Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysious IIwas born into the family of Pulikkottil(Kunnamkulam), a famous and important family in the annals of the history of Malankara church. He was a courageous, popular, spiritual leader, who guided his followers through one of the most difficult times in the history of Malankara Church. He dedicated his life to the church. Gifted by his integrity, and loyalty to the church he was even prepared to lay down his life for the church and its beliefs. At a time when modern mode of transportation could not even be dreamed of, he crossed the seas, passed through dangerous and unfamiliar terrain, with toil and travail, he went up to Antioch to get ordained as a bishop by the Patriarch of Antioch

Pulikkottil is an ancient family which moved from Aarthattu and settled in Kunnamkulam. Tharu Kurien, a member of this family was the nephew of Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysius I. Joseph (Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysious II) was born as the son of Tharu Kurien and Thandamma, daughter of Paingamukku Kuthooru Geevarghese Kathanaar, on November 12, 1833.

He received the deaconship from Cheppad Mar Dionysius on 6 October 1846 and on 18 August 1853 he was ordained as a priest by Metropolitan Yuyakim Mar Kurilos at Challiserry church. On 29 April 1865 at Ameed, Patriarch Yakoob III elevated him to the rank of Ramban.On 30 April he was consecrated as Metropolitan Joseph Mar Dionysios.

During the eventful forty-four years between 1865 A.D to 1909 he adorned the Malankara Metropolitan's position with extraordinary skill. It was during that period that the Mulanthuruthy Synod, division of dioceses and the 'Holy Mooran Koodasha' took place. Through his unstinting effort, spiritual organizations like Sunday School and Students movement, and Church institutions like Parumala Seminary, Kunnamkulam Sehiyon Bungalow, Kottapuram Seminary and M.D. Seminary developed. Kunnamkulam Pulikkottil Joseph Dionysious II died on 11 July 1909. His mortal remains were interred in the northern side of the chapel in Pazhaya Seminary. His Death Anniversary is on 12 July.