Rt. Rev. Dr. Mathews Mar Makarios Episcopa is the Diocesan Episcopa of the Chennai Bangalore Diocese. His Lordship’s able leadership and guidance helped in the expansion of the mission activities of the Diocese. Being a person with a heart for the least, the last and the lost, Thirumeni’s initiative in reaching out to the unreached has enabled the Diocese to stride into new mission ventures which will have lasting impact in the society at large. It was Thirumeni’s vision of starting Diocesan Youth Conferences in regional languages which made the children of our mission field have a sense of belongingness. As a mark of thanksgiving for the forty blessed years of ordained ministry, Thirumeni initiated the project Basic Needs for the Needy wherein we could include people who are the nobodies of the society by providing them with basic amenties necessary for safe and healthy living. An unassuming leader of unfathomable depth of knowledge in the Bible, Thirumeni has mentored many to become ordained ministers in Mar Thoma Sabha and in the sister churches as well. Thirumeni has been Dean of Doctoral Studies in FFRC and also authored few books. Thirumeni’s simplicity, humility and excellent leadership skills has made His Lordship rise to the platform of excellence.

Rt. Rev. Dr. Mathews Mar Makarios Thirumeni (Rev. Dr. Varghese Mathai) was born on 25th February 1953 as the son of Kalayil Kannanpoikayil Sri. K.E. Mathew and Smt. Kunjamma Mathai of Thumpamon North Immanuel Parish. Varghese Mathai completed education from Thumpamon EALP, MG High School and Pandalam NSS College. He took his degree in Physics. He joined postal services in Mumbai.

On being called for divine service he left the job and joined Kottayam Mar Thoma Theological Seminary for a Theological degree in 1975. On completion of his studies brilliantly he was ordained as Semmas on 22nd April 1978 at the St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, Kozhencherry by Joseph Mar Iraneaus Episcopa and as Kaseessa on 22nd May 1978 at the St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, Thiruvalla by Dr. Alexander Mar Thoma Metropolitan. He served as Vicar in Ranni Valiakavu, Karimpanamkuzhy, Kumaly, Anakkara, Vandanmed, Kolkatta, Nattassery, Australia, New Zealand and Othera Ebenezer. He got MTh from Kottayam FFRRC in 1985 and doctorate from Bangalore SATRI in 1994 based on New Testament. He successfully completed research on the subject ‘Christ Vision and Holy Spirit in the Gospel of St. John’. He taught New Testament in Leonard Theological College of Madyapradesh from 1987 to 1996 and in Kottayam Mar Thoma Theological Seminary during 1996-2003 and 2006-2008. He served during this period as member of the Research Committee of Serampore University and as Dean of the Doctoral studies of FFRRC. He has published explanatory books on Hebrews and 1. Corinthians. The other books published are Paraclitos the experience of the Holy spirit, Jesus the Good shephered, Sishyathavum, Viliyum, Niyogavum and Fragrance of Christ. He is able to publish outstanding articles in the periodicals of the Church and International Theological periodicals.

He was consecrated Ramban along with Rev. K.V. Varkey and Rev. Dr. Oommen George by Geevarghese Mar Theodosius Episcopa on 7th May 2011 at the specially constructed Holy Madbaha at Ernakulam St. Alberts College Grounds. With the other two Rambans he was consecrated as Episcopa by Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan on 13th August 2011 at the specially prepared Holy Madbaha at Thiruvalla SCS Ground with the name Mathews Mar Makarios Episcopa.

His endearing behaviour, deep insights of Theology and noble experience of teaching ministry increase the quality of Thirumeni’s ministry.