Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos II (born Kidangan Geevarghese; died 1829) was the Metropolitan of the Malabar Independent Syrian Church (Thozhiyur Church) from 1811 to 1829, and the 11th Malankara Metropolitan.
Early life and priesthood Geevarghese was from the Kidangan family of Kunnamkulam.
He served as vicar of the Arthat Church (Chattukulangara) in the Malankara Church.
In 1812, he was consecrated as a bishop with the title Philoxenos by Sacharias Mar Philoxenos I.
As Malankara Metropolitan
In 1816, during the time of Mar Thoma IX, amid disputes in the Malankara Church, Mar Philoxenos II consecrated Pulikkottil Ittoop Ramban as Mar Dionysius II at Pazhanji Church.
Following the death of Mar Dionysius II in 1816, contemporary missionary records refer to a bishop considered for leadership in the Malankara Church.
Thomas Norton, a missionary of the Church Missionary Society, wrote:
Following deliberations at a synod, a royal proclamation dated 26 December 1816 (26 Dhanu 992 M.E.) confirmed his position as Malankara Metropolitan.
In 1817, Mar Philoxenos II consecrated Punnathra Geevarghese as Mar Dionysius III at the Kottayam Old Seminary.
In 1825, Mar Philoxenos II consecrated Cheppad Philipose Malpan as Mar Dionysius IV at the Kottayam Old Seminary on 27 August 1825.
Conflict with Mar Athanasios In 1825, Mar Athanasios Abdul Messih, associated with the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch, arrived in Malankara and opposed the authority of local bishops.
Contemporary and later accounts record disputes between Athanasios and the existing church leadership.
British authorities later intervened in the situation, and Athanasios was deported.
Later life and death Mar Philoxenos II died on 7 February 1829 (27 Makaram 1004 M.E.).
He was buried at the Thozhiyur Church (St. George's Cathedral).
See also Malabar Independent Syrian Church Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
References