H.G. Abraham Mar Stephanos
Diocesan Metropolitan
Bishop Abraham Mar Stephanos has been the Metropolitan of the Diocese of UK-Europe and Arica since November 2022 after taking over from Metropolitan HG Dr. Mathews Mar Thimothios.
Metropolitan Stephanos (previously Fr. Abraham Thomas) was born to Late Mr. K. A. Thomas and Mrs. Annamma, Kadakkamannil House, Mylapra in Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India on 11 June 1969 and hails from the parish of St. George Orthodox Church (Valiyapalli), Mylapra under the Diocese of Thumpamon. After completing his primary education from Seventh Day Adventist School, Pathanamthitta (1974-78) and Marthoma High School (1978-84), he completed the Pre-Degree course (1984-86) as well as Undergraduate Degree (Bachelor in Science) in Mathematics (1986-89) from the Catholicate College, Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India.
He began his theological education at the Orthodox Theological Seminary (Kottayam Old Seminary) in Kotayam, Kerala, India graduating in 1999 with a Bachelor of Divinity (BD) degree and a Graduate in Sacred Theology (GST). He further earned a Masters in Theology (M.Th.) from the Federated Faculty for Research in Religion and Culture (FFRRC) under Senate of Serampore University (2000-02). He later also earned a Master of Arts (MA) degree in Late Antiquity and Byzantine Studies from Kings College, London, UK.
Abraham Thomas Stephanos was ordained as a Sub-Deacon in 1998 by HG Kuriakose Mar Clemis Metropolitan at the Mar Basil Dayara, Pathanamthitta. Further, he was ordained as Deacon in 1999 by the Late Lamented Catholicos Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews II at the Old Seminary Chapel in Kottayam. He was ordained as Priest on 8th April 2000 by HG Kuriakose Mar Clemis Metropolitan at St. George Orthodox Church, Mylapra. At the Malankara Syrian Christian Association held at Kolencherry on 25th February 2022, he was elected to be consecrated as Bishop. He received the status of Ramban at the Parumala Seminary on 2nd June 2022 and was consecrated as Metropolitan with the name Abraham Mar Stephanos by Catholicos and Malankara Metropolitan HH Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews III at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Pazhanji on 28th July 2022. He took over charge as Metropolitan of the Diocese of UK-Europe and Africa on 3rd November 2022.
Between the years 2002 and 2009, whilst serving as Vicar of the London Brockley St. Gregorios Indian Orthodox Church, he was also the Secretary to the Council of Oriental Orthodox Churches in the UK, Secretary to The Catholic and Oriental Orthodox Forum of UK, Secretary to The Anglican-Oriental Orthodox Regional Forum of UK as well as an Executive Committee Member of The Anglican- Eastern Churches Association of UK.
Metropolitan Stephanos served as lecturer at the Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam, Kerala, India from 2009 to 2022 in the Department of Theology. His principal areas of teaching were Christian Doctrines, Patristic Theology, Doctrine of Holy Spirit as well as Biblical Greek at beginner and advanced levels. During this time, he has also served as Registrar of Seminary.
He has made noteworthy contributions as the Secretary to the Department of Ecumenical Relations of the Malankara Orthodox Church, particularly during the time of Late Lamented Catholicos Baselios Paulos II.
Previous Parishes: London St. Gregorios, Cambridge St. Thomas, Marathamcode St. Gregorios.
Contact:
Physical Address: Malankara House, 35 Hennman Close, Swindon, SN254ZW
Phone Number: +44 7391 210127 (UK) / +91 98467 67680 (India)
Email: [email protected]