About - The Rt. Rev. Gregorios Mar Stephanos Episcopa
Bishop Mar Stephanos (Rev. K. V. Varkey) was born on March 16, 1959. He is the son of Mr. K.P. Varkey of Kinattukara Parayil house and Kunjamma of Chengannur Plamoottil house. Thirumeni’s mother parish is St. George MTC in Fort Kochi.
He obtained B.A. and M.A. in Philosophy from Maharajas College, Ernakulam, and M. Phil from Madras Christian College. Thirumeni was in the University football team while studying at Maharaja’s college.
He completed his bachelor’s degree in Theology from Bishop’s College, Calcutta (1982–1986), affiliated to Serampore University. He was ordained as a deacon on June 27, 1986 at St. Thomas MTC, Thiruvalla by Easow Mar Timotheos Episcopa and as a priest on July 30, 1986 at St. George MTC, Fort Cochi by Easow Mar Timotheos Episcopa. He was ordained as a Ramban on May 7, 2011 and consecrated as an Episcopa on August 13, 2011.
He served as a priest in parishes at Bilaspur, Corba, Ambikapur, Chetpet, Thambaram, St. Thomas Mount, Kolalampur, Ranchi, Mumbai Santacruz, Maramon, Venmony Sehion, and Kavum Bhagom Ebenezer.
Thirumeni also served as the Principal and Manager of Ranchi St. Thomas School, Vice President of Ranchi Education Society, Missionary at Ranchi Navajeevan Kendram, manager at Maramon A.M.M. School, Vice President of Niranam-Maramon Voluntary Evangelistic Association, Vice President of Niranam-Maramon Development Board, and Secretary of Mar Thoma Medical Mission.
For his administrative abilities, he has received several awards, including best principal award in 1997 from Prathibbha Uthan Parishad, Bihar, Vijayasree award in 1999 from India International Friendship Society, New Delhi, and International Millennium Gold Star Award in 2000 from International Forum for NRS’s New Delhi.
He is presently the Episcopa of the Kunnamkulam- Malabar Diocese.