Mar Dionysius II Mar Thoma X, Malankara Metropolitan | |
|---|---|
| Malankara Syrian Church | |
| Appointed | February 1816 |
| Term ended | 24 November 1816 |
| Predecessor | Mar Thoma IX |
| Successor |
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| Orders | |
| Consecration | 22 March 1815 by Geevarghese Mar Philexenos II |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Joseph Ittoop 15 January 1742 |
| Died | 24 November 1816 (aged 74) Kottayam |
| Buried | Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam |
| Nationality | Indian |
Mar Dionysius II, born Pulikkottil Joseph Ittoop (15 January 1742 – 24 November 1816) was 10th Malankara Metropolitan for nine months until his death on 24 November 1816. He dethroned Mar Thoma IX and succeeded him by the favour of Col.John Munroe, then British Resident of Travancore.[1] Despite the brevity of his reign he made lasting contributions to the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.
Mar Dionysius II is also known as Pulikkottil Mar Dionysius I as he was the first Metropolitan from the ancient Pulikkottil family of Kunnamkulam. He was able to keep up the traditions, improve the knowledge of the people and decree that the assets of the Metropolitan would be assets of the Church. During his lifetime, he renovated and managed St. Mary's Orthodox Cathedral, Arthat,[2] one of the oldest churches in Kerala, masterminded in opening of the first formal educational institution in Kerala, namely the Orthodox Theological Seminary (Old Seminary)[3]
His nephew Tharu Kurien's son Joseph was later ordained as Metropolitan by the Patriarch of Antioch and became Malankara Metropolitan. He was also given the same episcopal title Joseph Mar Dionysious (Mar Dionysius V) (1833–1909) and was known as Pulikkottil Mar Dionysious II.