Thomas Mar Athanasios, who passed away on Friday, was admired for his foresight by those who knew him closely. The churches, parishes and schools that he set up hold striking evidence of that quality. He shared his love in abundance not only with children of the church, but also with every human being, cutting across barriers. He cultivated warm friendship extensively, beyond caste and creed.

A sentence in the Kothari Commission report that the future of the country is decided in classrooms inspired Mar Athanasios to focus more on the academic field. He entered the Baroda MS University in 1966 with a University Grants Commission scholarship for a Master of Education course.

The bishop set up educational institutions wherever required, without bothering whether the situation was favourable or adverse, and guarded them until they flourished into great places of learning.

Mar Athanasios made crucial contributions to the growth of the Orthodox church. He went to Gujarat at a time when the church had just a nominal presence there.

The bishop, who lived a humble life and used his little income from teaching for spiritual work, extended the church's reach vastly. Hundreds of places of worship and parishes have been added, and a diocese formed in the state which had only four Orthodox churches earlier.

Mar Athanasios reacted creatively to current issues even when spiritual work kept him busy. He sent a pledge to all parishes in his diocese when a young woman was brutally raped by a gang of criminals in Delhi. “As a proud Indian, I will behave with respect to all women and girls,” the pledge read. He ordered that all men, young and old, should recite it after the holy mass in all churches, stretching their hands out.

The bishop was one of the first to join rebuilding work in Gujarat's Bhuj after the devastating earthquake. He delivered a truck full of rice, wheat, oil and other food items. He also sent firewood, taking note of reports that its shortage was forcing people to burn bodies using tyres.

He was born to K T Thomas of Kizhakethalakkal, Puthenkavu, Chengannur, and Eliyamma of Thellireth, Thevarvelil, Kozhencherry, on April 3, 1938.  

Mar Athanasios remained rooted as a farmer, even after he took over charge of the Chengannur diocese ever since its inception in 1985 and went on to work as teacher, corporate school manager etc. and travelled extensively in foreign countries. For him, the love of nature and the passion for agriculture was as sacred as spirituality.

The bishop took care to give instructions on protection of nature and environment whenever he wrote in the diocesan publication 'Bethel', and also in letters to devotees.

Mar Athanasios was fond of children. He used to write names of students, including those in Class 10, and keep it in the altar, so that he could pray for them.