Juhanon Mar Thoma - Three New Bishops

Three New Bishops

During this period, members of the Mar Thoma church spread to Malaya, Singapore and the Gulf region in addition to various parts of India. As the church was growing and the work load was increasing the Prathinidhi Mandalam (Parliament of elected members from each parish and the clergy) of the church decided to consecrate M.G. Chandy, P. Thomas and Philip Oommen as bishops. Their consecration was held on May 23, 1953 at Tiruvalla. They were given the episcopal titles Alexander Mar Theophilus (later Alexander Mar Thoma Metropolitan), Thomas Mar Athanasius (later Suffragan Metropolitan) and Philipose Mar Chrysostem (later Philipose Mar Chrysostem Mar Thoma Metropolitan).