Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara A Saintly Father and an Orthodox Teacher

Abstract

St. Chavara was very much saddened by the absence of saints among the St. Thomas Christians. His inspiration behind founding religious congregations for men and women was to foster an aptitude to holiness. Finally he himself became one of those holy fruits. In the same way among the 37 doctors of the Church none is from among Thomas Christians. A close evaluation makes clear that St. Chavara with his holy life, orthodox Faith and divinely inspired erudition is worthy to be numbered one among those. When he trained the faithful in Faith, faithfulness to the Church of Christ was his main concern; when he cared for the community with love, it was his holiness that was actualized, when his pen scribed something, he strictly followed Church's teaching authority. Without doubt he was a man of God and man of Church.