India's longest-serving bishop Dr Philipose Mar Chrysostom Valiya Thirumeni turns 104

The Mar Thoma Syrian Church Valiya Metropolitan Dr Philipose Mar Chrysostom has turned 104-years-old on today (April 27). There are no celebrations as Chrysostom Thirumeni is under treatment at the Believers’ Medical College in Thiruvalla.

According to reports, Mar Thoma Syrian Church’s primate Dr Theodosius Mar Thoma Metropolitan and the Church secretary Rev KG Joseph will visit Thirumeni at the hospital.

Recently, Chrysostom Thirumeni was admitted to Believers’ Medical College after it was suspected that he had contracted Covid-19. However, Thirumeni took both Covid-19 tests and tested negative. “Thirumeni’s health is improving. He just had weakness and old-age related issues,” Theodosius Mar Thoma Metropolitan told reporters.

Born as Philip Oommen on April 27, 1917, Chrysostom Thirumeni was ordained as Episcopa of the Mar Thoma Church in 1953. He became the Metropolitan of the Mar Thoma Church on October 23, 1999, and the Valiya Metropolitan or Metropolitan Emeritus after resigning due to old age and health issues.

Thirumeni is known for his sense of humour and revered by all Christian denominations in India. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan for formulating and implementing various projects to improve the social and economic conditions of the poor and deprived

Due to the second Covid-19 wave, everyone is asked to take every possible precaution, and only patients that need assistance should be admitted. Kerala has imposed night curfews and stern restrictions to curb Covid-19 curbs.

Meanwhile, the Kerala High Court has ordered that no lockdown should be announced on counting day (May 2). The High Court has said that is satisfied with the steps taken by the Election Commission and the Kerala state government.

Earlier, the Election Commission (EC) has announced a ban on victory celebrations on the counting day (May 2) as the country is witnessing a ferocious Covid-19 surge. The announcement comes a day after all political parties in Kerala mutually decided against celebration on counting day in the state.

Four states and a Union Territory held Assembly elections, and the counting of votes is on May 2. Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry went to the polls on April 6, 2021. West Bengal and Assam went to the polls in March and April as they had a multi-phased election.