Mor Baselios Thomas I ( Syr: ܡܳܪܝ̱ ܒܰܣܺܝܠܺܝܳܘܣ ܬܐܳܘܡܰܐ ܩܰܕ݂ܡܳܝܳܐ; Mal: മോർ ബസേലിയോസ് തോമസ് പ്രഥമൻ; Born Cheruvillil Mathai Thomas 22 July 1929 – 31 October 2024) was the

Catholicos of India The Catholicos of India, also referred to as the Catholicos of the East or the Maphrian is the head of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church. He is ordained by the Syriac Orthodox Antiochian patriarch and functions within the Syriac Orthodox C ...

(

Maphrian The Maphrian ( or ''maphryono''), is the second-highest rank in the ecclesiastical hierarchy of the Syriac Orthodox Church, right below that of patriarch. The office of a maphrian is a maphrianate. There have been three maphrianates in the hist ...

) and head of the Malankara Syriac Orthodox Church. He also served as the Metropolitan of the Angamali Diocese. He was the first head of the Malankara Syriac Orthodox Church to use the title "Catholicos of India". Enthroned on 26 July 2002 by Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas at St. Ephrem's Monastery in Damascus, Syria, he led the church through periods of ecclesiastical and social challenge until his death in 2024.

Early Life

Cheruvillil Mathai Thomas, affectionately known as "Kunjunju," was born on 22 July 1929 to Cheruvillil Mathai and Kunjamma. Though he came from an aristocratic family, financial hardship marked his childhood. Frequent illnesses interrupted his education, leading his mother to pray at the relics of St. Cyricus, St. Ignatius Elias III, and St. Gregorios of Parumala at Malecruz Dayro. Due to financial constraints, he left school after the fourth grade and began working as a mail runner with the postal department. Thomas received spiritual training under figures like Njarthunkal Koruthu Malpan, Moosa Saloma Ramban, and Kadavil Paul Ramban.

Early Service

In 1952, Thomas was ordained a lector, becoming a deacon in 1957 under Mor Philexenos Paulose, and a priest in 1958 under Mor Julius Elias Qoro. Serving as vicar of St. Peter's and St. Paul's Church in Puthenkurish, he later ministered in communities including Vellathooval, Kezhumuri, Fort Cochin, Valamboor, Calcutta, and Thrissur. From 1967 to 1974, he worked as organizing secretary for Kolenchery Medical Mission Hospital, later serving in missions across northern India. He also supported coal miners in Calcutta through his work at Varikoly Hospital. Known as a gifted orator and biblical scholar, Thomas's impact extended across spiritual, social, and medical spheres.

Metropolitan of Angamali

In 1973, the Angamali Diocese Church Association elected Thomas as its metropolitan. Consecrated as Mor Dionysius Thomas alongside Mor Gregorios Geevarghese of Perumpally in 1974 by Patriarch Ignatius Yacoub III, the new bishops were called to rally the community during the renewed conflict between the

Syriac Orthodox Church The Syriac Orthodox Church (), also informally known as the Jacobite Church, is an Oriental Orthodox Christian denomination, denomination that originates from the Church of Antioch. The church currently has around 4-5 million followers. The ch ...

and the

Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (MOSC) also known as the Indian Orthodox Church (IOC) or simply as the Malankara Church, is an Autocephaly, autocephalous Oriental Orthodox Churches, Oriental Orthodox church headquartered in #Catholicate ...

. In 1978, Mor Dionysius founded Mor Baselios Medical Mission Hospital in Kothamangalam. Following Mor Baselios Paulose II’s and Mor Gregorios's deaths, Mor Dionysius became President of the Malankara Synod in 2000, and he played a pivotal role in organizing an association meeting in 2002 to establish a new constitution for the

Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church The Jacobite Syrian Christian Church, also known as the Malankara Syriac Orthodox Church, Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church, or the Syriac Orthodox Church in India is an autonomous maphrianate of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch base ...

, where he was elected Malankara Metropolitan and Catholicos.

Catholicos of India

In 2002, Mor Dionysius Thomas was enthroned as

, taking the name Baselios Thomas I. During his leadership, he restructured the Angamali diocese into five regions and established new dioceses in Delhi, Bombay, Bangalore, Mylapore, and Idukki. He presided over the consecration of 13 bishops and participated in numerous other consecrations presided by the

Patriarch of Antioch The Patriarch of Antioch is a traditional title held by the bishop of Antioch (modern-day Antakya, Turkey). As the traditional "overseer" (, , from which the word ''bishop'' is derived) of the first gentile Christian community, the position has ...

. He also presided over the enthronement of Mor Ignatius Aphrem II as

in 2014. He founded St. Thomas Meditation Center in Kizhillam, St. Paul's Mission Center in Pattimatam, and St. John's Mission Center for Orphans in Kothamangalam, as well as educational institutions such as St. Thomas College in Puthencruz. He also established the churches headquarters, the Patriarchal Centre in Puthencruz, Kochi, in 2004. A prominent figure in ecumenical dialogue, Mor Baselios Thomas I held discussions with the Roman Catholic Church and the Mar Thoma Syrian Church, maintaining friendships with figures like Joseph Mar Thoma, Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, and Cardinal George Alenchery. He participated in meetings with both

Pope Francis Pope Francis (born Jorge Mario Bergoglio; 17 December 1936 – 21 April 2025) was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 13 March 2013 until Death and funeral of Pope Francis, his death in 2025. He was the fi ...

and

Pope John Paul II Pope John Paul II (born Karol Józef Wojtyła; 18 May 19202 April 2005) was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 16 October 1978 until Death and funeral of Pope John Paul II, his death in 2005. In his you ...

and took a leading role in protests opposing court orders favoring the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. In 2019, he 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.

Death

Mor Baselios Thomas I died on 31 October 2024 at a medical facility 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 2 November 2024.

References

External links

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The Official Blogs of Catholicos Aboon Mor Baselios Thomas I

The Official Facebook Page of Catholicos Aboon Mor Baselios Thomas I

Catholicose

{{DEFAULTSORT:Thomas, Baselios, I 1929 births 2024 deaths Jacobite Syrian Christian Church Syriac Orthodox Church bishops Christian clergy from Ernakulam district Indian Oriental Orthodox Christians