Ordained to the Holy Priesthood in 1951
Consecrated as Metropolitan in 1978
Appointed as Metropolitan of the American Diocese in 1993
Fell Asleep in the Lord on December 9, 2012
His name, ‘Mar Barnabas’, fits him ever so perfectly, because of his fervor to propagate the Holy Gospel of the Lord. He went where others hesitated to go and puts his heart and soul to live his divine call. His austere and simple way of life always earned him immense respect from everyone who meets him. He has only one shepherd. His humility is such that he never holds on to the high esteem of "Episcopacy". His needs are few and so, he is never a burden for the people whom he leads. He is extremely faithful in all financial matters of the diocese and under his leadership the parishes of the Northeast American Diocese enjoy peace and steady progress.
Mathukutty (childhood name) was born in Kallarackaparampil house at Vengola, to Kuruvilla & Mariamma of the Kidangethu Thombra Family, on August 9, 1924. He is the youngest one among four brothers and two sisters. His sister, Sister Mary, was one of the founding nuns of the Bethlehem Convent in Kizhakkambalam, near Alwaye.
His Grace's grandfather and uncle were Orthodox priests who were of good learning and leadership. Their earnestness to the service of the Church. and dedication to the Orthodox Christian way of life inspired the young Mathukutty. Aside from them, His Grace's mother also inspired and profoundly impacted him. She was very pious and devoted woman, who would do anything for the Church and Faith. Her uncompromising habit of fasting and love for the poor, made a deep impression in the mind of her son.
At the age of 7, Mathukutty decided to be a monk and give up eating meat and fish. He planned to join the Gethsemane Monastery in Piramadam, near Moovattupuzha, of which his uncle, Rev. Fr. K. P. Paulose, was one of the founding members. During the summer vacation while his peers would seek the pleasure of games and other recreation, both Mathukutty and his twin brother would stay in the Monastery following the monastic life.
In 1943, His Holiness Catholicos Baselios Geevarghese II ordained him as a Deacon, at his home parish, St. Thomas Cheriapally, Thuruthipaly, Vengola. As a Deacon, he was a teacher at Kurppumpady M.G. M. High School in 1947. He taught there for two years and continued to teach for another two years at the MD Seminary High School, Kottayam, until he was ordained to priesthood. In 1949, as a young deacon he joined the Orthodox Theological Seminary as a special student and studied Syriac for two years. In 1951 Metropolitan Augen Mar Thimotheos (Later Catholicos), ordained him to the Holy Priesthood. He studied Biology at Madras Christian College, and while he served the parish in Secunderabad he did his Masters in Botany in Osmania University. While he was the Vicar of the Calcutta parish, he studied in the Bishop's College, Calcutta and earned his B. D. degree from the Serampore University, as an external student. As a priest, Father Mathews also was a lecturer in the Orthodox Theological Seminary at Kottayam for five years. During this period (1967-1972) he was the Faculty Member at the Seminary and full-time Warden. He also cherished the years when he served as Chaplain in the Kolenchery Medical Mission Hospital from 1972-1978.
It was in 1977, that the Malankara Association elected Reverend Father K. K. Mathews, as a Metropolitan of the Church. On May 15, 1978 His Holiness Catholicos Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews I, Catholicos of the East, consecrated him with the name ‘Mar Barnabas.’
Metropolitan Mar Barnabas shepherd Kottayam, Angamaly and Idukki Dioceses. Under His Grace's leadership in the newly formed Idukki Diocese, a Diocesan Center and Metropolitan's Residence were built. He led that Diocese efficiently and organized new parishes and visited the flock regularly. The Idukki Medical Mission at Nettithozhu is another significant achievement for the Church which was under His Grace's leadership.
In 1991, the Holy Church appointed the ascetic Metropolitan Mar Barnabas, to serve as the auxiliary to His Holiness Catholicos Mathews II, who was caring for the then vacant see of the American Diocese. During this time, His Grace Mathews Mar Barnabas, Metropolitan assisted His Holiness in catering to the spiritual needs of the clergy and faithful of this vast Diocese.
Later, His Grace was formally entrusted care of the American Diocese as her new Metropolitan. Metropolitan Mathews Mar Barnabas was enthroned in March 1993 by His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews II at Saint Mary's Orthodox Church of West Sayville, New York. The enthronement ceremony was well attended by clergy and faithful throughout the Diocese, along with the presence of honorable leaders of the ecumenical community.
Under the prayerful leadership and vision of His Grace Mathews Mar Barnabas, the American Diocese grew exponentially. Ministries throughout the Diocese were developed, which included youth ministry (MGOCSM) and Sunday School. Such ministries engaged the young people of the Diocese with the beauty of the Orthodox Christian faith. His Grace developed a national structure and administration to ensure such ministries continued to expand.
In 2002, His Grace Zachariah Mar Nicholovos, a young, talented leader and orator was appointed as the Assistant Metropolitan of the Diocese. the Diocese was able to further expand its vision and mission - to cater to the spiritual needs of our faithful. Under the joint leadership of both Metropolitans, regional Family & Youth Conferences in the southern and southeast United States were initiated and gained strength, in addition to the Family & Youth Conference held in the northeast United States.
The youth ministry department of the American Diocese, known as the MGOCSM, began hosting an annual summer leadership camp which strengthened our young people’s love for the Orthodox Christian faith. This in turn sparked a vast array of local youth ministries on regional and area levels throughout North America as well. In addition this stable ministerial growth, many young men and women left their lucrative careers to join for Theological and Pastoral studies at reputable Orthodox Theological institutions. A liturgical studies program also was initiated at our Seminary in Kottayam, for men graduating with a Master of Divinity from one of the Orthodox Theological Seminaries in America. The American Diocese also was able to build a proper Diocesan Chancery in Muttontown, New York, to serve as the official residence of the Metropolitan, and headquarters of the Diocese.
On January 18, 2011, His Holiness the Catholicos of the East And Malankara Metropolitan, Baselius Marthoma Paulose II, formally accepted His Grace Mathews Mar Barnabas' request to be relieved from administrative responsibilities as Diocesan Metropolitan of the Northeast American Diocese. His Grace enjoyed his retirement at the Monastery of St. Kuriakose the Martyr, lovingly known as 'Pampady Dayro'.
On December 9, 2012, our beloved Vailya Thirumeni, who faithfully shepherded the flock of the Northeast American Diocese, for more than 19 years, fell asleep in Christ. His Grace is entombed at his home parish, Sts. Peter & Paul Orthodox Church, Valayanchirangara, Kerala, India.
His Grace's example of love, prayer, and charity continues to reign in the hearts of his spiritual children. May his holy intercession before Christ our God, be a fortress for our Church, the Diocese, and our families. May the precious memory of our most beloved Father in Christ, His Grace Mathews Mar Barnabas, Metropolitan be eternal!
