H.G. Dr. Gabriel Mar Gregorios
His Grace was born on January 28, 1948 as third son of Thumpamon Vadakke Thazhethil, Kanjikkal Chacko John and Kudassinad Ramanattu Mulamoottil Aleyamma John. The family belong to Kudassanad St. Stephen’s Orthodox Cathedral of Chengannur Diocese. Preliminary education was at St. Stephen’s High School, Pathanapuram and Pre-Degree at St. Stephen’s College. After graduating in English Literature [B.A.] from Mar Baselios College, Kottayam, Gabriel joined for his Theological studies at the Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam, Kerala, from which he earned his Graduate Degree in Sacred Theology (GST). He had achieved the Bachelor of Divinity (BD) from the renowned Serampore University in West Bengal.
On November 4, 1969 Gabriel was ordained as deacon and on February 8, 1974 as a priest. Fr. Gabriel did his post graduation in Master of Theology (MTh) in New Testament, Three year Diploma in Hebrew Language and two year Diploma in Aramaic Language and great proficiency in Greek from the Paris Catholic University. He had done research in Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, USA, about “Grace in the Epistles of St. Paul”. Based on the dissertation and thesis of this research study, he was awarded doctorate by the Serampore University. Also he had undergone post graduate research in Cambridge University. Fr. Gabriel had acquired proficiency in ancient languages of Aramaic, Hebrew, Greek, Syriac and in modern languages German, French and English etc.
Fr. Gabriel served as Vicar of fifteen parishes (Bombay, Delhi, Kottayam, Trivandrum) over a period of 30 years. He was deeply involved in many ecumenical corporate activities of the Church. He had also served as the Registrar and Director of the Federated Faculty for Research in Religion and Culture (FFRRC), Kottayam [1995-2003], which is a joint venture of the Orthodox Theological Seminary (Kottayam), Mar Thoma Theological Seminary (Kottayam), and Kerala United Theological Seminary (Trivandrum). He was instrumental in uplifting this centre as one of the biggest Theological Research Centres. He is the chief architect to elevate of this institution as Doctoral Research Center in MTh in eight subjects from 1999 onwards. Fr. Gabriel was the Malankara Orthodox Church envoy to ecumenical organizations like Orthodox-Marthoma Dialogue Forum, Orthodox-Lutheran Dialogue Forum, Bible Society Kerala Auxiliary Committee, Theological Literature Forum etc. for six years.
During 1996-2000 he was the Treasurer of the Society for Biblical Studies which is an organization of the Theological Scholars in India. He also held the posts of Associate Director of the Orthodox Youth Magazine, Organizer of the publication of the Sunday Schools books for Oriental Orthodox Churches, Convener of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Vattasseril Mar Dionysius [1983-85], Orthodox Seminary Registrar, Warden and Alumni Association President.
From 1982 onwards Fr. Gabriel is the Professor of New Testament Department in Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam. He also holds the post of Fellow of George Bell Ecumenical Institute, England, and Administrative Committee Member of Serampore University.
On August 7, 2004 Fr. Gabriel was elevated as Ramban (Monk) by Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews II at Devalokam Catholicate Aramana Chapel in Kottayam. He was consecrated as Metropolitan by the Catholicos of the Apostolic Throne of St. Thomas and Malankara Metropolitan, H.H. Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews II, at the Parumala St. Peter and St. Paul Seminary Church on 5th March 2005. His Grace is the Metropolitan of the Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) Diocese since 24th June 2005.
H.G. Mar Gregorios had authored many theological books like Towards a New Humanity, Towards the Grace of God, Cross and Grace, Gurumukhathu Ninnum [Part I & II] Athmeeyathyude Yadartha Shrothassukal.