Pulikottil Joseph Mar Dionysius II was born into the Pulikottil family of Kunnamkulam. Malankara Metropolitan Valiya Mar Dionysius ordained him as a priest and appointed him as the Vicar of chattukul- angara Arthatt Church. When Tippu Sultan attacked cochin in 1789, he insisted that the Vicar should join the Islam religion. But refusing to succumb to this pressure he spent his days in prayer. He took the initiative to renovate the Arthatt church, which was ravaged by Tiipu Sultan. Dr. Claudias Bukanan who visited Arthatt church on 6 December 1806 has given us ass account about Pulikottil Joseph Kathananr.
On 27 August 1809 he was elevated to the rank of Ramban. After becoming Ramban, his activities were concentrated in Kottayam. He convinced the Tranvancore Resident Colonel Munro of the necessity of constructing 'House of Learning' (Seminaries) for training priests and the latter who was greatly interested, gave all support for starting the seminary. Queen Paravathi Bai of Travancore gave sixteen acres of land bordering the River Meenachil as gift to the Church and there a seminary was established. In 1815 the Seminary started training priests. English education was started for the first time in Kerala here.
The Seminary started training priests in 1815. English education was started here for the first time in Kerala. Kidangan Mar Philoxenos consecrated him as Malankara Metropolitan on 21 March 1815, with the title “Joseph Mar Dionysius II.”. The Rulers of Travancore and Cochin issued “Royal Proclamation” calling upon all Syrian Christians to respect and honour Joseph Mar Dionysius.
Kidangan Mar Pheloxenose of Thozhiyur consecrated Pulikottil Mar Dionysius II in 1815 March 21. This was because of the persistent compulsion from Col Monroe in order to receive the interest money. But he never executed any function of bishop except signing receipts. After his death in 1816 Mor Pheloxenose of Thozhyur became Malankara Methran by the order of Govt. of Travencore. He consecrated Punnathara Mor Dionesius III in 1817 before retiring to his own diocese. Pulikottil Mar Dionysius was the first Metropolitan from outside Pakalomattom family. He stressed the importance of theological education and developed the Seminary in Kottayam. It was he who decreed that the assets of the Metropolitan would be assets of the Church. Following his sudden death, Anjoor Mar Piloxenos took over as Malankara Metropolitan. Later Mar Philoxenos consecrated his Vicar General Punnathra Kurian Kathanar as Bishop, and returned to Thozhiyoor Church
The rulers of Travancore and Cochin sent forth 'Royal Proclamation' calling upon all Syrian Christians to respect and honor Joseph Mar Dionysius. Mar Dionysius had a for- sighted vision regarding the Church. He passed away on 24 November 1816. He was laid to rest inside the Chapel in the Old Seminary. His Death Anniversary is on 25 November
.