Rt.Rev. PD Dr. Joseph Mar Ivanios Episcopa .
Rt Revd PD Dr. Joseph Mar Ivanios Episcopa was born on 19th August 1970 as the son of Karamvelimannil Sri. Thomas Daniel and Smt. Saramma Thomas of Kochukoickal Trinity Mar Thoma Parish.
He is an expert on Church History. He completed B.A. History from St. Thomas College, Kozhencherry and M.A. History from Catholicate College, Pathanamthitta, which he secured the First Rank, for which he obtained the University Gold Medal.
His theological journey started in the Mar Thoma Theological Seminary, Kottayam. He obtained his B.D. in 1998, after which he was ordained as Semmash on 19 June 1998 by Rt. Rev. Geevarghese Mar Athanasius Episcopa and Kassessa on 16 July 1998 by Rt. Rev. Euyakim Mar Coorilos Episcopa. He progressed in his theological exploration by completing M.Th in History of Christianity at FFRRC, Kottayam in 2006. He then completed his D.Th in History of Christianity from the University of Bern, Switzerland in 2014 and as a Post-doctoral (Doctor Habil) scholar in 2019.
He had the opportunity to serve as Chaplain to the then Metropolitan Dr. Alexander Mar Thoma, and also as a faculty of History of Christianity in the E.J. Institute, Kompady, and Mar Thoma Theological Seminary. He has served as the Vicar of Christos Mar Thoma Church, Mylom, Bethel Mar Thoma Church, Krishnarajpuram, St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, Marathahalli, Bangalore, Mar Thoma Syrian Church in Singapore, Mar Thoma Congregation, Switzerland, Mar Thoma Congregation, Germany, and Kumbanad Salem MTC. He has represented the Church in various ecumenical platforms such as the WCC and CCA. He has served as a member of the Policy Reference Committee of the WCC Karlsruhe Assembly in 2022. He is the author of various scholarly books and has published articles in prestigious journals.
Thirumeni also serves as a Guest Lecturer/Speaker at the University of Bern. Thirumeni, was appointed as an Invited Professor at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome. Founded in 1551, the Pontifical Gregorian University is one of the most prestigious institutions of higher theological learning in the Catholic tradition, shaping generations of global church leaders and scholars. Thirumeni teaches the course “Ecclesiology and Notions of Church Unity in Two Traditions: Oriental and Occidental” under the Faculty of Theology. This subject explores the theological foundations of the Church, its unity, and the dialogue between Eastern and Western Christian traditions—an area of profound significance in today’s ecumenical context.
This appointment is a matter of great pride for the Mar Thoma Church, highlighting our church’s ecumenical witness, theological depth, and global engagement. In addition, he serves in the following capacities: Member, European Society for Ecumenical Research; Executive Committee member and Council Member, United Theological College, Bangalore; Governing Board Member, Mar Thoma Theological Seminary, Kottayam; Professor and Academic Dean, Federated Faculty for Research in Religion and Culture (FFRRC), Kottayam; Served as a member, Mar Thoma Theological Commission; Executive Committee member, Fellowship of Indian Denominational Churches in Malaysia and Singapore (FIDC); General Committee member, NCCS Singapore.
He was installed as Ramban by Rt Revd Dr Euyakim Mar Coorilos Suffragan Metropolitan on 2nd Oct 2023 at Pazhavangadikkara Immanuel Mar Thoma Church, Ranni along with Revd Saju C Pappachan and Revd Mathew K. Chandy. He was consecrated as Joseph Mar Ivanios Episcopa on 2nd Dec 2023 at the Holy Madbaha prepared at the Thiruvalla SCS ground.
He has a deep knowledge of the history of the Church and also a great vision of the mission of the Church. His writings and theological musings reflect his wide sense of the historical importance of the Church. He is also serving as the Diocesan Bishop of the Mumbai Diocese of Mar Thoma Church.