Pathanamthitta: Former head of Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church and the longest serving bishop in the country Dr Philipose Mar Chrysostom passed away at a private hospital in Kumbanad here due to age related ailments early on Wednesday.
He was 103.
An outstanding religious dignitary with humanitarian outlook and global vision, Mar Chrysostom was awarded Padma Bhushan in 2018.
Born on April 27, 1918, he became the Metropolitan of the Syrian church in 1999.
Mar Chrysostom was a bishop for 68 years.
After graduating from Union Christian College, Alwaye, he was attracted to missionary work and was ordained as Deacon of the Church in 1944.
He became an Episcopa in 1953, head of Kottayam-Kunnamkulam diocese in 1954 and was elevated to the post of Suffragan Metropolitan in 1978.
Mar Chrysostom headed Thiruvananthapuram-Kollam diocese in 1980 and Ranni-Nilackal, North American diocese in 1990. In 1997, he headed the Chengannur-Thumpamon diocese.
He was a widely appreciated spiritual leader in the social, cultural and religious circle in Kerala known for his humour and wit.
