From: DR M.S.ALEXANDER
Sent: Saturday, February 23, 2008 11:22 AM

LAST ONE HOUR OF H.G.MAR MAKARIOSE METROPOLITAN

I was there with Makariose Thirumeny along with his brother Remban Fr Lazarus, coordinator of Indian Orthodox Churches in U.K. Fr Abraham Thomas, Vicar of Orthodox church in Sunderland Fr Happy Jacob, vicar of our Birmingham Church Fr Varughese John and a number of our men and women for about three hours prior to Thirumeny’s death. We were told in advance that every thing possible to save his life was done during the past seven weeks, and nothing more could be done. In fact Thirumeny had excellent medical care in England. His injuries due to the accident were very severe, and his age of 82 was against his recovery. Thirumeny had a private room. We were given permission to say our prayers as per our culture and customs. We gathered around his bedside. We said our prayers, read relevant readings from Holy Bible, and sang sacred hymns. At about 09.50AM the ventilator was switched off. He had his last breath at about 10.50AM. The timing of his death coincided with the death anniversary of his role model  Saint Vattasseril Thirumeny. He used to attend the death anniversary celebrations of Vattasseril Thirumeny for many years and today his soul must have gone to Kottayam to be there. Thirumeny had no pain or sufferings after his
admission to the hospital.

We are now making arrangements for the transfer of his holy remains to Kottayam for final burial. This may take over one week as we have to overcome various formalities. All the official announcements on this matter we be released from one single resource from our Church headquarters in Devalokam to avoid any confusion.

DR M.S.ALEXANDER, LEEDS, ENGLAND

By a member of the Malankara Orthodox Church

It is with great sorrow we inform you of the passing of H. G. Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios (81), Metropolitan of the Canada, U.K & Europe Diocese of the Holy Church at 4:42 AM (CST). His Grace had been injured and hospitalized for the last seven weeks at Newcastle General Hospital outside of London following a serious car accident. The accident took place in Newcastle as His Grace was going to the Newcastle Airport on Saturday, January 5, 2008 to return to London.  Another vehicle hit the passenger side where His Grace was seated.

Today, the Church has lost a shepherd who was known for his charisma and gift of oration. His Grace was known by people of all denominations and has represented and defended the Church on several occasions. Many of us have interacted with His Grace directly and know that he was an approachable friend, a loving father, and a faithful shepherd. As the first Metropolitan of the American Diocese, we thank the Lord for his service to our Diocese and to the Church as a whole.

As we grieve over the loss of our shepherd, we accept the will of God and thank the Lord for his life. His Grace has served the Church in great capacity for which we will remember not only today but forever. May his
memory be eternal.

Go in peace most Holy Father and forever pray unto God for us.

With profound grief and sorrow we would like to inform that the European diocesan metropolitan, beloved bishop H.G  Dr.Thomas Mar Makarios has entered into eternal rest.

His Grace  departed  to heavenly abode at 11 AM(GMT) in Newcastle General hospital most graciously after doing his bounden duty. As a priest, and especially as a hierarch, Metropolitan Makarios  was distinguished for his ecclesiastical ethos, his work ethic, his adherence to the fundamentals of liturgical life, his commitment to the Orthodox Faith and the traditions of St. Thomas Heritage.

His personality and God given charisma is not easily replaceable. Indian Orthodox Church owe an immense lot to his personality and spiritual leadership. He was a great gift from God to the Church.  A light is gone from the Malanakra Church. He was a shining beacon.

He was the first Bishop of the Diocese of USA, which he served with utmost love and commitment, leaving a shining legacy as a pious hierarch. Beloved by thousands of Indian  Orthodox faithful, he will be remembered with everlasting gratitude as a model of benevolence, kindness and reconciliation.

Sorrowfully,

ST. GREGORIOS INDIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH, UK

[other announcements with links below]

***
Sr. Metropolitan of the Orthodox Church in India HG Bishop Thomas Mar Makarios departed this life on February 23, 2008. Eternal Memory to Him. His departure falls on the exact anniversary of the departure of St. Dionysius – one of the two official saints canonized by the Church in India.

Details are in the News section of the official web page of the Catholicate – http://www.malankaraorthodoxchurch.in

George Varghese
Fort McMurray,AB
Canada