This book is a collection of biographies of martyrs, saints, doctors and prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Although a few books are available in Malayalam, there is a felt need for biographies in English based on Syriac traditions and research literature. This work is an earnest attempt to meet this demand. In seeking information contained in this book, my search extended to different sources. For the last twenty years I have purchased or borrowed every book I could find on the subject. Dr. Thomas Joseph Thattunkal gifted me a few books on this topic. My late grandfathers Shri. Mani Varghese, Kannanayakal and Deacon Varghese Cherian, Pulimoottil, had left behind a few books in their collection for my use. I have spent several hours in different universities in California, U.S.A. in search of the resources. All such resources were gleaned for compiling this book.

The prospect of creating a rich source of biographical details of Syrian fathers occurred to me while I was compiling my first book Queen of the Sacraments. Then I had no time to spare in the midst of my doctoral studies. I had already written three volumes, each containing thirty biographies, in Malayalam. A few of my friends suggested that they should be published in English. However, financial support was not forthcoming to start the task. It is Mr. John Philip, Kottaparambil and Mr. Chandy Andrews who did the liaison work for funding the publication.

His Grace Mor Julius Kuriakose, Metropolitian of the Simhasana churches and institutions, read the draft of the book and suggested a few corrections. His Grace suggested to rearrange the biographies chronologically. His Grace Mor Athanasius Geevargis, the Patriarchal vicar for the Indian affairs, read the manuscript and pointed out some mistakes in the statement of historical facts. Also, a few distortions in the related literature were rectified as suggested by His Grace. The draft of the manuscript was edited and corrected by Dr. Annamma Joseph, Head of the Department of English (Retired), Government College for Women, Thiruvanananthapuram. She spared much of her valuable time in going through the minute details of the draft. I am grateful to her for the suggestions and corrections. I am much obliged to SOCMNet.org (Internet Platform of Malankara Jacobite Syrian Christians) for funding the publication. Mr. Thomas Daniel (Regi) contacted all the members of the SOCMNet.org and entrusted the publication of the book with M/s The Travancore Syriac Orthodox Publishers, Kottayam.