Catholicate.in Aboon Mor Baselios Thomas-I (1929-2024) Former Catholicos & Malankara Metropolitan of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church in India

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atholicos Aboon Mor Baselios Thomas-I  Bava, who shepherded the Church in India for over 50 years, was an eminent spiritual leader who played a pivotal role in the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church. Despite facing numerous challenges, he remained steadfast in his mission, always prioritizing the well-being of the Church and its members. His Beatitude was widely respected for his leadership and humility, making him a guiding force for countless believers. As Catholicos, he played an instrumental role in strengthening the faith of the laity and preserving the sacred traditions of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church.  Enthroned as Catholicos on July 26, 2002, by Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas in Damascus, Syria, H.B. Mor Baselios Thomas I led the Church through periods of ecclesiastical and social challenges until his passing in 2024.

A Childhood of Hardships and Divine Calling

H.B. Mor Baselios Thomas I was born into the Cheruvillil family of Vadayambadi, Puthenkurish, on July 22, 1929, as the sixth son of Mathai and Kunjamma of the Kolenchery Kallunkal family. He was affectionately called "Kunjuju" or "C.M. Thomas."

 

The early years of his life were filled with hardships. Although he belonged to an aristocratic family, financial difficulties had gripped them by the time of his birth. Frequent bouts of illness also affected his education. His mother, a devout believer in the power of prayer, often took him to the nearby Malecuriz Dayro, where the relics of Saint Kuriakose Sahdo, Patriarch Saint Ignatius Elias III, and Saint Gregorios Geevarghese (Parumala Thirumeni) were interred. One night, as she prayed with the young boy on her lap, she experienced a divine vision urging her to dedicate him to the service of the Church and its mission. Soon after, the boy’s illness was completely cured.

Due to financial constraints, "Kunjuju" was unable to continue his schooling beyond the fourth grade. Later, he took up a job in the Postal Department as a Mail Runner. From his teenage years, through his grooming for the priesthood, God’s divine intervention and abundant blessings shaped his devout life.

Theological Studies

 His spiritual education flourished under the guardianship and guidance of Njarthunkal Koruthu Malpan, Musa Saloma Ramban (Mor Chrysostomos) and Kadavil Paul Ramban (Paulose Mar Athanasius) which shaped Kunjunu in the way of a true votary of Almighty and a devoted monk.

 

Priestly Path

His priestly ordination was by Mor Philoxenos Paulose (late Catholicos Mor Baselios Paulose-II) who anointed him ‘Korooyo’ in 1952 and ‘Shamshono’ at Kadamattom Church in 1957. In August 1958, Dn. Thomas was ordained ‘Kassisso’ (full priest) by Mor Yulius Elias (Patriarchal Delegate to Malankara) at the Manjinikkara Dayro. 

 

 Vicar at Churches: In 1959 he was appointed as the vicar of his home parish, the St. Peter’s church, Puthenkurish, where he served for a period of six years. During the renovation of the church, he worked relentlessly alongside the labourers carrying sand and stones. Later he served the churches at Vellathooval, Keezhumuri, Fort Cochin, Valamboor, Calcutta and Thrissur.

 

Organizing Secretary of Kolenchery Medical Mission: For a period of seven years from 1967, he was the organizing secretary of Kolenchery Medical Mission Hospital. He Provided Leadership for the Basic Establishment of the Medical Mission where he served not as a priest but as a hard-working layman.

 

Mission Field:  He served as the Chief organizer of the North Indian mission at Bhilai in 1970’s and at Udhampur, Kashmir and as the secretary of the Pourasthaya Suvishesha Samajam in 1974. In the Coal mines of Calcutta where labourers worked like animals and among T.B. patients of Varikoly hospital he worked mercifully.

 

Meditative Preacher:  Along with the Fifteen years of Service as Vicar, he was well known as an acclaimed orator & an eminent scholar in Biblical subjects & speeches and was also recognized as an excellent organizer, which revealed God’s interference in his life as true spiritual leader.

Metropolitan

On December 8, 1973, Fr. C.M. Thomas was elected as Prelate by the Angamali Diocesen body (Palliprathipurusha Yogam) convened at the Kothamangalam Valiyapally and was consecrated Metropolitan with the title ‘Mor Dionysius’ by H.H. Mor Ignatius Ya`qub-III on 24^th February 1974 at Damascus, Syria. On his return to India, after the consecration, His Grace wasn’t allowed to enter certain churches owing to legal disputes which dampened people’s spirits, however, not giving up, HG along with Perumpilly Thirumeni worked tirelessly, travelled through all over India boosting people’s trust and morale. He was entrusted with the charge of Angamali diocese, the largest of all the Syrian Orthodox dioceses which has a membership of more than half a million. Dynamic decision-making ability and untiring pragmatism of Mor Dionysius in those days had helped a lot to revive the confidence of not merely the faithful of the diocese, but the entire Malankara Church.

 

Metropolitans Mor Dionysius, Mor Gregorios Geevarghese (late) and Mor Koorilos Kuriakose (late) were a great support to the (late) Catholicos Aboon Mor Baselios Paulose-II, the then Chief of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church.

 

He was key organizer of Thuruthisherry Syrian Christian Association meeting held on Dec 25th & 26th 1975. As the Metropolitan of Angamali, Mor Dionysius had successfully initiated many welfare programs and also re-organized the diocesan administration, which enlightened and emphasized his ability as a Prelate. In 1978 Mor Baselios Medical Mission Hospital at Kothamangalam was started under his patron-ship.

 

Photos from the Metropolitan Consecration ceremony of  Mor Dionysius Thomas (Catholicos Baselios Thomas I) and Mor Gregorios Geevarghese Perumpillil

by His Holiness the Patriarch Mor Ignatius Yakub III of the Apostolic See of Antioch & all the East

Catholicos-designate

Following the demise of Mor Baselios Paulose-II in 1996, Mor Gregorios Geevarghese (Perumpally Thirumeni) became the President of the Episcopal Synod of the Church in India.  After the passing away of Mor Gregorios Geevarghese in February 1999, Mor Dionysius was nominated & assumed the Presidency of the Malankara Church Synod and association. On 27th December 2000, His Excellency was chosen as the Catholicos-designate by the Holy Episcopal Synod. The Church delegates meeting held at Puthencuriz on the same day, unanimously approved this decision.

Church Constitution

At a critical juncture in the church's history, a crucial convention was convened in Puthencruz, Kerala, on July 6, 2002, with delegates from all parishes participating. During this gathering, a new constitution for the effective administration of the Malankara Church was approved with the consent of the Supreme Head, the Patriarch of Antioch & All the East. At this historic Church Association, H.E. Mor Dionysius Thomas was elected as the Catholicos and the Metropolitan Trustee of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church.

Catholicos Enthronement

On Friday the 26^th  of July ,2002, His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka - I Iwas the Patriarch of Antioch & all the East, consecrated the 73-year-old Mor Dionysius Thomas as the Catholicos with the title Baselios Thomas I at a solemn function held at the St. Peters & St. Paul Cathedral in Mor Ephrem Monastery, Ma’arat Sayyidnaya, near Damascus. Metropolitans who were the co-celebrants during the Catholicos enthronement were H.G Julius Yeshu`Çiçek  ( Central Europe), H.G Philoxenos Matta Semavun, H.G.Theophelos George Saliba (Lebanon), H.G Timotheos Samuel Aktas (Tur'abdin), H.G. Philoxenos Yusuf Cetin (Istanbul), H.G  Osthatheos  Matta Rohum (Jezirah & Euphrates), H.G  Gregorios Joseph (Kochi), H.G. Dioscoros Benyamin Atas (Sweden), H.G. Severios Malke Mourad (Jerusalem & Jordan), H.G. Dionysius Isa Gurbuz (Germany), H.G. Julius Kuriakose (1^st Secretary to the Patriarch and the Patriarchal Vicar for Indian affairs), H.G. Silwanos Petrus al-Ni'meh (Homs and Hama), H.G. Ivanios Mathews (Kandanadu and USA), H.G. Ivanios Paulos Al-Souky (Damascus).

 

Thus, fulfilling the wishes of multitude of believers, the Malankara Church received a Catholicos after a gap of six years (Catholicos Mor Baselios II passed away in 1996). In the Syrian Orthodox Church hierarchy, the Catholicos is second in rank to the supreme spiritual head, the Patriarch of Antioch.

Centuries old heritage and inheritance of Syrian Orthodox faith in India were kept safe in the hands of Mar Dionysius as Metropolitan and as Catholicose. To safe guard the liturgy, rites, rituals, customs and traditions, he strained and suffered a lot. When there was a shortage of priests to lead the flock, he selected individuals interested in priestly life and educated them. He ordained a total of 350 priests in Malankara. During his incumbency as Catholicose, with a vision and foresight, he reconstituted, the biggest diocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church, Angamaly, into five zones Muvattupuzha, Kothamangalam, Perumbavoor, Highrange, Angamaly and categorized outside Kerala dioceses as Delhi, Bombay, Bangalore, Mylapore. Idukki diocese was also revived. Metropolitans were appointed for each of the zones and dioceses.

Metropolitans Ordained by His Beatitude

H.B. the Catholicos Baselios Thomas I had ordained 13 Metropolitans for the Church in India. They were H.G Dr.Kuriakose Mor Theophilos Metropolitan (Seminary), H.G Mathews Mor Thevodosios Metropolitan (Kollam), H.G Mathews Mor Aphrem Metropolitan (Perumbavoor zone, Angamaly), H.G Pathrose Mor Osthathios Metropolitan (former New Delhi Bishop), H.G Kuriakose Mor Eusebius Metropolitan (New Delhi), H.G Geevarghese Mor Coorilose Metropolitan (Niranam), H.G Elias Mor Athanasius Metropolitan (former Thrissur Bishop), H.G Zacharias Mor Philexinos Metropolitan (Idukki), H.G Issac Mor Ostatious (Madras, Bangalore), H.G Geevarghese Mor Barnabas (Niranam Assistant), H.G Mor Elias Julious (High range Angamaly), H.G Thomas Mor Alexandros (Bombay), H.G Zacharias Mor Polycarpos (Malabar Bishop). 

Chief Celebrant of 101 Qurbono:  H.B. was the chief celebrant of Holy Qurbana assisted with hundred altars (101 Qurbana) hoisted by Metropolitans and priests as co-celebrants on two occasions: (1) Hundredth commemoration year of St. Gregorios Chathuruthy (Parumala Thirumeni) on 2nd November 2002. (2) Centenary celebration day of Knanaya Arch Diocese on 29th December 2010 at Chingavanam Dayara Cathedral.101 Qurbanas are conducted on very rare occasions.

  

Mission centers and retreat centers:   H.B was at the helm of establishing many mission and retreat centres all over India. St. Thomas Mediation Centre, a devotional centre with home stay for believers and attendants established at Kizhillam near Perumbavoor, St. Paul’s mission centered in Pattimattom spreading missionary and charity work, St. John’s Mission Centre at Kothamangalam for destitutes and orphans, Old age home at Kizhakkambalam a shelter and comfort home for hapless persons at the fag end of their life were all established with H.B.’s support and guidance.

  

Educational institutions:   Inspite of his limited academic qualifications, H.B had an incredible foresight regarding enlargement of educational establishments under the Church with an objective of giving access to exceptional and quality education to young individuals regardless of their financial predicament.  St. Thomas college Puthencruz, Baselious Paulose II Arts and Science College Piramadam, St. Gregorios Dental College Chelad, Mar Coorilos Higher Secondary school Pattimattom, Baselios Thomas-I Public school Puthencruz, Mar Athanasios High School Puthencruz are the living examples for his farsighted educational vision for generations.

  

Establishment of Churches:  At times of great difficulties when the Holy Church lost many of its places of worship, H.B travelled all through India overcoming personal difficulties, consecrating about 100 churches. H.B also travelled abroad founding congregations in different countries which later emerged as dioceses.

  

Visits of the Patriarchs:  H.B. pioneered the Apostolic visits of His Holiness, the Patriarchs of Antioch and All the East, Ignatius Zakka I and Ignatius Aphrem II, to Malankara multiple times during his tenure.

  

Ardent Struggle to Safeguard Faith: During times of struggle, he actively participated in protests and endured arrests, yet these hardships could not diminish his zeal in the battle for the Holy Church. He was accused in more than 560 cases, yet he never filed a suit against anyone. When the rebel Orthodox group denied funerals for our believers at St. Mary’s Church, Thrikunnath, Aluva, H.B. undertook a prolonged fast for 44 days. He also fasted for seven days in protest against the denial of prayers for our believers at Pazhanthottam Church. At Aluva, he faced brutal police atrocities—he was beaten, imprisoned, and sustained injuries that required prolonged treatment. It was Bava’s fervent wish to celebrate the Holy Qurbana at Thrikkunnathu Seminary, a dream he relentlessly fought for despite continuous opposition. This wish was finally fulfilled on February 1, 2014. H.B. also undertook fasting prayers at Trikkunnathu, Aluva, and Kolancherry due to the denial of prayers, adoration, and Holy Qurbana in our churches. Similar struggles and sufferings occurred at Mamalassery, Kanyattunirappu, and Kadamattom churches, all of which rightfully belonged to the Jacobite Syrian Christian community.

Passing away of H.H. Ignatius Zaka I the Patriarch of Antioch

On March 21, 2014, His Holiness Ignatius Zakka I, the supreme pontiff of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church passed away while in Germany and was entombed at the church in Mor Ephrem Seminary near Damascus, Syria.  It was Patriarch Zakka who elevated H.B. Mor Baselios Thomas I as the Catholicos of India on 26th July 2002.  His Beatitude was the chief celebrant in H.H. Ignatius Zakka-I Patriarch’s funeral at Damascus, assisted by Syrian Orthodox Metropolitans from all over the world.

Selection of the new Patriarch for the Apostolic See of Antioch & All the East and the Enthronement

On March 31, 2014, H.B., the Catholicos, presided over the Holy Synod held in Beirut for the selection of His Eminence Aphrem Karim as the new Patriarch. Later, H.B. served as the chief celebrant for his enthronement as H.H. Ignatius Aphrem II, the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, in Damascus on May 29, 2014.  This marked the second time that a Catholicos from India led the consecration of the Patriarch of Antioch. The first instance was the enthronement of the late Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I, conducted by the late H.B. Baselios Paulose II, Catholicos on September 14, 1980. 

 

Relationships with Political and Religious Leaders:  HB had deep and sincere relations with Bishops from sister Churches such as Late Joseph Marthoma Metropolitan, Late Philipose Mar Chrysostom Metropolitan and continues to have profound friendships with Cardinal George Alenchery, Bishop George Punnakottil , HB Cardinal Baselios Cleemis Bava and many other Bishops. HB also shared cordial relationships with many political leaders such as Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Former Chief Ministers K.Karunakaran, A.K Antony and V.S Achuthanandan ,former ministers P.P Thankachen, T.H Mustafa, A.P Kurien, T.M Jacob and SNDP Secretary Vellapally Natesan.

  

Milestones of two decades as Catholicos:

1. Puthencruz Patriarchal Centre:

    A four storied big mansion with conference halls, meeting lounges, Metropolitan/VIP suits with modern amenities, adjoining Mor Athanasious Cathedral and St. Mary’s convention Centre, with ample parking facility was built under the leadership guidance and supervision of H B. 

2. Church Constitution:

    To admonish and administer the customs, traditions and faith of Syrian orthodox church intact, constitution was enacted and passed by the Jacobite Syrian Christian Association in 2002. 

3. Sunday School and Spiritual Institutions:

    H.B. gave new life to the great institution-Sunday School. Initiated for a thorough study and curriculum for Sunday School movement, having a strength of 80,000 students and 10,000 teachers. H.B. initiated and accumulated the funds and man power to build a Sunday School Head office at Puthencruz, comprising of a convention Centre, meeting halls, study rooms, teachers and office bearers’ rooms. H.B gave the impetus to formulate the constitution for Sunday school and served as the Sunday School President for ten years. 

4. Other spiritual organizations:

    A new headquarters building at Puthencruz for Martha Mariam samajam. Reconstituted youth association, Mar Gregorios students’ movement, elder’s forum and the charitable trust KEFA. 

5.Book Stall & Press: 

    For Gospel work and spreading of spiritual messages a well-equipped printing press and book stall started near the Puthencruz church headquarters (with availability of all altar/church equipment’s and priestly vestments). 

6.Puthencruz Convention: 

    Akhila Malankara convention popularly known as Puthenkurish convention was started thirty years back. A well-organized “Suvishesha Sangam” was constituted to conduct the convention. 

7.Mulanthuruthy Seminary: 

    Many extension programs for Mulanthuruthy Seminary expansion was conducted. The seminary offers bachelor degree and higher studies under Serampore University Calcutta, having a huge library with abound and adept faculty to educate our new clergy section. 

8. Biblical Academy:

    With the aim of educating laypeople, the academy systematically introduced basic learning of the Holy Bible, worship, prayer, true faith and adoration, customs, traditions, and history. People from all walks of life became an integral part of this initiative. 

9.Ecumenical Relations:

    During his incumbency HB built up a strong inter church ecumenical relations. HB Initiated theological dialogues with Malankara Marthoma Church and continued the dialogues with Catholic Church. Kept cordial relations with all other sister Churches. 

10.Peace and Unity amongst churches:

    His Beatitude remained steadfast in his pursuit of lasting peace in Malankara, firmly upholding the ancient faith and its deep-rooted connection with the Holy Patriarchal See of Antioch, one of the four patriarchates of the Christian world. According to H.B., peace within the Church must be achieved, and any issues should be resolved through negotiations. The principle that Bava stood for was peace, not subjugation. He always upheld the majority interests of each parish church in Malankara. 

11.From nothing to World Citizen: 

    Out of 69 countries where Apostle Paul spread the gospel H.B have visited 67 of them. H.B have visited Damascus a total of 75 times and Jerusalem about 9 times. H.B have visited Rome twice and met Late H H Pope John Paul II and H H Pope Francis along with the previous and present Patriarchs of the Holy See of Antioch. 

12.Yakob Burdana of Malankara: 

    For his brave commitments and actions to Church’s beliefs and faith, HH Zakka I Patriarch called him ‘Yakob Burdana of Malankara’. (When the Church was attempted to be destroyed, Yakob Burdana (AD 505-578) was the warrior and benefactor of the Church). HH Patriarch also had honoured HB by naming him Bargrish (Storm child), a name Christ used for Jacob and John.

The Passing of Mor Baselios Thomas I

In 2019, His beatitude stepped down from his administrative role as Malankara Metropolitan but remained Catholicos at the request of Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II, with Mor Gregorios Joseph succeeding him as Malankara Metropolitan. 

 

Mor Baselios Thomas I passed away on October 31, 2024, in Kochi at the age of 95, following a prolonged battle with age-related health issues. He was entombed at St. Athanasius Cathedral at the Patriarchal Centre, Puthencruz, Ernakulam, on November 2, 2024.

A Legacy of Faith and Leadership

H.B. Catholicos will be remembered for generations as an unwavering teacher and guide in the service of the Church, a guardian of its rites, rituals, customs, traditions, and true faith. His profound biblical orations and steadfast monastic commitment will serve as a lasting example for the clergy as a whole. A visionary leader, compassionate humanist, and devoted monastic, he was the crown of the Malankara Syrians—a prudent mouthpiece, a pillar, and a teacher of the Holy Church of God. Like a meadow full of flowers, he nurtured the faith and set an enduring example for Metropolitans, priests, and believers of the ancient Church.

 

Dr. Babu Paul once wrote, "When the devastated and desperate Jacobite Syrian Christians in the seventies and eighties, without an efficient and charismatic leader, became an aimless and disheartened crowd, God prepared Bava in abeyance to heed the divine call. And when God asked, ‘Whom shall I send to lead them?’ the reply came, ‘O Lord, speak, for your servant is listening."

 

The present Malankara Jacobite church has a long traditional history and legacy of Apostolic succession and priesthood, which progressed and groomed to the present stage as a well-organized and disciplined God-fearing community. For this marvelous blessing of God, the prayers and hard work of H.B was instrumental as he was the architect and builder for five decades. With tireless energy, enormous courage and unflinching faith and dependence in God, he lifted the status of Jacobite church through five decades with more than 30 metropolitans and near about 1000 priests and 20 dioceses having large number of churches from a position having only 3 metropolitans with few priests and the confused crowd of believers.

 

70 years of sufferings & struggles to upkeep the Holy faith under the supremacy of the Holy Throne of Antioch, His life is a text book mingled with the recent seven decades of Malankara Church History for the coming generation. As a devoted shepherd of his flock, his intense prayer and fasting brought an abundance of the Holy Spirit to all his ordinations and endeavours. Throughout his tenure, he faced numerous tribulations, including opposition from authorities, humiliation, defeats, excommunication, oppression, and legal setbacks. Yet, by divine grace, miraculous events unfolded, elevating him as a visionary reformist of the Malankara Syrian Jacobite community.

H.B. Catholicos Aboon Mor Baselios Thomas-I Bava with the Metropolitans of the Syrian Church in India during

the consecration of five Metropolitans at the St. Thomas church, Paravur on 3 July 2006

Malankara Episcopal Synod held at Puthencuriz Patriarchal Centre in June 2014

His Beatitude with late lamented Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I

1. Selected Photos of the Catholicos' Sacerdotal Jubilee function held at Marine Drive Ground, Kochi:

        http://www.syriacchristianity.in/Photos/Recpt180ct08/index.html

2.  Catholicos Enthronement ceremony held at at St. Peter & St. Paul's Cathedral, Damascus on 26 July 2002

        http://www.syriacchristianity.in/Photos/CatholicosEnthronement2002/

3.  Sacerdotal Golden Jubilee of HIS  BEATITUDE MOR BASELIOS THOMAS I

        http://www.syriacchristianity.in/Catholicate/SacerdotalGoldenJubileeHBBaseliosThomasI.htm