of Kottayam and Idukki. The Archeparchy was divided a fourth time when its Kanyakumari Mission was elevated to the status of a new diocese by the Bull Apud Indorum Gentes of John Paul II, dated 18 December 1996. The formal inauguration of the new eparchy of Thuckalay and the Episcopal consecration of Mar George Alencherry as its first Bishop took place on 2 February 1997. The Archeparchy of Changanacherry now comprises the civil districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Kottayam in Kerala and Palai, Kanjirapally and Thuckalay as its suffragans. Archbishop Mar Joseph Powathil assumed the office of the Archbishop of Changanacherry on 17 January 1986 and resigned in 2007. Mar Joseph Perumthottam was appointed on 20 January 2007 as the new Metropolitan Archbishop of Changanacherry and was installed on 19 March 2007. Eparchs and archeparchs Suffragan eparchies Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Palai Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Kanjirappally Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Thuckalay Institutions and personnel The total number of parishes is nearly 300. In addition,. The population of Syro-Malabar Catholics in Changanacherry Archdiocese is nearly about 400000. There are 18 foranes under Changanacherry Archdiocese. Parishes and population Foranes under Archdiocese of Changanacherry include, Alappuzha, Kollam-Ayur, Manimala, Kottayam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kurumpanadom, Edathua, Amboori, Nedumkunnam, Athirampuzha, Kudamaloor, Pulincunnu, Champakulam, Changanacherry,Thrickodithanam, Thuruthy, Muhamma, Chengannur . Important events 19 February 1892: Foundation Stone laid for the new Bishop's House at Vedikkunnu. 21 March 1891: Bishop Lavigne shifts his residence to Changanacherry (Mount Carmel CMC Convent). 3 February 1891: St. Berchmans, the first highschool of the Syrians founded on the precincts of St. Mary's Cathedral Changanacherry. 1 October 1890: Letter of Permission to shift the headquarters of Kottayam, Vicariate to Changanacherry 18 December 1888: Bishop Charles Lavigne convenes Changanacherry Synod. 14 December 1888: Bishop Lavigne established St. Germane's, the first Orphanage and FCC. 10 May 1888: Bishop Charles assumes charge 13 September 1887: Bishop Charles Lavigne, Vicar Apostolic of Kottayam. 20 May 1887: Establishment of Vicariates of Kottayam and Trissur. 15 April 1887: Nazarani Deepika launched. 16 January 1887: Reconstruction of the present Metropolitan Church. 28 July 1896: Vicariate of Ernakulam created, with territories from both Vicariates. 21 December 1923: Establishment of Syro Malabar Hierarchy with Ernakulam as the Metropolitan See 29 July 1956: The diocese of Changanassery made Metropolitan See 3 July 1962: Establishment of St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor, Kottayam. 3 December 1972: Establishment of archdiocese youth movement, YUVADEEPTI-KCYM 15 January 2003: