Pulicottil Joseph Mor Dionysius V
Though the Patriarchal delegate had to face continuous problems from the British as well as the Palakkunnath Metropolitan, he lead the Church with extra-ordinary courage. The Reformers seemed to have won the day, had it not been for the dynamic leadership of Pulikottul Joseph (Born on 12th November 1833), great - nephew of Mor Dionysius II (1742-1816) was duly consecrated as Mor Dionysius alias Joseph by Patriarch of Antioch Mor Yacoub II at Diyarbakir in 1864 and sent back to India with Patriarch's Staticon giving him authority over the Malankara Church. On his return, Joseph Mor Divanyosious together with Yuyakkim Mor Koorilose reorganised the Church to counter the claims of the reformist movement.
Nevertheless he was equally unable to dislodge the intruder as Goverment policy had since changed to one of non-intervention in local ecclesiastical affiers and he was advised that his only recourse was to expensive and lengthy litigation. On hearing of the election of new Patriarch, Mor Dionysius V lost no time to inviting him to vist India so that he could resolve the crisis personally.
(H.H. Moran Mor Ignatius Peter IV)
H.H Moran Mor Ignatius Peter IV accepted the invitation and went to England to discus the matter with the English higher authority before hand. He sailed from Constantinople on 14th August 1874 accompanied by Mor Gregorios Abdullah, Metropolitan of Jerusalem and Deacon Joseph. Their seven-moth stay in England proved a grate success.
Mor Gregorious Abdulla of Jerusalem
(Later Patriarch Ignatious Abdul'Aloho, 1906-1915)
** Hosted Parumala Thirumeni at the "SEHION MALIKA", the Cathedral of the Metropolitan during his visit to Jerusalem in 1895 **
He was received by the Prime Minister, Lord Sailsbury and meet Queen twice. His first audience was on 21 February 1875, when she likened him to the Patriarch Abraham and she issued proclamation allowing the Patriarch to exercise unrestrained authority as was the ancient practice, not to harass the faithful and restore normalcy in Malankara.
He set sail for Alexandria on 22 March 1875. Upon arrival in Egypt on 2 April he was taken to Cairo as the guest of Pop Kyrillos of Coptic Orthodox Patriarch and celebrated the Holy week with Copts. On 25 April he sailed to Bombay.
On 17 the May 1876 H.H Moran Mor Ignatius Peter IV arrived at Bombay. From there he made s stately progress via Madras, Cochin and Travancore, being received with considerable honours by local governors and clergy. At Cochin he was received with an eleven-gun salute whilst the Maharaja ov Travancore put his yatch at the Patriarch's disposal.
In March 1876 The Travancore Government withdraw its recognition Of Mathews Mor Athanasius as Metropolitan.
H.H. consecrated Holy Mooron at Mor Thoman Church, Mulanthuruthy.
Mathews Mor Athanasius was duly excommunicated. So on the request of Pulikottil thirumeni, the Patriarch after a series of discussions with the Parishioners, held a synod in AD 187629th June at Mulunthuruthy Mor Thoman Church until 1st July 1876, to legalise the proposed 'Suryani Chritian Association', comprising of representatives from the Parishes of Malankara. The first time in the history of the Church democratic administration set up was introduced. The Supreme Court of India in its judgment in 1995 reaffirmed the administration set up of Mulanthuruthy synod of 1876. The Mulanthuruthy Padiyola (agreement) was signed and given to the Patriarch. The unchangeble stand of the Church as Syrian Orthodox is again affirmed in that agreement. The synod adopted eighteen canons for the administration of the Church. Later as per the decision of this Synod, six new dioceses were formed for the administrative convenience of the Suryani Orthodox Church in India and Metropolitans were ordained for each dioceses. It was at this historical Synod held at Mulunthuruthy in June 1876, Pulikottil Joseph Mor Divanyosios was elected as the 'Malankara Metropolitan' (chief of the local synod) and entrusted with the title 'Mor DIVANYOSIOUS V'.
(i) Kadavil Paulose Mar Athanasios(kottayan)
(ii) Konat Geevarghese Mar Julios(Thumpamon)
(iii)Ambat Geevarghese Mar Coorilos(Ankamaly)
(v) Murimattim Paulose Mar Ivanios(kandanad)
(vi) Karot Simon Mar Dionysius (Cochin), to preside over them.
Mor Dionysius V was allocated the Quilon dioceses and retained the rank of the Malankara Metropolitan and President of the newly constituted Syrian Chriastian Association of 24 elected members to assist the Malankara Metropolitan, with Patriarch as its Parton. Until then the government had to approve consecration of the bishop and issue an official proclamation for Malankara Methran to function. Patriarch Peter nullified that practice and henceforth government interference stopped forever. Leaving Mor Abdullah Sttuf behain him as Patriarch Deligate, Patriarch Peter IV sailed from Bombay on 16th May 1877.
In 1894 when Patriarch Igantius Peter IV passed away Moran More Ignatius Abdul Messiah become the Patriarch of Antioch. 1905 Patriarch Abdul Messiah was duly deposed by the Universal Synod because of his unlawful activities in 15 August 1906 Moran Mor Ignatius Abdulla II become the Patriarch of Anthoich. In 1908 The Patriarch Abdulla II concecerted H.G Geevarghese Mar Dionysius and made him assistant to Malankara Metropolitan.
His Grace Mor Divanyosious V, continued as the head of the local Synod for 33 years and by then, he was able to re-establish the lost glory of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church. It was at his insistence many of the spiritual organization like students movement, Sunday school etc. were formed. He is also the founder of the famous Seminary at Parumala.
His administrative capability, was considered to be extraordinary. Pulikottil 'Mor Divanyosious V' is undoubtedly, one of the greatest Metropolitans of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church.
On 11th July 1909 Joseph Mar Dionysius passed away.
