Philipose Mar Chrysostom, the senior most metropolitan of the Thiruvalla-headquartered Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church and also Kerala's oldest man, celebrated his 102nd birthday today.
The Bishop, who was awarded the Padma Bhushan last year, was born in 1918. Although he has now retired, Chrysostom even now participates in services and moves around the church in a wheel chair.
He was ordained as a priest in 1944 and became a bishop in 1953 and went on to head the Church as its Metropolitan in 1999 before voluntarily stepping down as the head of the church in 2007.
Numerous bishops from his Church and other denominations today visited him and extended their greetings.
To mark the occasion, Chrysostom cut a specially made 'appam' (type of traditional pancake made with rice flour).
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Philipose Mar Chrysostom, India's Longest Serving Bishop Dies At 103 Mar Thoma Church Head Joseph Mar Thoma Dies Kerala Bishop, 100, Says Floods Far Worse Than In 1924 Explained: Why Delhi's AQI Was 494 Today But International Monitor Said 1,600 Air India Flight From Paris Diverted To Jaipur, Fliers Sent To Delhi On Bus "Exposed": BJP Alleges Bitcoin Scam In Maharashtra Poll, Supriya Sule Reacts AR Rahman's Wife Announces Separation After 30 Years Of Marriage: Report IIT Graduate's Post Thanking IT Job For Dream Home Sparks Debate Amid Souring Ties With India, Canada's Latest Move Inconveniences Flyers Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.