Jacob Manathodath was born on 22nd February 1947 at Kodamthuruthu as the eldest son of Kurian and Kathreena. He has one brother and five sisters. Jacob had his primary education in the L.P. School, Kodamthuruth and High School studies in the E.C.E.K. Union High School, Kuthiathode. After S.S.L.C. he joined the Sacred Heart Minor Seminary, Ernakulam. Two years later he was sent to the Papal Seminary, Pune, where he took Licentiate in Philosophy and Master’s Degree in Theology. He was ordained priest on 4th November 1972. In 1979 Fr. Jacob was sent to Rome for higher studies. He took Doctorate in Theology from the Gregorian University, Rome. After ordination, Fr. Jacob was first appointed Assistant Vicar of St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica, Ernakulam and then Private Secretary to the late Mar Joseph Cardinal Parecattil.