CCA mourns the passing of His Beatitude Catholicos Aboon Mor Baselios Thomas I of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church in India
Chiang Mai, Thailand: The Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) General Secretary, Dr Mathews George Chunakara, conveyed his deepest condolences on the passing of His Beatitude Catholicos Aboon Mor Baselios Thomas I, the head of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church in India.
After months of treatment for age-related illnesses, the prelate entered eternal rest on 31 October 2024, at the age of 95.
The CCA General Secretary noted that His Beatitude Catholicos Baselios Thomas I was a deeply respected spiritual leader whose life and ministry have been a guiding light for the faithful.
The prelate led the church for over two decades.
Throughout his leadership, His Beatitude ordained approximately 350 priests and 13 bishops and played a pivotal role in the establishment of various educational institutions and hospitals.
“The legacy of a devoted shepherd and spiritual leader, His Beatitude Catholicos Mor Baselios Thomas I, will forever be remembered by multitudes of faithful in the church as well as by the people of Kerala at large”, stated Dr Mathews George Chunakara.
Born as C.M. Thomas on 22 July 1929 in Puthenkurish, Kerala, India, His Beatitude was ordained as a priest in August 1958 and consecrated as Metropolitan with the title “Mor Dionysius” on 24 February 1974 in Damascus, Syria.
On 26 July 2002, at the age of 73, he was consecrated as the Catholicos with the title “Baselios Thomas I”.
The mortal remains of His Beatitude Catholicos Aboon Mor Baselios Thomas I will be kept at Kothamangalam Cheriapally for the public to pay homage.
Later, the remains will be moved to the Bishop’s House at the Patriarchal Centre, where he used to live. He will be interred in a specially constructed tomb at the Patriarchal Centre on Saturday, 2 November 2024.