He was born at Perinad in Kollam district of Kerala, and had his theological education at Old Seminary Kottayam and also at Basil Dayara, Pathanamthitta.

On 15 May 1953 he was ordained as bishop Mathews Mar Coorilose at the age of 38 by the Catholicos Baselios Geevarghese II.

A Civil Service Academy was started at Thiruvananthapuram, to give proper training for candidates appearing for I.

Mathews II as the head of the Episcopal Synod of Malankara Orthodox Church canonized Dionysius VI on the 69th feast day of the saint (24 February 2003).

Due to ill health from old age, Mathews II resigned his position as the Supreme Head of the Indian Orthodox Church on 29 October 2005.