H.E. Mor Severios Geevarghese

H.E. Mor Severios Geevarghese was the first Metropolitan of the Knanaya diocese. He was born in 1851 to Fr. Kasiso Philipose of the Edavazhickal family, the vicar of Kottayam Valiyapally, and Kunjachi. After his primary education he prepared to become a priest. He was the 10th priest from the Edavazhickal family.

On 31st August 1910, Patriarch Mor Ignatius `Abded Aloho ordained Fr. Geevarghese Edavazhickal as the first Knanaya Bishop with the name Mor Severios. Around that period, a reformation movement that was very active in Malankara also rocked the Knanaya Community.  At Kottayam, Kallissery and Ranny many faithful of the Knanaya community along with some priests joined the new movement and created a rift in the churches. H.E. Mor Severios Geevarghese administered the Knanaya diocese residing at Kottayam Valiyapally. He believed in the value of education and introduced several programs for the education of the Knanaya students. He founded mission centers at Chingavanam, Kallissery and Kattodu. The construction of Chingavanam seminary began in his period. This was later to become the 'Mor Ephrem Seminary' and the Knanaya Bishop's House.

H.E. Mor Severios Geevarghese was a source of love and selfless service to the community. An educational fund he created and later named after him is his great contribution to posterity. He served the community for seventeen years during which many churches were formed in the diocese. He democratized the administration of the church. For this purpose, he called a meeting of the parish representatives and formed the Knanaya Association which is the parliament of Knanaya diocese. "The Knanaya Association" rules were compiled in 1918 which later became the guideline for the present constitution of the diocese.

Mor Severios passed away on June 11, 1927 and was laid to rest at the ancient Kottayam Valiyapally.