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MOST REV. DR. GEEVARGHESE MAR DIVANNASIOS
Most Rev. Geevarghese Mar Divannasios, the second bishop of the Eparchy of Bathery, was born on 1 November 1950 as the second son of N. S. Varghese and Mariamma. He comes from Ottathengil family settled at Anaprambal, Edathuva, Tiruvalla. In 1956, his family migrated to South Canara in Karnataka. They stayed at several places in the district of South Canara and finally settled at Ichilampady, a small beautiful village in the district. In 1962 his family embraced catholic faith.
After the school education he started his seminary formation in 1966 at Infant Mary Minor Seminary in the Eparchy of Tiruvalla. In 1970 he was sent to St. Paul’s Seminary at Trichy for Philosophical and Theological studies. During his seminary formation he developed an interest in Karnatic music and spent time for learning it. Having completed his priestly formation he was ordained a priest on 20 April 1978 by His Grace Benedict Mar Gregorios.
After the ordination Fr. Varghese Ottathengil was appointed assistant vicar of five parish stations at Nilambur. Later he was the vicar of four parishes at Narangathode, Onjil, Mycavu and Manalvayal. In 1980 he was sent to Rome for higher studies. He successfully completed his Ph D in spiritual theology. After his doctoral studies, he came back to Bathery in 1987 and was appointed vicar of Palanthadom parish in the district of Kasargod. In the same year he took charge as the Rector of the minor seminary in the Eparchy of Bathery. Along with this office he also served as the vicar of the cathedral parish.
A greater responsibility was entrusted to him when he was appointed the rector of the Major Seminary of the Malankara Catholic Church in May 1990. The Seminary was in the initial stages of growth. To establish the seminary in its every face was a laborious task before him. By his constant endeavour and prayerful attitude he achieved the dream of the Church. The seminary underwent immense developments during his seven-year tenure as rector. In 1996 the seminary could host the CBCI General Body Meeting. He was appreciated very much for making the meeting a grand success with his excellent leadership.
On 18 December 1996 His Holiness Pope John Paul II appointed Very Rev. Fr. Varghese Ottathengil as the new Bishop of Bathery after Cyril Mar Baselios. He was consecrated a bishop on 5 February 1996 at Bathery by His Grace Cyril Mar Baselios. He received the name Geevarghese Mar Divannasios. His sacerdotal Silver Jubilee was celebrated in 2003. He was the administrator of the Malankara Catholic Church during the short period after the demise of Moran Mor Cyril Baselios Catholicos. His feast day falls on 29th November.
He was called to eternal rest on 16 January 2018 and his mortal body is entombed in St. John’s Cathedral, Tiruvalla.