Dr. Zacharias Mar Theophilus Suffragan Metropolitan was a humanitarian who involved himself with the needs of the society. His caring deeds provided relief to many within and outside the state. He was also very prominent in the move for unity among different churches across the world.
In Greek, Theophilus means a friend of God. However, he was not only a friend of God, but also to all who did not have someone to support them. He initiated a lot of social programmes such as a programme for cancer patients, the ‘Asha Bhavan’ at Pathanapuram for the destitute, the monastery in Aluva, the ‘Mochana’ initiative which was aimed at getting people de-addicted and so on. He was in the process of devising a programme to rehabilitate beggars in Andhra Pradesh and Orissa, when his end came.
The Metropolitan was a prominent face in the ecumenical activities and was a member of the global council of Churches for years. He obtained a doctorate from the Boston University in Missiology. He has been the head of the Church in Adoor, Mavelikkara, Kottayam, Ranni, etc. and has lent his services as the president of Kerala Bible Society, Bangalore Ecumenical Mission Centre, National Missionary society and so on.
He was born in 1938 as the son of V.K. Oommen and Mariama at Niranam. He started his professional career as a teacher and became part of the Church in 1963. He became a Bishop in 1980. In 2004, he became Suffragan Methropolitha and has been for the past ten years, the head of the Church at Chengannur and Mavelikkara.
He was a person who believed that it was the aim of the Church to bring succour to the destitute. He would continue to live in the minds of the poor as the synonym of care and kindness.