Chicago: The winners of the quiz competition conducted in the Knanaya Region of the United States in connection with the 112th death anniversary of Blessed Mar Mathew Makil have been announced.
Ashitha and Aiden Thellathukunnel from St. Stephen’s Knanaya Catholic Forane Church, New York, secured the first place. Joy and Mary Kuzhiyamparambil from the Canada Mission won the second place, while Ria Kootankal, also from St. Stephen’s Knanaya Catholic Forane Church, New York, secured the third place.
The prizes for the competition were generously sponsored by Saibu and Rajimol Pathiyil. The quiz competition was organized by the Visitation Congregation, founded by Bishop Mar Mathew Makil.
Blessed Mar Mathew Makil was born on March 27, 1851, at Manjoor near Kottayam. He was ordained a priest on May 30, 1874. In 1896, he became the first native Bishop of the Changanacherry Vicariate, and in 1911, he was appointed as the first Apostolic Vicar of the Kottayam Vicariate, which was established for the Knanaya Catholic community.
He passed away on January 26, 1914. In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI declared him a Servant of God, and later, on May 22, 2025, Pope Leo XIV elevated him to the status of Blessed.
