H.G.Dr.Thomas Mar Makrios ( 26May1926 - 23February2008)
His Grace Dr.Thomas Mar Makrios departed to heavenly abode at
11 AM (GMT) to day, 23rd February, in Newcastle General hospital most graciously after doing his
bounden duty. As a priest, and especially as a hierarch, Metropolitan Makarios was distinguished for his ecclesiastical ethos, his work
ethic, his adherence to the fundamentals of liturgical life, his
commitment to the Orthodox Faith and the traditions of St. Thomas
Heritage.
His personality and God given charisma is not easily replaceable. Indian
Orthodox Church owe an immense lot to his personality and spiritual
leadership. He was a great gift from God to the Church. A light is gone
from the Malanakra Church. He was a shining beacon.
He was the first Bishop of the Diocese of USA, and also Canada, UK
&Europe which he served with
utmost love and
commitment, leaving a shining legacy as a pious hierarch. Beloved by
thousands of Indian Orthodox faithful, he will be remembered with
everlasting gratitude as a model of benevolence, kindness and
reconciliation..
His Grace announced about the pastoral visit six months in advance and
visited all the parishes, met will the church dignitaries and made
all the orderly arrangements about the European zone council and last of
all inaugurated the Sunderland parish, we never thought that His Grace
was bidding farewell to us.
We can hear
Thirumeny's last exhortation echoing, like St .Paul said "I have
fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord
, the righteous judge , will award to me on that day- and not only to me
but also to all who have longed for his appearing" (2 Timothy:4;8)
Editor
To Whomever Concern
We thankful to Lord Jesus Christ for whoever put the news of Thirumeni's
day by day updates. Every morning that will be first thing we usually do,
checking the updates. Thanks for the pictures also. This was so well done,
since we live so far away, these things helped us a lot. Thanks again. God
bless you all.
George Varughese & Family
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada
H.G Dr Thomas Mar Makarios was an undoubted and strong
leader of the true faith and tradition of our church. Those who have met
Thirumeni would remember him as a very articulate, pleasant, highly
knowledgeable spiritual father who delivered his inspirational speeches filled
with joy and laughter. By visiting people affected by Katrina , having
accessibility to our youth, therapeutic interventions during crisis situations
etc.. etc.., our beloved Thirumeni went an extra mile unnoticed. Suffering is
an inevitable part of human life .It is comforting that Thirumeni has entered
into eternal rest gracefully.
He often offered Holy Qurbana and other sacraments in our
church. Probably being the first parish of the American Diocese ,our church (St.Thomas
Orthodox church,yonkers, NY) had a very special place for His Grace.
At this time of Thirumeni's home going farewell service
Vettichira family share the grief and sorrow .'' He who
beleives in me,though he die yet shall live '' John 11:26
Dr. Alice Vettichira
New York
Dear Rambachen, Mathews Achen and other family
members of His Grace Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios,
I and my family want you to know that we pray to
God to give you the courage to give His Grace a good send-off and in the
meantime, I will miss to hear that voice saying on the phone " Chackocha,
ithu Makarios Methrachana". He was a great man, a friend in need, a good
father figure to thousands, a good Christian and a Good Shepherd. His name
will be cherished by many from all continents. Our heartfelt condolences on
His Graces eternal journey. Please remember us also in your prayers. I will
call you Rambachen when you return to Toronto. I have seen the the sorrow in
your face in the photos and pray that the Holy Spirit console you and the
rest of you.
A.C. Chacko
Edmonton (Canada)
The Vicar,Members of the managing committee &
the faithful of Kalyan St Thomas Orthodox Syrian Church, under the Bombay
Diocese express our deep condolences on the sad demise of our beloved
Makarios Thirumeni, who was the First Metropolitan of the Bombay Diocese.
Vicar
Rev.Fr.M.E.Joseph
Father:
Ecumenical greetings, and thanks for keeping me and
the Armenian Church informed about the painful news regarding the death of
your Diocesan Bishop, HG Dr Thomas Mar Makarios, in Newcastle.
Although I, like many other friends of the Indian
Orthodox Church, were praying for his recovery, the missives from Fr
Abraham were admittedly not too encouraging. There was almost an
inevitability to this sad news, an inevitability that was made even more
poignant by its suddenness.
As I'm not in London, I cannot unfortunately be with
you at church today. I therefore convey my condolences to the Indian
Orthodox Church, to Fr Abraham Thomas and to you.
I'm aware that our Primate, HG Bishop Nathan
Hovhannisian, accompanied by Fr Shnork, will be with you to share your
pain and to partake in the prayerful reflections of your community that
are underlined even more dramatically during this season as we go
through a Lenten period that will take us from the pain of the cross to
the glory of the Resurrection.
With convivial prayers, harry:
dr harry hagopian
ecumenical, legal & political consultant
Armenian Church - London
H.G Mar Makarios Thriumeni was truly an
inspiration and devoted leader of our Indian Orthodox Church. He assisted
many in connecting with God, especially our youth. He will be greatly
missed.
Joy & Family.
I learned with sadness this morning of the death
of a friend of many years. "Father Thomas," as I knew him first, came to
Union Seminary in Virginia and gained his doctorate there around 1970 I was
one of his three professors guiding his doctoral work. He invited me later to
go to the seminary in Kottayam as visiting professor, and we traveled widely
through Kerala at the time. I was privileged also to meet his father and
mother at their home in Kerala.
The news of his death saddens me profoundly, and I
offer you as a priest in his church my sincere condolences.
A month or so before his death I had written to
Thirumeni and asked if there was a way in which I could help the seminary,
since I retain my deep interest in theological education. I do not know where
to turn now to find an answer to my inquiry, and I will be grateful if you can
direct me to someone, or tell me what I may be able to do. I found a web page
for the seminary, and at one time I saw the cost of a theological education.
I thought that might be one way I could help. But at present I am at a loss.
Also, if you will be so kind, can you please give
me the name and address of the Catholicos, so that I may write a note of
condolence to him also? I would appreciate that very much.
I gained access to your address through the
Internet, and do not know your name, and I trust you will accept this inquiry
in my expression of sympathy and appreciation of a very worthy and noble life,
that of His Grace.
Sincerely
(Dr.) Ross Mackenzie
Our bishop H.G. Dr Joshep Mar Makarios.He was down to
earth humble , simple and always practical.His speeches are hard to forget.He
was a good sheperd to the disapora.His affection towards children is
great.Heart felt condolences .
Dr Wilfred Varghese and family.United Kingdom.
Deep condolences may his
grace rest in peace.
Agi, Biji, Shona & Shane
London
The Vicar,Members of the managing committee &
the faithful of Dombivilli St Marys O S Parish, under the Bombay Diocese
express our deep condolences on the sad demise of Makarios Thirumeni, who
was the First Metropolitan of the Independent Bombay Diocese from 1976 to
1979.
Vicar
Fr Varghese Yohannan Vattaparampil
We are saddened to hear that H.G. DR. THOMAS MAR MAKARIOS has
started his eternal journey. He was bishop who touched so many lives with his
ability to communicate God's message of love. Our prayer group will miss his
leadership deeply and our diocese has lost a sincere leader!
One of our fondest memories of your leadership was your support of our
prayer group and the kindness you showed to our families. You were a part of
our extended family and you will continue to be in our prayers. Many young
people were influenced by your kindness and knowledge you possessed of our
faith. We were all better people because of the role you played in our
lives. Thirumeni lived his life as a model of grace and
goodness. Our prayer group was blessed to have known him. May God rest your
soul.
The members of the Yonkers Prayer Group, Yonkers, New York
Thank you Thirumeni
for always keeping our family in your prayers and guiding us for so
many years. We are all saddened to hear that you have left us but we know
God has a special place for you in heaven! Our thoughts and prayers will
always be with you. May God bless our diocese with many great and sincere
leaders like you! May god bless your soul.
Shaji Thomas and family New Rochelle, New York
We are deeply saddened by the demise of His Grace.
We lost a big leader and a Holy Father. We thank God for knowing HG and
especially for our kids. Thirumeni was a wonderful teacher for us. HG will
be deeply missed and may his grace rest in peace.
With Love & Prayers
Babu, Sheeba, cybil & Cyril
Edmonton Alberta, Canada
The news came to us as a shock. But we thank God
that he didn't suffer much and he is in a better place. He was one of the best
Thirumenis. May God bless his soul. Thirumeni please remember us when you sit
at the right side of Lord Jesus Christ. Unfortunately our kids didn't get a
chance to see him, but we both were fortunate enough to receive his
blessings. With tears in our eyes we bid you goodbye.
Alex, Vidhu, David and Leah
New Castle,Delaware,USA
Our heartfelt condolences and may his soul rest in peace
With prayers
Jaisey Manju Ruben & Family
Makarios Thirumeni was very beloved to our family.
He has been very influential in our lives and especially in our children's
life. He will be remembered for ever by thousands who dearly love him. He was
a big asset to the Malankara Church as well. We wish to convey our sincere &
deepest condolences.
With Love & Prayers
George Parambil, SAani, Jesmi & Jaimie
With profound
grief we,express our deepest condolences on our beloved thirumani's (H.G.Dr.
Thomas Mar Makarios) journey into eternal life.He was a great shapered of our
orthodox faith and an inspiration to our young generation.He will be in our
prayers and we will miss him deeply.
With prayers ,
Jacob,Parambil, Annamma,Jeena,Jeny,
White Plains
NewYork .
Coveying our thanks & appreciation for your regular update on Thirumeni's
condition during the last 7 weeks.May his soul rest in peace.
Regards & prayers
Bappu & Rebecca
Our beloved thirumeni is more than our thirumeni he is the
angel that the lord send to us. He led his church like Moses who lead the people
to freedom. Thirumeni led his church to his almighty plan. He worked his deed
and finished the fight with the armor of God. Even if thirumeni is not with us
his grace will always be amoung us watching from Heaven to guide his flock. No
matter how far he is the church can always remember the works that he did and
can be seen in the children of U.S.A and the works he did around the world. At
this time the members of St. Gregorios Cathedral Chicago Bellwood U.S.A give
their condolenses to the fighter of the lord our loving Makarios
Thirumeni..........Gregory Daniel(Chicago)
We are deeply grieved to hear the sad demise of our beloved
Thirumeni. His
demise is a great loss. He was an undoubted and strong soldier of the true
faith and traditions of the Church to the very end. Thirumeni was a great
shepherd.
Though he has departed from our visibility, he is still with us. We
extend our deepest condolences.
With prayers,
Baiju John & Family, Warwick - UK
Sunny Daniel and family,pallickal, ranny-vaikom,(from London, UK)
deep condolences may his grace rest in peace.
Sunny Daniel,
LONDON, UK
Lazarus Rambachan,
Our sincere condolences to you
and all your family members. His Grace will be in our prayers. H.G. meant a
lot to our family and all our children. H.G. was really the shining star of
the Indian Orthodox Church. He will be deeply missed.
With prayers,
Paulose
Parambil, Ammini, Preetha, Priya, and Prince
White Plains,
NY USA
May God Give Thirumeni
Eternal Rest And May His Soul Rest in Peace!
Shaji Jacob
Newcastle, UK