Cochin Diocese
The Diocese serves as a spiritual and administrative body, guiding parishes in faith, worship, and service. Through unity and mission, it nurtures the growth of the Church and strengthens the bonds of our faithful community.
Formation of Diocese
The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church currently has 20 dioceses in Kerala, 7 dioceses outside Kerala, and 3 dioceses outside India.
The first dioceses were formed in 1876 after the Mulanthuruthy Synod, when H.H. Patriarch Mar Peter III divided the Church into seven dioceses—Angamaly, Cochin, Kandanad, Kottayam, Niranam, Thumpamon, and Quilon. He also ordained seven bishops, including Mar Dionysios V, and entrusted each diocese to a bishop. Later, in 1953, the Malabar Diocese was established.
Reorganisation of 1976
In the beginning, for the regions outside Kerala, there was only one diocese, formed in 1938, known as the “Mission Outside Malabar”—later referred to as the “Diocese for Outside Kerala.”
The diocesan reorganisation of 1976 was issued through the Catholicos’s Order No. 58/76 dated 27 March 1976, and had already been approved by the Managing Committee on 12 May 1975 and the Episcopal Synod on 22 March 1976. The key changes were as follows:
- The Outside Kerala Diocese was divided into three dioceses—Bombay, Madras, and Delhi.
- The Malabar Diocese was enlarged by adding certain areas of Tamil Nadu.
- Mar Osthathios was assigned to the Niranam Diocese.
- Mar Pachomios was appointed as Assistant Metropolitan of the Kottayam Diocese, and also tasked with assisting the Catholicos in the administration of the Kandanad Diocese.
In addition, new metropolitans were assigned to dioceses:
Reorganisation of 1976
In the beginning, for the regions outside Kerala, there was only one diocese, formed in 1938, known as the “Mission Outside Malabar”—later referred to as the “Diocese for Outside Kerala.”
The diocesan reorganisation of 1976 was issued through the Catholicos’s Order No. 58/76 dated 27 March 1976, and had already been approved by the Managing Committee on 12 May 1975 and the Episcopal Synod on 22 March 1976. The key changes were as follows:
- The Outside Kerala Diocese was divided into three dioceses—Bombay, Madras, and Delhi.
- The Malabar Diocese was enlarged by adding certain areas of Tamil Nadu.
- Mar Osthathios was assigned to the Niranam Diocese.
- Mar Pachomios was appointed as Assistant Metropolitan of the Kottayam Diocese, and also tasked with assisting the Catholicos in the administration of the Kandanad Diocese.
In addition, new metropolitans were assigned to dioceses:
Reorganisation of 1979 and 1982
The Managing Committee, at its meeting held on 30 October 1978, decided to further reorganise the three Outside Kerala Dioceses into five, and also restructure the Kollam Diocese. The newly formed dioceses were America, Calcutta, and Trivandrum.
In 1979, the Trivandrum Diocese was created by dividing the Kollam Diocese.
In 1982, the Idukki Diocese was formed by separating the high-range areas from the Kottayam Diocese. In the same year, the Kottayam Central Diocese was established by grouping together all the churches that had been under the direct control of the Malankara Metropolitan in Kottayam.
Reorganisation of 1985
In 1985, the Chengannoor Diocese was formed by grouping 50 churches out of Thumpamon, Niranam, and Kollam Dioceses. In the same year, the Kunnamkulam Diocese was created by dividing the Cochin Diocese.
That year also saw the formation of the Sultan Bethery Diocese by grouping churches from Wayanad, Kannur, Coorg, and the Nilgiris from the Malabar Diocese.
On 1 August 1993, the Canada–UK–Europe Diocese was established by grouping eight churches from the Delhi Diocese and eight churches from the America Diocese. With these additions, the Church came to consist of 21 dioceses.
Reorganisation of 2002
In 2002, the Mavelikara Diocese was formed by grouping 50 churches from the Thumpamon, Niranam, and Kollam Dioceses. In the same year, the Trichur Diocese was established by dividing the Cochin and Kunnamkulam Dioceses.
Also in 2002, the Angamaly Diocese was divided into Angamaly East and Angamaly West, while the Kandanad Diocese was split into Kandanad East and Kandanad West.
With these reorganisations, the Church came to consist of 25 dioceses.
H.G. Yakoob Mar Irenaios Metropolitan, Diocesan Metropolitan of Kochi
His Grace Yakoob Mar Irenaios Metropolitan is the present Diocesan Metropolitan of the Kochi Diocese. He has been a guiding light for the faithful with his vision, humility, and pastoral care.
Born on 15 August 1949 to Mr. T. O. Cherian and Mrs. Kunjelyamma Cherian of the Aruvidan Pallikal family, Kallupara, His Grace pursued his early education at MGD High School, Puthussery and completed his pre-degree at Chengannur Christian College.
He obtained his B.A. and M.A. in English Literature from Madras University, followed by B.Ed. and M.Ed. from Kerala University. Later, he pursued an M.A. in Philosophy and a Ph.D. from Kerala University.
His theological formation included a B.D. degreefrom Serampore University, a D.Th. fromSt. Peter’s Pontifical Institute, Bangalore, and an M.Th. from the United States.
He was ordained a Deacon in 1970 by the late Thoma Mar Dionysius and a Priest in 1975 by H.H. Baselios Marthoma Didymos I. He was elevated as a Ramban on 19 December 1992, and consecrated as Episcopa on 16 August 1993 by H.H. Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews II, receiving the episcopal name Jacob Mar Irenios.
In August 1995, he was entrusted with the Malabar Diocese as Assistant Metropolitan. Later, following the demise of Zacharia Mar Dionysius, His Grace was given charge of the Madras Diocese.
His Grace has served the Church in various capacities — President of the Orthodox Youth Movement, Orthodox Sunday School Association, Orthodox Bala Samajam, MOC Publications, and Divya Bodhanam. He also served as Manager of MOC Colleges.
At present, His Grace continues to lead with wisdom and humility as the Diocesan Metropolitan of Kochi, guiding the faithful in spiritual, educational, and charitable endeavors.
Reorganisation of 2009
In 2009, the South-West American Diocese was formed by grouping 40 parishes from the American Diocese. In the same year, a new Diocese of UK, Canada, and Africa was created with 16 parishes.
Also in 2009, the Bangalore and Ahmedabad Dioceses were established.
The Holy Episcopal Synod approved the recommendation of the Managing Committee regarding the allotment and transfer of Metropolitans. The details are as follows:
Transfers:
- H.G. Kuriakose Mar Clemis Metropolitan – Sulthan Battery → Thumpamon Diocese
- H.G. Zachariah Mar Anthonious Metropolitan – Kochi → Kollam Diocese
- H.G. Dr. Yakob Mar Irenaios Metropolitan – Madras → Kochi Diocese
New Allotments:
- H.G. Yuhanon Mar Polycarpos Metropolitan – Diocese of Angamaly
- H.G. Mathews Mar Theodosious Metropolitan – Diocese of Idukki
- H.G. Dr. Joseph Mar Dionysious Metropolitan – Diocese of Calcutta
- H.G. Abraham Mar Ephiphanios Metropolitan – Diocese of Sulthan Battery
- H.G. Mathews Mar Themothios Metropolitan – Diocese of UK, Canada, Africa
- H.G. Alexios Mar Eusebius Metropolitan – Diocese of America South West
- H.G. Dr. Yuhanon Mar Dioscorous Metropolitan – Diocese of Madras
Reorganization of 2010
On August 15, 2010, the Brahmavar, Adoor, and Kottarakara Dioceses were formed. H.G. Zacharia Mar Nicholovas was appointed as the Metropolitan of the North East American Diocese.
Newly Appointed Metropolitans:
- H.G. Yuhanon Mar Dimithrios – Metropolitan of Delhi Diocese
- H.G. Yacob Mar Elias – Metropolitan of Brahmavar Diocese
- H.G. Abraham Mar Thevodorus – Metropolitan of Kottarakara Diocese
- H.G. Joshua Mar Nichodemos – Metropolitan of Nilackal Diocese
- H.G. Zacharias Mar Aprem – Metropolitan of Adoor Diocese
- H.G. Geevarghese Mar Yulios – Metropolitan of Ahmedabad Diocese
- H.G. Abraham Mar Seraphim – Metropolitan of Bangalore Diocese
Dioceses inside the city
St. Mary's Orthodox Cathedral, Ernakulam
St. John The Baptist Orthodox Church, Padamughal
St. Gregorios Orthodox Church, Elamkulam
St. Thomas Orthodox Church, Thevara
St. Gregorios Orthodox Church, Vyttila
