The word “Catholicos” means “The General Head”. It can be considered as equivalent to “Universal Bishop”. There were only three ranks of priesthood in the early Church: Episcopos (Bishop), Priest, and Deacon.

His Holiness was born on 12 February 1949 to Mr Cherian Anthrayos of Mattathil family, being a member of St Peters Church, Vazhoor. After his school education, he joined Kerala University and passed his BSc Chemistry. After his BSc, he joined Orthodox Seminary, Kottayam, and had his GST degree.

His Holiness took his BD degree from the Serampore University and did his higher studies in Theology at Theological Academy, Leningrad, Russia. Thereupon he joined Oriental Institute, Rome, and took his MTh and PhD from there.

His Holiness was ordained a deacon in 1976 and a priest in 1978 by HH Baselios Mathews I. His Holiness was escalated to the post of an Episcopa on 30 April 1991 at a function at Parumala, and metropolitan in 1993. He is a well-known teacher and a faculty member of the Orthodox Seminary, Kottayam.

A philanthropist, he works relentlessly for the uplift of the poor, especially women. He has started many ventures to help give employment opportunities to women from the economically backward classes. His Holiness was also served the Holy Episcopal Synod as its secretary.

H. G. Geevarghese Mar Philaxenos Metropolitan was born in Maleth house, Arattupuzha. His Grace belongs to the parish of St. Mary’s Church, Arattupuzha under Chengannur diocese.

Completed his primary education from Metropolitan High School, Puthenkavu (1987), following which he completed Pre-Degree (1989) from Christian College, Chengannur. Completed degree in Economics (1991-94) from Catholicate college, Pathanamthitta, and Postgraduation in Economics (1994-96) from Institute of Economics, Thiruvalla, he joined Old Seminary, Kottayam and completed GST and BD (1996-2000). Later, he took his PhD from Brisbane College of Theology (2011-13).

He was ordained sub-deaconship on 1999, by H.G. Dr. Yacob Mar Irenios Metropolitan at St. Mary’s Church, Arattupuzha. He was ordained deaconship (2000),and priesthood (17 th May 2000) at Mount Tabor Dayara, Pathanapuram . He was chosen as a Metropolitan in the Malankara Syrian Christian Association held on 25 th February 2022 at Kolencherry.

He received the status of Ramban on 2 nd June 2022 at the Parumala Seminary. He was ordained as a Metropolitan by the name ‘Mar Philaxenos’ by H.H. Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews III Catholicos on 28 th July 2022 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Pazhanji. H.G. has taken charge of Madras diocese as Metropolitan since 3rd November 2022.

Rev. Fr. Cheriyan Varghese hails from Mannoor, Anchal, Kollam, India. He joind as the Vicar of the St. Peter’s and St. Paul's Malankara Indian Orthodox Church, on 28 August 2022.

Education:
Rev Fr. Cheriyan Varghese completed his primary education from LMSLP School Manoor and NVUP School Vayala, Anchal, and his secondary education from St. Gregorious Higher Secondary School, Kottarakkara. He has degree Bachelor of Arts from NSS College Kottarakkara,(2008-2011) and a Bachelor of Divinity from St. Thomas Orthodox Theological Seminary, Nagpur (2013-2018)

Job Title:
• Asst. Director at Snehabhavan Orthodox Guidance Centre Vellore, Tamilnadu from May 2018 to 20th August 2022

Vicarship:
• Asst. Vicar St. Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Church, Tiruppur, Tamilnadu from 3 June 2019 to 29 May 2022
• Vicar St.Peter’s and St. Paul’s Malankara Indian Orthodox Church, Brisbane 28 August 2022 - Present
• Vicar In Charge St Gregorious Malankara Indian Orthodox Church, Gold Coast

Family:
Dr. Gincy Sajeev blessed with two boys Eric Zach Varghese and Evan Zach Varghese