Fr. T. Dharmaraj (1967–2024)
A priest dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Christ, a fervent missionary, and a committed servant of the Church, the esteemed Fr. T. Dharmaraj was a priest of the Parassala Diocese. He was born on May 25, 1967, as the eldest son of the late Mr. Tapassimuthu and Mrs. Kamalamma, in Manjamkode near Chempoor, Pilambara, at the Kosavannam Puthenveedu family. He completed his primary and high school education at LMS High School, Chempoor. Originally a member of the Evangelical Church of India (ESI), he pursued higher education at Christian College, Kattakada, and then theological training at Mar Thoma Seminary, Adoor, KUT Seminary, Kannammoola, and Bible Seminary, Madras.
On December 19, 1991, he married Mrs. Elizabeth from Lal Bhavan, Kuzhikkaravila, Kattakada. In 1992, he was ordained as a priest in the ESI Church and served in various ministerial capacities within that Church for nearly three years.
Following in the footsteps of the venerable servant of God, the late Archbishop Mar Ivanios, who led the Reunification Movement, Fr. Dharmaraj sought and embraced the true faith. He entered the Catholic Church in September 1997, making his profession of faith before the late Archbishop Cyril Mar Baselios, the Metropolitan of the Archdiocese of Trivandrum. From 1997 to 2000, he completed his theological studies at St. Mary's Malankara Major Seminary, Nalanchira.
After completing his formation, he was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Trivandrum by Archbishop Cyril Mar Baselios at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Pattom.
Following his priestly ordination, he served in pastoral ministry in several parishes, including Pantha, Kuttamala, Vazhichal, Valiyamala, Cherukodu, Kalliyal, Kuttichal, Kottur, Marakkunnam, Thozhukkalkonam, Kattakada, Papanam, Anavoor, Chempoor, Ottasekharamangalam, and Vattapparambu. A zealous missionary, he established nearly ten ecclesial communities in areas such as Vazhichal, Cherukodu, Koralioor, Valiyamala, Pachamala, and Parandode within the undivided Trivandrum Major Archdiocese. These communities stand as living testimonies of his ecclesial commitment, deep faith, and missionary zeal.
Fr. Dharmaraj also served as the local manager of several schools under the undivided Major Archdiocese, rendering commendable service. Since the formation of the Parassala Diocese in 2017, he had been serving in the newly established diocese.
Due to kidney-related ailments, he had been undergoing treatment since 2022. On October 1, 2023, he received the Anointing of the Sick from the Auxiliary Bishop of the Major Archdiocese of Trivandrum, His Excellency Most Rev. Mathews Mar Polycarpos.
With his name now inscribed among the missionaries of the South, the Parassala Diocese expresses its condolences on the passing of the esteemed Fr. Dharmaraj to his grieving wife, Mrs. Elizabeth, daughter Anitha Elizabeth Raj, son Jobin D. Alex, son-in-law Ajish Varghese, grandson Ayan Ajish, and other family members. On behalf of the diocese, the Diocesan Bishop, His Excellency Most Rev. Thomas Mar Eusebius, along with the clergy, religious, and faithful, extend their sympathies.
Let us thank God for the dedicated ministry Fr. Dharmaraj carried out in the Major Archdiocese of Trivandrum and the Diocese of Parassala.
.Ecl District :Parassala
Phone :
Email :
Feast day :24-04
Ordination :
Address : Lal Bhavan, Kuzhikaravila Kattakada P.O., Trivandrum – 695 527