As per the decision of Marthoma Prathinidhi Mandalam, under the responsibility of Ranni-Nilakkal Diocese, and the supervision of the sub-committee with Sabha Secretary as Convener appointed by Sabha Council, the inauguration of the holistic centre built as a memorial in the name of Dr. Yuhanon Marthoma Metropolitan and Matthews Mar Athanesius Episcopa in the Ayroor Centre was held on 27th May 2012. Hope remembering the lives of the late bishops will be an encouragement to the present and future generations.

Dr. Yuhanon Marthoma took the leadership of the church when Abraham Metropolitan passed away in 1947.  He was ordained as the Metroplitan of the Marthoma Sabha.   He had to face a period of difficulties after he took charge as the leader.   The arguments arose in the church in connection with various faith related matters which commenced during the Episcopal selection in early 1950’s. This created many hurdles that lasted for around 10 years.  Some of the priests who were ordained before 1950 said “It was not as attractive to become a priest of the Marthoma Church at that time”.  “I feel that, by giving up world’s profitable attractions and recognizing the heavenly call to learn theology and then to take up the top position of the church was a real anointing from God.”  The strong decisions taken by Yuhanon Marthoma gave energy to build the church as a gospel oriented church on the strong foundation of faith.  The purification of the church in 70’s and 80’s was based on the strong and clear principles of faith. With this as the foundation, Marthoma church became an international church just as the Psalmist says “like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth its fruit in the season, its leaves also shall not wither”.  As Bishop Stephen Neal said “Marthoma church is a church that stood for principles even while undergoing losses and also made forward strides in everything during the same period.  We should remember Rev. C.V John and Adv. K.T. Thomas Kottarathil as the persons who gave full support to Yuhanon Marthoma to stand firm on principles.  It has already been said that the church had undergone so many difficulties during Thirumeni’s tenure.  It was a sad incident that Thomas Mar Athanesius Metropolitan, the person who gave leadership to the revisionists, passed away without appointing anyone as his successor. All the believers of the church were praying as they feared the church would become a leaderless church.  Prayers went up from every corner.  The person who led the prayer warriors was the Vicar of Chengannoor ValiaPalli, Kondooreth Achen.  He tearfully prayed thus “When Moses passed away, you had prepared Joshua to lead Israelites. We do not know who is going to lead us”.  While seeing the believers who attended the funeral service of the Most Revd Thomas Mar Athanesius, like sheep without a shepherd, in front of the Maramon   Marthoma church. Aype Thoma Kathanar, the vicar of Paliekkara church, thus completed the prayer after consoling Kondooreth Achen “You have arranged everything for us and we see it with our eyes of faith” When this prayer rose from a group of prayer warriors a new born baby was ready to be bathed   in Paravelithundiyil house in Ayroor.  This baby grew to be none other than the Most Revd. Yuhanon  MarThoma, the person anointed by God to give strong leadership and to keep the church together.  While leading the Marthoma Church, he gave leadership to the World Council of Churches also in 1954 as the President which is also to be remembered.  I was encouraged by Yuhanon Marthoma to join the Theological Seminary. He collected me from my home on the day prior to my journey to the seminary and accommodated me in the Poolateen.  He himself made arrangements for my travel the following morning.  When I became a priest of the Marthoma Church, he sent me to the parishes with incongruities.  I remember with a thankful heart that those experiences gave me more strength and wisdom.  When I became an Episcopa with the name “Iraneus”, he gave me a note which is still encouraging me.  The note is as follows ”Get ready to enter into the circumstances which may make you mad, the circumstances will always be against you and there may be winds and high tides but stay strong and taste and see that the Lord is good day by day.  The message received from him still gives me strength to face problems with God’s blessings and without fear.  Thanks be to God.When Abraham Marthoma expressed his opinion against Sir C.P Ramaswami Aiyer’s plan for a free Travancore, and prepared the believers that Travancore should be a part of free India, the anger of Diwan came against the Mar Thoma Church and Abraham Marthoma Thirumeni.  The plot of land which was donated to Marthoma Church (the place opposite to the present MLA quarters, Trivandrum) by Sreemoolam Thirunal was given to the University and arrangements were made to lock him in prison.  The people of Central Travancore formed a human fort around Abraham Marthoma’s residence and defended the plans of the Divan.   Yuhanon Marthoma also following the same tradition, fought for the truth.  When Mrs.Indira Gandhi declared emergency and ignored democratic principles, Yuhanon Marthoma wrote a letter to her disapproving it.  Mrs Indira Gandhi gave orders to arrest Yuhanon Marthoma.  Mr. C. Achuthamenon was the Chief Minister at that time and with his interference the arrest was avoided.   It was Marthoma Church’s fight for independence and national integrity that echoed through Yuhnon Marthoma. His vision on spiritual and social views coincided.   He was not ready to ignore or turn a blind towards the problems of the society.  “Bhoobhavanadana Prasthanam” is an example of his social commitment.   George Bernard Shaw once said  “The worst sin toward our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them.  That’s the essence of inhumanity”.  The church is honored that Yuhanon Marthoma was a great leader who walked through the roads of humanity and righteousness and not on the way of inhumanity and ignorance. I anticipate that each and every memory of the Thirumeni, who overcame the challenges of the period with great courage, would inspire one and all.

The life of Mathews Mar Athanasius Episcopa, who stood courageously with Dr. Yuhanon Marthoma during the time of difficult circumstances of the church, is memorable.   His leadership in the field of educational development of the church and the work done in migrated areas of the believers ought to be written in golden letters in church history.

Abraham Marthoma Metropolitan prayed like this in the middle of 1940’s “My God, please spread my people” It was his response to the words of Jesus“but when The Spirit of Holiness will come upon you, you shall receive power. You shall be witnesses to me in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and also among the Samaritans, and unto the borders of The Earth.”  When we translate that to the language of Thirumeni “Dear Jesus, those who spread around the world must stay as persons who witness you and say thank you for your love and care” this is what Thirumeni meant when he said “Each and every Marthomite should serve as an evangelist” This was Abraham Marthoma’s vision. Mathews Mar Athanasius Episcopa took the essence of Abraham Marthoma’s vision and encouraged the church members to migrate to Malabar and various parts from Central Travancore.  Marthoma Church has grown up to become an international church because of this vision.  Keezhillam St.Thomas High School, Perumpavoor Ashramam, Ayroor School, Christian College Chenganoor, St. Thomas Residential School Complex Trivandrum etc. are the examples of institutions established due to the excellent leadership quality of Thirumeni.  When the construction work of Keezhillam School was going on, the wood was brought from distant places on bullock carts.  Many people witnessed that Thirumeni also helped the laborers for the loading and unloading of wood like any other laborer.  The development of various institutions of the church was the most important achievement of Thirumeni during his period.  While purchasing the land for Kozhikode St. Paul’s Church in December 1947, he finalized the purchase deal after accepting a cheque in the sum of Rs. 1,500 from a church member. It is then the person who gave the cheque revealed that he had no balance in  his account to clear the cheque.  Thirumeni went to the house of one Industrialist, who was a member of Basel Mission and requested his help to overcome the difficult situation and he helped Thirumeni.  He went back to Thiruvalla after that.  He heard about the demise of Abraham Marthoma at that time. Thirumeni then visited the various Marthoma centers from Kollam to Alleppey and collected money to pay the balance due to the person who gave the land and made Kozhikkode St. Pauls Marthoma Church a reality.  It is a fact that the above institution was very useful to all the church members who migrated to Malabar as a place of stay.  It is memorable that during the period in which the church was undergoing difficulties, he stood with Yuhanon Marthoma and showed strong faithfulness to the church. Both of them joined hands and overcame the difficult situations with deep faith in God.  We should remember that this is how the Marthoma Church has grown to be a solid church in faith.  Thirumeni was very happy when I took the decision to join the seminary to learn Theology. The fatherly encouragement and care I received from his is unforgettable.  Having been born in the extended family to Yuhanan Marthoma and Mathews Mar Athanasius Episcopa and the period which I worked together with them still fills my memory like an autumn season. I feel it was a great blessing from God that I entered into church ministry during the period of the Great Shepherds. I pray that the Holistic Center constructed in the memory of both Thirumenis may stay as a Light Tower.  “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:7,8)