Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma, the spiritual head of Malankara Marthoma, Syrian Church died in Thiruvalla (Pathanamthitta) district in Kerala in the early hours of Sunday at the age of 90. Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourned the loss of the spiritual leader. Sharing a post on social media, Modi wrote, "His Grace the Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan was a remarkable personality who served humanity and worked hard to improve the lives the poor and downtrodden. He was blessed with abundance of empathy and humility. His noble ideals will always be remembered. RIP." Earlier in June, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated celebrations on his 90th birth anniversary.
The Metropolitan was undergoing treatment at the Believers Medical College Hospital in Thiruvalla for the past few days after his health condition deteriorated. Dr. Joseph Mar Irenaeus became Metropolitan of the Mar Thoma Church on October 2, 2007, following the resignation of Metropolitan Dr Philipose Mar Chrysostom due to health reasons. The Metropolitan, who brought about revolutionary changes in the church, devoted much of his life to the marginalised, including the homeless, the sick, the poor, the needy, the disabled, and transgender. He was born on 27th June 1931 as the son of Puthoor Mariamma and Lukochen who was the son of Palakunnath Kadon Thomachen, elder brother of Titus II, Mar Thoma Metropolitan. He served as Vicar of Ranni, Kozhikode, Kundara, Madras and Thiruvananthapuram Parishes. He has worked as the President of the Governing Council of St. Thomas College, Kozhencherry, Christian College, Chengannur, Mar Thoma College for Women, MBA College, School Governing Board and Mar Thoma Teachers Training College, Perumbavoor.