By Matters India Reporter
New Delhi, Nov 1, 2024: Catholic bishops of India joined Church and political leaders to mourn the death of the Indian head of the Jacobite Syrian Church.
Metropolitan Baselios Thomas I died at a private hospital in Kochi, Kerala, in the evening of October 31, after prolonged illness. He was 95.
His body was taken through Perumbavur to Kothamangalam Marthoman Cheriya Palli at night, where it was kept for the public to pay homage.
The funeral Mass at the church began at 10.30 am on November 1, and then a funeral procession proceeded to Kothamangalam Martha Mariam Valiya Palli. At 4 pm, the body was taken to the Patriarchal Centre at Puthen Cruz for people to pay homage.
On November 2, the funeral Mass will begin at 8 am, while the concluding prayers will be held at 3 pm. He will be interred in a specially constructed tomb at the Patriarchal Centre.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), in its condolence message, said death of “the esteemed spiritual leader” of the Jacobite Church has left a void in the Christian community.
The Catholic bishops hailed the Jacobite leader as “an iconic figure in the Indian Christian community, having completed 50 years of dedicated episcopal service. His tireless efforts to promote ecumenism, interfaith dialogue, and social harmony have been a source of inspiration to people across denominational lines.”
The Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) also mourned the death. Its general secretary Reverend Mathews George Chunakara noted that the Jacobite leader “was a deeply respected spiritual leader whose life and ministry have been a guiding light for the faithful.”
The conference also noted that the prelate led the church for more than two decades.
Throughout his leadership, the metropolitan had ordained around 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,” Reverend Chunakara added.
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi and Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi on November 1 expressed grief over the passing of the supreme head of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church.
“Saddened by the passing of His Eminence Catholicos Baselios Thomas I, Head of the Jacobite Syrian Church. A revered spiritual leader, his life was dedicated to the service and uplift of all. His wisdom and compassion inspired countless lives, leaving behind a legacy of faith and unity. My condolences to his family, friends, and followers,” Rahul Gandhi wrote on his Facebook page.
Priyanka Gandhi said in a post on X: “Deeply saddened to hear of the passing away of His Eminence Catholicos Baselios Thomas l, Head of the Jacobite Syrian Church. His immovable faith was a source of light for all. He lived a life of service and his deep compassion for those in need touched countless lives. My heartfelt condolences to the Syrian Christian Community. May his soul rest in peace.”
Baselios Thomas was listed as the longest-serving supreme head of a church in Kerala.
His childhood was mostly full of suffering on account of illness which affected his studies and his formal education ended when he was in Class 4.
However, his strong faith led him to serve God. His lack of formal education never came in the way as he mastered the Syriac language while he was studying for priesthood.
In 1974, Father Thomas was consecrated as the Metropolitan of the Angamali diocese, the largest Syrian Orthodox diocese.
Baselios Thomas was known for free and frank expression of his views and at times he took up cudgels with the government of Kerala.
His tenure as the supreme head of his church was marked by frequent verbal duels with the Syrian Orthodox Church.
He decided to relinquish his post in 2019, but the Patriarch of Antioch Ignatius Aphrem II asked him to continue as Catholicos.
He was born as C.M. Thomas on July 22, 1929, to Mathai and Kunjamma of the Cheruvillil family of Vadayambadi at Puthenkurish, a town in Kerala’s Ernakulam district. He was ordained a priest in August 1958 and consecrated as metropolitan with the title “Mor Dionysius” on February 24, 1974, in Damascus, Syria.
On July 26, 2002, at the age of 73, he was consecrated the Catholicos with the title “Baselios Thomas I.”