Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Ivanios Episcopa

Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Ivanios Episcopa was born on 19th August 1970 as the son of Karamvelimannil Sri. Thomas Daniel and Smt. Saramma Thomas of Kochukoickal Trinity Mar Thoma Parish.

He is an expert on Church History. He completed B.A. History from St. Thomas College, Kozhencherry and M.A. History from Catholicate College, Pathanamthitta, which he secured the First Rank, for which he obtained the University Gold Medal.

His theological journey started in the Mar Thoma Theological Seminary, Kottayam. He obtained his B.D. in 1998, after which he was ordained as Semmash on 19 June 1998 by Rt. Rev. Geevarghese Mar Athanasius Episcopa and Kassessa on 16 July 1998 by Rt. Rev. Euyakim Mar Coorilos Episcopa. He progressed in his theological exploration by completing M.Th in History of Christianity at FFRRC, Kottayam in 2006. He then completed his D.Th in History of Christianity from the University of Bern, Switzerland in 2014 and began his research as a Post-doctoral (Doctor Habil) scholar in 2019. He successfully completed the Post-Doctoral research in 2024 and secured Doctor Habilitatus from the University of Bern, Switzerland in Church History.

He had the opportunity to serve as Chaplain to the then Metropolitan Dr. Alexander Mar Thoma, and also as a faculty of History of Christianity in the E.J. Institute, Kompady, and Mar Thoma Theological Seminary. He served as Vicar in various parishes in Mylom, K.R. Puram and Marathhalli in Bangalore, Singapore, Switzerland and Germany, and Kumbanad. He has represented the Church in various ecumenical platforms such as the WCC and CCA. He has served as a member of the Policy Reference Committee of the WCC Karlsruhe Assembly in 2022. He is the author of various scholarly books and has published articles in prestigious journals. He also serves as a Guest Lecturer/Speaker at the University of Bern. In addition, he serves in the following capacities: Member, European Society for Ecumenical Research; Executive Committee member and Council Member, United Theological College, Bangalore;
Governing Board Member, Mar Thoma Theological Seminary, Kottayam; Professor and Academic Dean, Federated Faculty for Research in Religion and Culture (FFRRC), Kottayam; Served as a member, Mar Thoma Theological Commission; Executive Committee member, Fellowship of Indian Denominational Churches in Malaysia and Singapore (FIDC); General Committee member, NCCS Singapore.

He has been appointed as Privatdozent (Professor), at the University of Bern, Switzerland.

He was installed as Ramban by Dr. Euyakim Mar Coorilos Suffragan Metropolitan on 2nd Oct 2023 at Pazhavangadikkara Immanuel Mar Thoma Church, Ranni along with Rev. Saju C. Pappachan and Rev. Mathew K. Chandy. He was consecrated as Joseph Mar Ivanios Episcopa on 2nd Dec 2023 at the Holy Madbaha prepared at the Thiruvalla SCS ground.

He has a deep knowledge of the history of the Church and also a great vision of the mission of the Church. His writings and theological musings reflect his wide sense of the historical importance of the Church.