Ayroor Thayillam Family
Rt. Rev. Dr. Mathews Mar Athanasius Episcopa
Mathews Mar Athenasius Episcopa was the first missionary bishop of the Mar Thoma
Church. His evangelical ardour and concern for the unreached area, made him forge
ahead expansion programmes and colonization schemes besides establishing of several
institutions. He was Patron of Thayillam Kudumbayogam
of Thomas Kurudamannil, Ayroor. His mother was
Aleyamma, sister of Titus II Mar Thoma
Metropolitan, Palakunnathu, Maramon. Parents
called him Mathaiche
Primary education was at Ayroor, Kozhencherry
and at Kottayam. For higher studies he joined
Kolkata (Calcutta) Bishops College high school
and Saint Paul's College. In 1925 he was able to
obtain a BA degree and in 1929 a BEd degree. In
1934, he proceeded to join Wycliffe College at
the University of Toronto, Canada.
Even though suffering from diabetes for many
years, nothing could stop him from all out
Endeavour in the cause of the spread of the
Gospel. After a short period, he succumbed to his
illness and was called to his heavenly reward on
November 30, 1973 at the age of 73.He was that
the in the Bishops’ cemetery in the SCS
Compound, Thiruvalla