11th Memorial of Dr. Philipose Mar Theophilos Celebrates in Mumbai (Paul Ciniraj, Malankara Orthodox Church Missionary)   Mumbai (India), SVM News , 24 September 2008:  The 11th memorial festival of Dr. Philipose Mar Theophilos Metropolitan will be celebrated at Vashi Orthodox Church Diocesan Center  in Mumbai on 28 September to 3 October 2008.    His Grace Geevergese Mar Coorilose Metropolitan, the Archbishop of Mumbai and Kolkotha Dioceses alongwith other bishops of the Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church will be leading the memorial ceremonis.   Sandhya Namaskaram, Gospel Convention, Holy Qurbana, Nercha Vilambu, memorial meeting, procession and Dinner are the major programmes. Rev. Fr. T.E. Issac, the Diocesan Secretary convenes the festival programmes.   Dr. Philipose Mar Theophilose  was the Archbishop of Mumbai Orthodox Diocese till his death since 1 February 1979.  He initially established his headquarters near St. Gregorios Church, Chembur in Mumbai before moving out in the year 1988 to the present headquarters at the Orthodox Church Centre, Vashi, Navi Mumbai.  This Dicocese spread over the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, a tail portain of Karnataka, Bahrain, Qatar and Suadi Arabia.   Philipose Mar Theophilos was born on 9 May 1911 as the sixth son of Korah and Mariamma of Kallupurakkal, Puthanagadi, Kottayam.  He took his B.A degree from Cochin Maharaja's College. He studied M.A in St.Augustine of Canterbury in England, T.H.M in Cardiff University, UK, and D.D from Harward University in Chicago, USA.   He became as a deacon in 1929, received from Vattasseril mar Dionysius Metropolitan and anointed as a priest in 1944 by His Holiness Baselios Geevarghese II, the Catholicos of the East.   On 24 August 1966, at Kolencherry His Holiness Baselios Ougen Catholicose consecrated Philipose Mar Theophilos as Metropolitan. Then he was appointed as the head of the Ankamali Diocese.   On 1979 he took over the charge of Mumbai Diocese too. At the same year on October 5 he  translated the Holy Relics of Blessed Alvares mar Julius Metropolitan from the secluded corner of St. Inez Cemetery to the St. Mary's Orthodox Church, Ribander in Goa.   Philipose Mar Theophilos served as the Principal of the Orthodox Seminary, Kottayam (Old Seminary) as well.   The Metropolitan ministered among university students as the  President of the Mar Gregorios Orthodox Christian Students Movement (MGOCSM). He was the founder-president of the MGOCSM.   He was one of the Central Committee members of of the World Christian Council (WCC).   Philipose mar Theophilos tirelessly put in the efforts for the progress of the Angamaly and Bombay dioceses. And passed away on 28 September 1997 and was laid to rest in Thrikunnath Seminary, Aluva in Kerala.   The memorial festival of 2007 was done in Mumbai under the leadership of His Grace Thomas mar Athanasios Metropolitan of Chengannur Diocese alongwith the Mumbai Diocesan Bishop.  There was held a four days diocesan convention too. Very Rev. Cyril Ramban (recently he passed away) and the Orthodox Church Missionary Brother Paul Ciniraj Mohamed conveyed the messages of the Gospel as the convention speakers.