Very Rev. Fr. Dr. V. C. Samuel (1912 - 1998), a world-renowned priest of the Indian Orthodox Church, was one of the greatest scholars of theology, Philosopher and an ecumenically committed and distinguished Church Historian. Rev. Dr. V. C. Samuel, a real Malpan (Teacher of Syriac and Ecclesiastical Doctrines, University Professor and Dean), was a prolific writer, thinker, philosopher, ecumenist and preacher of religious and cultural harmony.
Fr. V. C. Samuel was born on 6th April 1912, in the village of Omalloor, (Pathanamthitta Dist.). His father, late E. I. Cherian M.L.C (Member of Legislative Council) of the Edayil family, was a teacher and educationist who established several schools for general education in the area. After finishing high school education Fr. Samuel mastered the Syriac language and important works of Bar Hebraus and other doctors of Church and became the Malpan, and thus happened to be one of the founders of Manjanikkara Seminary, once an important centre for the study of Syriac and theology. He was ordained as priest in 1937.
Fr. Samuel devoted himself to sixteen years of continuous university studies and research. He completed B.A., (first rank with gold medal) from Travancore University and M.A. from Madras University, both in Philosophy. After completing a Bachelor of Divinity degree with distinction from the Serampore University, he proceeded to the United States for further studies. At the Union Seminary, New York, he extensively studied Mar Severus of Antioch and submitted his thesis "The Christology of Severus of Antioch". In 1954 he received S.T.M. degree (magna cum laude) from the Seminary. After three years of thorough researches in the Divinity School of Yale University, New Haven he received the Ph.D. for his dissertation titled "The council of Chalcedon and the Christology of Severus of Antioch". He subsequently pursued post doctoral research in Hindu-Christian Thought Comparison and Ramakrishna Mission for three years, of which two years were spent in the Christian Institute for the Study of Religion, Bangalore and one year at Chicago University as a Rockefeller Foundation Fellow.
After reaching the highest levels of academic studies, he submitted himself for to the service of the Church. From 1960-63, he served in the faculty of Serampore University West Bengal, India. Out of his love for the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and the call from the Ethiopian Patriarch he went to Ethiopia and served in the Haile Salassie University from1963-66 and again in 1968-76. He was the architect and chief organizing force behind the historical conference of all five heads of the Lesser Eastern Churches at Addis Ababa in January 1965 under the guidance of Emperor Haile Selassie and Abuna Theophilus, the Patriarch of Ethiopian Orthodox Church. This meeting was first of its kind and these churches are thereafter known as the Oriental Orthodox Churches.
From 1966-68 and 1978-80 he served as a Professor at the United Theological College Bangalore. In 1980, Malankara (Indian) Orthodox Church appointed him as the Dean of the Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam. For the next ten years in his advanced age he served the Orthodox Seminary and the Federated Faculty of Research in Religion and Culture (FFRRC). He also served as Principal, Visiting Professor, Research Guide, Examiner, Governing Board Member etc., in many seminaries and universities in India and abroad.
His contributions in Theology, Philosophy, Christology, Church History and Ecumenism are substantial. He stood for religious and cultural harmony. His utmost interest to concentrate on the teachings of the early Ecumenical fathers of the Church and the ancient Church Councils contributed much to heal the wounds in the history of the Church. His writings deal with issues of contemporary significance to universal and national situations. Many scholars are now attracted by his revolutionary ideas on Church and Society.
He was a great scholar, teacher and an unrivalled identity among all the Eastern Orthodox Churches. His famous theological research work 'the Council of Chalcedon re-examined' had significant effect to resolve the centuries old misapprehension and rivalry between the Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant Churches and also between Oriental and Byzantine Orthodox Churches. Hence he paved path for interchurch dialogues and for better cooperation among Christian Churches all over the world. He had pioneered the entry of Malankara Orthodox Church in the World Council of Churches (WCC) and he served in the 'Faith and Order Commission' of WCC for almost quarter century. He represented Indian Orthodox Church in most of the world forums. His participation in the international forums of Christian-Hindu-Muslim dialogues is also very important.
He was erudite in 15 languages including Syriac, Greek, Latin, Hebru, Sankrit, Spanish, Amharic (Ethiopian) and Russian. He had written more than 30 books and published hundreds of research papers. Among his books, 'Yeshukristhu Aru?' (Who is Jesus Christ?) is a great contribution to Christology and 'Ithu oru Indian Sabhayo?' (Is this an Indian Church?) points to his meticulous views about a unified Indian church. Several of his books are included in the curriculum of different Theological Colleges around the world including those of Ethiopian, Greek and Coptic Churches.
As a dedicated priest, Fr. Samuel was the Founder Vicar of the first Parish in Bangalore and through his initiation four more parishes were established there. He had the opportunity to impart Pastoral Service in different parts of the world. Fr. Samuel, the great visionary and luminary, the grand GURU (Vaideekarude Vaideekan) and erudite scholar whose heart was ever for his dear Church, published his autobiography 'Swanubhavavediyil' in 1996. Fr. V. C. Samuel is the only priest included in the book 'Malankara Sabha Pithakkanmar' (Fathers of the Malankara Church) published by late Dr. Samuel Chandanappalli.
Considering his versatile scholarship and dedicated services rendered to WCC, the Malankara Church and to the Churches abroad, the Late Catholicose H.H. Baselios Augen I honoured him as the 'Ambassador of the Church' in the year 1968. (Kalpana No. 208/68 dated 12 August 1968).
One of the real disciples of Jesus Christ, lover of humanity, the builder of the real Indian Church, the greatest Father of our Church V. C. Samuel breathed his last in the early morning of Wednesday 18th November 1998 and laid to rest at Bangalore. We thank God for his sustained scholarship, for his ecumenical commitments, for his humble & noble self-effacing life and for his everlasting contributions.
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Few tangible statements by eminent dignitaries with regard to AchenCourtesy: 'Vaideekarude Vaideekan')
H. H. Baselius Marthoma Mathews II (Late Catholicose) perceived Achen as an Inimitable Integration of Divine Talents and asserted that our church will remember him everlastingly.
Most Rev. Dr. Alexander Marthoma Metropolitan (Late) regarded Achen as a man of simple life, deep thinking, tall in faith and flawless role model.
Most Rev. Dr. Cyril Mar Baselius (Late Major Arch Bishop of Trivandrum) recognized Achen as owner of uncommon special talents and model of simplicity.
Most Rev. Dr. Chrysotom Marthoma Metropolitan esteemed Achen as intimate friend of Marthoma Church and highlighted his perpetual quest for erudition.
H. G. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Osthathos Metropolitan (Late) affirmed that "His Holiness Baselios Augen Catholicose and Fr. Dr.V.C.Samuel should be given the great credit as Syriac Malpans. Dr. V. C. Samuel was also an authority on St. Severus of Antioch and many other Syriac writers and theologians. ……. Malankara Orthodox Church will cherish Achen's life and work as an authority in church and religions and as profound theologian, efficient professor, a model friend of poor including me and an Ecumenist whom the Churches around the world respect.
H. G. Philipose Mar Eusebius Metropolitan (Late) praised his mentor in a commemorative meeting and asserted that Malankara Church will remember this Great Father so long as the church is in existence.
In a tribute to Fr. V. C. Samuel, H. G. Thomas Mar Athanasius Metropolitan (Late) admired Achen as the greatest theologian of the Eastern Church subsequent to St. Bar Hebraus of 13th Century.
Bishop Mar Aprem of Chaldean Church depicted Fr. Samuel as the great humble scholar. Mar Aprem says Fr. Samuel was a rare extra ordinary great scholar, but so humble man to be honored and remembered by the Church.
Dr. Babu Paul I A S (Retd. Addl. Chief Secretary) eulogized Dr. V. C. Samuel Malpan achen as the Greatest Church Father ever lived in the history of Malankara Church.
According to Dr. M. M. Thomas, Fr Samuel was the single authority of Theology & Ecclesiology.
Rev. Fr. Dr. Baby Varghese asserts that in the 20th century, H. H. Augen I Catholicose and Fr. Dr. V. C. Samuel were the two greatest classical scholars of 'Syriac' in the Church.
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[Grandson of V. C. Samuel achen's Eldest sister - Mariyamma Skariah]