Syriac Orthodox Metropolitans entombed in the Manjinikara Dayara Cathedral

Mor Yulios Elias Qoro (1881-1962)
Patriarchal Delegate to Malankara

Mor Yulios Elias Qoro (1881-1962) was the Patriarchal delegate to Malankara. Elias Malke Qoro was born in Mardin on August 1, 1881, and studied at the school of the Church of the Forty Martyrs there. He joined Deir al-Za`faran in 1902, and became a monk on 16 June 1905. Elias was appointed secretary to Patriarch `Abded Aloho II in 1906, and was ordained priest in 1908. He accompanied the Patriarch on a trip to Jerusalem, Istanbul, London, Paris, Egypt, and India, from 1908 till 1911. In London, he met King Edward VI twice and dined at his table. He became abbot of Deir al-Za`faran in 1911, and was appointed director of its printing press. Elias was consecrated bishop on 23 Sept. 1923 in the Church of the Forty Martyrs by Patriarch Elias III, with the honorific title Yulios, and was appointed to serve in Malankara. He became a Patriarchal Delegate to Malankara in 1927. In 1932, he established Mor Ignatius Dayro on the burial site of Patriarch Elias III in Manjinikkara. He also oversaw the establishment of a few monasteries and churches in Malankara. He died in 1962 while serving in India and was buried at Manjinikkara Dayro.

Mor Yulios was one of the foremost masters of the Beth Gazo melodies. Patriarch Ya`qub III, who studied under Mor Yulios in Malankara, later produced audio recordings of the Beth Gazo that remain an important learning resource for the clergy.

Tomb of Mor Yulios Elias at Manjinikkara

Bibliography: 
Jacob Touma, târîkh al-kanîsah al-suryâniyyah al-hindiyyah (Beirut, 1951)
398-400. A. Mnoufer Barsaum, ’adwa’ `ala ’adabuna al-suryanî al-hadîth (Beirut, 1991), 49-50.

Mor Yulius Yakub
(1975-1992) 

Mor Yulius Yacoub was born as the second son of Madapattu Chacko and Annamma at Pampady, near Kottayam, on December 27, 1912. He completed his school education at Vazhoor St. Peter's school and education for priesthood at Thrikkothamangalam, Muvattupuzha, and Manjinikkara. He was ordained full deacon on May 24, 1942, at the Manarcaud St. Mary's Church and Qasheesho in 1945. He was tonsured monk by Mor Yulius Elias Qoro in 1955 and served as a malphono at the monasteries at Manjinikkara and Malekurishu.

Mor Yulius was consecrated by H.H. Patriarch Mor Ignatius Yacqub III as the delegate of the Patriarch of Antioch to Malankara and the metropolitan of Patriarchal churches at Damascus, Syria on 12 June 1975. His consecration was necessitated by the turbulent events in the Malankara Church leading to the departure of the then delegate metropolitan Mor Timotheos Aphrem Aboodi upon cancellation of his visa by the Indian government leading to an escalation of the faction wars in the church. In the long succession of delegates of the holy throne to Malankara, he became the first native bishop to decorate that position. He was well versed in Syriac and undertook the translation of Syriac texts into Malayalam, the most notable of which is the translation of the Hudoye canon. In recognition of his scholarship, he was decorated with the title Mshablono Tobo by Patriarch Mor Ignatius Zakka I in 1990. Many bishops and priests received their theological education from the malphono, whose memory is cherished by many.

Mor Yulius was called to eternal rest on January 24, 1992, at the age of 79. His mortal remains are interred in a tomb at the Manjinikkara Mor Ignatius Dayro, at the entrance to the tomb of the Patriarch St. Ignatius Elias III.

Mor Osthatheos Benyamin Joseph
[The former Metropolitan of Patriarchal churches (1992-2004)]

Mor Osthatheos Benyamin Joseph, the former Metropolitan of Patriarchal churches was a pillar of strength for the Syrian Christians of Malankara for about two decades. He was the abbot of the famous St. Ignatius Dayro at Majanikkara (Majanikkara Dayro) where the mortal remains of the Patriarch St. Ignatius Elias III  is entombed.

The late Metropolitan was born in the Panakkal family of Kunnamkulam on 24th June 1949 to Ukuru and Thandamma. After secular education at M.J.D.H.S Kunnamkulam and St.Thomas College Trichur, he had his seminary course at Manjanikkara Dayro. He had been the secretary to the Patriarchal delegate Very Rev Aprem Aboodi Ramban (Mor Themotheos Aphrem Aboodi). In 1974, at his 25th year, he joined the St.Ephrem Syrian Orthodox Theological Seminary at Achani, Mount Lebanon for higher studies. Three  years later he was appointed as secretary in Indian Church affairs by H.H Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Yakoob III-the first of its kind in the Syrian Church history. He has also served as the Vice-Principal of the St.Ephrem Theological Seminary. Soon after the enthronement of the Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I, he was appointed as the first secretary and secretary for Indian Affairs of His Holiness. As secretary to His Holiness, he accompanied H.H during his travels to various countries.

On 7th October 1984, he was ordained Assistant Metropolitan for Patriarchal Churches and other Institutions of the Holy See in India.  Following the demise of Mor Yulius Yacoub Madapattu in 1992, H.G Binyamin Joseph Mor Osthatheos became the Abbot of the Mor Ignatius Dayro at Majanikkara. He has been the pillar of strength for the Church in India at the time of crisis. His simplicity and accessibility made him very popular among the common man. An ardent supporter and staunch defender of the true faith, Thirumeni contributed greatly to the development of the Simhasana Churches all over Kerala.  He was the president of the 'sathya viswasa samarakshana samithi' besides many service organizations of the church which functioned as an helping hand for the poor and needy. He was always very particular in extending help to all those who approached him regardless of caste or community. The leadership of Mor Osthatheos Benyamin Thirumeni will be cherished by the members of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox community, and Simhasana churches in particular. 

On 17th June 2004 (Thursday) at 2.42 am His Grace breathed his last. He was only 55 then. The same evening his body was taken to his home parish at the Arthat St.Mary's Simhasana Church at Kunnamkulam where it was kept for public homage. .

On the next day after Holy Qurbono, the body was taken in procession from the Church to Manjanikkara Dayro. All the way thousands of faithful were present on road sides to bid farewell to their beloved Metropolitan. On 19th June 2004 the mortal remains of the Metropolitan was entombed at Majanikkara Dayro