Athanasius was born to Mr. K.T.Thomas and Mistress Aleyamma Thomas on the 3rd of April, 1938 in Kizhakkethalackal family at Puthencavu, Chengannur, Alappuzha District He was the grandson of Kizhakkethalackal Thoma Kathanar and the nephew of Geevarghese March Philoxinos (Puthencavil Kochuthirumeni).
On 1 August 1985 Athanasius became the first Metropolitan of the then newly formed Chengannur Orthodox Diocese. Athanasius is 42nd in the priestly generation and the 5th bishop in the Vadakkethalackal family. The other bishops in the family are Simon March Dionysios, Yuakim March Ivanios, Abraham Marthoma and Geevarghese March Philoxinos.
HAthanasius had his elementary education at Puthencavu and Alappuzha and High School education at Metropolitan High School, Puthencavu and M.T.Seminary High School, Kottayam.
After completing Intermediate Course from Content Management System College, Kottayam, he graduated with Physics as major from South.B.College, Changanacherry and did Bachelor of Education from North.S.S. College, Changanacherry. He completed Bachelor of Divinity from the prestigious Serampore College, Calcutta and later took Master in Education from Master of Surgery University of Baroda.
Hundreds of Athanasius"s "children" are doctors, engineers, teachers, architects, researchers and varied professionals. He organised congregations in western India such as Andheri and Bandra in Maharashtra.
Udaipur in Rajasthan.
Vapi, Balsar, Surat, Baruch, Anand, Bhavnagar, Mehsana, Rajkot, Porbandar and Veravel in Gujarat. Besides being the Metropolitan of the Diocese of Chengannur, Athanasius served The Malankara Sabha in various capacities. Such as the Secretary of The Holy Episcopal Synod, the Manager of the Catholicate and Doctor of Medicine Schools, the President of Akhila Malankara Balasamajam, the President of Akhila Malankara Prarthana Yogam and the President of the Church Accounts Committee and the President of the Church Finance Committee.
Currently, he is the president of “Divyasandesam” - Visual Media Communications, the President of Malankara Orthodox Church Publications and the President of Akhila Malankara Orthodox Gayaka Sangham.
He is the founder Principal of Basil School, Baroda, and founded 6 other schools in Gujarat. These six schools including The Gujarat Refinery English Medium School are under The Trust of the Society of Saint Basil. The founder of the Society of Saint Basil was the late Geevarghese March Philoxinos of Puthencavu.
