On 1 May 1925, he was consecrated Bishop.

As entrusted by the Synod of the Malankara Church held at Mavelikara in 1926 he took the initiative for the Communion of the Malankara Church with the Universal Catholic Church. But the Synod backtracked from the decision later. Responding positively to the call of the Holy Spirit, Mar Ivanios, with his followers, came into Communion with the Universal Catholic Church on 20 September 1930. Mar Ivanios is rightly revered as the Prophet of Unity. Being the head of the Malankara Catholic Church and the Archbishop of Trivandrum, he shifted his headquarters to Trivandrum in 1932.

Archbishop Mar Ivanios, whom G. K. Chesterton referred to as a “heroic figure” and a “unique priest from the East,” spoke at various foreign Universities and Centres, and commanded great respect among scholars in Europe, America, and Australia. In 1947 the University of San Francisco conferred on him the Honorary Doctorate L. L. D. The Chancellor of the University described him as an “unqualified patriot, renowned scholar, Eastern visionary, Christian philosopher . . . .”

In his pastoral ministry, he made remarkable contributions to various aspects of human life. Convinced of the fact that the empowering of people is possible only through education, he established several educational institutions including Mar Ivanios College. In his letter to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Travancore University in 1945, he expressed his desire to establish a college which would offer “courses different from the conventional ones which our present-day colleges usually offer” and thus “open up new paths in offering such courses.” It was also envisaged that the college will provide “all the avenues for co-curricular activities.” This clearly reveals his futuristic vision in higher education.

Being aware that socio-economic well being is indispensable for leading a worthy life, he initiated various programmes for the uplift of the people. His care and concern for them transcended the barriers of religion, caste, creed, and socioeconomic status. On 15 July 1953, he was called to eternal rest.

Thousands of people hail him as a Saint. On 15 July 2007 the Holy Episcopal Synod of the Malankara Catholic Church declared him Servant of God as part of the Cause of Canonization.

His Grace Most Rev. Benedict Mar Gregarious was the Archbishop of Trivandrum for more than four decades, heading the Malankara Syrian Catholic Church, till the day of his demise on 10th  October 1994. He was a person loved and honored by all, irrespective of caste or creed. With his charisma and dynamism, he involved himself in almost all the developmental activities of the State. He gave a new dimension to spirituality by recognizing the role of action in human life. His contribution to the fields of Education, Agriculture, Rural Development, Housing Economics, and Culture has been very significant and acclaimed as commendable on the part of the Religious Head. He was the first Principal of Mar Ivanios College and also the Patron of the College for four decades

Born in 1916 at Kallooppara in Thiruvalla,  T.E. Vargheese joined the Bethany Ashram, receiving the name Benedict, symbolic of the renunciation of his household life to embrace spiritual life in the priesthood. He was ordained as a priest on 24 August 1944 and was introduced as the Bishop of  Trivandrum on 29 January 1955. He was the president of Kerala Bishop’s  Conference and the Catholic Bishop Conference of India. He traveled extensively across the world.

Besides the Education and Agriculture, he showed a keen interest in Labor, Industry, Housing, Social Services, Religious Harmony, Ecumenism, Environment Problem, and Media. As an Economist he did a great deal as precept and practice to spread modern ideas from the common people.

He implemented a low-cost housing scheme for the homeless. Under the ten-point “Health for a Million Programme” activities were organized under the following heads.

• Education for Health and Development

• • Nutrition Programme

• Special Care for Children

• • Juvenile Guidance
• Maternity care
  • Family Planning  Through Responsible Parenthood

• Socio-Economic Development

• • Environmental Sanitation

• Disease Control, Healing the Sick, Rehabilitation  of the Disabled

• Nature Cure and Yoga Treatment

Besides being a spiritual leader, he was an eloquent speaker, a linguist, an educationist, and an economist. He rightly interpreted the vision of the founder, Archbishop Mar Ivanios to the society and the Gospel of Love to millions.