Mar Dionysius IV - Consecrations

Consecrations

In 1829, Mar Dionysius consecrated Geevarghese Mar Koorilose (Kuthoorey) (1829–1856), as the Metropolitan of Thozhyoor church.

Palakunnathu Deacon Mathews, a deacon trained under Abraham Malpan and was his nephew went to Anitoch. He was consecrated with the episcopal title Mathews Mar Athanasius by Patriarch of Antioch, Ignatius Elias II (1838—1847), in 1843.

In 1846, the Patriarch sent a Metropolitan Euyakim Mar Kurilos to Malankara. In 1852 Mar Dionysius abdicated due to poor health. At this time it was necessary for the government to find the successor of Mar Donysius for the purpose of paying the interest to a fixed deposit (Vattipanam) with the government. Mathews Mar Athanasius and Mar Kurilos made claims. The Maharajah of Travancore appointed a committee of four senior government officers (known as Kollam Panchayat), They decided that a foreign bishop had no authority over the Malankara church. So the Maharajah issued a proclamation in favour of Mathews Mar Athanasius on August 30, 1852.

Mar Kurilos then made claim to the Thozhyoor church (in 1857). The Madras High court issued the final judgment that the Thozhyoor church was an Independent Malankara church and the Patriarch had no claim over it.