Bishop Anthony Chirayath was born on July 30, 1941 at Aranattukara in theArchdiocese of Trichur. His parents were Mathew and Anna. He was the fifth ofsix children. On August 5, 1941 he was baptised at St. Mary’s Church,Aranattukara. As a young boy he was active in the parish activities. He was analtar server, member of the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Societyof St. Vincent de Paul. He did his primary and seconday schooling at Tharakan’sHigh School, Aranattukara. On July 8, 1951 he received the Sacrament ofConfirmation from Bishop George Alappat of Trichur at St. Mary’s Monasterychapel, Elthuruth. In 1958 he completed his high school from St. Aloysius HighSchool, Elthuruth. The next two years were spent in St. Augustine’s MinorSeminary, Jabalpur. In 1961 he passed Intermediate Exams from JabalpurUniversity. In 1964 he graduated with first rank in political science from NagpurUniversity. It was at St. Charles Seminary, Nagpur that he did his philosophyand theology studies. In 1969 he represented the seminary at the Post-Conciliar Assembly held in Bangalore in 1969.

On January 2, 1970 he was ordained priest for Sagar Diocese, together with hisbrother Fr. Jose Chirayath, CMI at Devmatha Provincial House Chapel at Trichurby Bishop George Alappat. In the same year he obtained B.Th. The next twoyears he was active in Sagar as Secretary of Bishop Clemens Thottungal, CMI,Chancellor of the Diocese, Parish Priest of the Cathedral, Sagar UniversityChaplain and Diocesan Director of Social Services. In 1972, he was selected toserve in the Roman Curia. From 1972 he was an Official of the PontificalCouncil for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People. In 1978 he wasgiven the title of Papal Chamberlain. In 1994 he was made a Prelate of Honour.In 2003 Pope John Paul II elevated him as Office Head. In the same year he washonoured with the title of Apostolic Proto-notary. On February 2, 2006 PopeBenedict XVI elected him third Bishop of Sagar. On March 25, 2006 he wasordained Bishop by His Eminence Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil, MajorArchbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church. Archbishop Jacob Thoomkuzhy ofTrichur and Bishop Joseph Pastor Neelankavil, CMI, Bishop Emeritus of Sagar,were co-consecrators. Bishop Chirayath speaks several Indian and Europeanlanguages. He has travelled widely representing his Office and the Holy See atseveral international and national meetings.