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Legends Of The Family

The Story of Varghese Pavothikunnel
And Roots of the Family

Family Historians

CARDINAL CLEEMIS BAVA THIRUMENI

HIS BEATITUDE BASELIOS CARDINAL CLEEMIS, Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church and the Major Archbishop of Trivandrum, was born on 15 June 1959 as the son of the Mathew and Annamma Thottunkal at Mukkoor, Mallappally in the civil district of Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India.

He was given the name Isaac. He hails from the traditional Pakalomattom-Powathikunnel family. He completed his primary education in St. Mary’s Govt. UP School, Kunnanthanam and secondary education in St. Mary’s High School, Annikad. Responding to the urge of God within him to surrender his life to the service of his Church and of the larger human community, he joined the Infant Jesus Minor Seminary of the Eparchy of Tiruvalla in June, 1976. Bro. Isaac completed his Pre-degree studies in St. Berchman’s College, Changanacherry. Then he was sent to St. Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary, Aluva for the philosophical studies..

 

In 1978, the Eparchy of Bathery was erected bifurcating the Eparchy of Tiruvalla. Bro. Isaac boldly decided to embrace the challenges of a mission diocese and thus opted for the new Eparchy of Bathery. After completing his philosophical studies and a year of regency, he was sent to the Papal Seminary, Pune for his theological studies. On 22 March 1986, he was ordained a deacon by His Excellency the Most Rev. Valerian D’Souza, the Bishop of Pune. In March 1986 he graduated in theology from the Pontifical Atheneum, Pune. On 11 June 1986, His Excellency the Most Rev. Dr. Cyril Mar Baselios ordained him a priest for the Eparchy of Bathery.

Fr. Isaac Thottunkal was then sent to Dharmaram College, Bangalore to do Masters in Theology. While doing his Masters, he served as the Vicar of the Malankara Catholic faithful in Bangalore and contributed much to the founding of the flourishing Malankara Catholic Missions in Bangalore.

Having successfully completed his Masters in Theology in 1988, Fr. Isaac Thottunkal returned to Sultan Bathery and served as the Rector of the St. Thomas Minor Seminary and the Parish Priest of the St. Thomas Cathedral in Sultan Bathery. Then he was sent to Rome to do Doctorate in Theology. In 1997, he completed his Doctorate in Ecumenical Theology from the University of St. Thomas Aquinas, Rome.

Having returned to his home Diocese after the studies in Rome, he served as the Spiritual Father of the Minor Seminary, the Chancellor of the Eparchy and as the Proto-Syncellus of the Eparchy. He is the author of three books, namely, Emerging Trends in Malankara Catholic Theology: Vision and Contributions of Cyril Mar Baselios, Sabhayckum Samoohathinumayi (Malayalam) and Suviseshadeepthi (Malayalam).Msgr. Isaac Thottunkal was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Trivandrum and Apostolic Visitator to North America and Europe on 18 June 2001 by Pope John Paul II. He was ordained a Remban on 2 August 2001 at St. Thomas Cathedral, Sultan Bathery by Most Rev. Dr. Cyril Mar Baselios, Metropolitan Archbishop of Trivandrum. He was ordained a Bishop on 15 August 2001 at Thirumoolapuram, Tiruvalla by His Grace the Most Rev. Dr. Cyril Mar Baselios. He assumed the name Isaac Mar Cleemis (St. Clement of Alexandria). He served as the Apostolic Visitator to the Malankara Catholic faithful in North America and Europe for two years and during this tenure, he took the initative to strengthen the existing Malankara Catholic Missions in North America and started a new Mission at Rockland County, New York. The Mar Ivanios Malankara Catholic Centre at New Hyde Park, New York is the visible fruit of the vision and the toil of Mar Cleemis who could win the wholehearted cooperation of all the Malankara Catholics in North America in realizing this project. In America, he served as the Patron of the Indian Christian Forum of North America and of the St. Thomas Ecumenical Federation of India in North America.

On 11 September 2003 His Excellency Isaac Mar Cleemis was appointed Bishop of the Eparchy of Tiruvalla and he was installed in office on 2 October 2003 at St. Johns’ Cathedral, Tiruvalla. In February 2006, he was elected the Vice President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India.

On 15 May 2006, when the Eparchy of Tiruvalla was raised to the status of Archieparchy and the Metropolitan Province of Tiruvalla was erected, His Excellency Isaac Mar Cleemis was appointed the Metropolitan Archbishop by His Beatitude Moran Mor Cyril Baselios Catholicos. On 10 June 2006 he was installed as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Tiruvalla at St. John’s Cathedral, Tiruvalla.

The Major Archbishop-Catholicos’ See in Trivandrum fell vacant following the demise of His Beatitude Moran Mor Cyril Baselios Catholicos on 18 January 2007. The Holy Episcopal Synod of Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, convoked on 8 February 2007 elected the Most Rev. Isaac Mar Cleemis as the new Major Archbishop-Catholicos. On 10 February 2007 His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI confirmed the election of Mar Cleemis as the Father and Head of the Malankara Catholic Church. As part of the Malankara/Antiochian tradition, Mar Cleemis assumed the name Baselios Cleemis. He was enthroned Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Malankara Catholic Church and the Major Archbishop of Trivandrum on 5 March 2007 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Trivandrum. His heavenly Patron’s Day is on 1st January.

He was created Cardinal on  24 October 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI and was installed Cardinal on 24  November 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI

Gheevarghese Issac
Thekkemannil
(First Chronicler)

Mathew Varghese
Valiakannathil
(Historian)

It’s a great privilege to scribble few lines about our family historian, Late Mathew Varghese ( Mathukuttychayan) Valliyakannathil. Family history first edition was completed in 1980 and contains 500 pages, whereas the second volume published in 1999 contains 1200 pages.
Mathew Varghese was born as the eldest of the three sons of Valliyakannathil Geevarghese in the eighth generation. Born on 1934 June 1st, he had his college education at S.B , Changanasery, S.H Thevara, and Titus 11, Thiruvalla.He retired as Headmaster from St.Mary’s H.S ,Anikad on May 31,1989.
I can visualise the picture of a gentleman, who sat in his study, filled with the scent of old parchment and soft glow of antique lamps,a custodian of stories passed down through generations. Mathukuttychayan must have laboured hard to knit together the intricate tapestry of our ancestry. The weathered journals and photographs on his table might have whispered secrets and cherished memories waiting to be unearthed.

As we thumb through the pages of Pavothikunnel family history, with eyes sparkling with curiosity, they trace the lineage of our forefathers, connecting the dots of distant relatives and forgotten heroes. Every crease in a document, every sepia -toned portrait,is window into a bygone era, a testament to the resilience and triumphs of those who came before.
We remember with great gratitude, Mathukuttychayan and the effort he took for composing the family history.As he wrote the history of our family,in the quiet hours of night,he becomes a story teller, weaving narratives that bridge the gap between past and present. His writings breathe life into long- lost names, infusing the air with the essence of generations past .Our family history is ofcourse the keeper of legacies, the guardian of traditions, ensuring that the flame of heritage burns bright for generations yet to come .
Mathew Varghese and retired teacher, Edathua Nalpathanchil Ammini had two children.Son, Saji Mathews ( present Secretary of Kudumbayogam) married Suma( daughter of Ammukutty, Vadakekara) She retired recently from St.Theresa’s Hr.Secondary school, Chengaroor.
Mathukuttychayan’s daughter Suja is a practicing Dental Surgeon.
Pavothikunnel family,as a whole, owe much to the sacrifices and dedication of Mathukuttychayan,who presented the coming generations with the invaluable document of our family history.

Prakash V Mathew (President)

Sri.P.V.Varghese, Pavothikunnel was a nominated member in Sree Moolam Praja Sabha.He was loyal to the Travancore Royal family, and at the same time a very practical patriotic leader with clear vision about future of the country. Copies of his speeches at the legislative assembly is kept in the manuscript library. His insight and indepth knowledge about different aspects about education, town planning , agriculture and many other areas are inherent in his famous speeches.He had keen interest in the future of the country. Authorities also seriously considered his suggestions and implemented some of them. Poor homes opened in many districts are examples of his philanthropic ideas. He also had very clear opinion about educational system. He emphasized importance of work culture, vocational training, and dignity of labour. He had very practical ideas about agriculture and a whole lot of other important subjects. The relevance of his legislative speeches are still valid. It’s really difficult to believe that such a great genius lived amongst us..and departed at an early age. In fact, he didn’t get the real recognition he deserves from our community. He was not only the famous Head of a prestigeous institution, but a great Statesman, visionary, orator and what not ?
We feel proud to remember that this great man belongs to our family..

Chitramezhuth K.M.Varghese was another legend of our family. About two centuries ago, one of our forefathers, Mr.Varghese ( fourth generation) settled in Mavelikara from Mallappally, Pavothikunnel family.” Chithramezhuth Varghese ‘( eighth generation) has documented the history of that .During his life time,he had close association with family members in Mallappally. He passed away at the age of 73, on July 21 st, 1962. His portrait of SreeNarayana Guru was acclaimed by none other than Mahatma Gandhi. Paul Manalil, famous journalist has attested it in his writing.
Chitramezhuth K.M.Varghese was a favourite student of the Travancore Palace Artist – Sree Mukundan Thampi.Mr. Varghese who started his study at the age of 16, had profound knowledge and insight in the field of oil painting.He was also known as a well-known writer, apart from his fame as an artist. But even before people recognized him as a writer, he was well established as an artist and known as ‘ Chithramezhuth Varghese ‘. He is renowned for techniques and intricate skills in oil painting. His contribution to the development of oil painting is significant, bringing unique vision and technical prowess to the medium.