Installation of Most Rev Dr. Vincent Mar Paulose

The Third Metropolitan of the eparchy of Marthandom, Most Rev. Vincent Mar Paulose installed as the new Metropolitan of the Eparchy on 14 March 2010. Before the the Installation ceremony, Most Rev. Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom together with the priests, religious and other faithful gave a warm welcome to the Major Archbishop, Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos and His Beatitude Gregory III Laham Patriarch and other Episcopal dignitaries at Marthandom Junction.  The Installation programme started with the prayer lead by Catholicos in Christuraja Cathedral, Marthandom. Then the Chancellor of the Eparchy, Fr. S. John read the appointment decree of the new Metropolitan. Then Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos together with the Metropolitans of the Holy Episcopal Synod of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church officiated the installation ceremonies. The presence of the foreign dignitaries led by the Patriarch of Melkite blessed the ceremonies. Mar George Alencherry of Thukkley, Mar Vincent Samuel of Neyyatinkara, Mar Sylvester Ponnumuthan of Neyyatinkara and Bishop Devakadaksham of the CSI Kanyakumari are also present in the function. The installation programme is followed by public meeting to felicitate the new metropolitan. Many priests, religious and lay faithful were present during the programme.

Vincent Mar Paulos (Very Rev. Dr. Vincent Kulapuravilai) was born on 20 February 1964 hails from Kumarankudy in the District of Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu and belongs to the Eparchy of Marthandom.  His parents are Kochupillai and Maria Thangam.  After completing Higher Secondary Education at Yettacode, he joined the St. Aloysius Minor Seminary Trivandrum.  He took his bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from St. Mary’s Malankara Seminary and degree in Theology from St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Kottayam.  He was ordained Priest at his home parish Annakarai on 2 January 1991 by Most Rev. Benedict Mar Gregorios.  He did his Master’s Degree in History and professionally qualified himself with B. Ed.  He obtained a doctorate in Dogmatic Theology from Rome.  He served the Eparchy of Marthandom in various capacities like Parish Priest, Protopresbyter, Correspondent of MSC schools, Member of Education Board, Director of Children for Unity and Member of the Commission for Liturgy.  Presently he is Professor and Registrar of St. Mary’s Malankara Seminary.  Besides English and Tamil, he knows Malayalam, German, Italian, Spanish and Syriac.

The present bishop of Marthandom, Most Rev. Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom
is transfered to the new see of Pathanamthitta
and Very Rev. Fr. Vincent Kulapuravilai,
the Professor and Registrar of St. Mary’s Malankara Seminary Trivandrum
is appointed the bishop of Marthandom.